This CD is the second compilation of electro-acoustic works released by the Vancouver label Earsay Productions (www.earsay.com). Contributions for
Harangue II come from the same composers as its predecessor, except for the addition of
Rainer Bürck. All tracks present new material, except once again for
Bürck's piece, taken from his Earsay release Without Fear. This second volume is better than the first. All six pieces make strong artistic statements, but once again
Hildegard Westerkamp wins the "best piece of the set" award for "Gently Penetrating Beneath the Sounding Surfaces of Another Place," a delicate piece using sounds from the streets of New Delhi to create a relation between beauty and pollution. The listener is literally transplanted into an exotic place for 15 minutes.
John Oliver's "Scintilla" is stronger than anything found on his CD Icicle Blue Avalanches.
Damian Keller's "...Soretes de Punta" makes a very nice study on rain, revealing strong compositional skills. The set ends with "MU" by
Andrew Czink (piano) and Giorgio Magnanensi (electronics), a piece blending contemporary piano music with techno elements. It's danceable (!).
Harangue II makes a recommendable collection.