Summvs Explained

Summvs
Type:Album
Artist:Alva Noto, Ryuichi Sakamoto
Cover:Summvs - album cover.jpg
Border:yes
Released:9 May 2011[1]
Studio:Onkio Haus (Tokyo, Japan), Victor Studio (Tokyo, Japan), and Hansa Studios (Berlin, Germany).
Genre:Electronic
Length:56:35
Label:Raster-Noton r-n 132
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Summvs is the fifth collaboration album between Alva Noto and Ryuichi Sakamoto. The record was released on 9 May 2011 via Raster-Noton label.[2] [3]

Background

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.[4] 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.[5] 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.[6]

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".[7]

Reception

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".[8]

Personnel

External links

Notes and References

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