The Maine renaissance man Aaron Wyanski is a composer and pianist who knows a thing or two about creativity in and around jazz, classical, mid-century lounge and free improvisation. Here, with the soprano Anna Elder, he continues his Schoenberg in Hi-Fi series where he doesn’t change a single note, but somehow comes up with entirely different arrangements of this 1912 classical music masterpiece.

Part I starts with the playful “Mondestrunken” where animated percussion and Elder’s infectious voice makes an impression, and this energy continues in the frisky grooves of “Colombine” and the variety of noisemakers present for “Der Dandy.”

Deeper into this part, the calmer spirit of “Eine Blasse Wascherin” uses mallets softly against the sounds of waves, while “Der Kranke Mond” finishes the section with lively bass plucking and crisp drums that complement Elder’s adaptable pipes.

Part II leads with the noises of insect at night amid darker singing via the cautious “Nacht,” and the tense “Gebet An Pierrot” takes that lead with commanding brass in under a minute.

Side B continues Part II with the really impressive high notes Elder hits on “Rote Messe,” as well as the dance floor energy of “Enthauptung” that’s busy and rhythmic. “Die Kreuze” finishes this portion with curious keys, charming winds and diverse singing.

Part III gets off to a rich start courtesy of the animated layering of “Heimweh,” though the mallet fun of “Gemeinheit” helps make this track particularly luminous. Deeper still, “Serenade” offers quick keys and quirky brass bouts, and “O After Duft” exits with harmonic singing and many instruments creating a jazzy backdrop.

Only one song here surpasses two minutes and the shortest duration is 15 seconds. Despite the brief tracks, Wyanski tosses in so many instruments and ideas that it’s dizzying. Though the original is rooted in classical music, this interpretation incorporates experimental, spacey-pop and atypical lounge moments for a truly genre-defying but fascinating listening experience.

Rating: B+

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