wnyc.org / 93.9fm / am 820

The New York-based ensemble yMusic champions music by young composers whose work combines the complexity of classical music, and the tuneful, rhythmic energy of pop. yMusic gathers in the WNYC Studio to talk with David Garland about their musical adventures, and to play striking music by Annie Clark (St. Vincent), Shara Worden (My Brightest Diamond), Judd Greenstein, and Son Lux.

For this New Sounds, there’s music from Montreal-based musician Colin Stetson on (mostly bass) saxophone without looping or overdubbing. (How DOES he do it?)  Stetson’s technique of circular breathing (much like digeridoo players) combined with nearly 20 microphones placed all over a studio- including on Stetson’s throat and on the instruments themselves - created an original palette of sounds, thanks to producer Shahzad Ismaily and engineer Efrim Menuck from Godspeed You! Black Emperor/A Silver Mt Zion.  Ben Frost then mixed these tracks into a haunting and riveting record, “New History Warfare Vol. 2 .  (Excited note: guest appearances by both Shara Worden and Laurie Anderson.)