Summvs is the fifth collaboration album between Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The record was released on 9 May 2011 via Raster-Noton label.[3][4]

Summvs
Studio album by
Released9 May 2011[1]
StudioOnkio Haus (Tokyo, Japan), Victor Studio (Tokyo, Japan), and Hansa Studios (Berlin, Germany).
GenreElectronic
Length56:35
LabelRaster-Noton r-n 132
Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto chronology
utp_
(2008)
Summvs
(2011)
"Glass"
(2018)
Professional ratings
Review scores
SourceRating
Igloo Magazinefavourable[2]

Background edit

The collaboration between the artists began in 2002, and Summvs promises to be the fifth and final installment in the series titled the Virus Series.[5] The title Summvs refers to the Latin word "summa" (eng. sum) and "versus" (eng. towards); it serves as a metaphor for the work being oriented towards a collaborative result.[6] The album features "Microon" compositions containing recordings of a 16th tone interval tuning piano—Piano Metamorfoseador Carrillo en Dieciseisavos de Tono. The album also features two covers of the track "By This River" originally composed by Brian Eno, Dieter Moebius, and Hans-Joachim Roedelius in 1977.[7]

The initial letters of the five albums in the series—Vrioon (2002), Insen (2005), Revep (2006), utp_ (2008), and Summvs (2011)—together form the word "Virus".[8]

Reception edit

Mark Jarnes of The Japan Times commented "Sakamoto’s haunting piano-based arrangements — as well as his masterful understanding of silence — effortlessly coalesce with Nicolai’s digital rhythms and accompaniment, creating a work of musical art that is as provocative as it is meditative. OK, so technically because this album was pressed by German label Raster-Noton, it’s not strictly a Japanese release. However, Sakamoto’s contribution makes it a significant step forward for Japan’s avant-garde scene — not just musically, but also artistically".[9]

Track listing edit

No.TitleWriter(s)Length
1."Microon I"Carsten Nicolai, Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto3:03
2."Reverso"Carsten Nicolai, Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto6:57
3."Halo"Carsten Nicolai, Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto7:09
4."Microon II"Carsten Nicolai, Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto2:37
5."Pionier 100"Carsten Nicolai, Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto5:45
6."Ionoscan"Carsten Nicolai, Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto4:07
7."By This River"Brian Eno, Dieter Moebius, Carsten Nicolai, Alva Noto, Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Ryuichi Sakamoto4:07
8."Naono"Carsten Nicolai, Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto11:20
9."Microon III"Carsten Nicolai, Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto3:00
10."By This River: Phantom"Brian Eno, Dieter Moebius, Carsten Nicolai, Alva Noto, Hans-Joachim Roedelius, Ryuichi Sakamoto8:30
Total length:56:35

Personnel edit

  • Grand Piano – Ryuichi Sakamoto
  • Music – Alva Noto (tracks: 1 to 6, 8, 9), Ryuichi Sakamoto (tracks: 1 to 6, 8, 9)
  • Piano – Conrad Hensel, Fernando Aponte, Yoshifumi Iio

References edit

  1. ^ "ALVA NOTO + RYUICHI SAKAMOTO SUMMVS". Raster-Noton. raster-noton.net. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  2. ^ ÉLECTRONIQUES, CHRONIQUES. "Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto :: Summvs (Raster-Noton)". Igloo Magazine. Retrieved 4 July 2017.
  3. ^ Dziewanski, Adrian. "Dusted Reviews". Dusted Magazine. dustedmagazine.com. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  4. ^ "Alva Noto / Ryuichi Sakamoto --- Summvs". Allmusic. allmusic.com. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  5. ^ ÉLECTRONIQUES, CHRONIQUES (19 July 2011). "Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto :: Summvs (Raster-Noton)". Igloo Magazine. igloomag.com. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  6. ^ "Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto – Summvs". Discogs. discogs.com. Retrieved 18 January 2016.
  7. ^ "Sound Bytes: Raster-Noton Special: Byetone, Atom™, Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto". Headphone Commute. headphonecommute.com. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  8. ^ "Summvs / Alva Noto + Ryuichi Sakamoto / Raster Noton". Kompakt.fm. kompakt.fm. Retrieved 21 January 2016.
  9. ^ JARNES, MARK. "Best of 2011: Alva Noto & Ryuichi Sakamoto "Summvs"". The Japan Times. japantimes.co.jp. Retrieved 18 January 2016.

External links edit