Ravello Records release Dawn Breaks, a collection of pieces by composer Maija Hynninen.

If you're expecting rousing, uplifting themes to weave their way throughout the album's 8 tracks (1 hr, 02 min, 33 sec) then you're in for a bit of a disappointment. This is modern classical music which houses no real attention grabbing pieces. It's experimental to the point of being questionable as to whether the performers were following sheet music or mainly improvising.

'Winnowing', for example, has electronic elements that make it sound like a flying saucer from another dimension is hovering over us. It's a weird experience, and not really one I was overly fond of.

Yes, I get it. Modern classical music where the very constructs the composer and performers so diligently learnt while pursuing their craft, are torn up and the creative juices are allowed to experiment in off the wall ideas. The down side of that is that it just sounds so dull to anyone who isn't the composer. "Oooo listen. Flapping wings and weird chirps! What's that?" Who cares. I can go to the zoo if I want to hear odd noises.

For me classical music is something that should lift your spirits; touch your soul; or at the very least resonate with you on some basic emotional level. Dawn Breaks just had me rolling my eyes wondering how long it was going to last. "One Hour!? One WHOLE Hour!!!?" I didn't think I could take it... but I just about managed to see it through.

If you like strange noises (and scratchy violins) coming through your headphones.... knock yourself out. There's plenty of that here. This is one for experimental music lovers only.

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Darren Rea