The music of Salvatore Sciarrino is an acquired taste, and I'm happy to say I've acquired it. There are long stretches of arhythmic, near-static, sustained sound; out-of-the blue effects that can sound like a drill press, a gunshot or a zebra in heat. But close listening brings unforeseen responses and unforeseen rewards.
Sciarrino (born 1947) is a bit older than the others, but could be part of the contemporary compositional faction (including Kaija Saariaho, Pascal Dusapin and Marc-Andre Dalbavie) for whom pure sound seems more important than form or structure. Not to everyone's taste, perhaps, but quite a trip if you're ready for the ride.
I'll leave it to others to provide description and analysis of the ten works on these three discs, but all of them are well worth hearing, and some are enthralling. I aimed at five stars on the ratings scale, but noted that would mean I love it. I don't quite love it (yet) so four and a half stars will do.