Reid by Maya Fridman on TRPTK

Maya Fridman's album, Reið (translated as "Journey"), is an album of such emotional complexity and depth of meaning that it requires multiple listening sessions to begin to absorb. I've long savored its complexity and the soundscapes Maya creates within it. The album is tremendously rewarding; it compels one's full attention.

REIÐ, Maya Fridman. TRPTK 2019 (DXD, DSD) HERE

Dr. David, in his review of the aqua Formula xHD DAC, describes Reið as "stellar" and "brilliant." I'd go farther and say this is one of the more compelling albums of contemporary, exploratory, avant-garde music that I have in my collection. It is a creative tour-de-force and a must listen.

And don't be fooled by the beauty of the music. This album is full of strange dark shadows. It is not an album to be skimmed across superficially. It is a collection of compositions and musical arrangements brought together after deep thought for the meanings to be communicated.

Of the intention behind this album, Maya writes, "As much as I try to find the right words to describe the intention behind this album, I repeatedly come to a dead end. It is as if I go for a walk through a deep forest: one part of me wants to get lost in unknown territory, while another part of me lingers on the familiar... Through this album, I want to take you along on this journey through the worlds of contemporary composers Michael Gordon, Fjóla Evans, Giovanni Sollima, John Tavener, and David Lang... I hope these pieces have moved you in the same way they did to me, and still do to this day."

Opening with Michael Gordon's "Light is Calling" written in the aftermath of the terrorist attacks on September 11, 2001, the juxtaposition of the sound of an acoustic cello with electronic pulses played backwards, moving from channel to channel, is immediately arresting. The slow introduction of the cello, with long strokes of the bow, brings contrast and the announcement that something of great beauty is developing. As indeed it does—from witnessing something so tragic and ugly, creating something so exquisitely beautiful is uplifting and life-affirming.

Canadian-Icelandic composer-cellist Fjóla Evans’ triptych "Reið-Hagall-Bjarkan" emerges from silence in the second track with low resonant bowing, evoking through sound the sense of Norse mythology and exploration, of strange sounds of calling, loss and response. With the sections Journey-Interruption-Rebirth, this work combines cello, harmonium and tape track on a mysterious path of contrasting, blending, inter-weaving soundscapes. Close your eyes and allow yourself to flow with it; you'll be rewarded by the experience.

Maya describes English composer Sir John Tavener's "Wake Up...And Die" as the gravitational center of this album, and indeed I find the work quite musically involving. As with many of Tavener's works, this is music that moves meditatively, evocatively, reverentially, with repeated rising chords as if attempting to launch into flight but falling once again to earth. Joined by six other cellists in supportive chorus, there is a richness to the sound that only massed strings provide. Maya's cello sings the challenge to the chorus with great virtuosity as the music rises, flows and then ebbs through a repeating refrain. If you know and enjoy the music of Arvo Pärt, this will be a work that appeals.

In the closing work, an arrangement by David Lang of Lou Reed's "Heroin", Maya adds her lovely soprano voice to her cello, singing Reed's rather terrifying lyrics:

…
I have made the big decision
I'm gonna try to nullify my life
'Cause when the blood begins to flow
When it shoots up the dropper's neck
When I'm closing in on death

And you can't help me, not you guys
Or all you sweet girls with all your sweet talk
You can all go take a walk
And I guess I just don't know
And I guess that I just don't know
… (complete lyrics HERE)

Maya's cello work, her vocal phrasing, her range, is simply stunning in this piece. She makes of this a chilling work to hear.

Altogether, I find this simply a stunning, emotionally compelling, album.

And the sound quality is beyond excellent; recorded and processed to TRPTK's usual very high standards. It is an aural treat.

Highest recommendations.

A few other recordings from Maya Fridman that are well worth your attention include those reviewed in these past articles:

All have that marvelous sound quality from recording engineer Brendon Heinst at TRPTK.