Larry Polansky’s freeHorn is an album of three shape-shifting chamber works. The textural, ever morphing freeHorn, performed by an octet of mixed instruments, and the pulsing electric guitar duo ii-v-i modulate between three different natural harmonic series, providing intriguing musical outings that are somewhat adrift from the tempered tunings that most of us are accustomed to. The short third track, “minmaj,” another duo for electric guitars, is Polansky’s unusual “translation” of Carl Ruggles’s 1921 brass piece “Angels”. The three works are performed by the composer in the company of a group of Bay Area composer-performers.
Polansky writes about this album:
“The form of both freeHorn and ii-v-i is a continuous modulation between three different harmonic series, though the two pieces work in very different ways (in freeHorn, the musicians interact with real-time computer software; in ii-v-i, the guitarists retune while playing). “minmaj”, an arrangement of Carl Ruggles’s “Angels,” is from my 3 Translations for Electric Guitar.”
“Hearing Polansky (fretless electric) and Fiore (standard electric) interweave makes for a fascinating listen. As their spidery tendrils criss-cross and occasionally unite, it’s hard not to think of Derek Bailey, though other moments suggest ties to country blues playing and one riff even vaguely echoes “Ramblin’ Man,” of all things.”