The Willow Bends And So Do I is an hour-long piece from Stockholm-based Magnus Granberg, whose output sits somewhere between modern chamber music & gentle improvisation. This 2024 work is played by Skogen- a nine-piece collective, which features the composer him self on prepared piano.   And as a long-term fan of Mr Granberg's output, I’m happy to report this is another wholly captivating piece which seesaws between haunting, angularly intriguing, and subtle yet rewardingly noisy- with generally enchantingly creative use of textural detail throughout.

The album appears on the always worthy Another Timbre, whom releases the best/ most interesting within the modern composition/ modern classical genres.  The CD comes presented in the label's house style/ sparse mini gatefold packaging, featuring an old Asian illustration of two people walking across a snow-covered bridge with paper umbrellas up; just to the side of them is a willow tree.

Playing the piece we have: Magnus Granberg- prepared piano. Anna Lindal- Volin. Eva Lindal- Volin. Leo Svensson Sander- cello. Finn Loxbo- acoustic steel string guitar. Stina Hellberg -Agback harp. Erik Carlsson- percussion. Henrik Olsson- objects, contact microphones, thumb piano. Petter Wästberg- contact microphone, mixing board, loudspeaker.

The single track here runs at one hour and forty-three seconds, and it remains truly compelling throughout, and the more you play it, new details/ elements surface. The piece is built around a stark base of gently darting/ moving piano tones,  slowly sweeping/ sparse string sweeps, and just about moving/stumbling percussion detail.

Around this base, the nine-piece adds all manner of intriguing or atmospheric sonic detail. Moving between the non-musical/ musical – going from the distant hum of radio chatter( suggesting hazy, half-lit seances). to slurred/ slowly shuffling jazz percussion (suggesting early hours/ barely moving shady nightclub performances).  There is a strange boing sound- which moves between shadowy/ shifting and very pronounced/ quite agitated.  A simmering yet mysterious fed back drone, and much more. All making for a slowly shifting sound soap- that is full of wonderful detail and sonic reward.

The Willow Bends And So Do I, is another prime example of Mr Granberg’s highly distinctive sound/ sonic vision. There truly aren’t many composers who can shift through such a range of different sonic emotions/ moods in such a drowsy- yet wonderfully nuanced manner. Totally spellbinding stuff. To buy direct, drop by here