GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => Composer Discussion => Topic started by: bhodges on June 08, 2007, 08:10:09 AM

Title: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: bhodges on June 08, 2007, 08:10:09 AM
One of the first 20th-century works I heard was Terry Riley's A Rainbow in Curved Air, and then shortly after I bought the original recording of In C.  Since then I've heard four or five versions of the latter, my favorite being the one by Bang on a Can (below). 

I also like Salome Dances for Peace (with the Kronos Quartet).  Other fans, recommended recordings?

(http://www.andante.com/images/Articles/RileyInCBangOnACan200x198.jpg)

--Bruce
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: Choo Choo on June 08, 2007, 08:31:30 AM
I've been a huge fan of Terry Riley ever since his Keyboard Studies were played in one of the very first late-night "modern" BBC Proms back in 1970 (which also included a set from the Soft Machine - cue instant outrage from the musical establishment of the time.)

I then bought Rainbow In Curved Air on LP from a NYC dealer who advertised in the back in of the Melody Maker.  You might not have thought this would prove popular with a bunch of spotty teenagers in rural Yorkshire - but I had to buy several more copies as they had a habit of going "missing" every time my friends called around...

Over the years I've bought most of his recordings as and when they became available.  I've also heard Terry in concert a few times, and on one occasion had the privilege of a long conversation with him about his compositional methods.  He is an incredibly likeable fellow.

My favourite recording of In C is probably the original CBS one with Terry himself.  He gave a great performance in London a few years ago at the head of a large-ish ensemble that included the members of the rock band Pulp.

I also heard him give a live performance of Harp Of New Albion back in the '80s (I think.)  This piece seems pretty much to have sunk without trace, though I've always been fond of it.  If I'm in the mood, the Paris performance of Persian Surgery Dervishes is probably my all-time #1, though this too is fairly hardcore and you do have to be in the mood for it.

Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: bwv 1080 on June 08, 2007, 09:16:59 AM
Big fan of In C and Rainbow, but am less interested in Salome and the later music. 
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: lukeottevanger on June 08, 2007, 11:38:22 AM
Quote from: Choo Choo on June 08, 2007, 08:31:30 AM
I also heard him give a live performance of Harp Of New Albion back in the '80s (I think.)  This piece seems pretty much to have sunk without trace, though I've always been fond of it.

It hasn't sunk without trace in my house. It's probably my favourite of Riley's later works, if it counts as later. There is a nice concert CD of him in Padova which includes many of the tracks on the studio CD (obviously differing greatly, as is the nature of the piece).

Anyway, you can count me as a great admirer - Riley has an unusually strong personal style and an attractive aesthetic world.

Kyle Gann does a mean Riley imitation in one of his Disklavier Studies, btw. Cosmic Boogie-Woogie, it's called... 8)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: karlhenning on June 08, 2007, 11:41:47 AM
Jitterbug of the Spheres
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: beclemund on June 29, 2007, 03:17:57 PM
While looking for something completely different just yesterday, I grabbed this recording of In C:

(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51ZK77RQQ6L._AA240_.jpg)

It is quite a hypnotic piece of work. While repetative, it is never boring. It clocks in at 28 and a half minutes, so it is probably far from the longest translations of In C available. It seems to be gone too fast for my tastes--fortunately, I have a working repeat button. I even played it over speakers for a few of my colleagues at the office to celebrate Friday and it was enjoyed.

Probably the most interesting aspect of this recording is the instrumentation. I have to admit, while I did play in school band (french horn) and I have listened to quite a few records over the years, I am completely unfamilar with instruments native to China (almost all percussion instruments in this recording). It is, however, a terribly fascinating performance. The other two pieces are percussion compositions as well, but I am not sure they fully communicated their subject matter well--or maybe the part of my brain responsible for allegory is on the fritz. ;)

Though I do it less often these days, this was a completely random choice. I was not familiar with Terry Riley in any way, but I was looking for something different (I try to explore at least one new composer every month). Now, however, I will surely be looking for other interpretations of this fine piece and other works.

It just goes to show how little of the surface of music I have scratch after a third of a century to only be discovering Riley now. Definitely recommendable.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: Choo Choo on June 29, 2007, 04:07:05 PM
Thanks for posting this interesting review.  I've not heard that recording, and was keen to read an unbiased opinon of it.  28 minutes is short - however the duration depends both on the speed of the pulse and the number of repetitions of each short phrase, at the players' discretion - and it's down to them to judge what's appropriate in the circumstances.

One of the fascinating things about this piece is how the character changes with the different realisations.  The original recording (42 minutes) used a small band of wind instruments (plus the pulse) and has quite a vigorous, punchy feel.  The "25th Anniversary Concert" uses a much larger and more mixed ensemble, giving a more complex sound but IMO the energy dissipates over its 76 minutes:  I heard Terry lead a shorter (again, around 40 minutes) performance live with a similar large ensemble, and thought it hung together much better.

Recently I bought this version, with just voices and percussion:

(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/61NR4CB524L._AA240_.jpg)

The percussion consists almost entirely of marimbas, which lay down a gamelan-like groundwork - over which the voices chant: like being part of an exotic ceremony in a temple to an unknown religion.  It's a beguiling listen, and its 55 minutes are just about the right length.

[I'd like to hear Bruce's comments on that Bang On A Can recording, which I've also never heard.]

Meanwhile, welcome to the small - but infinitely discerning - group of Riley appreciators!



Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: beclemund on June 29, 2007, 05:00:18 PM
Quote from: Choo Choo on June 29, 2007, 04:07:05 PMRecently I bought this version, with just voices and percussion:

(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/61NR4CB524L._AA240_.jpg)

[...]

Meanwhile, welcome to the small - but infinitely discerning - group of Riley appreciators!

I had to order that one too... it has, among its list of players, the magic words Paul Hillier who can do no wrong. His masterful Pärt interpretations have made me a committed fan.

Thank you for the welcome. :)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: bhodges on June 30, 2007, 10:26:04 AM
Ah, The Terry Riley Appreciation Club, a.k.a. TRAC!  :D

Beclemund, thanks for writing comments on the Shanghai version -- it's compelling, isn't it!  And may I applaud you, totally sincerely, for trying out something that was "a completely random choice."  Not to get on a soapbox here, but if a listener never allows something new to enter his circle, how does he know that something as yet unheard won't become one of his absolute favorites?  In 30 years of listening, I only discovered Janáček operas about five years ago, and now several are among my alltime favorite works.  I wish I had somehow been exposed to these decades ago, so I could have had even more time with them. 

Anyway, back to Riley.  Your comments on the Shanghai recording make me want to get it out again, since I haven't listened to it for some time.  As another huge fan of Paul Hillier, I am most interested in that version Choo Choo comments on, which sounds absolutely great.  (Just as an aside, I haven't yet heard the 25th Anniversary reading yet.)

About the Bang on a Can recording, if you'll excuse the cut-and-paste job, here is my review of it on Amazon, from 2003:

A minimalist classic in a bold new rendition

Usually the pianist in this piece is saddled with "the pulse," a series of repeated octaves acting as a rhythmic spine holding the score together for its mesmerizing 45 minutes. Fortunately in this case, the outstanding Australian artist Lisa Moore is given more interesting tasks, while the monotony of banging out these notes is handed over to a laptop computer.

For those who are inclined toward Riley's pioneering experiment, this will be arresting and rewarding listening. The score fits on a single page, and consists of a series of 53 short instrumental figures, designed to be played in order by any combination of instruments. Each musician performs a given figure as many times as desired before moving on to the next one. The score is designed so that all figures mesh with each other, resulting in a huge wall of sound, slowly evolving as the musicians reach new plateaus.

Compared to the relative innocence and sunshine of the original, this one has a raucous, fiery quality that I like even better. The go-for-broke Bang on a Can crew gives it a loud, intense performance that is especially satisfying in the climactic thickets, when the entire group seems immersed in throbbing harmonic waves. It would be hard to single out musicians, but Evan Ziporyn's beautiful clarinet cannot go unnoticed, as well as David Cossin's excellent work on glockenspiel and vibraphone, and Maya Beiser on cello. But pretty much everyone here seems to be having a great time, and the effect is flat-out exhilarating.

The original version, still available on Sony, has its own charms, and there is an intriguingly delicate one with the Shanghai Film Orchestra (Celestial Harmonies), but this is now my favorite -- involved, committed and extremely powerful. Cantaloupe's sound is crystal-clear, and the lively packaging is excellent, too -- mostly bright orange and green graphics that do both Terry Riley and the group proud.


* * * * *

The BOAC players are used to scores with lots of energy, often with electric guitar, drum kits, etc. -- they think of themselves almost as a rock band sometimes -- so the performance has commensurate power.  There is very little that is delicate about it; it's a very intense, "in-your face" reading -- loud and punchy, but still with nuance.

--Bruce
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: bwv 1080 on June 30, 2007, 02:14:08 PM
Have heard a few of the more recent recordings of In C, but for me there is a raw energy and sense of exploration in the original CBS that it hard to beat (plus it has Jon Hassell playing on it)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: Choo Choo on July 01, 2007, 11:08:57 AM
Quote from: bhodges on June 30, 2007, 10:26:04 AM
The BOAC players are used to scores with lots of energy, often with electric guitar, drum kits, etc. -- they think of themselves almost as a rock band sometimes -- so the performance has commensurate power.  There is very little that is delicate about it; it's a very intense, "in-your face" reading -- loud and punchy, but still with nuance.

Thanks for the review, Bruce.  The one thing this piece won't stand is a boring performance - and it sounds like the BOAC one is anything but. :D

I have to say, I too was impressed by beclemund's readiness to try something new.  All too easy to fall into a groove endlessly replaying old favourites.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: lukeottevanger on July 01, 2007, 11:46:44 AM
Just wanted to amplify something I said earlier re The Harp of New Albion particularly. This piece is in certain respects the closest music I know to the sort of music I [try to] write, though I don't as yet use improvisation as part of the process as it is central to this piece. Riley's modal system, which uses in this case a particular tuning and then circles around it, taking various notes as modal centres, is like a more refined, purer form of something I do. Deeper down, too, some of Riley's aesthetic and philosophical concerns as revealed in this piece and elsewhere are strikingly close to the ideas which obsess me. The Harp of New Albion is relatively little known, is very narrow in its concerns - but it is an intensely beautiful work, and beginning to hold a really central significance for me personally.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: beclemund on July 01, 2007, 05:01:34 PM
Thank you for that note, Luke. I've added this:

(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/51wUWDVK9QL._AA240_.jpg)

to my must buy list.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: beclemund on July 03, 2007, 04:37:01 PM
This In C arrived today:

(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/61NR4CB524L._AA240_.jpg)

It is really quite astounding. The addition of vocal performers really creates an amazing sound scape. I am at a loss how to describe it, but I do not plan to stop listening to it--gorgeous.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: beclemund on July 30, 2007, 02:16:15 PM
I finally got a chance to listen to The Harp of New Albion today and I must admit, it was an up and down experience for me. There were some parts that were truly sublime. The first movement, The new Albion chorale; The discovery I found every bit as engaging as In C, but for very different reasons. The Premonition rag on the other hand, did not come off well for me at all. I suppose that is the nature of improvising off of a theme, there will be peaks and valleys. There is enough good here for me to seek out more, so I have added a few more Riley discs to my "must buy" list--a list that grows significantly every time I peruse the "listening" thread and the opera forum here.

