Newton Armstrong
Mantra
2014 release ** "Composed in 1970, Mantra, for two pianos and ring modulation, was one of the decisive turning points in Karlheinz Stockhausen’s career. The 70-minute piece not only signalled a break with the text-based intuitive works, relying heavily on improvisation, that had come to dominate his output towards the end of the previous decade and a return to fully notated scores, but also introduced the idea of melodic formulae, the “mantra” of the title, which Stockhausen would eventually dev…
The way to go out
The Way to Go Out offers an absorbing journey through three interconnected pieces by Newton Armstrong, exploring themes of repetition, layering, and shifting musical focus inspired by visual art and landscapes. Performed by the Plus Minus Ensemble alongside Séverine Ballon, the album balances textural nuance and structural rigor, weaving together acoustic and electronic sounds with a fluid, measured pace that invites deep listening. Armstrong's fascination with the "in-between" moments - where l…