Klavierhelm is an album for solo piano, markedly different in tone to his electronic work. Here, the dominant theme is free harmony, with Schnitzler calling upon his deep knowledge of experimental twentieth-century composition. Through the opening few pieces (none of the ten tracks are given titles), Schnitzler's sense of timing and spacious phrasing evokes the temporal protractions of Morton Feldman's piano compositions. As the album progresses, Schnitzler eradicates much of this spaciousness, increasing the density and tempo of his performance while placing greater emphasis on uncompromising harmonic modernity. By the sixth piece on the disc Schnitzler floors the sustain pedal to conjure a reverberating cacophony which dissolves into staccato fits and starts for the most part of the next track - heavily punctuated by abrupt breaks and flurried phrases. By the final two pieces Schnitzler pretty much maxes out his work rate, dismantled arpeggios spidering all over one another, a tangle of dramatic, improbable intervals. Klavierhelm is certainly at the more cerebral end of the solo piano canon, and while it doesn't make for easy listening, there's no disputing it's a thoroughly rewarding collection. Highly Recommended.
