Adrianne Munden-Dixon - 2025 - Vision Mantra

(55:38; Neuma Records)

Track list:
1. Vision Mantra [Marcos Balter] 5:17
2. For Adrianne I [Martín Gendelman] 4:22
3. For Adrianne II [Martín Gendelman] 5:22
4. For Adrianne III [Martín Gendelman] 2:36
5. For Adrianne IV [Martín Gendelman] 3:02
6. In a Snowstorm of Moths [Gemma Peacocke] 9:23
7. Disentangling [Kimia Koochakzadeh-Yazdi] 7:54
8. Changing Light [John Thompson] 10:27
9. Shadow in the Garden [Inti Figgis-Vizueta] 7:15

Line-up:
Adrianne Munden-Dixon - violin, electronics
with:
Carrie Frey - viola
Julia Henderson - cello


Composer and musician Adrianne Munden-Dixon have been an active musician in her scene for at least a decade, rising to some prominence with the Desdemona ensemble and later on also with her solo productions. This in addition to being an active concert musician. This year she released her second full length studio album "Vision Mantra" on US label Neuma Records. 

If I have understood matters correctly, the six compositions explored by Munden-Dixon on this production are works she has commissioned by the respective composers. Some of which are works created for the violin as a single instrument, while a few require the input of additional musicians. If the original composers also desired the use of electronics I do not know, but their presence is a key presence throughout this production.

The common denominator throughout here are compositions and performances that both safely reside within the expressive part of the classical music landscape, with a case to be had for this material to simply be described as experimental. Whether on opts for one or the other, this is a production that is rather distinctly unconventional.

We do get a fair amount of flowing passages as well as more dramatic and firm sequences with more of a higher pace, staccato manner for playing, and the occasional use of tones and timbres I associate more strongly with folk music, even if their presence may well be accidental, does add a little bit of a grounded feel for these creations.

The use of electronics as conveyors of floating sonic mists and more disturbing noises obviously balance the grounded effect with something a bit more alien, one might say that to some extent this is a little bit of a yin and yang creation in that regard.

That being said, we do get calm, careful and borderline ambient parts with more of a dreamladen feel too, dampened and unnerving passages with a distanced sounding violin in action, and a variety of plucked violin sequences too. This in addition to more strict noise-oriented escapades and more challenging constructions with more of an atonal feel to them. The end result will often be more tantalizing and intriguing than this more dry description will be able to accurately describe, with quite a few instances of moods and atmospheres that for me at least easily merits a description as otherworldly sounding. But this is also an album that is challenging by default, with some of the compositions being a bit more challenging than others. A creation decidedly unsuited for casual listening, and one that requires a lot of focus and attention by those who decide to explore these landscapes.

A certain affection for the violin as a lead instruments can safely be noted down as a requirement to be able to enjoy the landscapes explored on this album, and just about the same can be said for having a taste and affection for expressive and challenging music of the more experimental kind that takes charge of the classical music legacy and use to seek out territories not all that common to encounter in this style of music. If a description such as contemporary avantgarde classical music revolving around the violin as an instrument is one you find to be intriguing, chances are high that you'll find this album to be a rewarding experience.

Olav M. Björnsen, October 2025

Links:
https://www.adriannemundendixon.com/
https://neumarecords.org/