Boris Kovač - Ritual Nova I & II

Released by ReR in 1993, this CD reissues Boris Kovac's LP Ritual Nova, Vol. 2 (1989, Points East) and adds three cuts from the first Ritual Nova (1986, Symposion) that were tucked in at the end of each LP side. It reintroduced the music of this brilliant ex-Yugoslavian composer, paving the way for his two magnificent CDs for Victo in the late '90s. But while these later efforts would be recorded with a working ensemble, both Ritual Nova albums were built track by track by Kovac alone. He plays saxophones and clarinets, plus flute, Hungarian zither, percussion, an array of Eastern European folk instruments, and sampler. Djordje Delibasic has added touches of percussion (minimal but very effective, orchestra-like). Violinists and singers appear occasionally. Kovac blends the musical traditions of his country with the contemporary classical music of Janacek and Gorecki, with an extra cinematographic dimension that evokes Nino Rota or Ennio Morricone. The deep spirituality found in Anamnesis is already woven into the fabric of these pieces, especially "Sacred Millstone." "Mandala" hints at a Serbian version of minimalism, repeating a simple theme over and over to construct a soaring modal piece. In its sound stacking that can verge on chaos ("Three Metaphysical Folk Themes"), this album still feels very modern, more difficult than Kovac's later efforts. It lacks the strength of ensemble playing, but it remains an important item in Kovac's discography. -- Francois Couture