Georges Aperghis (1945-)
http://www.aperghis.com/Well, I'm sitting here with this cd, 'Simulacres', by the Greek Composer Georges Aperghis (1945-), and I'm realizing where 'that' kind of Music came from. 'that' Music being the serialist/sprectralist rendering in sound of the sex act! Apparently Aperghis is The Man to go to for this kind of Theater.
I've been ever so intrigued by this fellow, and, seeing that the Zig-Zag Territories cd 'Musique de Chambre' is totally MIA (how can a label like that be cutting out an issue like this??,... mindboggling

), I took the plunge on this 2cd set from Accord. 'Simulacres' is played by the group Accroche Note, featuring the soprano Francoise Kubler in much of the action.
First off, let me say that I'm by no means friendly to stuff that's too 'Frenchy', and this stuff IS in spades, wow!!

I knew getting this that it wasn't going to be for 'pleasure', and, I certainly had the 'yikes' a few times already. I haven't made it to the purely instrumental works yet, having elected to brave the vocal works first.
Aperghis is the kind of Composer who writes for combos like soprano-bass clarinet-marimba (oh?, you know the type?

), and, this set seems to me to be the epitome of such. Monnet and Dusapin also have cds by this group, which are similar. So, with trepidation, and no expectations of love, I press 'Play'.
So far, my favorite piece is
Sept Crimes de l'amour ('Seven Crimes of Love'?), and it is apparent from the get-go what 'kind' of love we're talking about, and what 'crimes'. I'll put it this way: at one point, the clarinet makes a...mm... 'butt popping' noise, followed by the soprano's seeming interjection of, Hey!

not there!!

, and then a slap, and then something from the percussion, and so forth, at lightning speed. It's all very eye opening and ear popping, to be sure. This would be something I'd play for friends at a party!
The rest of the program consists of voice, clarinets, marimbas, pianos,... and even an old fashioned Clarinet Trio which I'm saving, meaning, that this is what I'd consider pretty 'French' Modern Chamber Music. You should all say 'good boy' for me forcing this on myself in the name of 'onward, forward'!

There IS a new Kairos cd of works for saxes and viola, which promises at least an all instrumental programme, though, I am still itching to find a copy of that Chamber Music disc (anyone?).
I also have an Arditti SQ (with percussion) that mixes in a lot of vocalizing. Yes,... I don't know why I'm doing this either!

Aperghis's most famous piece is
Recitations, for single voice, a compendium of All-Things-Considered for the voice. I haven't made much headway here (the 'Frenchy' thing again), but I have to give him credit for being The One to do this thing,... though, I am still a bit confused as to what that this is. 'New Theater' might be an appellation. With him, there is always a visual element.
So, now, here's the coup. Aperghis has an Opera called
avis le tempete ('Storm Warning'), which, from the samples, sounds like what's happening in my brain most often. It sounds so far out there that I may have to actually give... an Opera!!

... a try. We'll see,... it seems like a very intriguing piece.
By now you're probably thinking, Hmm, this Aperghis sounds like the stuff I run screaming from! Well, I'm hear to hold your hand and say, There, there. It's not so bad. Go on, take another bite,... y'know, it's good for you!!

Here comes the choo-choo train!!
