Some recent CDs representing different facets of the “alt-classical” sound:
Alarm Will Sound: “a/rhythmia” (Nonesuch). For its first major-label recording, this powerhouse chamber ensemble has created a kind of dance album with arrangements of music — by Ligeti and Nancarrow, Gordon and Josquin, and many others — that has as its common thread a strong rhythmic profile.
Christopher O’Riley: “Out of My Hands” (Mesa Bluemoon). After CDs focused mainly on Radiohead, Elliott Smith, and Nick Drake, O’Riley here offers his brand of classical-piano cover treatment to songs by Nirvana, Pink Floyd, Tori Amos and others.
Time for Three: “3 Fervent Travelers.” Though the release date was moved back to January, a teaser track was made available on iTunes last week: a cover of “Hide and Seek” by singer-songwriter Imogen Heap. The complete album includes a lot of original music, as well as Leonard Cohen’s “Hallelujah” and the “Orange Blossom Special.”
Heritage Orchestra/DJ Yoda: Gabriel Prokofiev’s Concerto for Turntables and Orchestra (Nonclassical Recordings). Sergei Prokofiev’s grandson is a prominent figure on London’s alt-classical scene and the founder of this label dedicated to alternative music. His classical-meets-hip-hop concerto (sounding not quite like either) is composed in conventional movements with unconventional sounds: The soloist, a DJ, spins specially made recordings of the orchestra.
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