Donnacha Dennehy - Tessellatum (LP)

"Tessellatum" is a captivating and innovative album by composer Donnacha Dennehy, released on August 11, 2017, under the Icelandic label Bedroom Community. This 38-minute experimental masterpiece is not just an album but also a visual experience, accompanied by a film featuring animations by Steven Mertens. The music is performed by the exceptional violist Nadia Sirota, with additional performances by Liam Byrne on the viola da gamba.

The album is structured into a series of parts and letters, creating a unique and intriguing listening journey. Dennehy's compositional prowess shines through in this ambitious work, which blends experimental, avant-garde, acoustic, ambient, and drone elements. The use of microtonal viols adds a distinctive and haunting quality to the music, making "Tessellatum" a standout piece in Dennehy's repertoire.

Dennehy's collaboration with Sirota and Byrne results in a mesmerizing interplay between the viola and viola da gamba, creating a rich and immersive soundscape. The album's experimental nature is balanced by its melodic and harmonic depth, making it an engaging and thought-provoking listen. "Tessellatum" showcases Dennehy's ability to push the boundaries of contemporary classical music while maintaining a strong emotional and intellectual connection with the listener.