GMG Classical Music Forum

The Music Room => Composer Discussion => Topic started by: Mandryka on March 15, 2021, 01:14:55 AM

Title: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on March 15, 2021, 01:14:55 AM
A thread for all the avant garde American composers who probably don't need a thread of their own

Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on March 15, 2021, 01:16:18 AM
And I'll start it off by saying that I'm really enjoying this at the moment

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a1769563467_10.jpg)

https://jamesmooreelliotsimpson.bandcamp.com/album/guitars-streets-resonances

The thing is tagged Larry Polansky but he doesn't get a mention in the sleeve! The thing I'm enjoying is Polansky's Eight Fermentations.

Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: springrite on March 15, 2021, 01:19:19 AM
I will just make the obligatory mention of Karl Hennings.

Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on March 15, 2021, 01:20:15 AM
Quote from: springrite on March 15, 2021, 01:19:19 AM
I will just make the obligatory mention of Karl Hennings.

Yes!


(https://media.giphy.com/media/l0HlHjfWqTQKzpFG8/giphy.gif)

Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: T. D. on March 15, 2021, 01:43:48 AM
Pamela Z
We (the OP and I) have mentioned her elsewhere. Search engine doesn't allow strings of 1 character, but I couldn't find a thread. Video or live preferred, her electronics really impress visually.

Rather obscure, and I'm not 100% certain of American citizenship (she was born in Detroit): Lucia Dlugoszewski made some interesting explorations of timbre and invented many instruments.

I like most of the music on the 2 Cold Blue CD compilations. No doubt just my insanity, but I find the obscure Read Miller's (purely) spoken-word piece Mile Zero Hotel strangely fascinating: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3yRFGNzhA0k
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Roy Bland on March 15, 2021, 09:02:25 AM
https://missymazzoli.com/
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on March 15, 2021, 12:39:17 PM
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81GWedV1TUL._AC_SL1417_.jpg)

Started to explore Scott Fields' Seven Deserts after reading  Todd McComb's  review on his website. This is seriously good music, complex polyphony, aleatoric, improvisational sections which are responsive to the timbres of the instrument, often very inspired and fresh, spontaneous sounding.

https://www.scottfields.com/todd-mccomb

Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on March 16, 2021, 01:18:37 AM
Inspired by Haydn op 20 - starting to explore

(https://shop.new-art.nl/content/img/new_products/1402065890.jpg)

https://www.challengerecords.com/products/1400742583
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on March 18, 2021, 02:15:00 AM
(https://img.discogs.com/0hiBjbPebzME7fe6BaW5bT92GeU=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-736653-1153497290.jpeg.jpg)

How strange that, this morning, the music on this CD should sound so perfect. Hardly avant garde though, so maybe this isn't the place. It's garde has ceased to be avant.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again: Di Domenica Symphony 1961
Post by: Cato on March 18, 2021, 03:42:55 AM
This is probably a better place to mention Robert Di Domenica, whose Symphony 1961 is perhaps no longer "avant-garde," if it ever was.  I offered it yesterday under the Levine topic, who is the conductor here with the Munich Philharmonic: I find the work to be echt amerikanisch !   ;)


https://www.youtube.com/v/pKEZkS5AeVM&t=6s

Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mirror Image on March 18, 2021, 08:05:40 PM
Let's make American music great again by listening to Ives, Rugges and Crawford Seeger! Oh and some Elliott Carter, too!

