- p a r a d o x -
pics: 1 2 3
pics: claudia märzendorfer
  THILGES 3: Mak
th306 | 3"CD
Mak is the sixth instalment in a ten-part subscription series of three-inch discs by Thilges 3. Where we thought we might have had Thilges 3 figured out as group with an engaging sound similar in places to that of Autechre, but with more of a laptop component of clicks and cuts, they surprise us with a completely different sound and creative approach. The three tracks on this disc document "Paradox", a conceptual piece performed in January 2001 for the Museum fŸr angewandte Kunst Wien (MAK) in Vienna. With an all-male Austrian military orchestra, the Gardemusik Wien, and the Goldberg string quartet performing in one room, the sounds of which were recorded, reworked and transmitted live by Thilges 3 in a second room. The entire performance was filmed by Ralf Jacobs, and they are currently working on a video based on the performance. The disc opens up with the sounds of the military orchestra setting up, and then the performance begins. We catch glimpses of the original sounds from the orchestra amid a continuously changing and complex rhythm which builds slowly but never fully erupts in full force.
In the second piece, in which Thilges 3 occupy a less intrusive space, the string quartet is heard performing a beautiful piece by Ali Schindloffsky titled "Logos", a piece of melancholy and thoughtfulness. Track three is where things really switch gears and take off with sounds and samples culled from these performances. It begins with an intoxicating and intense electronic rhythm, full of burgeoning sounds, quick edits and incursions. The rhythm then breaks and reconstitutes itself in a more fragmented and filtered manner. Throughout the mere 20 minutes of this CD (surprising for the number of transitions contained therein), harsh and filtered sounds, the murmur and applause of the audience and the electronic wizardry of Thilges 3 are a real tour de force for the listener, and listening to this now I wish I could have experienced this performance live. Fantastic work. [Richard di Santo]