Among
Iannis Xenakis' most frequently performed and recorded works are his solo percussion pieces, Pléïades and Rebonds, which stretch the limits of a performer's dexterity, speed, and stamina. As part of her touring Project IX,
Kuniko Kato has performed Pléïades in a multimedia presentation with dancer Megumi Nakamura, and Rebonds has been a part of her repertoire ever since she became a professional percussionist, so she has a thorough knowledge of
Xenakis' system of notation and methods. This hybrid SACD from Linn provides the best format for capturing the subtle nuances and timbres of the instruments, which include pitched and unpitched percussion, and the multichannel recording reproduces the wide dynamic range and spatial dimensions of
Kato's performances. Listeners who are coming to
Xenakis for the first time may find the percussion works quite accessible, and they will appreciate the precision and power of
Kato's virtuosic playing. Highly recommended. ~ Blair Sanderson