Elliott Carter, 1908-2012

[karlhenning]

Call me a fan of nuanced opinions.

Good luck having nuanced discourse with James!

[Spotswood]

Well, then that really isn't fair, is it Karl? Isn't that saying the same thing as anyone who owns the entire Beethoven, Carter or Haydn catalogue can't be taken seriously?

I think what Karl is getting at is a kind of pot-kettle-black situation. One guy calls another obessive about Carter (hypothetically speaking, of course), while being obsessive about Stockhausen. In itself, obsessiveness about a composer isn't bad.  It does lead to expertise, after all. But using the epithet as a club is another kettle of fish, to mix my metaphors compulsively.  The desideratum is mutal respect.

And Karl wasn't ignoring him. I was. And the function seems to be kind of spotty, anyway.

[greg]

Bruckner is repetitive, too. That's just his style, and I don't see it as a problem itself. If he spent his time writing some opera that I completely didn't like in place of the time spent writing 2 symphonies, it would mean he's a little more varied, but in the end I'm missing out on 2 symphonies I could be enjoying. It all turns out to be relative.

[karlhenning]

I've never ignored James.  It was indeed his notice about the Boulez reissues which put me on to the 4-CD box to which I am e'en now a-grooving.  James's was the ID I chose to test the ignore function for ten minutes, just as a data point to assist a neighbor.  I don't believe James posted anything in that time, hence the overall truth of my initial statement here.

[Spotswood]

To get back on the topic: Bridge's new CD is now available for preorder at Amazon. Rather expensive but, obsessive-compulsive "fan" that I am, I cannot resist.

There's also something coming from Naxos called the "complere" string quartets. I don't know what this could be: It's a four disk set, which is two too many to contain the five string quartets, and Naxos has already released the complete quartets with the Pacifica. I think I'll hold off until I get more information, proving that compulsiveness is well within the limits of self-control.

[karlhenning]

There's also something on Naxos called the "complere" string quartets. I don't know what this could be: It's a four disk set, which is two too many to contain the five string quartets . . . .

Maybe two of the discs are DVDs?  Or is that crazy talk?

[Spotswood]

Maybe two of the discs are DVDs?  Or is that crazy talk?

Your guess is as good as mine, but I see nothing about DVDs in the listing. "Product details" are given only as "audio CD."

[Spotswood]

 Hey, and you know, there are people who collect every scrap the Beatles ever put out ...

[Spotswood]

Bruckner is repetitive, too. That's just his style, and I don't see it as a problem itself. If he spent his time writing some opera that I completely didn't like in place of the time spent writing 2 symphonies, it would mean he's a little more varied, but in the end I'm missing out on 2 symphonies I could be enjoying. It all turns out to be relative.

Thank you!

[Brahmsian]

I think what Karl is getting at is a kind of pot-kettle-black situation.

Yes, after I commented, I realized this.  And it is true in this case.

[karlhenning]

The latest from David Starobin:

Bridge Records wishes Elliott Carter the happiest of birthdays today--101 years young!
BRIDGE RECORDS celebrates with the release of Elliott Carter, Vol. 8; 15 compositions (2002-2009)

On February 1, 2010, Bridge Records will release its Elliott Carter, Vol. 8, a two disc set that focuses on Carter's most recent work. The works to be released include solo, chamber, vocal and orchestral music, all premiere recordings. Bridge's Elliott Carter Edition is the largest ongoing recording project devoted to the music of Elliott Carter.

