Ernstalbrecht Stiebler — Fûr Biliana
The CD is presented in the label's normal minimal mini gatefold presentation- this features a picture of a human figure standing against a huge photo/ canvas of a crashing grey seascape- all very fitting for the sinister-to-violent works with-in. The writer of all of the pieces here is German composer Ernstalbrecht Stiebler- who has been active since the late 1960s, and he is seen as one of the European masters of minimalism- having composed works for chamber, choral, piano, and organ.
We begin with the wonderful haunting 'n' grimly moody title track- this was composed in 2015, runs at just over the six-minute mark and finds respected Berlin-based Bulgarian violinist Biliana Voutchkova slowly carving out the pieces brooding & grey melody. The track summons up either overhead shots of vehicle travel down a long barren mountainscape road, or a single figure disappearing into a build less snowscape. “Extension Für Streichtrio” is one of the early works here from 1963- and it’s a work for Violin, Viola & Cello- the just shy of nineteen-minute composition is made up of a selection of darting-yet-sparse notation which moves between closely Miked & jarringly violent, and grimily simmer- with some great moments of hair rising kneck picks/ slices. The release finishes off with a 2007 piece entitled “Duo 4/Paralleelen”- this just over twenty-one-minute piece is for Violin & Cello, and it’s built around an atmospheric-yet taunt blend of slowly simmer note drones- ones mid ranged ‘n’ purring, while the others higher-pitched & simmering- together they create a rather pleasing-if-at times unease dichotomy.
Fûr Biliana was the first time I’ve heard anything from Mr. Stiebler, and I must say it’s a great introduction to his chamber work. I’ll be most certainly tracking down some more of his work now- another extremely worthy release from Another Timbre!.