Levendis Duo - Actions, Productive of a Process
(Sachimay)
One half of Ensemble Duchamp (who are now on hiatus), the Levendis Duo performs a
mix of their own compositions, improvisation, and the works of composers they
admire (they have performed pieces by Bach, Messiaen, Stravinsky, and Stockhausen
among others). Though their instrumentation is unconventional, they keep their sound
fresh and invigorating as both are masters of their respective tools.
On this debut CD Lenny Young (oboe) and Joshua Yohe (piano) step aside from their
usual live proceedings and put forth 40 minutes of free improv. All fans of jazz
will something enjoyable in this outing; oboe and piano are rarely heard together,
and it's a great combination. The recording is phenomenal, made in an auditorium with
the echo adding a richness to each note.
Young can pull sounds out of his oboe from all sides of the spectrum, sometimes
sounding smooth and flowing, while at other times moaning like a dying baby. The
dark, ominous tones that begin the CD give a hint to the power that Young can
extract from his instrument.
Yohe's piano runs the gamut from modal to percussive; his touch is delicate and
his sense of dynamics impressive. What is really great about the Levendis Duo is
how well they play together. Some of the parts make it hard to believe that it is
improvised because they are playing together so well. Other sections show the two
playing against each other, which is exciting and never predictable. The
half-hour "Conscious Organization (And It's Absence)" is a full workout of their
abilities, in six parts.
Actions, Productive of a Process doesn't contain any of their compositions or vocal
pieces that appear in their live set; hopefully a future recording will showcase
some of their other abilities. Until then, the Levendis Duo have a made a
dignified entry into the improvised music world.
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