Paul Giger - Schattenwelt (1993)

Paul Giger's 1993 solo release, Schattenwelt, takes a darker turn following his more volksliederisch 1991 release, Alpstein, though it is on this release that his virtuosity really shines. The delicate textures of the recording's bookends -- "Bay" and "Bombay" -- utilize a variety of timbres and tones, sometimes harsh, sometimes flute-like, that wash over the structure of the pieces. The centerpiece of the recording, "Seven Scenes From Labyrinthos," a retelling of the myth of the minotaur and the labyrinth, spans a variety of styles, from the shrill and dissonant "Crane" to the almost-lilting "Creating the Labyrinth." A great recording for aficionados of the violin with a sophisticated ear.