Unsilent Night

Track Listings

1. Unsilent Night

2. Milky Way

3. Rondes des Mages

4. Crossing

5. From Light

6. On the Waters of the Sun

7. Schönes Klang

8. Angels of Avenue a

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com
Unsilent Night documents the seasonal sound sculpture project of New York City-based composer Phil Kline. A gathering of friends and fans, armed with boomboxes, goes "caroling" through the streets of New York by playing pre-recorded tapes. The results on this CD--partially recorded in the studio, partially in the streets--challenge any notion of "Christmas music." At times, Kline's work seems to consist mainly of minimalist pulses from bells (shades of Steve Reich and Terry Riley). Occasionally, there's a hint of an angelic, wordless choir, a fading reminder that this work is meant for the holidays. Studio mixing turns this collection of field recordings into something more seamless and polished, but you're left only imagining how beautiful this work must be when caught live, with a brigade of boomboxes passing by your stoop. Even on disc, it's a fascinating work. --Jason Verlinde

Tracks:

Unsilent Night
Milky Way
Rondes des Mages
Crossing
From Light
On the Waters of the Sun
Sch Klang
Angels of Avenue a

Amazon.com

Unsilent Night documents the seasonal sound sculpture project of New York City-based composer Phil Kline. A gathering of friends and fans, armed with boomboxes, goes "caroling" through the streets of New York by playing pre-recorded tapes. The results on this CD--partially recorded in the studio, partially in the streets--challenge any notion of "Christmas music." At times, Kline's work seems to consist mainly of minimalist pulses from bells (shades of Steve Reich and Terry Riley). Occasionally, there's a hint of an angelic, wordless choir, a fading reminder that this work is meant for the holidays. Studio mixing turns this collection of field recordings into something more seamless and polished, but you're left only imagining how beautiful this work must be when caught live, with a brigade of boomboxes passing by your stoop. Even on disc, it's a fascinating work. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews:

Wow!.......2007-05-13

Conceptual music at its best. If you ever have the opportunity to participate in a Holiday performance of this piece take it! It is an experience you will not forget, listening to this CD brings back some of the magic of that night, but the recording stands very well on its own as well. Highly recommended.

Music Review: