Composer David Rosenboom has a long history in the vanguard of contemporary music, going as far back as the original Columbia recording of Terry Riley's In C. In addition to his work as an instrumentalist on violin, viola, piano, and drums, Rosenboom is primarily known for his pioneering work in computer music, particularly interactive software. Systems of Judgment is an ambitious piece, loosely charting the evolution of human culture and thought, drawing on a large variety of sound sources including environmental (concrete), instrumental, and electronic. The music ranges from pastoral with an almost new age-y evocation of natural and primitive sounds (including various animal-like noise, whistles, rattles, etc.) to a dense, roiling stew, all thunder and storm. Much of the lengthy Central Section pits piano playing reminiscent of Conlon Nancarrow against sniping blips and bleeps from computerized sources, while Interrupt 1 sets a rather romantic-sounding string section against what appears to be some African percussion resembling the balaphone. There's no clear narrative aspect to the pieces, which stand steadily on their own, though one wonders, given the programmatic content, whether this was the composer's intention. This lack of relational cohesion, combined with the (often enjoyably) kitchen-sink approach to sound collection and integration, perhaps weakens the overall effect of the work, but its individually strong moments tend to make up for it. When the right sonic elements combine (as in the closing Meaning in Context), a rich, vibrant fabric is created that is well worth hearing. Rosenboom would go on to do some work with Anthony Braxton; listeners who enjoyed that period of his career should check into this release. ~ Brian Olewnick, Rovi

1		Prologue
2		Initial State
3		Central Section
4		Interrupt 1
5		Meaning
6		Interrupt 2
7		Meaning in Context

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