(https://music.sonoma.edu/sites/music/files/field/image/ives.jpeg)(https://media.gettyimages.com/photos/carl-ruggles-composer-of-arlington-vermont-who-has-been-elected-a-of-picture-id517367944?k=6&m=517367944&s=612x612&w=0&h=VxbojTWjVzxi3sesyxM2RYnMc5VTvNMlCXiE4sc5rb8=)
(http://www.peggyseeger.com/ruth-crawford-seeger/images/dio/diopress/dioyoungwomanhighschool-300dpi.jpg)(https://s3.amazonaws.com/static.musicsalesclassical.com/images/composer/newsite/large/gs-carter-portrait.jpg)
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Rinaldo on March 19, 2021, 12:53:34 AM
Caroline Shaw, hailing from Greenville, NC, certainly is making American music great again. Her Pulitzer-winning Partita for 8 voices (https://youtu.be/NDVMtnaB28E) towers over everything she's done so far but the rest is no slouch either. I'm particular fond of:

Entr'acte
(inspired by Haydn's Op. 77 No. 2 and written originally for a string quartet – here with a string orchestra)

https://www.youtube.com/v/PJ9PMydTVYE

The Observatory
(commisioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic)

https://www.youtube.com/v/XnMm6Vwrb_s

She also has a new record out with the Sō Percussion ensemble which I haven't heard yet:

(https://f4.bcbits.com/img/a0222786200_16.jpg) (https://sopercussion.bandcamp.com/album/caroline-shaw-narrow-sea)
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: pjme on March 19, 2021, 02:14:57 AM
I recently discovered Olly Wilson' third symphony on YT. Nervous, dynamic, melancholy and strong. Swinging & singing. Not avant garde. Great!

https://youtu.be/pjK2UTX-L1k
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on April 03, 2021, 01:43:57 PM
Anyone know anything about Anthony Braxton? What's he about - graphic scores?
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: T. D. on April 04, 2021, 03:49:40 PM
Quote from: Mandryka on April 03, 2021, 01:43:57 PM
Anyone know anything about Anthony Braxton? What's he about - graphic scores?

I have a reasonable number of Braxton recordings, but have also acquired and then sold a fair number. My reactions have been mixed and I'm no expert.
Was hoping for more knowledgeable forum members to reply, but...

He's performed all kinds of "genres": straight-ahead jazz / standards, "freeish" jazz (e.g. the Charlie Parker Project), free jazz, improv, notated/classical.
I assume you're mostly referring to the numbered "Compositions"; they have graphic scores but I hesitate to summarize them as "graphic scores" because in practice they seem mostly to be performed by musicians I associate with free jazz / improv rather than "Classical".

Braxton's discography is vast, and when you consider his "New Braxton House" releases, even subject to the occasional joke ("OMG! A new deluxe 9-CD box set of AB practicing in 1991!").

May be trite, but I'll refer to the All Music Guide and Braxton's Bandcamp page. Can only suggest auditioning a few recordings you think might appeal.

AMG bio (jazz oriented): https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-braxton-mn0000924030/biography
AMG discography (surely incomplete, but includes a number of descriptions/reviews): https://www.allmusic.com/artist/anthony-braxton-mn0000924030/discography
Bandcamp: https://newbraxtonhouse.bandcamp.com/music

Added:

1) Reviewing what I typed, am tempted to listen to as much of the Trillium J opera as is available on Bandcamp.

2) Noticed this on the AMG discography (Compilations), looks interesting and the kind of thing you might like.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41TDP781CPL.jpg)


Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on April 05, 2021, 12:19:17 PM
I started listening to Composition 40F/23J. It is clearly very fine music, full of ideas etc. And these guys are obviously a team, and produce some long incandescent passages.

But there's something about the timbre of the ensemble which I don't like, all that music made by blowing through metal tubes - even though they make some unexpected noises. Maybe I'll acclimatise to it. But there's another thing which I really don't like and I may not acclimatise. The structure is basically a lot of passages of people grandstanding one player after the other, like a concerto, like trad jazz. That's a bit hard for me.

(https://img.discogs.com/ShbpVd8eZuFNLnEF3Bp113u-C2I=/fit-in/600x524/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-369377-1299945950.jpeg.jpg)
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: T. D. on April 05, 2021, 03:10:24 PM
Quote from: Mandryka on April 05, 2021, 12:19:17 PM
I started listening to Composition 40F/23J. It is clearly very fine music, full of ideas etc. And these guys are obviously a team, and produce some long incandescent passages.