With the last three posts on *this* thread, I feel like I am talking to myself, so I'll stop now and make this one short. ;)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: bhodges on July 30, 2007, 02:22:30 PM
Quote from: beclemund on July 30, 2007, 02:16:15 PM
With the last three posts on *this* thread, I feel like I am talking to myself, so I'll stop now and make this one short. ;)

But we're enjoying reading!  ;D

--Bruce
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: Choo Choo on July 31, 2007, 04:20:31 AM
Quote from: bhodges on July 30, 2007, 02:22:30 PM
But we're enjoying reading!  ;D

--Bruce

Yes, that's right, we are.

However we shouldn't leave you to make all the running either, so - somewhat against my usual tendencies - I may have a shot later at posting a short review of some of my recent TR listening.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: Choo Choo on July 31, 2007, 06:18:09 AM
Recently I have been listening to this:

(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/61sRjdjYm8L._AA240_.jpg)

It's an unedited recording of a solo piano recital given by Terry at the Moscow Conservatory in April 2000, and successfully recalls the experience of attending a very similar recital, containing much the same material, at around the same time in Oxford, England.

The recital starts with a 5-minute spoken introduction in Russian, and then leads into the following:

Arica which segues to Havana Man        23'06"
Negro Hall                                         13'31"
The Ecstacy whch segues to Missigono  14'47"
Requiem For Wally                               7'34"   
Song From The Old Country                 10'35"

At the Oxford recital Terry talked a bit about each piece before playing it.  For this disk he's provided liner notes instead:

Quote from: Terry RileyThe following pieces appear without any editing of the performance.  Large sections of these pieces are improvised and I have attempted to preserve the spontaneity of this special evening by presenting my first concert in Moscow exactly as it was played.

"Arica" is a composition that is based on an early work of mine, "A Rainbow In Curved Air" and shares some of the 14 beat cycle structure although having very different tonalities and overall approach to improvisation.  It alternates the Lydian and Phrygian modes with  tonal centres ½ step apart.

"Havana Man" dates from the late 1980s although some of the themes I composed as early as 1966 in Sweden.  It is intentionally Latin in temperament and contains many themes, which are sometimes reordered in sequence according to spontaneous choices that are made during performance.

"Negro Hall" was composed for a scene of my opera "The Saint Adolf Ring", and is based on the writings and drawings of Adolf Woelfli, the great Swiss artist, musician, and poet who created a vast body of work during his 35 years stay in a mental institution. This solo piano rendition is an abbreviated concert version of the music that appears in the opera.

"The Ecstacy" was first written for the Kronos String Quartet as one of the quartets in the "Salome Dances For Peace" cycle, a large 2-hour work.  Here the themes are reworked in an improvisatory manner for solo piano.

My granddaughter Simone Riley, who has a large cast of imaginary playmates, inspired "Missigono".  I liked the sound of the made-up name and so starting with this title I created the music.  It has a companion piece called "Uncle Jard" which is also the name of one of her imaginary playmates.

"Requiem for Wally" was written in memory of Wally Rose, a great American ragtime piano player ands a close friend and teacher.  In the early 1960s Wally and I played together at the Gold Street Saloon on San Francisco's Barbary Coast.  Some of the interior themes are unusual for ragtime as they are written in 7/8 time instead of 4/4.

"Song From The Old Country" dates from around 1978 and has numerous sections including some songs with vocals.  All the sections are in 5/4 or 10/4 time and I used this piece often as an exercise to learn what I could do with this meter.  In the USA everyone except Native Americans have immigrated or have ancestors that have immigrated from some other country and this song honors those memories we have of our country of origin.

I would comment that when he says that Arica has "very different tonalities" to Rainbow, he is not kidding:  the links are there, but you have to use a deal of imagination to make them:  Rainbow Mk 2 it is not - and it stands on its own feet perfectly well.

Despite the note about vocals in Song From The Old Country, on this occasion Terry chose not to treat the audience to his impression of a 150-year-old Janis Joplin - which can be either a plus or a minus, according to your preference.

And once again we are teased with another fragment from the legendary St Adolf Ring.  When this work is ever going to be presented in complete form to a wider audience, I have no idea.  The notes on Terry's website are not encouraging:

Quote from: Terry RileyTHE SAINT ADOLF RING  (1993)   a 2 hour chamber opera created in collaboration with John Deaderich, Sally Davis, Mikael Graham, Frank Ragsdale and Karen Ezekiel.  This Opera is based on the writings and drawings of Adolf Woelfli. It requires the presence of the above artists for performance.

That's a pity.  I heard the "California EAR Ensemble" perform a couple of lengthy-ish sections one time, and it was very impressive - no obvious reason why they couldn't have done the whole lot - but if that's how he wants it, I suppose we have to go with that, and hope that one day he gets around to recording it.  Everything I've heard of it just whets my appetite.

The recital is strongly jazz-oriented.  Aside from the ragtime in "Requiem For Wally" and the latin jazz in Havana Man, to which the notes already referred, he riffs across the spectrum of jazz idioms, from the 12-bar blues which begin "Negro Hall" through to bebop.  This disk reinforces the impression which I've taken away from every one of his recitals, that quite apart from the compositional inventiveness, the man is a superb keyboard artist.

The recital as a whole manages to combine a survey of his compositional history with a distillation of his recent performance practice, and together makes for a listening experience that is immediate and enjoyable.  There are some Riley CDs that I admire more than I enjoy - but this isn't one of them:  it has substance, but it's an easy disk to listen to.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: bhodges on July 31, 2007, 06:53:38 AM
Thanks so much for that detailed report on what sounds like a very interesting disc.  (And I do love the cover art, too.)  Also reminds me that I need to add more Riley into my collection.  And love the idea of a "150-year-old Janis Joplin."  ;D  Thanks for that little window.

--Bruce

Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: Choo Choo on July 31, 2007, 08:05:35 AM
(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/61-YDVpBDdL._AA240_.jpg)

Another recent purchase was this disk featuring music from the soundtracks of two films: Les Yeux Fermés (1972) and Lifespan (1974).

The dates put this music somewhere between Persian Surgery Dervishes and Shri Camel.  The sound world created (on electronic organ) is probably closest to the latter.  It lacks that work's concentration and focus - which in one sense makes it easier listening - but at the same time gives it a less substantial quality.  It has this in common with the Moscow recital reviewed above, that it presents samples from a number of directions - one of the tracks from Lifespan, for example, re-appeared in longer form 10 years later on Cadenza On The Night Plain with the Kronos Qt - yet is very much rooted in its time, and with the benefit of hindsight can seem in places not completely formed.  This makes it interesting from a historical or enthusiast's view - and an enjoyable listen - if not a major work to rank alongside the others mentioned.


Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: beclemund on July 31, 2007, 02:29:40 PM
Quote from: Choo Choo on July 31, 2007, 06:18:09 AM
Recently I have been listening to this:

(http://ec1.images-amazon.com/images/I/61sRjdjYm8L._AA240_.jpg)

It's an unedited recording of a solo piano recital given by Terry at the Moscow Conservatory in April 2000, and successfully recalls the experience of attending a very similar recital, containing much the same material, at around the same time in Oxford, England.

I am glad you brought this discussion here. I saw you post this recording on the listening thread, so I was hoping you would share more about it here. After my experience with The Harp I am more than interested in more of Riley's solo piano work. I am not sure how I feel about the jazz vibe, however, as the pieces on The Harp that seemed to owe the most to jazz did not do it for me.

The soundtrack collection is on my to buy list--probably some time after I have investigated a few others (Shri Camel and Rainbow in Curved Air are atop my list). I think I would much rather find Santoni's film to see how it meshed as a whole. Lifespan looks to be available via Netflix, so I have just added that one to my queue.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: Choo Choo on August 01, 2007, 03:18:24 PM
Quote from: beclemund on July 31, 2007, 02:29:40 PM
The soundtrack collection is on my to buy list--probably some time after I have investigated a few others (Shri Camel and Rainbow in Curved Air are atop my list). I think I would much rather find Santoni's film to see how it meshed as a whole. Lifespan looks to be available via Netflix, so I have just added that one to my queue.

FWIW I think this is absolutely the right way to go.  Rainbow and Camel are substantial works which stand in their own right.  The soundtracks album is fine - and a nice addition if you already have the others - but doesn't seem to me to have quite the same kind of unifying vision.  I haven't seen either film - would be very interested to see your report on these.

Congratulations BTW to everybody, that this thread has made it onto a 2nd page - and with good, pertinent posts throughout.  I am very much cheered by this.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: bhodges on August 01, 2007, 03:24:46 PM
PS, on Sunday, August 12, for anyone near NYC, there is a concert at the Noguchi Museum (http://www.noguchi.org/) in Long Island City by the American Contemporary Music Ensemble (http://www.acmemusic.org/) (a.k.a. ACME), which will be doing In C, along with works by Andriessen and Kevin Volans.

--Bruce
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: beclemund on October 10, 2007, 10:46:46 AM
I have not been on the boards much lately, but I did finally manage to acquire and listen to Riley's Shri Camel which is an extraordinary piece. Never a fan of electronic music, it did take some doing to get me to sit down and pay this piece the attention it deserved.

Interestingly, the first time I listened to it was in my cubicle at work. There is a wall near me with a machine room that exists behind it. There is a constant hum of small engines and pipes and Riley's piece seems to be composed in the same key. After a long day at the office, sometimes, the drone in Shri Camel can be confused with the machine room noise. It is not as bizarre a confusion as one might first suspect because unlike the organic unfolding soundscape of In C, Shri Camel seems to have a very mechanistic evolution--though that may be more due to the instrumentation (electric organ and computer). Listening to it is a lot like watching a colony of ants at work systematically bringing goods to and from the hill to feed their queen. That is not to say it is boring or predictable, however, as there are multitudes of sonic details that unfold for the listener. Another very welcome addition from Terry Riley.

