Erwan Keravec — 8 Sonneurs Pour Philip Glass

8 Sonneurs Pour Philip Glass ( 8 Pipers For Philip Glass) brings together four 1970s pieces from American modern classical composer Philip Glass. And as the release title suggests they are all for pipes- in particular bagpipes, and Soprano/Tenor/ Baritone Bombard. All of the pieces focused on the dense looping patterns-based work in the composer's overture.

The CD release comes presented in a four-panel black digipak- which takes in white & blue texts. Inside we get a twelve-page inlay booklet, with texts in both  French & English detailing the pieces, the players, and Mr Karavec’s discography on Buda Musique.

Erwan Keravec is a French bagpiper, who has worked in both traditional & contemporary music. For this release he is joined by six other horn players- Gaël Chauvin –  Tenor bombard, Mickaël Cozien – bagpipes, Gweltaz Hervé – bagpipe, Erwan Hamon –  soprano & baritone bombard, Guénolé Keravec – tenor & baritone bombard, Vincent Marin – baritone bombard, and Enora Morice – bagpipes.

Each of the pieces runs around the thirteen-minute mark, and each celebrates the distinctive sonic tone of the pipes. We open with “Music In Similar Motion” – this is a spritely, bright, and grand- built around the jigging weaves of higher tone pipework that is underfed by a constant drone. As the piece continues the layers of repeatedly brisk melody line seem to expand up & up, until rather dizzying heights. 

Next, we have “Music In Contrary Motion”- once again we have the drone in the background but this feels slightly more forlorn, and later takes on a glum sort of midnight tolling jazz tone. Around this, we have the more mid-ranged looped jigging patterns- which once again build & build up.

The third track is “Music in Fifths”, and here we find two fairly similar tonal jigs, overlaid by a higher mid-range tone. This piece has almost a pomp-like oscillating to it- with the looped pattern really seeming to drill deep into your sonic sensors.

Lastly, we have “Two Pages” which is built around a mix of underhanging buzz, and cascading mid-range piping tone. This has quite an urgent & taut quality about it, and even when the layers build that clean clarity remains.

With 8 Sonneurs Pour Philip Glass you’ll most certainly have to enjoy the more locked down/layer-growing side of Mr Glass's sound. Yes, there is not a huge difference between all four tracks in their set-ups, but there is a wonder in those subtle shifts/ differences- which will send the right minds off into a wonderful entranced state,