But there's something about the timbre of the ensemble which I don't like, all that music made by blowing through metal tubes - even though they make some unexpected noises. Maybe I'll acclimatise to it. But there's another thing which I really don't like and I may not acclimatise. The structure is basically a lot of passages of people grandstanding one player after the other, like a concerto, like trad jazz. That's a bit hard for me.

(https://img.discogs.com/ShbpVd8eZuFNLnEF3Bp113u-C2I=/fit-in/600x524/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-369377-1299945950.jpeg.jpg)

Yes, I see your point about the timbre. That was actually the first Braxton recording I ever bought. I enjoyed a couple of the tunes, but found the disc overall a bit strident and sold it (at a decent price, the recording is well-regarded by fans).

In view of your feelings about explicitly "jazzy" material, you'll have to look carefully at the instrumental makeup of the ensembles. One of Braxton's most praised quartets had Marilyn Crispell (she's great, for example featured on some fine recordings with Barry Guy / LJCO*) on piano, Mark Dresser on bass and Gerry Hemingway on percussion. There's a Hatology twofer (also available as 2 single discs) with that group's swan song at Santa Cruz 1993. I have the recordings, think they're pretty good. Lots of Braxton soloing, however, so YMMV.

I have no experience with Braxton's music for strictly "classical" instruments. Going to listen to as much of the Hildegard Kleeb recording as I can find on Youtube, as well at operatic selections on Bandcamp.
Composition No. 82 for four orchestras is also on the list, though I'm sceptical about the multi-orchestra aspect coming across on recording.

*Can't in good faith recommend LJCO to you, though. Many metal instruments and brassy timbres.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: T. D. on April 05, 2021, 06:43:54 PM
Just listened to pretty good chunks of the operas Trillium E and Trillium J on Bandcamp.  Which is a good news / bad news situation.

Good news: greatly enjoyed them, haven't been so excited by contemporary opera in quite a while, may acquire a recording.

Bad news: I haven't heard nearly as many Robert Ashley operas as I'd like, let alone decipher the complex themes underlying the libretti. Going through the same process with another prolific composer is a daunting prospect.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on April 06, 2021, 08:21:28 AM
I was about to post to say I've finally found something which I think I actually like, but searching for the image I noticed something which suggests it isn't "by" Anthony Braxton. Maybe I only like Braxton not by Braxton.

Here's aforementioned image

(https://outhere-music.com/cache/im/album_portrait/uploads/albums/58e4d5c7c0d3e.jpeg?1.0.1@2x.1)

And here's the comment which made me pause for thought

QuoteBy constructing a musical reality through the compositional impetus of Braxton and Ellington, these musicians remind us that the "Concept Of Freedom" is an ongoing challenge that requires commitment, sensitivity, creativity, and vigilance, and that Art is not an escape from life, but an experience essential to life's meaning and value. — Art Lange



https://outhere-music.com/en/albums/concept-of-freedom-hatology-614
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on April 06, 2021, 08:22:44 AM
Quote from: T. D. on April 04, 2021, 03:49:40 PM
I

2) Noticed this on the AMG discography (Compilations), looks interesting and the kind of thing you might like.
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41TDP781CPL.jpg)

Too many notes, too long, too much piano.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on April 06, 2021, 11:55:28 AM
And another goodie, this time defo Braxton in the loop even if his name is in smaller letters on the cover. This is musiking if the highest order - I can appreciate it even though it's all people blowing down metal pipes.

(https://img.discogs.com/cgeGbmrxaGmIIsluI2NtXoYe0aI=/fit-in/600x600/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-2416828-1474579661-6186.jpeg.jpg)
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: T. D. on April 08, 2021, 08:27:37 PM
The Trillium J opera really appeals to me because it comes in a CD + Blu-Ray package and I'd strongly prefer to see the production, not just listen. Unfortunately, I don't own a Blu-Ray player, which makes it impractical since the package is already pricey.