(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v444/beclemund/RileyShriCamel.jpg)

I was reminded to post my thoughts on it as I am listening to it right now.  ;)
Title: TERRY RILEY
Post by: snyprrr on March 12, 2009, 07:17:15 AM
is this the composer who gets on my nerves the most? all that "shaman" stuff really gets to me. all those Kronos discs....I've really really TRIED, but that last kronos disc with Wu Man was the last straw. maybe i really DON'T like hippies, but no, Terry, you're music does NOT help me commune with the spirit world, it just reminds me how i could tolerate the Grateful Dead until i met their fans.

my apologies to anyone who may feel differently. pass me the peyote, i need it.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: snyprrr on March 12, 2009, 07:37:13 AM
yikes, i find myself in the middle of the riley fan club.

please disregard my rant! thank you
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: bhodges on March 12, 2009, 07:50:12 AM
Quote from: snyprrr on March 12, 2009, 07:37:13 AM
yikes, i find myself in the middle of the riley fan club.

please disregard my rant! thank you

;D

When I first heard his work, I didn't even have the "back story" of say, his all-night concerts and his interest in spiritual matters.  I just enjoyed his music.  Fast-forward to today, years after hearing many other composers like Elliott Carter, Michael Finnissy, Karl Henning...;D...now I think Riley's In C is a brilliantly simple concept, very well executed.

--Bruce
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: jowcol on March 12, 2009, 01:49:07 PM
Shri Camel was a fave in college-- I only have it on vinyl.

Yes,  I like In C very much.    I want to hear the Bang on a Can version. There is a free version available here:
http://www.podcastalley.com/forum/showthread.php?t=134756

ONe thing I've wanted to do, but not had the time is to write a script for my composing software (Harmony Assistant-- great if you don't have the $$ for the expensive ones) that would use markovian  principles to generate different versions of In C, but use "sections" of the orchestra instead of the individual instruments.  I think you would get some intersting textures that often get lost if each when each instrument is going its own way.

I must admit though, that Reich's Music for 18 Musicians thrills me a little bit more. 


Ahh... at some point we need to launch a LaMonte Young thread... or maybe it's already happened.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: snyprrr on March 12, 2009, 08:49:15 PM
i have to retract some of my rant.

i just remembered i used to have a bass, drums, guitar, keys 2cd set of "g song", which i thought was the best grateful dead jam i've heard (i'm being sincere). it was kind of like the music i really wanted to play as a guitar player...blusey, bitches brew type stuff. i would have appreciated a little more rock "flash", but overall i think it made my point to myself about riley-types: that many times, their ideas sound better with "popular" instrumentation such as the hybrid rock bands.

also, mayyybe i can take In C a little.

WAIT A MINUTE...it's NOT riley....it IS laMonte Young on "G Song" yeeeesh.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: jowcol on April 30, 2009, 02:59:23 PM
Just a brief update.   I have now heard the "Bang on a Can" version of In C, and I like it very much.  There is a bit of urgency there (as well as some great interplay) that is going to make this one the first version that shows up in my MP3 player. 

I've also grabbed Rainbow in Curved Air, and I am kicking myself for not getting this earlier.  I can see how this made an impression in the late 60s.  One thing I like is how the two "sides" (remember when albums had sides?) had a yin and yang.  The first side very sunny and busy (but very engaginng)-- the second side much darker with a lot more space (but very engaging...)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: Dax on May 01, 2009, 04:13:27 AM
Quote from: jowcol on April 30, 2009, 02:59:23 PM
Just a brief update.   I have now heard the "Bang on a Can" version of In C, and I like it very much.  There is a bit of urgency there (as well as some great interplay) that is going to make this one the first version that shows up in my MP3 player. 

I've also grabbed Rainbow in Curved Air, and I am kicking myself for not getting this earlier.  I can see how this made an impression in the late 60s.  One thing I like is how the two "sides" (remember when albums had sides?) had a yin and yang.  The first side very sunny and busy (but very engaginng)-- the second side much darker with a lot more space (but very engaging...)

In terms of ancestry, it's revealing to compare some of the saxophone phrases subjected to tape delay echoes on Poppy Nogood and the Phantom Band to John Coltrane's soprano sax playing on My favourite things. Coltrane much impressed La Monte Young and Steve Reich as well, of course.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: jowcol on May 01, 2009, 06:38:29 AM
Quote from: Dax on May 01, 2009, 04:13:27 AM
In terms of ancestry, it's revealing to compare some of the saxophone phrases subjected to tape delay echoes on Poppy Nogood and the Phantom Band to John Coltrane's soprano sax playing on My favourite things. Coltrane much impressed La Monte Young and Steve Reich as well, of course.

Very interesting point.  I think another element which may tie the two strains together was a common interest in Indian Classical music-- as I recall both the minimalists and Coltrane had dipped into it in the late 50s-early 60s. (Hence Coltrane's song India-- some versions of which had a tambura playing along). 

I'm a rabid coltrane fan-- in case my handle rings a bell.

Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: monafam on July 31, 2009, 12:39:02 PM
I only have "The Book of Abbeyozud," which I really enjoy.  I understand it isn't typical-Riley though, and I was wondering if anyone had any recommendations/must-haves, etc.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: monafam on August 27, 2009, 06:43:47 AM
I thought I would revisit my last request one more time, especially since I didn't really phrase it like a question  ;D.   Are there any Riley pieces that anyone would recommend?   

Thanks as always in advance. 
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: bhodges on August 27, 2009, 07:01:40 AM
Definitely get a recording of In C, if you don't have one already.  I love the version by Bang on a Can, but there are about five or six recordings available, and I haven't read a bad review of any of them.  The second one below is with the Shanghai Film Orchestra on traditional Chinese instruments, and fascinating if you like those timbres.

--Bruce
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: monafam on September 01, 2009, 04:32:52 AM
Thanks for the recommendation.  I had a download to burn and the "Bang on a Can" version was available so I got that last night.

I am listening to it at work -- very intense piece.  I feel like I need to catch my breath, and they just won't let me!    ;D

I read a little about the work itself and it was amazing how varied it can actually be.  One thing that stands out to me is how beautiful it sounds -- must be the notes they are given to play -- despite the potential chaos that sort of freedom could lead to!
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: bhodges on September 01, 2009, 06:36:58 AM
You may have run across the score to In C already, but if not, it's here (http://www.otherminds.org/SCORES/InC.pdf).  It's fun to examine while you're listening, to see when people decide to go to the next pattern.

--Bruce
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: monafam on September 01, 2009, 08:42:30 AM
Quote from: bhodges on September 01, 2009, 06:36:58 AM
You may have run across the score to In C already, but if not, it's here (http://www.otherminds.org/SCORES/InC.pdf).  It's fun to examine while you're listening, to see when people decide to go to the next pattern.

--Bruce

Thanks for the link!  I hadn't seen the score (just a write-up on Riley's notes) and it's really interesting.  I am at work now, but at some point I definitely want to listen this in conjuction with the score itself.

Thanks again for the suggestion and the score!
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: Dax on September 01, 2009, 08:55:38 AM
Incidentally, patterns 22-26 should consist of quavers: so all the dotted crotchets should contain slanted lines to denote this - for some reason they've been omitted.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: offbeat on January 03, 2010, 03:33:57 PM
have never heard anything by Terry Riley before but listening to contemporary classics radio and they are playing The Cusp of Magic -is this well known piece - its pretty cool  8)


Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on December 29, 2013, 01:50:18 PM
I've been listening to Terry almost all my life.

recommended, for a start:

A Rainbow in Curved Air
Shri Camel

Harp of New Albion - for microtonal piano tuned in just intonation.

Poppy Nogood & The Phantom Band All Night Flight - a stunning live performance of "Poppy Nogood and his Phantom Band"

Lazy Afternoon Among the Crocodiles & Diamond Fiddle Language - duets for synthesizer and double bass with Stefano Scodanibbio.

Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: Pessoa on December 30, 2013, 11:05:05 AM
In C, Poppy and Rainbow, early memories of my first dabblings with contemporary composers...
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: milk on May 02, 2014, 06:19:13 AM
I'm listening to "The Harp of New Albion" today for the first time. This is pretty interesting music. I'm not sure I've heard anything quite like it before. The charm of it is that sometimes it just sounds like some college dorm dude puttering around and other times it is, as someone else said, approaching sublime.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: bwv 1080 on May 02, 2014, 07:18:54 AM
Funny I only recently learned the connection with the famous Who song inspired by Poppy Nogood

The original In C recording is my favorite, followed by the Rainbow in Curved Air album

Have not found any of his more recent works that interesting
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: milk on May 02, 2014, 07:58:40 AM
Quote from: bwv 1080 on May 02, 2014, 07:18:54 AM
Funny I only recently learned the connection with the famous Who song inspired by Poppy Nogood

The original In C recording is my favorite, followed by the Rainbow in Curved Air album