Volume 8's compositions and performers are:

Horn Concerto (2006) Martin Owen, horn, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Oliver Knussen, conductor; Sound Fields (2007) for string orchestra, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Oliver Knussen, conductor; Wind Rose (2008) for wind ensemble, BBC Symphony Orchestra, Oliver Knussen, conductor; On Conversing with Paradise (2008), for baritone and chamber ensemble, Leigh Melrose, baritone, Birmingham Contemporary Music Group, Oliver Knussen, conductor; Mad Regales (2007) for six solo voices, The BBC Singers; Due Duetti (2009) for Violin & Cello, Rolf Schulte, violin; Fred Sherry, cello; Retracing II (2009) for horn, William Purvis, horn; Retracing (2002) for bassoon, Peter Kolkay, bassoon; Retracing III (2009) for trumpet, Jon Nelson, trumpet; Figment III (2007) for contrabass, Donald Palma, contrabass; Figment IV (2007) for viola, Hsin-Yun Huang viola; Figment V (2009) for marimba, Simon Boyar, marimba; Clarinet Quintet (2007) for clarinet and string quartet, Charles Neidich, clarinet, Juilliard String Quartet; Poems of Louis Zukofsky (2008), for soprano and clarinet, Lucy Shelton, soprano; Charles Neidich, clarinet; La Musique (2007) for solo voice, Lucy Shelton, soprano.

I think that is very likely to be two discs of fine listening;  I may be inclined to sign up for pre-order myself.  A bit pricey, but if the price will at least in part support the musicians who are participating . . . .

[Spotswood]

I think that is very likely to be two discs of fine listening;  I may be inclined to sign up for pre-order myself.  A bit pricey, but if the price will at least in part support the musicians who are participating . . . .

Well, more to support the process of recordng. I'm not sure many classical CDs pay for themselves.

[karlhenning]

Alack the day.

[Spotswood]

I've been wanting to hear the  song cycle "In the Distances of Sleep" for a long time - is a recording of this being planned?

Your wish is about to come true. David Starobin says the work wil be included in The Music of Elliott Carter, Vol 9, on Bridge. Vol. 8 isn't due out until next month, but David says that Vol. 9 "is not all that far away."

[UB]

"I've been wanting to hear the  song cycle "In the Distances of Sleep" for a long time - is a recording of this being planned?"

I have been listening to this cycle and I just wish he had written for a mezzo instead of a soprano. Michelle DeYoung is just too screechy for my taste.

[Guido]

Your wish is about to come true. David Starobin says the work wil be included in The Music of Elliott Carter, Vol 9, on Bridge. Vol. 8 isn't due out until next month, but David says that Vol. 9 "is not all that far away."

Excellent!!

I have been listening to this cycle and I just wish he had written for a mezzo instead of a soprano. Michelle DeYoung is just too screechy for my taste.

How have you been listening to it?

[Wendell_E]

There's also something coming from Naxos called the "complere" string quartets. I don't know what this could be: It's a four disk set, which is two too many to contain the five string quartets, and Naxos has already released the complete quartets with the Pacifica. I think I'll hold off until I get more information, proving that compulsiveness is well within the limits of self-control.

Good idea holding off.  I found the listing at the Naxos website, and it looks like it's all previously released material:  the two Pacifica discs plus the New Music Concerts Ensemble/Robert Aitken CD and DVD:  http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.503225

[UB]

Excellent!!

How have you been listening to it?

I have a webcast from 2006

[Spotswood]

Good idea holding off.  I found the listing at the Naxos website, and it looks like it's all previously released material:  the two Pacifica discs plus the New Music Concerts Ensemble/Robert Aitken CD and DVD:  http://www.naxos.com/catalogue/item.asp?item_code=8.503225

Yep, that's what it looks like. Thanks for finding this. I tried looking it up at the Naxos Web site but was unable to locate it. It's just stuff I already have, repackaged.

Guido, I also have a broadcast recording of In the Distances of Sleep on a CD a friend in England sent. He's kept me up to date on all Carter's recent work, minor or not.

I liked Michelle de Young's perfromance when I heard it live. Bruce and I saw Levine conduct the premiere, and we both had the sense of being in on the grouind foor of history. Great piece.

I must confess, though, I find Lucy Shelton's voice somewhat harsh, and she sings a lot of Carter.  If only Susan Narucki would do all the recordings.

[Spotswood]

Whatever, dude. Lets all be friends.