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		GUSTAVO JOBIM: SYMPHONY NO.1 IN F MINOR "PIANO" REVIEWS

o Artemi Pugachov / Encyclopedia of Electronic Music

o"Symphony No.1" is a double download album by Gustavo Jobim and one of his recent experimental releases. Dedicated to Gustav Mahler and Conrad Schnitzler, this work consists of several long real-time improvisations based on processed electronic piano.

The tracks have long titles that represent rough translations of Brazilian sayings. The playing is tough, intense, and is sometimes embellished by weird distortion / processing. Some sections are melodic, dramatic and deep, reminding of the Classical works of the Romantic period.

Sometimes the sound goes berserk (as for example during the fifth minute of the first track), with totally abstract and seemingly aimless plinkety-plonk. Strangely, although only synthetic piano and processing were used, some sections are populated by weird noises that do not sound like piano at all. So, those looking for abstract soundscapes, might, too, find here something of interest. Amazing stuff! The piano returns to finish this track with cascading notes and powerful bursts.

The second improvisation starts with low metallic clangs and various other factory-like sounds. The mood is pretty dark and menacing. Soon, some sort of twitterings appear, completely taking over towards the 7-minute mark. Metallic drones combined with watery bubbles are what we get for a couple of minutes, before the drones become more intense, transforming into heavy throbs, as if you are trapped inside a working factory engine. Heavier resonant drones return together with electronic bubbles before calming down.

The third track immediately starts with super-fast piano playing in... how many hands are there? At least the track is called "Piano Spanked By 1860 Hands, To Exorcise the F Minor", so you sort of know what to expect. I think it's excellent! Everything - the playing, the deconstructed notes / clusters, the phasing effects - is top-notch! The best track so far.

The second disc has only two lengthy tracks. The first track begins with layered piano notes, all playing in a seemingly random fashion, only slightly resembling a melody of sorts. The sound then breaks down and some sustained notes based on piano appear. Various echoes and echo-derived textures are explored for the next several minutes. After 12 minutes, the sound gets deeper, with various low drones and experimental whistling. Towards the 20-minute mark, the sound becomes more intense, as the note range goes down the keyboard, with author heavily hitting the bass notes and with longer resonances. Some more abstract piano plonking follows, with sustained notes bringing the piece to its end.

Some really weird noises begin the last part which is also the longest piece, clocking at over 40 minutes. However, very soon dramatic piano notes enter, taking us to the already familiar territory. Heavy and noisy effects follow, ready to split your ears. The sounds become really unpleasant and irritant. This is some hardcore experimental stuff that only the extreme will appreciate. The drones and whizzing sounds continue for a while, together with piano spanking in the background. The harsh textures return for a while, but the buzzing, rumbling sound is the main feature of not only this section but the whole track as well. The resonances give way for some serious twitters. After a while, dramatic piano notes return to finish this experimental and a bit hard-going track.

"Symphony No.1" shows Gustavo Jobim as a promising experimental artist.