In contrast, I enjoy the Robert Ashley "television operas" on recording without visuals, since the libretti are prominent and fairly easy to follow. And I can manage without the minimalist TV-style video I've seen on Youtube.

As far as Braxton playing others, I like the Charlie Parker Project (2 CDs on hatology, the 11-disc reissue on Braxton House was too much to consider) and Six Monk's Compositions (Black Saint), but doubt you'd care for those. I couldn't connect at all with the Braxton / Ran Blake Memories of Vienna album of standards (hatology), but maybe not just due to Braxton. Haven't been sufficiently curious about the Tristano projects (in either incarnation, old single CD or newer 7-CD megapackage) to listen. Never heard the Ellington, should give it a spin.

Will have to listen to the Roscoe Mitchell recording. I've enjoyed Mitchell's music in a more "jazz" context (incl. AEC) but have not always been impressed by his notated works. I like Braxton's playing on Dave Holland's Conference of the Birds (ECM), but wouldn't recommend it to you.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on April 09, 2021, 09:06:00 AM
I think the earlier music shows some sort of resemblance to ideas in Stockhausen or Boulez, one I've started to explore is B-Xo/N-0-1-47a. And This Time. Someone I know who likes jazz hates this stuff, saying it sounds to planned in advance, too unspontaneous. But I'm used to that I guess.


I've decided that the music I've heard with the ABQ is not for me at the moment, I don't like the sound of it! Too jazzy! But this earlier recording, with a different lineup, has some music which has caught my attention - Compositions 101 and 88 for example.

(https://img.discogs.com/LEYO11Xw_6rfnpbDa2Z0koYSOdE=/fit-in/600x601/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-5998055-1408425797-6744.jpeg.jpg)
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Roy Bland on April 28, 2021, 05:37:54 PM
Somber and elusive music:
https://rainworthington.com/
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on April 29, 2021, 10:27:06 AM
Just started to listen to Michael Hersch's Vanishing Pavilions -- first impressions are that it is very impressive! Anyone looked into his music?

This is on Qobuz etc.


(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/71RDDAdt4SL._AC_SL1085_.jpg)

Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Cato on May 07, 2021, 06:45:50 AM
An article on Boston as a musical center with surveys of Harold Shapero, Leon Kirchner, et al.

e.g. Concerning Gunther Schuller:



Quote

"...(An opera, The Fisherman and His Wife,) was commissioned as a children's opera by the Junior League of Boston, and first performed in 1970 by Sarah Caldwell's Opera Company of Boston — though Caldwell had another composer in mind for the project when she found herself working with the imposing Schuller.

The 65-minute opera, based on a familiar story by the Grimm brothers, boasts a libretto by none other than John Updike. As the story unfolds, a lowly fisherman makes repeated trips back to the restless sea to summon a magical fish he has caught and released — the fish is actually an enchanted prince — and to ask for the granting of yet another of his wife's increasingly grandiose wishes. Schuller inventively, yet subtly, organized the score like a theme and variations. Most boldly, he wrote whole stretches of the score in his trademark modernist language — steeped in, but not beholden to, the 12-tone approach, with some jazz chords folded in.


A 12-tone opera for children?

Yet Schuller was on to something. The story is full of darkness, strangeness, magic, evocations of a threatening sea and cloudy skies, bitter confrontations between the wife and husband. Why not convey it through flinty, atonal music? The voice lines are written with skill to make the words come through clearly. Updike introduced the character of a cat that both meowed and talked, a charming role that Schuller assigned to a high soprano. The orchestration, for a smaller ensemble, is alive with myriad sonorities and captivating colors...."


See:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/09/arts/music/boston-classical-music.html (https://www.nytimes.com/2021/04/09/arts/music/boston-classical-music.html)
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on May 12, 2021, 10:31:41 AM
This is nice.

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81qNGYh2QCL._SS500_.jpg)

Can anyone tell me anything about it -- music or composer. Who was Barney Childs?
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: T. D. on May 12, 2021, 03:58:08 PM
Quote from: Mandryka on May 12, 2021, 10:31:41 AM
This is nice.

