Peter Frohmader - Stringed Works (1994 compi, rec. 1982-84)

This week of lengthy explorations of sound isn't over yet - here's four more.  Peter Frohmader was one of the founder members of the obscure krautrock outfit Kanaan (sounds like a definite Amon Düül II influence) in the mid 70s - they eventually turned into the group Nekropolis in the 80s.  

Apparently otherwise concentrating on electronic music as a solo artist, Frohmader's "Stringed Works" don't refer to anything classical, but to guitars and basses - or just basses, supported by a drummer, in the opening track here.  Bass Symphony No. 2, subtitled Bass Inferno, is 22 minutes of grinding, scratchy propulsion from 4 and 8 string bass guitars, fretless bass and electric upright bass.  It works up a fair head of steam (with some atmospheric interludes), sometimes sounding like a metal band without any guitarists.

Next up is Symphony For Basses And Guitars (Outset).  Frohmader plays all the electric and 12-string acoustic guitars himself, as well as basses and electronics.  Made me think of the more rocked-up parts of Tubular Bells at times, as Frohmader puts the instruments through their paces in a prog-like suite that still has a great atmospheric production.  Atmospheres are much more the focus of the next pair of tracks, which were originally released as an LP in 1987.  Bass Symphony No. 3 (Creation) pulses and shimmers, and eventually introduces ghostly, wordless vocals from singer Birgit Metzger.  Winter Music ventures even further into dark ambience, with Frohmader playing Champan Stick through a fog of effects while Metzger's layers of voice come to the fore.

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