Have not found any of his more recent works that interesting
I really like Albion a lot. I think the piece is interesting all the way though to the end. I can feel it growing on me. I don't know why but C doesn't excite me as much as I thought it would. Maybe I'll listen to it more. I can see the influence on Reich though. I like that stuff in doses. I just downloaded Curved Air. The samples sounded pretty darn cool!
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: EigenUser on May 02, 2014, 08:29:59 AM
Sorry to dissent, but I haven't heard any Riley I've liked. I discovered Reich and Riley through Ligeti because the second of his "Three Pieces for Two Pianos" (far from his best work, I think) is called "Self-portrait with Reich and Riley (and Chopin in the Background)". I immediately loved Reich, but for some reason Riley just annoys me to no end. I didn't even finish listening to the works that I heard. "In C" is one of my personal musical pet peeves. However, I respect it because I'm not sure that Reich's "Music for 18 Musicians" would exist without it, and that is my favorite minimalist work.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: milk on May 02, 2014, 03:13:58 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on May 02, 2014, 08:29:59 AM
Sorry to dissent, but I haven't heard any Riley I've liked. I discovered Reich and Riley through Ligeti because the second of his "Three Pieces for Two Pianos" (far from his best work, I think) is called "Self-portrait with Reich and Riley (and Chopin in the Background)". I immediately loved Reich, but for some reason Riley just annoys me to no end. I didn't even finish listening to the works that I heard. "In C" is one of my personal musical pet peeves. However, I respect it because I'm not sure that Reich's "Music for 18 Musicians" would exist without it, and that is my favorite minimalist work.
My first impression of C was that it sounded important as an influence on Reich but that it's better just to listen to Reich. Perhaps I'll appreciate it more another time. However, Harp of New Albion is all it's own idea and is maybe too idiosyncratic to influence much else. I could imagine some not caring for it. But I find it really curious and interesting. Maybe the hippy trippy feel of Riley can rub some the wrong way?   
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 02, 2014, 04:06:56 PM
Quote from: milk on May 02, 2014, 03:13:58 PM
My first impression of C was that it sounded important as an influence on Reich but that it's better just to listen to Reich. Perhaps I'll appreciate it more another time. However, Harp of New Albion is all it's own idea and is maybe too idiosyncratic to influence much else. I could imagine some not caring for it. But I find it really curious and interesting. Maybe the hippy trippy feel of Riley can rub some the wrong way?   
I like The Harp of New Albion the best among Riley's albums I have (just about 8.) I like most of his albums, but In C may not be among my favorites. I felt it was a little obsessive, but I have not heard it for a long time.
An author mentioned The Harp of New Albion as the best solo piano ambient music, and the second was The Well-Tuned Piano by La Monte Young, which I am very interested in, but have not heard yet. I don't know what the relationship and influence are, or even whether they resemble, but both works are for a piano of just intonation, I think.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: milk on May 02, 2014, 04:26:31 PM
Quote from: torut on May 02, 2014, 04:06:56 PM
I like The Harp of New Albion the best among Riley's albums I have (just about 8.) I like most of his albums, but In C may not be among my favorites. I felt it was a little obsessive, but I have not heard it for a long time.
An author mentioned The Harp of New Albion as the best solo piano ambient music, and the second was The Well-Tuned Piano by La Monte Young, which I am very interested in, but have not heard yet. I don't know what the relationship and influence are, or even whether they resemble, but both works are for a piano of just intonation, I think.
I was looking for the Young piece and couldn't find it to purchase. However, parts are on youtube and the whole thing is available as a free podcast on itunes! Dennis Johnson's piece "November" look interesting as well.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 02, 2014, 04:39:40 PM
Quote from: milk on May 02, 2014, 04:26:31 PM
I was looking for the Young piece and couldn't find it to purchase. However, parts are on youtube and the whole thing is available as a free podcast on itunes! Dennis Johnson's piece "November" look interesting as well.
I didn't know Dennis Johnson. I just started hearing November on youtube (complete, about 5 hours long), and already liked it. Thank you!
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: milk on May 02, 2014, 05:57:00 PM
Quote from: torut on May 02, 2014, 04:39:40 PM
I didn't know Dennis Johnson. I just started hearing November on youtube (complete, about 5 hours long), and already liked it. Thank you!
You're welcome. I also just discovered it. It will take me a bit of time to get through the 5 hours! But I'm also liking it.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 02, 2014, 06:08:33 PM
Quote from: torut on May 02, 2014, 04:06:56 PM
I like The Harp of New Albion the best among Riley's albums I have (just about 8.) I like most of his albums, but In C may not be among my favorites. I felt it was a little obsessive, but I have not heard it for a long time.
An author mentioned The Harp of New Albion as the best solo piano ambient music, and the second was The Well-Tuned Piano by La Monte Young, which I am very interested in, but have not heard yet. I don't know what the relationship and influence are, or even whether they resemble, but both works are for a piano of just intonation, I think.

La Monte and Terry are old friends. Both of them were students of Pandit Pran Nath, the both pieces reflect their studies in Raga.

Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 02, 2014, 07:24:49 PM
Quote from: 7/4 on May 02, 2014, 06:08:33 PM
La Monte and Terry are old friends. Both of them were students of Pandit Pran Nath, the both pieces reflect their studies in Raga.
Thank you. The words "Raga" and "just intonation" reminded me of another composer.

Wolfgang von Schweinitz - Plainsound Glissando Modulation
Raga in just intonation for violin and double bass, op. 49 (2006-2007)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH0vpPgf3XM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH0vpPgf3XM)

The sound is beautiful and interesting. The album is my favorite recent purchase. Sorry for keep digressing. ;D
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: milk on May 03, 2014, 01:08:23 AM
Quote from: torut on May 02, 2014, 07:24:49 PM
Thank you. The words "Raga" and "just intonation" reminded me of another composer.

Wolfgang von Schweinitz - Plainsound Glissando Modulation
Raga in just intonation for violin and double bass, op. 49 (2006-2007)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH0vpPgf3XM (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EH0vpPgf3XM)

The sound is beautiful and interesting. The album is my favorite recent purchase. Sorry for keep digressing. ;D
Sounds great! I'm afraid I'll have to buy this as well!
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 03, 2014, 10:18:23 AM
Quote from: milk on May 02, 2014, 05:57:00 PM
You're welcome. I also just discovered it. It will take me a bit of time to get through the 5 hours! But I'm also liking it.
This is so good (I heard only the first 2 hours so far) I purchased the album played by R. Andrew Lee.

Dennis Johnson - November
(https://i4.sndcdn.com/artworks-000041294402-3m91lg-t500x500.jpg?61e8f21)

Did Terry Riley compose works for a piano tuned in just intonation other than The Harp of New Albion?

Also, I am interested in this. I recently found Scodanibbio (thanks to snyprrr) and the solo album is very good.
Quote from: 7/4 on December 29, 2013, 01:50:18 PM
Lazy Afternoon Among the Crocodiles & Diamond Fiddle Language - duets for synthesizer and double bass with Stefano Scodanibbio.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 03, 2014, 08:21:19 PM
Quote from: torut on May 03, 2014, 10:18:23 AMDid Terry Riley compose works for a piano tuned in just intonation other than The Harp of New Albion?

No Man's Land, I think. I'd have to check.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 04, 2014, 06:54:16 AM
Quote from: 7/4 on May 03, 2014, 08:21:19 PM
No Man's Land, I think. I'd have to check.
Terry Riley's website or wikipedia doesn't tell anything about the instruments of No Man's Land. By the way, the website design of Terry Riley's official home page (http://terryriley.net/) is one of the worst ones I have ever seen. ;D
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 04, 2014, 07:11:20 AM
Quote from: torut on May 04, 2014, 06:54:16 AM
Terry Riley's website or wikipedia doesn't tell anything about the instruments of No Man's Land. By the way, the website design of Terry Riley's official home page (http://terryriley.net/) is one of the worst ones I have ever seen. ;D

He's updated the list of works page, but I'd still like to know more.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 04, 2014, 07:42:30 AM
Probably out of print. There was an earlier release that I gave away when I got this one with the extra cuts. Deserves a re-issue, anything by Terry should be in print.



(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn38/microtonaldave/NoMansLandcover_zps98e01074.jpg)

(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn38/microtonaldave/NoMansLandlinernotes_zpscbf4c91a.jpg)

(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn38/microtonaldave/NoMansLandbackcover_zps0e8487bc.jpg)

Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 04, 2014, 03:31:53 PM
Quote from: 7/4 on May 04, 2014, 07:42:30 AM
Probably out of print. There was an earlier release that I gave away when I got this one with the extra cuts. Deserves a re-issue, anything by Terry should be in print.
Thank you. Looks nice but yes, it is OOP at Amazon.

According to websites (Riley's, Wikipedia), these are the other works for instruments in just intonation. I don't know how saxophone can be tuned in just intonation but the audio samples of Chanting the Light of Foresight sound nice.

Quando Cosas Malas Caen del Cielo ~ National Steel Guitar in Just Intonation
Moonshine Sonata ~ National Steel Guitar in Just Intonation and Korg Triton Synthesizer
Shri Camel for solo electronic organ tuned in just intonation and modified by digital delay
Chanting the Light of Foresight, with Rova Saxophone Quartet in just intonation
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 04, 2014, 04:44:10 PM
Quote from: torut on May 04, 2014, 03:31:53 PM
Thank you. Looks nice but yes, it is OOP at Amazon.

According to websites (Riley's, Wikipedia), these are the other works for instruments in just intonation. I don't know how saxophone can be tuned in just intonation but the audio samples of Chanting the Light of Foresight sound nice.

Quando Cosas Malas Caen del Cielo ~ National Steel Guitar in Just Intonation
Moonshine Sonata ~ National Steel Guitar in Just Intonation and Korg Triton Synthesizer
Shri Camel for solo electronic organ tuned in just intonation and modified by digital delay
Chanting the Light of Foresight, with Rova Saxophone Quartet in just intonation

I don't think all of Chanting the Light of Foresight is in JI.

I don't think recordings of the two pieces for National Steel have released.

Shri Camel is amazing, one of my all time favorite TR albums. The first one I heard when it came out.

Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 04, 2014, 06:31:05 PM
Quote from: 7/4 on May 04, 2014, 04:44:10 PM
I don't think all of Chanting the Light of Foresight is in JI.
According to this review (http://www2.hmc.edu/~alves/riley.html), just intonation is used in the 1st movement (The Tuning Path ~ Medb's Blues) and the 4th movement (Ferdia's Death Chant). Playing saxophone in just tuning seems very difficult.
Quote from: Bill AlvesIn order to get the saxophonists to play the just intervals precisely, Riley recorded the pitches with his old Prophet 5 synthesizer as a reference. The players of Rova hold the vibratoless tones remarkably steady and precisely in tune. In the liner notes, Rova's Larry Ochs refers to the "difficulties involved in mastering the altered tunings (requiring false fingerings, jaw manipulations, superhuman lungs and lips of steel)."

Quote from: 7/4 on May 04, 2014, 04:44:10 PM
I don't think recordings of the two pieces for National Steel have released.

Shri Camel is amazing, one of my all time favorite TR albums. The first one I heard when it came out.
I am listening to Shri Camel now. It is mesmerizing.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: milk on May 06, 2014, 04:22:23 PM
I listened to New Harp of Albion again today. I think this is enchanting music. I'm going to check out Well Tuned Piano and compare.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 06, 2014, 05:14:04 PM
Quote from: milk on May 06, 2014, 04:22:23 PM
I listened to New Harp of Albion again today. I think this is enchanting music. I'm going to check out Well Tuned Piano and compare.

Both in JI, but quite different. La Monte did a couple of things to his piano for this piece.

1.There's only one string for each note.
2. an assistant sets a mute inside of the piano so only the notes in the chord he's playing sustain when he holds the sustain pedal is down. (or something like that)
3. the piano is tuned down so B=60 cycles.

La Monte doesn't play like Terry.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 06, 2014, 08:45:17 PM
It is good that they are quite different. I have been wanting to hear The Well-Tuned Piano for a long time, but currently I am busy with Riley, Dennis Johnson, and some classics.

Listening to this now. It feels so good.

[asin]B000000R3O[/asin]
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: milk on May 07, 2014, 02:44:00 AM
Quote from: 7/4 on May 06, 2014, 05:14:04 PM
Both in JI, but quite different. La Monte did a couple of things to his piano for this piece.

1.There's only one string for each note.
2. an assistant sets a mute inside of the piano so only the notes in the chord he's playing sustain when he holds the sustain pedal is down. (or something like that)
3. the piano is tuned down so B=60 cycles.