(https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/81qNGYh2QCL._SS500_.jpg)

Can anyone tell me anything about it -- music or composer. Who was Barney Childs?

All I've heard by Barney Childs is Clay Music, which was on the Cold Blue 10" anthology:
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/614CFXW8McL._SX450_.jpg)

Very little info about him in those liner notes or on Wiki. New World Records has a bit more, which you've likely already seen:
https://www.newworldrecords.org/products/barney-childs-heaven-to-clear-when-day-did-close.

Thanks for posting this. I'll definitely listen to samples.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on May 21, 2021, 03:26:41 AM
I first got to hear about Jay Alan Yim through the quartet on this old recording Arditti

(https://img.discogs.com/JSvMLob-TBq31iOcMXikEndvhf8=/fit-in/300x300/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(40)/discogs-images/R-4517915-1367154260-9638.jpeg.jpg)

It's very good and he has a voice all of his own. His wiki says he's held various university jobs in the states, but there's hardly anything on record, and I'd just assumed that he was a one hit wonder - a very good one hit wonder - who had dried up or missed the boat.

Well he may well have missed the boat but I don't think he's lost his creative juices, because I recently discovered his piano music thanks to his soundcloud page. Well worth exploring IMO, there are some little masterpieces here, Tendril and Timescreen. I'm looking forward to exploring the rest. As you can see, I'm feeling very positive about Jay Alan Yim

https://soundcloud.com/jay-alan-yim
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on May 24, 2021, 12:21:13 AM
Anyone here explored Lera Auerbach?

Listening to her piano preludes this morning I thought, this is like Shostakovich with less humour - like the style of those late Shostakovich sonatas for viola and for violin but for piano alone. That's probably nonsense but that's what I thought. This recording

(https://bis.se/shop/thumbnails/shop/17115/art15/h8414/4438414-origpic-f527c5.jpg_0_0_100_100_250_250_0.jpg)

It certainly is worth looking at I think, for people who want something a bit fresh, something that's obviously "classical",  but don't want to broach the cutting edge - its just nice music to listen to.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Cato on May 24, 2021, 01:21:59 PM
Quote from: Mandryka on May 24, 2021, 12:21:13 AM
Anyone here explored Lera Auerbach?

Listening to her piano preludes this morning I thought, this is like Shostakovich with less humour - like the style of those late Shostakovich sonatas for viola and for violin but for piano alone. That's probably nonsense but that's what I thought. This recording

(https://bis.se/shop/thumbnails/shop/17115/art15/h8414/4438414-origpic-f527c5.jpg_0_0_100_100_250_250_0.jpg)

It certainly is worth looking at I think, for people who want something a bit fresh, something that's obviously "classical",  but don't want to broach the cutting edge - its just nice music to listen to.

Yes, I have offered samples of her works in past years: few have seemed interested.

Is she an American now?  I know she attended Juilliard in New York City.

https://www.youtube.com/v/ngY4Bc3hTKw
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on May 24, 2021, 01:45:43 PM
Quote from: Cato on May 24, 2021, 01:21:59 PM
Yes, I have offered samples of her works in past years: few have seemed interested.

Is she an American now?  I know she attended Juilliard in New York City.

https://www.youtube.com/v/ngY4Bc3hTKw

What is an American?

(That's a philosophical question.)
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: T. D. on May 24, 2021, 02:02:43 PM
Quote from: Mandryka on May 24, 2021, 12:21:13 AM
Anyone here explored Lera Auerbach?

Listening to her piano preludes this morning I thought, this is like Shostakovich with less humour - like the style of those late Shostakovich sonatas for viola and for violin but for piano alone. That's probably nonsense but that's what I thought. This recording

(https://bis.se/shop/thumbnails/shop/17115/art15/h8414/4438414-origpic-f527c5.jpg_0_0_100_100_250_250_0.jpg)

It certainly is worth looking at I think, for people who want something a bit fresh, something that's obviously "classical",  but don't want to broach the cutting edge - its just nice music to listen to.

