Solos & Duos

Two solo pieces and two duos comprise this unusual collection of new music compositions. An unlikely combination of sax and violin is the foundation for these four explorations which focus on the juxtaposition of sound and silence, dramatic changes in dynamics, and rhythmic freedom. At their best, there is a splendid musicality expressed that pushes the edges of good taste but retains listener interest with ever-changing sonorities and innovative squeaks and squawks. The tracks that do not work as well -- such as Moore's sixteen minute solo finale - are somewhat less focused and appear to almost be freely improvised practice sessions -- impressive for the technical elements but not so much as coherent pieces. Make no mistake, though: Pavone and Moore are supremely talented players whose modus operandi revolves on extremes, both emotional and otherwise. Their noble efforts search for new ways of expressing themselves, and when they intertwine gloriously in tandem, as they do sometimes, the sparks are considerable. Voicing vocabularies that not so much turn their backs on traditional ways of playing (melody, constant rhythm, and syncopation), but tend to simply ignore those ways, Pavone and Moore explore with a youthful enthusiasm that celebrates the concept of discovery for its own sake. While the listener must take the chaff with the wheat, the patient listener will be rewarded generously. Steven Loewy