"Impermanence" is a non-narrative musical meditation on the themes of death, loss and the fragility of human life, "done with Monk’s inimitable brand of voluptuous sparseness" (San Francisco Chronicle). "In a way, making a piece 'about' Impermanence is an impossible task", writes Meredith Monk in her booklet note. "One can only brush upon aspects of it; conjure up the sensation that everything is in flux, everything constantly changes, we can’t hold onto anything …" The overall tone in "Impermanence" is melancholic and contemplative although in pieces like "particular dance" the album also finds room for exuberance and light-hearted humour. Another important work from the composer and highly influential pioneer of extended vocal technique.
The music conveyed a dramatic arc that encompassed grief and confusion, joy conveyed through rollicking pratfalls and giddy dances, and a quiet ending of stark, powerful eloquence. -Steve Smith, The New York Times
|