Wilhelm Killmayer, Fin Al Punto / The woods so wilde / Schumann in Endenich / Paradies (side A)

This 1973 album collects 4 diverse pieces that date between 1970 and 1972.  Each piece explores one focused concept for its duration, and each is distinctive and impressive.  "Fin al punto", for string orchestra, feels like the album's most ambitious piece—sounds climb out of a steady base drone and fall back in, and the dense atmosphere is maintained throughout.  "The woods so wilde" features piontillistic percussion sounds, only some of which are made with percussion instruments.  "Schumann in Endenich" is sparse with more tonal sounds exploding out.  "Paradies", for solo piano, is the most harmonic piece on the album, and likely the closest to conventional.  The clear recording, in a good sounding room, impressively preserves the space and dynamics of the more delicate pieces.  The funny liner notes about Killmayer are included in both German and English.