Originally released in 2023 as Three Movements (and previously covered in The Big Takeover here), Movements and Interludes revisits the material recorded for what was then Swiss progressive rock band Sonar’s masterpiece. The band, alongside perennial guest star David Torn and Sonar newcomer J. Peter Schwalm, intended the record to have interludes interspersed between the titular movements – this version restores those pieces, as well as giving the entire suite a new mix.
Bandleader Stephan Thelen blends the two main strains of his work here, adding the classical sweep from his string quartet compositions to the drive of his rock songs so the movements gain a symphonic grandeur. Fellow guitarist Bernhard Wagner, bassist Christian Kuntner, and drummer Manuel Pasquinelli build the scaffolding in real time, the axemen’s tritone-tuned instruments weaving a clean but intricate web while Pasquinelli keeps the rhythm driving no matter how weird the time signature. This gives Torn a magnificent foundation over which to blow, though he often joins keyboardist Schwalm (a frequent player on Thelen’s Fractal Guitar albums) in providing ambient sonics that color between the lines. Thelen gives each movement a warm, detailed mix, with elements previously buried brought back to the surface. The music becomes surprisingly intimate, given the wide screen through which it’s filtered.
The first interlude features what sounds like an improvised piece featuring all six musicians, adding a sense of looseness to the artistic vision. Co-written by Thelen and Torn, the second interlude puts the latter through his paces in a noisy, psychedelic solo piece. But these aren’t the only new additions to this version. Producer/bassist Bill Laswell contributes one of his signature “mix translations,” adding new textures and noises to “First Movement” that turn it into a busier, more aggressive track. Thelen finishes the program with an “ambient” mix of “First Interlude” that puts the tune through the haze of a dream.
It’s not unusual for artists to revisit previous work in order to bring it inline with their original vision. It is unusual for that restoration to result in such a noticeable improvement of an already strong album. Thelen absolutely brings a new depth to Movements and Interludes, making Sonar’s masterstroke shine even brighter than before.