La Monte doesn't play like Terry.
Thanks for this. It's helpful.
I'm curious if it will agree with me. I can't easily account for why certain composers touch me. I like Riley's sensibility very much.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 07, 2014, 03:41:57 AM
Only one string for each note changes the timber of the instrument, La Monte reinvented the sound of the piano. The other differences are subtle.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: amw on May 07, 2014, 03:50:58 AM
I have been planning to listen to The Well-Tuned Piano for a while but it's hard to find 5 distraction-free hours :|
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 07, 2014, 05:06:58 AM
It's been a long time since I've listened to the whole thing.  8)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: EigenUser on May 07, 2014, 05:33:14 AM
Quote from: amw on May 07, 2014, 03:50:58 AM
I have been planning to listen to The Well-Tuned Piano for a while but it's hard to find 5 distraction-free hours :|
I've heard parts of it. I'd rather first find time to hear Feldman's 2nd SQ. Then again, I don't really have an interest in such a long piece. My attention span is too short.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: milk on May 07, 2014, 04:23:14 PM
Quote from: EigenUser on May 07, 2014, 05:33:14 AM
I've heard parts of it. I'd rather first find time to hear Feldman's 2nd SQ. Then again, I don't really have an interest in such a long piece. My attention span is too short.
The 2nd SQ is marvelous. And for Philip Guston as well. I can't do it all at once but I get into the mindset and then try to stay with it over a few days on my commutes.
Just thinking about it now...is that part of the concept and what it does? It's a challenge to think, "will I ever have that much time?" Why or why not...
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: milk on May 09, 2014, 01:25:18 AM
I'm halfway though Well-tuned piano and I'm loving it. I'm surprised it's available as a free podcast only. I mean, it's the best way for me but I wonder if people value this piece of music.   
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 09, 2014, 07:44:58 AM
Quote from: milk on May 09, 2014, 01:25:18 AM
I'm halfway though Well-tuned piano and I'm loving it. I'm surprised it's available as a free podcast only. I mean, it's the best way for me but I wonder if people value this piece of music.
I am willing to pay for CD or mp3, but not $2500 for a used copy. :) I don't understand why so many recordings of modern (20th c.) music are unavailable while distributing music is very easy nowadays.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 09, 2014, 11:14:35 AM
Quote from: torut on May 09, 2014, 07:44:58 AM
I am willing to pay for CD or mp3, but not $2500 for a used copy. :) I don't understand why so many recordings of modern (20th c.) music are unavailable while distributing music is very easy nowadays.

The WTP has been floating around the net for a while and I don't mean mp3 files.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 11, 2014, 08:13:52 PM
Terry Riley's "In C" for Solo Trombone
Performed & Live electronic fx coded by Bryant Smith (http://www.bryantsmithmusic.com/)

https://www.youtube.com/v/A-k2i-lGSZI

Quote from: Bryant SmithI programmed Ableton and Max4Live to simulate 32 accompanying trombones. Each "musician" is programmed to repeat the leader after a random number of eighth notes. The musicians are dispersed in space and in volume. This happens on the fly, and the leader can hear the result in real time and react to it. With this software, I make an attempt at Terry Riley's "In C."

The warm tone of the trombone makes the music easy to the ears (for me). It sounds almost symphonic. If there is a wind instruments only version of In C played softly, I would like to hear.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: milk on May 11, 2014, 08:59:45 PM
Quote from: torut on May 11, 2014, 08:13:52 PM
Terry Riley's "In C" for Solo Trombone
Performed & Live electronic fx coded by Bryant Smith (http://www.bryantsmithmusic.com/)

https://www.youtube.com/v/A-k2i-lGSZI

The warm tone of the trombone makes the music easy to the ears (for me). It sounds almost symphonic. If there is a wind instruments only version of In C played softly, I would like to hear.
Cool!!!!
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 12, 2014, 11:53:56 AM
That's beautiful.

Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 12, 2014, 09:11:22 PM
Quote from: 7/4 on December 29, 2013, 01:50:18 PM
Lazy Afternoon Among the Crocodiles & Diamond Fiddle Language - duets for synthesizer and double bass with Stefano Scodanibbio.

I listened to this for the first time and really like it, but it is too short. (Just 26 min.) Is it all improvised?
I love this kind of music with spontaneous feelings, which can be found in a few good free improvisation music.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 13, 2014, 04:16:20 AM
Quote from: torut on May 12, 2014, 09:11:22 PM
Is it all improvised?

I always thought so.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 13, 2014, 11:49:10 AM
I found this video of Terry Riley talking about Stefano Scodanibbio and Lazy Afternoon Among the Crocodiles.
http://vimeo.com/90597005 (http://vimeo.com/90597005)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 15, 2014, 10:24:36 PM
Inspired by this thread, I am re-listening Riley's CDs I have. I purchased Music for the Gift mainly because of Chet Baker, but it was very strange music for me at that time. The CD contains his early tape works just before he composed In C. They have feelings of "handmade" and "lo-fi", as mentioned in the liner note, which I tend to like. The music is very different from his later works. There is a short work Concerto for Two Pianists and Five Tape Recorders (1961) played by Riley and La Monte Young.

The cover art of the CD I have is a part of Bruce Conner's work.
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_odwv-XUUPvQ/S6pXb4HRl0I/AAAAAAAAEEM/nQLKv00dx7E/s400/cover.jpg)

Bruce Conner - PSYCHEDELICATESSEN OWNER (1990)
(http://37.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_lcfun8ln3n1qbcporo1_500.jpg)

This is the cover of the current release.
[asin]B000VLMTI4[/asin]
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 21, 2014, 07:51:51 PM
Last Camel in Paris
[asin]B0012E87EE[/asin]

Live version of Shri Camel (1977), recorded on November 10, 1978 at Thèâtre Edouard VII in Paris. It is a continuous performance lasting for about 54 min, and I think as good as Shri Camel, but the sound is clearer & brighter. Shri Camel might be felt more mysterious.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 25, 2014, 05:25:41 AM
Just Intonation and Indian Aesthetic in Terry Riley's The Harp of New Albion (http://www.ex-tempore.org/Volx1/hudson/hudson.htm)


I'll have to study this later and see what kind of conclusions the author comes to.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 25, 2014, 01:27:06 PM
Quote from: 7/4 on May 25, 2014, 05:25:41 AM
Just Intonation and Indian Aesthetic in Terry Riley's The Harp of New Albion (http://www.ex-tempore.org/Volx1/hudson/hudson.htm)


I'll have to study this later and see what kind of conclusions the author comes to.
It is very interesting. I learned many things I didn't know. Thank you for the link.
Also, I didn't know that there is another live recording album, The Padova Concert.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 25, 2014, 05:59:14 PM
Terry has a pretty good discography on his web site now (this wasn't always the case!)  ;D

http://terryriley.net/discography.htm (http://terryriley.net/discography.htm)



1966 Reed Streams Mass Art
1968 In C CBS Masterworks MS 7178
1969 A Rainbow in Curved Air CBS Masterworks MS 7315
1970 The Church of Anthrax (with John Cale) CBS
1970 Keyboard Study 2 Germ
1972 Happy Ending Waner Bros. 46125
1972 The Persian Surgery Dervishes Shandar 83501
1974 le Secret de la Vie Phillips
1978 Shri Camel CBS Masterworks M3519
1982 The Descending Moonshine Dervishes/
1983 The Ten Voices of the Two Prophets Celestial Harmonies 12047 (2 CD Package)
1985 No Man's Land Plainisphare PLl267
1985 The Ethereal Time Shadow (Music from Mills ) MC 001
1985 Cadenza on the Night Plain Gramavision 181014-1
1986 The Harp of New Albion Celestial Harmonies 14018
1986 Keys of Live Celestial Harmonies
1989 IN C with the Shanghai Film Orchestra Celestial Harmonies 13026
1989 Salome Dances for Peace Nonesuch 9 79217 I
1990 Keyboard Study 2 Piano Circus Argo
1991 June Buddhas (Lou Harrison 7 Pastorales) Music Masters 67089-2
1992 The Padova Concert Amiata Arnn 0292
1992Tread on The Trail In Good Company/Jon Gibson Point Records 434-873-2
1993 Persian Surgery Dervishes (re-issue) New Tone T29806715 2
1993 Cactus Rosary (NEW WORLD) Artifact Music ARf 006
1993 In C25th Anniversary Concert New Albion NA 071
1994 Chanting the Light of Foresight New Albion NA 064
1995 IN C Eddy de Fanti Materiali Sonori
1994 Intuitive Leaps Work Music
1996 No Man's Land (revised/reissue) Plainisphare 1267-93
1996 Lisbon Concert New Albion NA087
1996 Poppy Nogood All Night Flight V.1 Organ of Corti 4
1997 A Lazy Afternoon Among the Crocodiles AIAI008
1998 The Piano Music of John Adams and Terry Riley Telarc Cd80513
1998 Vigil of the Snow Clam Solar/Helios Sol y Samba Records 001
1999 Reed Streams Organ of Corti 2
1999 Olson lll Ogan of Corti 3
2000 Music for the Gift Organ of Corti 1
2000 Cortejo Funebre en el Monte Diablo Kronos Caravan Nonesuch 79490-2
2000 IN C Ictus Live Cypres 5601
2000 IN C SMCQ live with Walter Boudreau ATMA ACD2225L
2000 Good Medicine The Smith Quartet 779-043-2
2001 You're Nogood Organ of Corti V
2001 IN C The Bang on a Can All Stars Cantaloup 21004
2001 IN C The Repetition Orchestra Long Arms
2001 Requiem for Adam Kronos Quartet Nonesuch 79639-2
2002 IN C European Music Project with the electronics duo zignorii++ Wergo
2002 Keyboard Study 2 Musik production Dabring Haus undGrimm
2002 Y Bolanzero Jugendguitarrenorchester Cadenza
2002 Atlantis Nath Terry Riley solo album Sri Moonshine Music
2003 Cantos Desiertos Alexandra Hawley,Jeffrey McFadden guitar flute Naxos
2003 Rainbow in Curved Air/Poppy Nogood and the Phantom Band La Repubblica
2005 Diamond Fiddle Language Riley/Scodanibbio Wergo
2005 I like You Eyes Liberty Michael McClure/Terry Riley Sri Moonshine Music
2007 The Cusp of Magic Kronos Quartet/Wu Man Nonesuch
2007 Les Yeux Fermes (reissue) Elision Fields
2008 Banana Humberto Terry Riley/Paul Dresher Ensemble Sri Moonshine Music
2008 The last Camel in Paris Terry Riley/Yamaha organ/The Shadow digital delay Sri Moonshine Music
2010 Autodreamographical Tales Terry Riley solo Tzadik
2011 Terry Riley and Gyan Riley -Live Sri Moonshine Music
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 27, 2014, 09:29:53 PM
Quote from: 7/4 on May 25, 2014, 05:59:14 PM
Terry has a pretty good discography on his web site now (this wasn't always the case!)  ;D

http://terryriley.net/discography.htm (http://terryriley.net/discography.htm)
It is nice. It would be better if they put the recording years.
I think the latest CD not in the list is Aleph (2012).
Also not in the list, I didn't know that these works have been recorded.

