Eric Moe: Kick & Ride

Eric Moe is one of a group of young American composers who have at long last threaded the needle between popular accessiblity and rigorous procedure, and these enthusiastic performances by Boston Modern Orchestra Project give a good introduction to his work. With percussion as a central element, he forges a high-spirited language that can incorporate popular influences without being obvious about it, and if you're looking for something that's a bit more rhythmically angular than the Stravinskian essays of Michael Daugherty in the same vein, give Moe a try. Of the Moe works recorded here, the opening "Superhero" (2008), which cheekily refers to both comic books and Strauss' "Ein Heldenleben," may be the most successful. Moe likes to use pedal points and develop suspenseful moments out of them in a variety of unexpected ways, and the short sections of this work make for an exciting and delightful ride that's worthy of the subject matter. The longer "Eight Point Turn" and the two-movement "Kick & Ride" (the title referring to the kick drum and cymbal ride of a jazz percussion set) pack in a wider variety of pop culture references. The second movement of "Kick & Ride" involves a nifty rhythmic manipulation of the old surf-rock hit "Wipeout," but you may find the overall structure less clear. In any event, these are entertaining works that orchestral programmers beyond the contemporary sphere would do well to get to know.