Phillip Bimstein is a man of many talents: among the entries on his C.V. are "alternative-rock bandleader," "environmental activist" and "mayor of Springdale, Utah." But the thing for which he's best known is a body of inventive, deliriously fun electroacoustic compositions for live performers and sampled sounds. (I reviewed his most recent disc, Larkin Gifford's Harmonica, in The New York Times last March.)
Bimstein has just posted his latest creation, Cats in the Kitchen, on a special MySpace page. Created for oboist Michele Fiala and included on her new CD, The Light Wraps You (MSR), Bimstein's piece combines Fiala's instrument and Heidi Pinter's flute with familiar domestic sounds. Even before I heard it, I knew it was something certain members of the classical (and post-classic) blogosphere would need to know about, stat.
To say more would spoil it; go hear it for yourself. While you're at it, pay a visit to Bimstein's main MySpace page, where you can hear examples from Larkin Gifford's Harmonica, as well as its predecessor, Garland Hirschi's Cows, and more.
Hey! I have cats too - they just haven't been seen reading The Rest is Noise.
Posted by: Lisa Hirsch | January 15, 2008 at 07:08 PM
Meow-a culpa, Lisa!
Posted by: Steve | January 15, 2008 at 10:30 PM
Dear Steve,
Thanks for blogging about us! Interestingly, I just met you last week at the Chamber Music America New Music Institute - great presentation, by the way. I'm leaving town right now for 5 days, but if you could send me a mailing address (to [email protected]), I'll be happy to send you a copy of the whole CD as soon as I am back.
Posted by: Michele Fiala | January 16, 2008 at 10:17 AM
I would relate more to roaches in the kitchen...
Posted by: Chris Becker | January 16, 2008 at 01:16 PM