U Potrazi Za Novim Zvukom 1956-1984 - Croatian Electroacoustic Music (2016 compi)

An authoritative, and engrossing two-and-a-half-hour immersion in electroacoustic music by Croatian composers.  The criteria for inclusion on this 2CD set was that the pieces represented were either significant in the history of Croatian electroacoustic music, or the composers first work in the medium, or both.  This gives 21 tracks by 14 composers to wrap your ears around, all the way from the tape & generators heyday of the mid 50s through to 80s computer music.

The first disc covers the years 1956-1973, and fans old-school tape music will find much to love here, right from the two Ivo Malec tracks (from '56 and '61) that open the compilation.  Highlights of CD1 for me were the later Malec track Lumina, by which time that composer had hit on a stunning synthesis of orchestral and tape music; the more electronic focus of Silvio Foretić's pieces; and the chance to hear a couple of early works by Dubravko Detoni, who in 1967-8 was using vocal, percussive and piano sounds to create Phonomorphia 1 & 2.

The second disc, spanning 1969-1984, is even better.  First up is Igor Kuljerić's Impulses I (1969-70) for string quartet and tape, which could almost be an early Avram/Dumitrescu, and further highlights for me were Zlatko Pibernik's voice-warping Etida (1975) with its atmospheric backing; the epic 18 minutes of Davorin Kempf's Interferencije (1977-80) for organ and tons of electronics; and an actual appearance by Acezantez (see Detoni link above), featured on Zlatko Tanodi's eerily pulsing Echolalia (1979-80).  All in all, this compilation definitely hits the spot if you're 'in search of a new sound' as per the Croatian title.  A highly recommended mix of some wonderfully out-there music.

Disc 1
Disc 2

Dubravko Detoni With Acezantez - s/t (2000 compilation, rec. 1975-77)

Ansambl Centra za nove tendencije Zagreb were an experimental chamber ensemble formed in 1970 by Croatian composer Dubravko Detoni.  This compilation centres around the sole LP they released together in 1977 - although a smattering of other Detoni releases/VA releases would feature performances with Acezantez, three of which fill out the CD.

The LP (see below) featured two 20-minute pieces, Kitsch Variations and Fable.  The former features the ensemble skronking, plonking and droning away nicely on piano, celesta, harpsichord (Detoni) plus glockenspiel, organ and a variety of wind, brass and string instruments.  I'm not clear on what the composed/improvised ratio was here, but Fable does offer a highly listenable organised chaos with plenty of atmospheric headroom and no-one going on for too long of getting in each other's way.  I'd take a guess then at some sort of basic guide score at least being followed.

Fable is even better, and the definite highlight here for me.  There's much more manipulation of the instruments going on, there's lots of vocal weirdness and odd tape samples in the mix, and the whole thing could definitely pass at a push for some great lost Nurse With Wound track (incidentally, that lettering on the CD cover is credited to one Steven Stapleton).

As mentioned, completing this collection are two tracks from a self-titled 1976 Detoni LP, Grafika VI and Group Gymnastics, and the disc opener Dokument 75 is from an LP called Muzički Biennale Zagreb 1975.  All are worth a listen, especially Grafika's distorted organ drones and Dokument's electronic stabs.  Wish there were a dozen more Acezantez releases - this is one of the most satisying CDs I've bought in ages.  Hugely recommended, if you like this sort of thing.

original LP cover, 1977 (tracks 2 & 3 on CD)

link

Martin Davorin Jagodic - Tempo Furioso (Tolles Wetter) (1975)

Sole album release by Martin Davorin Jagodic (b. 1935, Zagreb), who settled in France in the 1960s.  Having apparently worked at GRM, been involved in installations and performance pieces and composed numerous Cage-esque graphic scores, it's a shame there isn't more recorded evidence of Jagodic's work.  What is available here, though, is 42 minutes of top-notch sound manipulation that more than justified Jagodic's place on the Nurse With Wound list (see last Monday's post).

Starting from a stew of queasy, gently pulsing electronics, it soon becomes clear that the 'Tempo Furioso' title doesn't have anything to do with the pace of the work, and may have just been applied for ironic/comic value.  Adding to the mix are various voice snippets and loops, naturalistic sounds of lapping waves and birds (Jagodic must've been out taping in the 'great weather' of the album's subtitle), and samples of classical and rock music.  An early highlight of the second track is a lengthy sample from a period-drama radio play, surrounded by more agitated electronics, before things settle down again.  A highly recommended sound experience from start to finish.

Update!  Have received the following comment:

A website will be open for Martin Davorin Jagodic in the following month with a lot of new music, graphic scores, videos and more.
If you want to get the link when it will be ready, just send an email to bethson@free.fr.

link