Never heard of her before.
Looking at her website, Auerbach is rather prolific. Her opera Gogol interests me greatly; according to the website there's a character named "Poshlust", which indicates that the work is somewhat informed by V. Nabokov's wonderful (IMO) book on Gogol.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on May 24, 2021, 08:24:25 PM
I listened to some of Auerbach's duos for violin and piano. It's just nice music, totally easy to listen to, expressive, full of twists and turns; there are tunes to hum; chromatic harmonies redolent at times of Scriabin and late Debussy, of course Shostakovich,  probably Rach too, but I never listen to him; each piece has a simple narrative; the sounds are familiar classical mainstream violin and piano sounds, lots of obvious virtuosity to make you swoon. She'd be lynched at the Darmstadt Summer Course.

A bit portentous, humourless.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on May 24, 2021, 11:32:01 PM
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81LfJC1jchL._AC_SL1425_.jpg)

If Lera Auerbach is today's Scriabin and Shostakovich, Lowell Liebermann is a latter day Paderewski and Godowski. Not for me, but others may well lap it up.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Pohjolas Daughter on May 25, 2021, 05:16:47 AM
Quote from: Cato on May 24, 2021, 01:21:59 PM
Yes, I have offered samples of her works in past years: few have seemed interested.

Is she an American now?  I know she attended Juilliard in New York City.

https://www.youtube.com/v/ngY4Bc3hTKw
Mandryka and Cato,

I quite enjoyed Icarus by her.  Thank you so much for embedding that youtube clip!   :)

PD
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Roy Bland on May 25, 2021, 11:31:26 PM
https://gregsimonmusic.com/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qO_a2G7HnuQ
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on June 04, 2021, 05:34:32 AM
(https://img.discogs.com/TkJ4fOMKiJ8kEMARrMfqRggSOtM=/fit-in/475x465/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-2938608-1308211551.jpeg.jpg)

Raolf Gehlhaar is a yank who's had an international career, professorship in the UK, assisted Stockhausen, that sort of thing. This CD contains three pieces for acoustic instruments and tape which, for me, was love at first sight -- instantly accessible and interesting music. There's also something for piano and synth, 10 years later, I have yet to come to terms with it.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Cato on June 22, 2021, 05:46:24 PM
Quote from: Pohjolas Daughter on May 25, 2021, 05:16:47 AM

Mandryka and Cato,

I quite enjoyed Icarus by her.  Thank you so much for embedding that youtube clip!   :)

PD


You are quite welcome!

Quote from: T. D. on May 24, 2021, 02:02:43 PM

Never heard of her before.

Looking at her website, Auerbach is rather prolific. Her opera Gogol interests me greatly; according to the website there's a character named "Poshlust", which indicates that the work is somewhat informed by V. Nabokov's wonderful (IMO) book on Gogol.


Here is an excerpt:

https://www.youtube.com/v/gNRRDq3h9uI

Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: T. D. on June 22, 2021, 06:03:01 PM
Quote from: Cato on June 22, 2021, 05:46:24 PM
You are quite welcome!

Here is an excerpt:

https://www.youtube.com/v/gNRRDq3h9uI

Thanks. It's certainly a spectacular production. The performance got a decent review here: https://bachtrack.com/review-auerbach-gogol-vienna
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on June 25, 2021, 11:53:18 PM
(https://img.discogs.com/PX5p11Fbx5_Znxn3NQKpBuEuM08=/fit-in/600x594/filters:strip_icc():format(webp):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-5878197-1405196414-7614.jpeg.jpg)

Large sections of Duet 1 sound like a three part motet to me, with tenor, motetus and triplum. It would be nice to see the score. This is outstanding music making, by the way.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on June 30, 2021, 08:57:43 AM
(https://img.discogs.com/0F-YVV1FilN2ANdTHcmZsqd08ks=/fit-in/500x500/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-707153-1295612435.jpeg.jpg)

