Monotonous Forest

Online from Saint-Denis and Verbier

More comments about last week's stunning Edgard Varèse concerts to come (I promise), but meanwhile, do investigate the live concert broadcasts available for free on www.medici.tv.  For some years now, the site has presented concerts from the festivals at Saint-Denis and Verbier, which are transmitted live, then archived for later listening.  Each broadcast is usually available for a few weeks or longer, and the audio and video quality are both excellent.

What might have been

In the wake of the sad news of the death of Sir Charles Mackerras, here is this unbelievably great-looking concert that he was to have conducted with the Czech Philharmonic:

Friday, October 8, 2010
Dvořák Hall, 7:30 pm 

Gala concert to celebrate 85th birthday of Sir Charles Mackerras

 

A. DVOŘÁK: TBA
B. MARTINŮ: Double Concerto for two string orchestras, piano and timpani, H. 271
L. JANÁČEK: Sinfonietta
B. SMETANA: Šárka, symphonic poem from the cycle Má vlast
J. SUK: Asrael, Symphony in C minor Op. 27 (Scherzo)
L. JANÁČEK: The Cunning Little Vixen, finale of the opera

Czech Philharmonic Orchestra

Ivan Kusnjer, baritone

Sir Charles Mackerras, conductor

Today's nod to astrology

Talea Ensemble: Musica Universalis.  MusicWeb International, July 13, 2010.

Meticulous hallucinations

Although this year I wasn't able to attend much of the Bang on a Can Marathon, the Talea Ensemble gave the United States premiere of Professor Bad Trip (1998-2000) by Fausto Romitelli, and it turned out to be worth the wait.  Romitelli studied at IRCAM and was an admirer of the French spectralists, especially Hugues Dufourt and Gérard Grisey, and this score reflects their influence.  But Romitelli adds his own unique timbres, plus an interest in psychedelic rock, pumping up the chamber orchestration with electric guitar, electric bass, and electronics.

Based on the mescaline-fueled writings of Henri Michaux, Professor Bad Trip is in three "lessons" (totaling roughly 45 minutes), which unfold like a trio of nightmares difficult to shake off.  Romitelli's effects range from crystalline droplets to walls of fuzz.  A roar that would be at home in any jazz club may be followed by a stark, almost aimless sound on the piano.  Sparkling flute runs nestle with rapid string glissandi and waves of gongs, but almost always in unpredictable ways.  Throughout the score, electronic effects weave in and out, flaring up at a moment's notice or fading into a low background hum, adding to the unsettling atmosphere. 

Talea's stunning performance (which projected even in the less-than-ideal acoustic of the World Financial Center) captured the entire range of Romitelli's colors.  The personnel, all worth mentioning, were led by guest conductor Scott Voyles: Alex Woods (violin), Elizabeth Weisser (viola), Chris Gross (cello), Tara Helen O'Connor (flute), Rane Moore (clarinet), Jeff Missal (trumpet), Kobe Van Cauwenberge (electric guitar), Greg Chudzik (electric bass), Alex Lipowski (percussion), Anthony Cheung (piano), and Dan Iglesia (electronics).

A few days later I listened to the only available recording (above, on Cypres), by the Brussels-based ictus ensemble, which brought the entire experience flooding back.  Released in 2003, it was supervised by the composer before his untimely death in 2004, at the age of 41.

Happy 150th, Gustav

[Photo: Gustav "Gus" Mahler, by Kat Dobbins on Flickr]

Another premiere to end the season

Alan Gilbert and the New York Philharmonic in Lindberg and Beethoven.  MusicWeb International, July 6, 2010.

Two pianists return for an encore

Powerhouse Pianists II.  MusicWeb International, July 2, 2010.