Winter's End

Despite being a solo artist, Stephan Micus is never alone when he creates unprecedented virtual ensembles of instruments from around the world. That spirit of kinship is extended to the listener with every new creation, often for the enhancement of everything he touches. Throughout Winter’s End, the chikulo, a bass xylophone from Mozambique (where snow never touches the earth) is the primary voice. It pairs especially well with the nohkan, a Japanese bamboo flute used in Noh theatre. The most vivid examination herein is “Oh Chikulo,” which brings out the beating heart of its rarely heard percussion.