All Music Guide
Lou Harrison's ambitious composition La Koro Sutro (translated from Esperanto as "heart sutra") does not simply borrow from the Gamelan tradition of Indonesia. An Americanized Gamelan ensemble, with instruments built by William Colvig utilizing more Western tunings, allows Harrison's composition a new, more stable sonic texture, and ability to add various different percussive sounds that build on the virtues of the ancient metallophone. The American Gamelan is complemented by the 100 voice choir of UCal/Berkeley, harp, violin and organ players, and percussion instruments consisting of inverted metal garbage cans, bell like oxygen tanks with stripped bottoms, brake drums, aluminum sheets, and a gigantic over six foot triple contrabass metallophone made of huge PVC pipes, tin can resonators, steel and aluminum components. You cannot imagine the sound produced until you hear it, and it is otherworldly. The near thirtyminute title track is very modern and also traditionally panAsian, using... distinct Javanese rhythms under the soaring vocal choir, and bright, shimmering layered percussion underneath. This eightmovement composition always keeps you guessing and commands your interest, whether the mood is chiming, vocally towering, mysterious, animated, reverent or heavy. Actually, it's perfect holiday music. The one theme extrapolated upon from the original motif is "Strofo 6," elongated from the introductory "Kunsonoro Kaj Gloro." As the second stand alone piece, "Varied Trio" is quite different and more chamber like, as the percussion playing of William Winant dominates early, while violinist David Abel takes over on the wringing emotions of the third segment "Elegy," and pianist Julie Steinberg joins in the joyous terpsichore of "Dance." The finale "Suite For Violin American Gamelan" has seven parts, with the inserted "Jhala IIII" placed in the middle. It is very delicate and traditionally Balinese, surrounded by the upbeat and interactive "Estampie" and the funereal finale "Chaconne." A wondrous recording of depth, substance and spirit, not to mention high quality musicianship, it might very well be Harrison's magnum opus. This composition, including the transport of instruments, has toured the country courtesy of the Fort Lewis College Percussion Ensemble of Colorado. If you have the opportunity to witness this spectacle, don't let it pass. Meanwhile you have this beautiful recording to treasure and enjoy for the rest of your life. - Michael G. Nastos, All Music Guide Read more Less