Terry Riley - Two Early Works (http://calderquartet.bandcamp.com/album/terry-riley-two-early-works)
Calder Quartet
1. String Quartet (1960) 17:58
2. String Trio (1961) 12:02
(http://f0.bcbits.com/img/a1223161835_2.jpg)

The two works make a good contrast. The string quartet is minimalistic work in the sense of Young's Trio for Strings. Riley's string trio is more dynamic, sounds like early avant-garde music. It was a little surprise for me. The recording sound is good.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 28, 2014, 03:50:29 AM
I've heard both of those.

The Calder Qt I only heard about last month, I thought someone gave me bootleg recordings. I didn't realise they were official recordings. Interesting to hear, I understand how they fit in.

The two Tzadik albums I still have mixed feelings about, just like a bunch of other TR recordings from the last 15, 20 years. I was real excited about Aleph, but it wasn't quite what I expected. I think I'd really like to hear him play organ again.

Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on June 03, 2014, 10:13:26 PM
Besides The Harp of New Albion, I too love his electric organ works: Poppy No Good, The Persian Surgery Dervishes, Shri Camel. The last Camel in Paris (recorded 1978) seems the last album he recorded electric organ? (I am trying to make a list of recording years of Riley's albums, but it is more difficult than I had thought...)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on June 05, 2014, 05:52:55 AM
Quote from: torut on June 03, 2014, 10:13:26 PM
Besides The Harp of New Albion, I too love his electric organ works: Poppy No Good, The Persian Surgery Dervishes, Shri Camel. The last Camel in Paris (recorded 1978) seems the last album he recorded electric organ? (I am trying to make a list of recording years of Riley's albums, but it is more difficult than I had thought...)

Yeah. Shri Camel is also from 78.

Les Yeux Fermés & Lifespan is mostly organ.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on June 05, 2014, 06:13:57 AM
1986 Keys of Live Celestial Harmonies

Comp, includes The New Albion Chorale.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on June 05, 2014, 05:56:49 PM
Quote from: 7/4 on June 05, 2014, 06:13:57 AM
1986 Keys of Live Celestial Harmonies

Comp, includes The New Albion Chorale.
It is the same recording contained in The Harp of New Albion, right?
(According to http://www.harmonies.com/releases/13017.htm (http://www.harmonies.com/releases/13017.htm).)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on June 05, 2014, 06:10:27 PM
Quote from: torut on June 05, 2014, 05:56:49 PM
It is the same recording contained in The Harp of New Albion, right?
(According to http://www.harmonies.com/releases/13017.htm (http://www.harmonies.com/releases/13017.htm).)

Probably.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on June 05, 2014, 09:51:46 PM
I gathered the recording years of Riley's albums as much as possible.  I couldn't find some of them.
<recording year> / <release year> <album titile> ...
No guarantee. ;D

1963 / 2000 Music for the Gift - Organ of Corti 1
1966 / 1966 Reed Streams - Mass Art
1966 / 1999 Reed Streams - Organ of Corti 2
1967 / 1999 Olson III - Riley (soprano sax), Nacka Community - Ogan of Corti 3
1967 / 2001 You're Nogood - Riley (synthesizer [Moog], Tape, Loops) - Organ of Corti V
1968 / 1968 In C - CBS Masterworks MS 7178
1968 / 1969 Rainbow in Curved Air - Riley (organ, harpsichord, keyboards, Goblet Drum, Tambourine) - CBS Masterworks MS 7315
1968 / 1968 Keyboard Study 2 - Germ
1968 / 1996 Poppy Nogood All Night Flight V.1 - Riley (Soprano Saxophone, Organ, Effects) - Organ of Corti 4
1968 / 2003 Rainbow in Curved Air/Poppy Nogood and the Phantom Band - La Repubblica
1970 / 1971 The Church of Anthrax (with John Cale) CBS
1971-72 / 1972 The Persian Surgery Dervishes - Riley (electric organ, tape) - Shandar 83501
1971-72 / 1993 The Persian Surgery Dervishes (re-issue) New Tone T29806715 2
1972 / 1972 Happy Ending - soundtrack - Waner Bros. 46125
1972&74 / 2007 Les Yeux Fermes (reissue of Happy Ending, 1972, and Le Secret De La Vie, 1975) - Riley (Bosendorfer Imperial Grand Piano, Voice, Soprano Saxophone, Hammond B3 organ Yamaha console organ and assorted clavichords and electric keys) -Elision Fields
1975 / 1975 le Secret de la Vie - soundtrack - Phillips
1975 / 1982 The Descending Moonshine - Riley (organ with modifications and a delay) - Dervishes
1977 / 1978 Shri Camel for solo electronic organ tuned in just intonation and modified by digital delay - CBS Masterworks M3519
1978 / 2008 The last Camel in Paris, live solo electric organ - Riley (Yamaha organ, The Shadow digital delay) - Sri Moonshine Music
1982 / 1983 Songs for The Ten Voices of the Two Prophets - Riley (Vocals, Synthesizer) - Celestial Harmonies 12047 (2 CD Package)
1982 / 1985 The Ethereal Time Shadow (9:20) Music from Mills, compilation - Riley (voice, synthesizer) - MC 001
1983 / 1995 IN C Eddy de Fanti Materiali Sonori
1984 / 1985 No Man's Land - Riley (Electronics [Prophet V Synthesizer], Piano, Vocals); Krishna (Bhatt Sitar, Tabla) - Plainisphare PLl267
1984 / 1996 No Man's Land (revised/reissue) Plainisphare 1267-93
1984 / 1985 Cadenza on the Night Plain - Kronos Quartet - Gramavision 181014-1
1986 / 1986 The Harp of New Albion, for piano tuned in just intonation - Celestial Harmonies 14018
1986 / 1986 The New Albion Chorale (from The Harp of New Albion) in Keys of Life (compilation) - Riley (piano) - Celestial Harmonies
1986 / 1992 The Padova Concert - Riley solo piano improvisation from The Harp of New Albion and Salome Dances for Peace - Amiata Arnn 0292
1988 / 1989 Salome Dances for Peace - Kronos Quartet - Nonesuch 9 79217 I
1989 / 1989 IN C with the Shanghai Film Orchestra - Celestial Harmonies 13026
- / 1990 Keyboard Study 2 Piano Circus - Argo
- / 1991 June Buddhas (Lou Harrison 7 Pastorales) Music Masters 67089-2
- / 1992 Tread on The Trail In Good Company/Jon Gibson Point Records 434-873-2
- / 1993 Cactus Rosary (NEW WORLD) compilation - Array Music Ensemble - Artifact Music ARf 006
1990 / 1993 In C 25th Anniversary Concert New Albion NA 071
1993-98 / 2002 Atlantis Nath Terry Riley solo album - Sri Moonshine Music
1994 / 1994 Chanting the Light of Foresight - Rove Saxophone Quartet - New Albion NA 064
- / 1994 Intuitive Leaps - Zeitgeist (ensemble) - Work Music
1994-95 / 1997 A Lazy Afternoon Among the Crocodiles - Riley (synthesizer), Scodanibbio (bass) - AIAI008
1995 / 1996 Lisbon Concert - solo piano - New Albion NA087
1995 / 1998 The Piano Music of John Adams and Terry Riley - Gloria Cheng-Cochran (piano) - Telarc Cd80513
- / 1998 Vigil of the Snow Clam Solar/Helios Sol y - Samba Records 001
1997 / 2000 IN C Ictus Live Cypres 5601
1997 / 2000 IN C SMCQ live with Walter Boudreau ATMA ACD2225L
1998-2000 / 2005 Diamond Fiddle Language - Riley(electronics, voice)/Scodanibbio(bass), live - Wergo
- / 1999 The Book of Abbeyozzud - guitar, violin, percussion - New Albion ‎– NA 106 CD
- / 2002 Y Bolanzero, for 20 guitars (from "The Book of Abbeyozzud") (compilation) - Jugendguitarrenorchester - Cadenza
1999 / 2000 Cortejo Funebre en el Monte Diablo in Caravan (compilation) - Kronos Quartet - Nonesuch 79490-2
1999 / 2000 Good Medicine (compilation, track 1 only) - The Smith Quartet 779-043-2
1998 / 2001 IN C The Bang on a Can All Stars Cantaloup 21004
2000 / 2001 IN C The Repetition Orchestra Long Arms
2000 / 2001 Requiem for Adam - Kronos Quartet, Riley (solo piano, 4th track only) - Nonesuch 79639-2
2001 / 2002 IN C European Music Project with the electronics duo zignorii++ Wergo
2001-2003 / 2005 Assassin Reverie - Arte Quartett (sax), Riley (vocals, piano, harpsichord) - New World Records
2002 / 2008 Banana Humberto, piano concerto - Terry Riley (piano) / Paul Dresher Ensemble - Sri Moonshine Music
- / 2002 Keyboard Studies - Steffen Schleiermacher (piano) - Musik production Dabring Haus und Grimm
2002 / 2003 Cantos Desiertos (compilation) - Alexandra Hawley flute, Jeffrey McFadden guitar - Naxos
2003-04 / 2005 I like Your Eyes Liberty - Michael McClure/Terry Riley - Sri Moonshine Music
2004-10 / 2011 Terry Riley and Gyan Riley Live - piano, voice, guitar - Sri Moonshine Music
2006 / 2007 The Cusp of Magic - Kronos Quartet / Wu Man (pipa) - Nonesuch
2006 / 2010 Autodreamographical Tales - Terry Riley (solo voice, piano) - Tzadik
2008 / 2010 Two Early Works (1960-61) - the Calder Quartet
2008 / 2012 Aleph - Riley (Synthesizer [Korg Triton Studio 88]) - Tzadik  TZ 8167
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on June 20, 2014, 10:44:31 PM
'In C,' and Many Other Keys (http://artsbeat.blogs.nytimes.com/2014/06/20/in-c-and-every-other-key/)

QuoteTo celebrate the 50th anniversary of Terry Riley's "In C," the seminal Minimalist score that has become virtually a standard repertory work, at least in New York – hardly a season goes by without at least one performance – 11 composers have joined forces to write companion works built around the other notes of the chromatic scale. [...] The composers who responded were Eleonor Sandresky, Lisa Maree Dowling, David Borden, Gene Pritsker, Elliott Sharp, Adam Cuthbért, Brad Balliett, John King and Vasko Dukovski.

