Review: Linebacker Music

Felder's brief Linebacker Music was linked with Stravinsky's Rite in that they both evoke feelings of ferocity, even savagery: and on the technical level, they are built not so much on the idea of themes as onelemental motifs and recurring rhythmic phrases that can be so compelling as to have the memorability of full-fledged themes. Don't expect Linebacker Music to remind you of 'The Blue Danube'. Wholly consistent with its subject matter, it has a very declamatory opening, then proceeds to be stridently aggressive and percussion-laced, and to convey a feeling of massive strength at all times, even in a brief, quiet section.It resemble "Pacific 231", an acknowledged mini-masterpiece, in its driving insistence.