OLSEN, MORTEN  

In Morten Olsen's Irazz the listener is not only invited down into the depths, to the sounds that the composer knows so well from his place behind his double bass; but also down into the dark interior of the Costa Rican volcano Irazz, where daylight never penetrates. Although eruptions of the volcano are few and far between, the volcano is in constant activity. Inside it thick-flowing melted stone, gases and masses of energy must wait for centruries for a releasing eruption. In Irazz there is no real eruption, but despite inactive periods one constantly senses the energy that could lead to an explosive eruption. These deep, disturbing sounds are played on a bass saxophone assisted by the electronic elements, where recordings of low saxophones and double basses are treated and distorted, often beyond recognition.