Topic: Louis Andriessen's Annex

[Mirror Image]

The lotus blooms at midnight, grasshopper.

Umm...okay?

[karlhenning]

Found a recording by Icebreaker of De snelheid, a piece which thus far I know only by name . . . .

[lescamil]

Icebreaker plays James Poke's arrangement of De Snelheid, which is not a satisfying arrangement at all. If at all possible, look for a disk put out by BBC Music Magazine which contains mostly pieces by John Adams, with a lone Andriessen work, which is De Snelheid, with Oliver Knussen conducting the ASKO Ensemble. That is the best commercially available recording of De Snelheid (I have one on a long out of print LP that is better). I think it is a really powerful work when played by a larger ensemble (like it was meant). You can also hear it on YouTube here:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=68GxdpbSUJA&feature=related

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a4NzxpNnSe0&feature=related

[Velimir]

Looking for a good intro to this composer, but recordings seem to be thin on the ground.

Who (or what) does he sound like, generally?

[karlhenning]

Looking for a good intro to this composer, but recordings seem to be thin on the ground.

I'm probably repeating myself... but I'd still go with De staat and Hoketus. Think Steve Reich, if he were more Stravinskyish.

[lescamil]

Looking for a good intro to this composer, but recordings seem to be thin on the ground.

Who (or what) does he sound like, generally?

This should help you out immensely:

http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/tomserviceblog/2012/oct/15/louis-andriessen-classical-music-guide?intcmp=239

I'm a pretty big Andriessen fan and most of this is spot on in my opinion.

[Velimir]

Thanks for that. The guide that it's part of (25 modern composers) looks quite interesting too.

[lescamil]

Thanks for that. The guide that it's part of (25 modern composers) looks quite interesting too.

Yeah, they're quite good. Even the ones featuring composers I'm very familiar with have a lot of good stuff I wasn't aware of.

[snyprrr]

To me, Andriessen sounds like the soundtrack for Logan's Run or something. I have the disc of his String Quartets, and I like their type of Impressionism very much, but the 'whole band' unisons still sound like prog rock soundtrack music to me. Help!

[lescamil]

To me, Andriessen sounds like the soundtrack for Logan's Run or something. I have the disc of his String Quartets, and I like their type of Impressionism very much, but the 'whole band' unisons still sound like prog rock soundtrack music to me. Help!

The string quartets aren't really the best place to start. That's more for after you already have gotten to know him. Do check out that link I posted. It's pretty comprehensive as to where you should start. Also, who says that repurposed prog rock is so bad? Sometimes he uses that sort of sound to great effect, without sounding cheesy.

[Marc]

Found the (probably) first vinyl recording of De Staat, released by Donemus in 1977.
Other works are Il Principe, Il Duce and Hoketus.

Performed by the Hoketus Ensemble, Nederlands Kamerkoor and the Dutch Radio Wind Ensemble.
Best known names are a.o. Adinda de Nijs, Roberta Alexander, Marjanne Kweksilber, Reinbert de Leeuw and Andriessen's late wife Jeannette Yanikian (bass guitar). Conductor is Lucas Vis.

Never re-released on compact disc, alas.

Not the best sound for modern ears, very harsh, but still: I hope you like it!

http://www.mediafire.com/?i45nc84fpyf57ml

[lescamil]

That's a great LP. The performances of Lucas Vis (there are two) are my favorite recordings of De Staat. I love Reinbert de Leeuw for just about everything, but Vis outdoes him here. De Staat and Hoketus are both great pieces to get to know Andriessen. There's a great recording of Bang on a Can doing Hoketus that everyone should get that likes Andriessen.

[springrite]

Thank you, Karl!

[karlhenning]

A pleasure, Paul!