Carl Craig, Moritz von Oswald

Recomposed by Carl Craig & Moritz von Oswald is an extraordinary album that combines classical music and electronic sound art in a fascinating way. The two electronic music pioneers draw on recordings of Ravel’s Boléro and Rhapsodie espagnole, as well as Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition, conducted by Herbert von Karajan and performed by the Berlin Philharmonic, and use them to create an original, cohesive musical work.

In doing so, Craig and von Oswald do not simply juxtapose classical and electronic music. Instead, they break down the source material into short sequences, individual tracks and patterns, and use these to develop a fascinating musical work that balances abstraction and groove, austerity and grace. Ravel’s atmospheric soundscape meets electronic textures, whilst Mussorgsky’s emotional drama forms a surprising connection with the Detroit sound.

A bold and impressive album that casts familiar works in a completely new light.