Otte: Das Buch der Klänge

Pianist Herbert Henck struck sonic oil with this wellspring of melodic ideas. Hans Otte’s rarely heard magnum opus, Das Buch der Klänge, treats notes as physical substances (the German composer was also a sound installation artist). Henck’s interpretation of its manifold rewards does more than enough justice. A story told in 12 parts, it addresses a year-long weather forecast’s worth of climates, starting with the minimal spring of Part I, raining from the cloudbursts of Part IV, and many atmospheric conditions besides. Whether in spiritual (Part VII) or earthly (Part XII) delights, it offers one of ECM’s most luscious recitals.