This seems interesting. I hope the audio or video of the performance will become available.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: milk on June 21, 2014, 05:58:38 PM
I'm not sure where this belongs (do we need a 'just intonation' thread?) but I just picked this up. This is more of something new for me. Apparently he works with Riley.
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0001/000/MI0001000057.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on June 21, 2014, 07:24:38 PM
Quote from: milk on June 21, 2014, 05:58:38 PM
I'm not sure where this belongs (do we need a 'just intonation' thread?) but I just picked this up. This is more of something new for me. Apparently he works with Riley.
(http://cps-static.rovicorp.com/3/JPG_400/MI0001/000/MI0001000057.jpg?partner=allrovi.com)
That is very good. I posted his Revelation in 21st century music thread few days ago. A piano tuned in a different version of just intonation was used, and it "represents the evolution of the concept [he] began with in From Ancient Worlds," according to his web site.

Quote(do we need a 'just intonation' thread?)
Yes, please start it!
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on August 05, 2014, 10:01:59 PM
"In A" by John King - part of "IN (Key)" - a celebration of Terry Riley's "IN C" @ 50 years

https://www.youtube.com/v/OdtbWKu7TtQ

Make Music New York, June 21, 2014, Cornelia St., NYC
John King (viola), Eleonor Sandresky (keyboard), Lisa Maree Dowling (electric bass), Gene Pritsker (electric guitar), Elliott Sharp (electric guitar), Adam Cuthbért (trumpet & laptop), Patrick Grant (keyboard), Brad Balliett (bassoon), Vasko Dukovski (clarinet), and Jed Distler (keyboard)

http://patrickgrant.com/InKey.html (http://patrickgrant.com/InKey.html)

http://www.johnkingmusic.com/index.cfm (http://www.johnkingmusic.com/index.cfm)
(http://www.johnkingmusic.com/workImages/in%20A_scoreNEW_all.jpg)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on August 12, 2014, 07:15:15 PM
Terry Riley solo, live in the 70's
https://www.youtube.com/v/QE2CEh66gTg

There is no description, but it was probably late 70's. The music was from Shri Camel (recorded in 1977).
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: milk on August 12, 2014, 07:55:17 PM
Quote from: torut on August 12, 2014, 07:15:15 PM
Terry Riley solo, live in the 70's
https://www.youtube.com/v/QE2CEh66gTg

There is no description, but it was probably late 70's. The music was from Shri Camel (recorded in 1977).
Cool video!
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on September 14, 2014, 09:47:15 AM
In C Just Intonation Koto Ensemble - Day Version
https://www.youtube.com/v/6CkaWCLvPC0 https://www.youtube.com/v/TanSI3Dsn2Y

A just-intonation arrangement of Terry Riley's "In C" for koto ensemble. Soothing. There is a night version, too.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: ibanezmonster on September 14, 2014, 03:39:43 PM
I'm afraid I can't add much to this thread since I'm not very familiar with Riley's music, but on the subject of "In C"... if anyone is interested in listening to a condensed version (just 6') with some very mild additions, check out my soundcloud page in my signature and listen to op.6 "We'll C." Just a work I threw together one day a few years ago and I remember a couple people saying they enjoyed it. I'll admit it was quite fun working with that one page score (really, anyone can write their own "In C," which is what I find really neat).
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on September 15, 2014, 07:41:32 PM
Quote from: Greg on September 14, 2014, 03:39:43 PM
I'm afraid I can't add much to this thread since I'm not very familiar with Riley's music, but on the subject of "In C"... if anyone is interested in listening to a condensed version (just 6') with some very mild additions, check out my soundcloud page in my signature and listen to op.6 "We'll C." Just a work I threw together one day a few years ago and I remember a couple people saying they enjoyed it. I'll admit it was quite fun working with that one page score (really, anyone can write their own "In C," which is what I find really neat).
That is nice. Is everything (including transition timings) notated? It reminded me of J. C. Adams rather than Riley, though, because of how it progresses and reaches a climax.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: ibanezmonster on September 15, 2014, 08:13:46 PM
Quote from: torut on September 15, 2014, 07:41:32 PM
That is nice. Is everything (including transition timings) notated? It reminded me of J. C. Adams rather than Riley, though, because of how it progresses and reaches a climax.
Yep. It's all notated to be played just like a regular score. Terry Riley says, "Here's these melodic fragments; I suggest you do this and this with them," so okay... how about a compact version that doesn't really feel minimalist but sort of sticks to the rules still? Why not!  ;D
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on September 16, 2014, 05:48:06 PM
Quote from: Greg on September 15, 2014, 08:13:46 PM
Yep. It's all notated to be played just like a regular score. Terry Riley says, "Here's these melodic fragments; I suggest you do this and this with them," so okay... how about a compact version that doesn't really feel minimalist but sort of sticks to the rules still? Why not!  ;D
But isn't it like composing a 12-tone piece containing tonal melodies? :D Anyway, nice work. I enjoyed it, thank you.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: ibanezmonster on September 16, 2014, 07:27:50 PM
Quote from: torut on September 16, 2014, 05:48:06 PM
But isn't it like composing a 12-tone piece containing tonal melodies? :D Anyway, nice work. I enjoyed it, thank you.
Somewhat. Have you seen the score to In C? Glad you enjoyed it!
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on September 17, 2014, 05:32:21 PM
Quote from: Greg on September 16, 2014, 07:27:50 PM
Somewhat. Have you seen the score to In C? Glad you enjoyed it!
Yes, but today I read the performance directions again and found that it is more detailed than I remembered. With some suggestions, it indicates an ideal (proper) way of playing.

http://www.flagmusic.com/content/clips/inc.pdf (http://www.flagmusic.com/content/clips/inc.pdf)
"One of the joys of IN C is the interaction of the players in polyrhythmic combinations that spontaneously arise between patterns. Some quite fantastic shapes will arise and disintegrate as the group moves through the piece when it is properly played."

It is interesting that Riley did not compose similar works in spite of the success of In C. One of the things I like about Riley is that he does not stay at the same place and keeps trying new things.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: lescamil on October 19, 2014, 02:16:53 PM
I've heard a couple of performances of At the Royal Majestic. It was hard for me to get through them, for the piece just feels like a sprawling, meandering, too-lengthy work without so much of a memorable spot within. I might give it another chance, but Riley is a composer that I've had issues with in the past, anyhow.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: lescamil on October 19, 2014, 04:50:05 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on October 19, 2014, 03:18:19 PM
While listening I was wondering if the problem was the need to notate everything exactly for orchestral performance undermining the element of non-determinism which has always seemed to me a fairly essential component of Riley's particular brand of minimalism (that distinguishes it, for example, from Glass.)

I've seen the score, and yes, it is a meticulously notated score, so this might be the problem, but still, that shouldn't make anyone's music any harder to handle.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on November 30, 2014, 08:34:15 AM
Terry Riley
Lighting up nodes
by Anil Prasad

http://www.innerviews.org/inner/riley.html (http://www.innerviews.org/inner/riley.html)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on December 08, 2014, 07:25:31 PM
Quote from: Soapy Molloy on October 19, 2014, 10:57:52 AM
BBC Radio 3 will be broadcasting (and streaming over the web) a recording of this concert on Monday 8th December 2014 at 14:00 hours GMT.

Attached below are Terry's programme notes for his Organ Concerto (click to see full size)
Thank you for the program note and the notice about the BBC radio 3 webcast (http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b04t992k). I enjoyed At the Royal Majestic, but it was completely different from what I vaguely expected. Very jazzy, sometimes sounding like Gershwin or some jazz-influenced compositions in the early 20th century. This is the most conservative work of Riley I have heard. I may be missing something.
(By the way, Dark Waves of John Luther Adams is very nice. I like Glass's The Light too.)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on April 16, 2015, 10:42:22 PM
some recent releases

Terry Riley Meets Maurice Ravel
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/512MDOh0wIL._SS280.jpg)
Ravel's Le tombeau de Couperin (version for orchestra) and Riley's SolTierraLuna (2007) for violin, 2 guitars and orchestra. Beautiful, and very enjoyable.

Dorian Reeds (For Brass) - Matt Starling (Crescent Phase)
[asin]B00UU0ANVQ[/asin]
Riley's minimal work composed in 1964/65, originally for saxophone with tape delay processing. Starling used flugelhorn. This is surprisingly good. Hypnotic and mesmerizing. (I have not heard the original sax version.)

Africa Express Presents Terry Riley's in C Mali
[asin]B00Q3800NK[/asin]
This is so good! "With an ensemble of 17 musicians—including Albarn on melodica, Brian Eno, Bijou and Olugbenga on vocals, Jeff Wootton and the Yeah Yeah Yeahs' Nick Zinner on guitar, Cheick Diallo on flute, Badou Mbaye, Alou Coulibaly and Mouse on Mars' Andi Toma on percussion, Modibo Diawara and Defily Sako on kora, Guindo Sala on imzad, Kalifa Koné and Mémé Koné on balafon, Adama Koita on kamel n'goni, and André de Ridder on several instruments and conducting" (pitchfork review (http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/20145-africa-express-africa-express-presents-terry-rileys-in-c-mali/))

and I am looking forward to this new recording.
ZOFO Plays Terry Riley (Sono Luminus, will be released on May 26)
[asin]B00V872FDY[/asin]
Works for piano, four hands. Including original compositions, arrangements and a special commission by the duet.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 03, 2015, 10:46:14 AM
Thanks for the heads up, I didn't know about Terry Riley Meets Maurice Ravel.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on May 11, 2015, 04:15:01 PM
(http://www.nonesuch.com/sites/g/files/g2000003526/f/styles/photo_detail_large/public/201505/kronos-one-earth-sunrise-1200x628.jpg?itok=6A_y-GX4)

Nonesuch Releases Kronos Quartet Terry Riley Box Set, New Disc to Honor Composer as He Turns 80; Due June 16 (http://www.nonesuch.com/journal/nonesuch-releases-kronos-quartet-terry-riley-box-set-new-disc-composer-80-june-16-2015-05-11)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on May 12, 2015, 09:38:18 PM
Quote from: 7/4 on May 11, 2015, 04:15:01 PM
(http://www.nonesuch.com/sites/g/files/g2000003526/f/styles/photo_detail_large/public/201505/kronos-one-earth-sunrise-1200x628.jpg?itok=6A_y-GX4)

Nonesuch Releases Kronos Quartet Terry Riley Box Set, New Disc to Honor Composer as He Turns 80; Due June 16 (http://www.nonesuch.com/journal/nonesuch-releases-kronos-quartet-terry-riley-box-set-new-disc-composer-80-june-16-2015-05-11)

Looks nice. Thank you for the information. Since I have most of the albums (Salome Dances for Peace, Requiem for Adam, and The Cusp of Magic), I don't need the whole box set, but the 1st disc (which will also be released as a single disc) seems interesting. I checked if the tracks such as Sunrise, G Song and Cadenza are the same as that on Gramavision album (Cadenza On The Night Plain), and they seem different recordings. The Gramavision album was recorded in 1984, while the tracks on the single Nonesuch album were recorded in 1990~2014 (some were already released by Nonesuch but I don't have them.) I am going to order this one.

Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector: Music of Terry Riley (Nonesuch)

Sunrise of the Planetary Dream Collector (12:31) Deceomber 2014
One Earth, One People, One Love (9:00) Deceomber 2014
Cry of a Lady (5:09) March 1990
G Song (9:39) July 1997
Lacrymosa – Remembering Kevin (8:28) August 2002
Cadenza on the Night Plain (30:43) August 1997
Title: Happy 80th Birthday, Terry Riley
Post by: bhodges on June 24, 2015, 05:24:28 AM
Hard to believe Terry Riley is 80 today, but there you go. Lots of tributes everywhere, including a 24-hour marathon of his work on Q2, here:

http://www.wqxr.org/#!/story/celebration-terry-riley-haikus-and-24-hour-marathon/

And there are dozens of versions of In C on YouTube, but you could do a lot worse than this one, by Bang on a Can:

http://www.youtube.com/v/AVfAoNHjTHQ

--Bruce
Title: Re: Happy 80th Birthday, Terry Riley
Post by: Dax on June 25, 2015, 03:20:42 AM
Quote from: Brewski on June 24, 2015, 05:24:28 AM
And there are dozens of versions of In C on YouTube, but you could do a lot worse than this one, by Bang on a Can:

It's slightly slow and lacking in electricity for my taste. I've not heard the whole of the Mali version
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_FXQ68ZkWVw
which features a load of improvisation (not really in the spirit of the original) but it starts promisingly - and at a rather more bristling tempo.
Slow tempos seem to be a problem with many performances - at least those to be found on youtube. Perhaps the problem is partly that there's a lazyish notion that it's pretty simple to do: actually it does need some careful preparation.
It's interesting that the original recording (the beginning can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H6gbgeKTv6M) is one of the fastest.

A dozen or so of us - students, staff (including Keith Potter, author of Four musical minimalists), friends - put on a performance lasting just over an hour at Goldsmiths College in London yesterday. Hopefully there were many other tributes in UK and elsewhere.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on June 25, 2015, 04:12:56 AM
Terry Riley group on Facebook.

(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn38/microtonaldave/terry%20grp_zpsqpcp8ecq.jpg) (https://www.facebook.com/groups/1450282138600688/?pnref=story)

https://www.facebook.com/groups/1450282138600688/?pnref=story
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: TheGSMoeller on June 26, 2015, 07:25:32 AM
Any forum thoughts on this disc? I'm enjoying this.

[asin]B0000025CB[/asin]
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: 7/4 on July 13, 2015, 04:02:35 PM
Quote from: TheGSMoeller on June 26, 2015, 07:25:32 AM
Any forum thoughts on this disc? I'm enjoying this.

[asin]B0000025CB[/asin]

When it came out, I read the review in the NY Times and ran out and bought it. My introduction to Just Intonation and I still love it, an all time favorite!

There's something extra special about it, the pinnacle of his organ/looping albums. :)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: San Antone on October 14, 2015, 10:11:55 AM
Terry Riley : Requiem for Adam

(https://musicakaleidoscope.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/terryriley2.jpg?w=764) (https://musicakaleidoscope.wordpress.com/2015/10/14/terry-riley-requiem-for-adam/)

Requiem for Adam is a studio album by the Kronos Quartet. The music was composed by Terry Riley, commissioned by the quartet; the album is a requiem for Adam Harrington, the son of Kronos co-founder David Harrington.

Adam Harrington, age 16, died of heart failure caused by a blood clot, sustained while hiking with his family on Mount Diablo, a 3,849 feet mountain in the San Francisco Bay Area, on Easter Sunday, 1995. Riley finished the three-movement composition in 1998, and it was first performed in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on 28 June 1999.

Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: torut on October 19, 2015, 09:29:33 PM
Quote from: sanantonio on October 14, 2015, 10:11:55 AM
Terry Riley : Requiem for Adam

(https://musicakaleidoscope.files.wordpress.com/2015/10/terryriley2.jpg?w=764) (https://musicakaleidoscope.wordpress.com/2015/10/14/terry-riley-requiem-for-adam/)

Requiem for Adam is a studio album by the Kronos Quartet. The music was composed by Terry Riley, commissioned by the quartet; the album is a requiem for Adam Harrington, the son of Kronos co-founder David Harrington.

Adam Harrington, age 16, died of heart failure caused by a blood clot, sustained while hiking with his family on Mount Diablo, a 3,849 feet mountain in the San Francisco Bay Area, on Easter Sunday, 1995. Riley finished the three-movement composition in 1998, and it was first performed in the Concertgebouw in Amsterdam on 28 June 1999.

The first movement is beautiful. The second movement was really surprising when I first heard it.

On November 13th, Cantaloupe music will release Transient Glory III by Young People's Chorus of New York City (https://cantaloupemusic.bandcamp.com/album/transient-glory-iii), which includes Riley's Another Secret eQuation. I think this is the first recording of the piece.

[track list]
Michael Gordon: Every Stop on the F Train
Bora Yoon: Semaphore Conductus
Meredith Monk: Things Heaven and Hell
Terry Riley: Another Secret eQuation (ft. Kronos Quartet)
John Corigliano: One Sweet Morning
Paquito D'Rivera: Tembandumba (ft. Payton MacDonald)
(https://f1.bcbits.com/img/a2972658426_16.jpg)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: vandermolen on March 11, 2018, 12:33:01 AM
I hardly know anything by this composer. I just heard 'One Earth, One People, One Love' on BBC Radio 3 which I found rather moving and gripping. Any recommendations for a Riley novice?

PS tracking back through this thread I realise that I do have Shri Camel but can't have listened to it for a long time (am listening to it now).

PPS Requiem for Adam looks worth investigating and there is an inexpensive boxed set of Riley's music also at least one CD of his music on Naxos.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: Papy Oli on March 11, 2018, 01:59:45 AM
Vandermolen,

In case that is of interest, there is a documentary currently on BBC I-Player on minimalists, that includes an interview of Terry Riley.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b09tbfp6?suggid=b09tbfp6 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b09tbfp6?suggid=b09tbfp6)

The 2-part documentary also includes Glass, Reich and Lamonte Young. I found it very instructive and entertaining.

A few Glass CD's have gone in my basket as a consequence. Need to look further at the others as well.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: vandermolen on March 11, 2018, 04:35:53 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on March 11, 2018, 01:59:45 AM
Vandermolen,

In case that is of interest, there is a documentary currently on BBC I-Player on minimalists, that includes an interview of Terry Riley.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b09tbfp6?suggid=b09tbfp6 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b09tbfp6?suggid=b09tbfp6)

The 2-part documentary also includes Glass, Reich and Lamonte Young. I found it very instructive and entertaining.

A few Glass CD's have gone in my basket as a consequence. Need to look further at the others as well.

Papy Oli,

Very many thanks.

That looks like a very good starting place.

:)
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: aukhawk on March 14, 2018, 04:41:17 AM
Quote from: Papy Oli on March 11, 2018, 01:59:45 AM
In case that is of interest, there is a documentary currently on BBC I-Player on minimalists, that includes an interview of Terry Riley.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b09tbfp6?suggid=b09tbfp6 (https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episodes/b09tbfp6?suggid=b09tbfp6)
The 2-part documentary also includes Glass, Reich and Lamonte Young. I found it very instructive and entertaining.

I enjoyed those as well, though the actual analysis of the music was not as detailed as I would have liked.  In interview, Terry Riley seems a very likeable and self-effacing character.  So too, to some extent, Steve Reich.  And I was rather interested that each of them alluded at some point to a spiritual side - I don't know why that should surprise me, but it did.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: bhodges on November 19, 2020, 04:44:43 PM
Recently I mentioned In C to a pianist friend, who was unfamiliar with Riley's work. He seemed eager to hear the piece, so I browsed YouTube for versions to suggest, and wow, there are quite a few good ones. The one that surprised me was by Brooklyn Raga Massive, with 21 musicians crowded into a small room in Brooklyn. The group uses Indian instruments, which is wholly in keeping with Riley's aesthetic:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6I_VUKmIB8c&t=2s

Also found another live one, filmed in 2012 in Russia. The ensemble (sorry, I don't read Cyrillic) incorporates a few balalaikas among the other instruments, and it's also quite spirited:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8kA-LaYXaE0&t=465s

--Bruce
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: calyptorhynchus on May 09, 2022, 02:04:03 PM
I don't know if this has been mentioned before but there is a performance of Riley's Concerto for String Quartet on Youtube

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cA1PGppySZA

A very nice piece. I like Riley's music when it comes closer to the classical mainstream (never thought I'd use that phrase without irony). My favourite piece of his is Salome Dances for Peace, easily outstripping Robert Simpson's String Quartet No.9 in length!
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: Brian on January 30, 2024, 09:50:16 AM
(https://static.qobuz.com/images/covers/qa/xs/k72rp2l5hxsqa_600.jpg)

First time listening to this 110 minute cycle of 10 piano pieces, and I'm loving it. Enjoy the way that gradual changes manifest over time and keep your ears just on edge a little bit. Also dig that "Return of the Ancestors" lives up to its name by bringing back and combining motifs from the previous pieces.
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: Luke on January 30, 2024, 02:30:00 PM
That's good to read! One thing I love about this piece is that, by shifting the tonal centre from piece to piece, he finds totally new harmonic worlds for each (because of the just intonation, meaning that each 'key' has a different microtonal construction, unlike in ET). So that when e.g. The Orchestra of Tao begins, the harsh, buzzing, twangling sound is entirely new, and yet wholly of a piece with what has preceded it. To me this is one of the great piano works of the last century. Maybe I'm just too under its spell...
Title: Re: Terry Riley (b. 1935)
Post by: Karl Henning on January 30, 2024, 03:59:09 PM
Quote from: Brian on January 30, 2024, 09:50:16 AM(https://static.qobuz.com/images/covers/qa/xs/k72rp2l5hxsqa_600.jpg)

First time listening to this 110 minute cycle of 10 piano pieces, and I'm loving it. Enjoy the way that gradual changes manifest over time and keep your ears just on edge a little bit. Also dig that "Return of the Ancestors" lives up to its name by bringing back and combining motifs from the previous pieces.
For my first go, I am savoring it movement by movement.