Olivia Block

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Texan composer Olivia Block, who began her musical life in a group named after Nico’s The Marble Index, has a foot in several camps  electronics, field recordings, composition and improvisation  but is beholden to none. Change Ringing is the final part of a trilogy which began with Pure Gaze and Mobius Fuse. Block attempts to reconcile natural elements (environmental recordings  a selective literalness) with artifice (electronics and instrumental writing). This is a hard thing to pull off, and few composers have achieved it. But apart from a very brief awkward bout of change ringing near the end of this 30 minute composition, Block succeeds admirably. Block draws on a cast of 15 musicians including Jeb Bishop (trombone), Kyle Bruckmann (oboe) and Bhob Rainey (soprano saxophone), not all of whom are deployed simultaneously, but their teamwork is evident throughout. The instrumentation is interestingly varied and the orchestration suits the tenor of the music, its trajectory and compass. Block’s music has moved on since Pure Gaze, as Change Ringing indicates. It’ll be interesting to see where she goes from here.

But that’s a minor quibble. Block has kept her hitting streak alive and then some. “Heave To” is one of the strongest, deepest works I’ve heard this year. Get it.