Larry Polansky's 4 voice canons is Art of Fugue type stuff, not fugues but canons, never as complex as Bach's, and there's only so many ways you can ring the changes on a four voice canon. But nevertheless very beautiful, austere and expressive. Highly recommended
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on July 01, 2021, 12:24:04 AM
Quote from: Mandryka on June 30, 2021, 08:57:43 AM
(https://img.discogs.com/0F-YVV1FilN2ANdTHcmZsqd08ks=/fit-in/500x500/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-707153-1295612435.jpeg.jpg)

Larry Polansky's 4 voice canons is Art of Fugue type stuff, not fugues but canons, never as complex as Bach's, and there's only so many ways you can ring the changes on a four voice canon. But nevertheless very beautiful, austere and expressive. Highly recommended

One of the thing that Polansky does is use intoning, declaiming voices in contrapuntal structures. This seems to me a distinctively American thing. Partch is big on intonation, but it's Robert Ashley who used them in polyphony first as far as I know - here for example

(https://img.discogs.com/Tjam-ayLVwY1dR_-20dmUUnIxUM=/fit-in/238x211/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-4548284-1443626474-7678.jpeg.jpg)
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: T. D. on July 06, 2021, 06:18:14 AM
Recent Anthony Braxton interview:
https://thequietus.com/articles/30084-anthony-braxton-interview
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on September 30, 2021, 10:25:08 AM
(https://img.discogs.com/X0xzoeUUOizByN5w2hobv3WTQyQ=/fit-in/500x500/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-2565763-1290756953.jpeg.jpg)

Enjoying this tonight, especially Uncle Jard.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Roy Bland on November 22, 2021, 08:53:06 PM
(https://img.discogs.com/8aXf2w09CjXunAHyqmSqk0NhZXs=/fit-in/600x596/filters:strip_icc():format(jpeg):mode_rgb():quality(90)/discogs-images/R-11029843-1508995514-9031.jpeg.jpg)
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on June 20, 2022, 11:36:51 PM
Quote from: Mandryka on March 15, 2021, 12:39:17 PM
(https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/81GWedV1TUL._AC_SL1417_.jpg)

Started to explore Scott Fields' Seven Deserts after reading  Todd McComb's  review on his website. This is seriously good music, complex polyphony, aleatoric, improvisational sections which are responsive to the timbres of the instrument, often very inspired and fresh, spontaneous sounding.

https://www.scottfields.com/todd-mccomb

Very much enjoying returning to this one, for the first time in over a year I think  - I shall have to explore Scott Fields some more.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Karl Henning on June 21, 2022, 01:28:41 PM
Quote from: Mandryka on June 20, 2022, 11:36:51 PM
Very much enjoying returning to this one, for the first time in over a year I think  - I shall have to explore Scott Fields some more.

Interesting, thanks.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on June 21, 2022, 01:47:49 PM
Quote from: k a rl h e nn i ng on June 21, 2022, 01:28:41 PM
Interesting, thanks.

His Haydn has caught my attention too

https://www.challengerecords.com/products/1400742583
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on December 10, 2022, 07:48:04 AM
Rochberg said that Circles of Fire is the "grand summation" of his musical thinking (in Robert R. Reilly and George Rochberg, "The Recovery of Modern Music: George Rochberg in Conversation" Tempo (Jan., 2002). )

I've been listening to it, there's a recording on Naxos. It's certainly long, serious and he maybe has found a voice of his own.

https://www.naxos.com/MainSite/BlurbsReviews/?itemcode=8.559631&catnum=559631&filetype=AboutThisRecording&language=English
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on March 04, 2023, 12:57:24 AM
Quote from: Mandryka on December 10, 2022, 07:48:04 AMRochberg said that Circles of Fire is the "grand summation" of his musical thinking (in Robert R. Reilly and George Rochberg, "The Recovery of Modern Music: George Rochberg in Conversation" Tempo (Jan., 2002). )

I've been listening to it, there's a recording on Naxos. It's certainly long, serious and he maybe has found a voice of his own.

https://www.naxos.com/MainSite/BlurbsReviews/?itemcode=8.559631&catnum=559631&filetype=AboutThisRecording&language=English


Back to this and I can say this: it's entertaining music - long though!

