“REFLECTIONS.” St. Louis New Music Circle. NMC-1985....

“REFLECTIONS.” St. Louis New Music Circle. NMC-1985. In this record of new music, there are moments which are strong and others which are dull. Edward Miller’s “Piece for Clarinet and Tape” seems to be a small masterpiece, with a rhythm which drives the music forward to exciting and unforeseen ends. Though Michael Colgrass’s settings of five Japanese poems are colorful, they prove too slow: The words inch by and lose meaning. The creaks, howls and stirrings of Michael Hunt’s “Other Realities” may attempt to create a forest-like atmosphere, but they develop slowly, drag on too long and soon test one’s patience.