Teodora Stepančić — O A | F G

O A | F G  takes in two very sparse/ spaced-out examples of modern ensemble work, from Belgrade-born, now New York City based composer Teodora Stepančić. These are works that need both patience( from the listener and players alike) and a good sense of memory, so very much a release that will take both time and effort to fully appreciate.

The players included here are- Jordan Dykstra- viola, Laura Cetilia-cello, Douglas Farrand- trumpet,  Luke Martin- electric guitar J.P.A. Falzone- Fender Rhodes & Casiotone MT45, and Teodora Stepančić, piano & Casiotone MT68

Each of the tracks runs at around the twenty-five to twenty-six minute mark. And each moves between low-profile drones, lonesome trumpetings, stark string bays. Onto blocks of keyboard work and simmering to soured ambience.

In the compositions' make-up, you can hear elements of modern composition, sparse modern classical gesturing, low-key electronica, stark jazz, and swooning to lightly soured ambience.

I’ll have to admit, on my first play through of this album, I truly thought there was an issue with my stereo as the gaps/ spaces between musical events were often large. And even when I figured out that the spacing was intentional/not due to my equipment failure, I was both puzzled/ a little frustrated.  But over several more plays, and letting my mind slow to the tracks unfold, it started to click a lot better, revealing some truly haunting, poignant, effectively jarring, and rewarding moments.

The album cover features a rather abstract picture of light/ or sun shimmering on water, and really this is most fitting/ apt- as often that’s what the compositions feel like here, glinting/ shifting light in sonic form

So, in finishing, O A | F G   is certainly one of the more mysterious/intriguing releases to appear from Another Timber. I can’t say it’ll be for everyone, but if you're willing to invest the time/ effort here, then I think you'll find something quite original/ distinctive.