Album Reviews

World Music probably before there was such a term, this musical description of a dramatic, colorful Australian aboriginal dance ceremony told mostly with western classical musical conventions and instrumentation, though a ominous sounding primitive instrument called a bull roarer makes a dramatic appearance.

The music is brutal and sometimes violent, and as the liner notes predict, you will be reminded of Stravinsky and say to yourself “Austrailian “The Rite of Spring.”

The annotation suggests, however, that were you to listen to field recordings of the actual ceremony, you’d hear that the composer has capture that and not “The Rite of Spring.”

The cinematic music is populated by heavy percussive attacks and dramatic shifts in mood and dynamics as the New South Wales born composer John Antill brings the mysterious night time before the fire light conducted ceremony to life.

Side two switches hemispheres with the Argentinian composer Alberto Ginastera’s relatively short ballet based on a South American Indian legend, written when he was but 20 years old. It too combines the classical with the primitive and will remind you of “The Rite of Spring.”

The recording is legendary and this reissue at 33 1/3 sounds one hundred times better than the original vinyl, The dynamic range and the depth charge bass attacks will almost have you running for cover. The double 45rpm box set version on Clarity Vinyl must be staggering.

If you’ve got full range speakers, this record will give them a real workout. An enormous soundstage, an intimate perspective, unrestrained dynamics and solid imaging and sense of three dimensionality combine to produce a memorable sonic spectacular that will grab and hold your attention with each play.

Like “The Rite of Spring,” or “Pictures at an Exhibition,” or some of the other great choices as introductions to classical music, this pairing offers fast moving, evocative musical excitement built upon a strong percussive bed that attacks and excites.

The first pressing at 33 1/3 a few years ago sold out. This re-press will most likely do the same in both editions. This record is highly recommended, whether you’re into Mahler or you’re a metalhead.