American Dream

Reviews

…incredibly beautiful, fascinating music…A stunning work that creeps up on the listener over time and doesn’t let go

— Best of Bandcamp Contemporary Classical (February 2019)

…toggles between Morton Feldman-esque contemplation and pointedly fractured, multi-planar collisions to indicate both the hope and deep disappointments of contemporary America.

— Bandcamp Daily

On the recently-released American Dream (Cantaloupe Music), featuring the works of composer Scott Wollschleger, Bearthoven flawlessly craft a slow-building universe of shadowy piano jolts and caresses, plucked and scraping strings, and percussive clatter.

— Brooklyn Rail

His intriguing and evolving compositional style draws the listener in. This is highly evocative music which, if you listen patiently, will gently surprise you.

— New Music Buff

Pennsylvania-born, Brooklyn-resident Scott Wollschleger is one of the more interesting of the post-Feldman generation. A composer who takes his cues from what he perceives as the current American dystopia, his distinctive language is as much about the spaces between the notes as it is about the music we hear, yet he has a refreshingly recognisable ‘sound’ that revels in intriguing sonic combinations and repetitive rhythms, without ever straying into anything as obvious as minimalism (or any ‘ism’ for that matter)…Wollschleger’s sound world is diverse and original, his conjured imagery compelling, if frequently enigmatic. Capable of considerable energy, he’s also unafraid of silence, his sense of pacing surefooted and engaging, especially here in Bearthoven’s committed and imaginative performances. This is late night music, best appreciated when the mind is free to wander where Wollschleger leads. It is also music that reveals itself further the more time you put into it. Make the effort though and you’ll be richly rewarded.

— Limelight Magazine