The Cusp Of Magic (2008)

"For Riley's 70th birthday, the Kronos Quartet commissioned him to write a piece, and he decided to include pipa player Wu Man (who also sings), as well as drum, rattle, various toys, and synthesizer. It's the most eclectic piece Riley has written for Kronos; he outdoes himself in the number of world music traditions, Western styles, and eccentric instruments he incorporates here. In spite of its extreme eclecticism, each movement, as well as the whole piece, has an integrality and purposefulness that never seem random; the listener is clearly in the hands of a composer who's fully in control. Riley's harmonic language is largely tonal, and for the listener attuned to his aesthetic, the music is by turns powerful, evocative, spooky, and just plain lovely. Kronos and Wu Man throw themselves wholeheartedly into Riley's music, playing with real authority and passion. The sound is clean and lively, with a great sense of presence. (Stephen Eddins, Allmusic; waardering: 4,5 uit 5 sterren voor uitvoering én opname)