By MW69276
31-Jul-2009

JOSEPH BERTOLOZZI "Bridge Music"  

Joseph Bertolozzi is unofficially credited for making a recording of the largest musical instrument known. Bridge Music involves the clever use of sampling sounds made by striking a bridge (yes, an actual bridge) with various mallets and sticks. The sounds are then processed in the studio, which I personally feel takes away from the listening experience. The constant repetition of processed sounds makes parts of the composition seem tedious and cold at times.

That said, I thought the idea was very creative. Bridge Music can be enjoyed when experienced as a work of sound art, and not as a strictly musical, or percussive, piece. The recording might have been more enjoyable as a live performance, with multiple performers. This would have made the piece less rigid, allowing more creativity through improvisation. Extraneous noises could actually enhance the recording.

The liner notes are extensive and informative, and the final track of the CD is an audio tour of the different aspects of the creation and recording of this unusual, but “rivet”-ing piece (sorry, I just couldn’t help myself). Bertolozzi is gifted and creative, with a strong ear for acoustics. Fans of percussion works of Cage and Xenakis need not hesitate.
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