Fritz Hauser is my favorite percussionist who doesn’t use objects and electronics. That is, he’s neither Chris Cutler nor Gino Robair. But for what he does, he’s the best, I think. And if I’m wrong, I want to know who’s better, so I can get all of their cds, too. Pensieri Bianchi is pretty spare compared to the other Hauser offerings, and its sparseness is its chief draw. From the first, isolated, schlag (which is by itself worth the price of admission), this is beautifully played music of the most sensitive kind. Or the most sensitively played music of the most beautiful kind. Take your pick. Anyone who likes Christian Woolf or Giacinto Scelsi will like this too, I’m guessing.

–