ON THE TORMENT OF SAINTS, THE CASTING OF SPELLS AND THE EVOCATION OF SPIRITS

John Zorn, november 2013 - On the Torment of Saints, The Casting of Spells and the Evocation of Spirits

Shakespeare, Witches, Museum... Zorn compositions and conceptual themes are always unusual. I appreciate this. His catalogue is huge, and featuring things like grindcore versions of jazz themes, avant garde classical music where violins suddenly play a short country riff (Cat O nine Tails), and pure noise improvisation. This is another chamber music experience. The scores for this album were played by talented musicians. And damn, it's great how the music works when classical combines with free jazz drumming.

The cover art is one of my favorites from all of his works. Not as good as Naked City's pics, featuring asian women, gangster gore or Maruo Suehiro. But it fits perfectly with the actual music. There are three works in this album: The Tempest: A Masque (11:20), All Hallows Eve (a suite in three pieces, something around 15 minutes), and The Temptations of St. Anthony (8 minutes). Make sure you read the liner notes.

If you enjoyed the math/avant chamber music presented here, you should look forward for Duras:Duchamp. Another chamber album by Zorn, deep dark and a good atmosphere.