'From Silence to Sorcery' is an album of contemporary classical music by John Zorn which features three instrumental works touching upon themes of magic and mysticism. "Goetia" is a set of variations for solo violin written in 2002. "Gris-Gris" (2000) is a work for thirteen tuned drums performed by William Winant inspired by the music of Korean Shamanism, Haitian Voodoo and a scene from Howard Hawks’ classic film To Have and Have Not. Scored for clavichord, three muted strings and percussion, 'Shibboleth" (1997) is a tribute to the Jewish poet Paul Celan.[1]

From Silence to Sorcery
Studio album by John Zorn
Released	June 2007
Genre	Avant-Garde Contemporary classical
Length	36:09
Label	Tzadik TZ 8035
Producer	John Zorn
John Zorn chronology
Asmodeus: Book of Angels Volume 7 (2007) From Silence to Sorcery (2007) Filmworks XIX: The Rain Horse (2008)

Reception

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
Allmusic	[2]

The Allmusic review by Stephen Eddins awarded the album 4½ stars stating "it's notable for the variety of its sonorities, for its disciplined economy, and for the integrity of the evocative sound world he creates".[2]

Writing for All About Jazz, Troy Collins commented "A remarkably restrained effort in contrast with his usual output, Zorn again proves his creative viability as a post-modern renaissance man with a sublime collection of chamber music".[3]

Track listing

All compositions by John Zorn

1. "Goetia I" - 0:57
2. "Goetia II" - 2:46
3. "Goetia III" - 1:07
4. "Goetia IV" - 1:42
5. "Goetia V" - 1:12
6. "Goetia VI" - 1:54
7. "Goetia VII" - 2:53
8. "Goetia VIII" - 1:20
9. "Gris-Gris" - 9:41
10. "Shibboleth: I Abglanzbeladen/II Im Leeren (In Empty Space)/III Mandelnde (Almond-like)/IV Hinterlassne (Left Back)/V Etwas Wie Nacht (Something Like Night)/VI Aus Verlorem (From Things Lost)" - 12:37

Personnel

• Jennifer Choi - violin (tracks 1-8)
• William Winant: drums, percussion (tracks 9 & 10)
• Lois Martin - viola (track 10)
• Fred Sherry - cello (track 10)
• Steve Drury - clavichord (track 10)
• Brad Lubman - conductor (track 10)

References