“Changing Ringing’ is the third and final release in a trilogy. It follows ‘Pure Gaze’ (1999) and ‘Mobius Fuse’ (2001), both released by the Massachusetts-based label Sedimental. This time though, Olivia Block has chosen to release the conclusion on Jason Kahn’ label, Cut.
As with the first two in the series “Changing Ringing’ is just one thirty minute track. Block utilises a combination of scored segments (fifteen musicians are involved on everything from trombone to voice to bells), field recordings and generated sounds. She combines them all into an extremely subtle composition.
The piece starts with a sustained note from the brass section. It dies down quickly and merges into complimentary tones. Around the nine minute mark various woodwind instruments start to sound and a low rumble overtakes the track. This subsides into a crackling field recording that includes the sounds of wind and insects. We are finally left with a cacophony of clarinets and oboes that drift off into sounds of knocking and faint digital beeps.
Block’ arrangement of all the elements creates a kind of arc through the track. The piece constantly evolves; for all the threatening sounds one comes away with a sense of serenity and peace.
Olivia Block – Changing Ringing (Cut)
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