(https://cdn.naxos.com/sharedfiles/images/cds/hires/8.559631.jpg)
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Roy Bland on November 27, 2023, 06:30:32 PM
He seems a good contribution
https://justindellojoio.net/
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Maestro267 on November 28, 2023, 03:28:11 AM
We recently lost David Del Tredici, RIP.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: relm1 on November 28, 2023, 05:19:18 AM
I quite enjoyed this new release by Justin Dello Joio featuring his beautiful Piano Concerto.  Justin is a 7th generation composer from the Dello Joio family.

(https://bridgerecords.com/cdn/shop/files/9583_cover_rgb_grande.jpg)
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Roasted Swan on November 28, 2023, 06:11:54 AM
Quote from: relm1 on November 28, 2023, 05:19:18 AMI quite enjoyed this new release by Justin Dello Joio featuring his beautiful Piano Concerto.  Justin is a 7th generation composer from the Dello Joio family.

(https://bridgerecords.com/cdn/shop/files/9583_cover_rgb_grande.jpg)

I listened to this recently.  One of those pieces I respected more than I enjoyed.  Well and convincingly played by all involved I thought but I didn't (still don't) "get it".  Restless and troubled would be my descriptors rather than beautiful - especially so given Dello Joio's explanation of the title and how the work came to be written.....
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: AnotherSpin on November 28, 2023, 06:39:24 AM
Quote from: Mandryka on April 03, 2021, 01:43:57 PMAnyone know anything about Anthony Braxton? What's he about - graphic scores?

Haven't seen this thread before. I've had a soft spot for anything Braxton does for a very long time. Started buying his albums back in the mid seventies. I like almost everything he touches. I think that some of his directions, such as those related to Ghost Trance Music, might be of interest to fans of serious music. Try Ninetet's (Yoshi's) volumes. At one time I was struck by the likeness of Braxton's GTM with such Pettersson symphonies as the 9th.

I've been listening to some of Braxton's Standards large sets during this year, but they'll probably be too jazzy for you.

Relating the topic as a whole, I have long been and continue to be interested in La Monte Young. Would like to hear your impressions about his Well-Tuned Piano set.




Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: T. D. on November 28, 2023, 08:25:41 AM
I got a recording of one of Braxton's Trillium operas (R) and it's very good, far exceeded expectations. Have long vaguely considered recordings of his piano music (a comprehensive set on Leo or a smaller one on Hat), but was not bowled over by what I heard on Youtube.

Have a fair number of recordings (Braxton's discography is so large it's only a sample), am kind of a fan but not unqualified. Not convinced by his standards playing but do enjoy the Charlie Parker Project on Hat (passed on the later jumbo box). Like his recordings that include Marilyn Crispell but doubt that stuff is to Mandryka's taste.
Title: Re: Let’s make American music great again
Post by: Mandryka on November 28, 2023, 09:20:03 AM
Quote from: AnotherSpin on November 28, 2023, 06:39:24 AMRelating the topic as a whole, I have long been and continue to be interested in La Monte Young. Would like to hear your impressions about his Well-Tuned Piano set.






I would like to know more about it - the chords. I'd also like to hear it in concert. It's very exciting music, it seems to go in waves, ecstatic then contemplative. The tuning creates some extraordinary effects -- just in terms of sounds, resonances, it is very special.  I love the end, from about 2:27

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p24TxOmJmv4&ab_channel=Isonpgn

This is worth watching I think

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=luzZCWa-HIY&ab_channel=12tone. 

And here he is

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2wOM_2PS1M&ab_channel=DiaArtFoundation

There's a recording of Feldman's Palais de Mari which is supposedly inspired by Well Tuned Piano, by Pavlos Antoniadis. You'll find it on his soundcloud.