KINETIC | CULTURAL ATTACHÉ - REVIEW

CONTEMPORARY CLASSICAL MUSIC: KINETIC – Kinetic Ensemble – Bright Shiny Things

by Craig Byrd

November 2023

Anyone who thinks that contemporary classical music is atonal, non-melodic and built mostly on atmosphere should listen to Kinetic. This 16-piece string orchestra from Houston makes a persuasive argument for the work of four composers on this mesmerizing debut release: Patrick Harlin; Paul Novak, Nicky Sohn and Daniel Temkin.

All of the compositions on this 12-track release revolve around themes of nature. The album opens with Harlin’s The Wilderness Anthology which is probably my favorite of all the works on Kinetic. The combination of string orchestra and pre-recorded audio from remote eco-systems from around the world is incredible.

Equally impressive are Novak’s A String Quartet is like a Flock of Birds; Sohn’s What Happens if Pipes Burst” and Temkin’s Ocean’s Call for String Orchestra (a close second for my favorite composition on this album).