Reconnaissance: [Terri Hilyard, violin; Ruth Dreier, cello; Timothy Lane, flute; Robert Hill, clarinet; Michael Bevers, bassoon; Christine Dolce, trumpet; Laura Okuniewski, piano; Anita Pontremoli, piano, electric organ]; The Percussion Group: [James Culley, percussion; William Youhass, percussion; Allan Otte, percussion]; Bethany Beardslee, soprano; Malcolm Peyton, piano; Linda Quan, violin
Eugene O'Brien writes:
"Embarking for Cythera was written in 1978 under a grant from the Ohio Arts Council. The title, though an afterthought, is a reflection of the emotions which prompted the work; the famous painting by Watteau, L' Embarquement pour L' Île de Cythere, is the title's source. But curiously enough it was the description of the painting, rather than the painting itself, which finally convinced me to use the title. The description (by Giovanni Macchia) follows:
"The myth of the island of Cythera, or of love, has distant roots in French and Italian culture, in which the journey is depicted as a difficult quest. Cythera is a paradise wavering in the ephemeral and in artifice; it represents an invitation to delights amid the enchantment of nature. It is an island toward which the pilgrims embark but never arrive; it preserves its light only if it remains far on the horizon."
The following notes were supplied by Allen Otte of the Percussion Group:
"Allures is a completely composed work which intends to give the effect of rather spontaneous and improvisatory music making. The composer achieves this by leaving just one element up to the discretion and 'ensemble sense' of the performers — the number of times one repeats a phrase-fragment before moving on to the next, and in so doing, giving an aural cue to the other players. Most of the piece is written in this fashion, but there are a few moments when the ensemble suddenly is brought into sharp focus."
Malcolm Peyton writes:
"Ideas based on poems and excerpts from Leaves of Grass have occurred to me as far back as 1965. At the time, the poetry, intriguing as it was, was too overwhelming and diffuse for me to handle. Several projects lie abandoned. These songs are therefore, for me, a coming to terms with Walt Whitman.
This title, originally issued on the CRI label, is now available as a burn-on-demand CD (CD-R) or download in MP3/320, FLAC or WAV formats. CD-Rs come in a protective sleeve; no print booklet or jewel case included. Liner notes are accessible via the link above.
Eugene O'Brien; Malcolm Peyton
| MP3/320 | $13.00 | |
| FLAC | $13.00 | |
| WAV | $13.00 | |
| CD-R | $13.00 |
A *.pdf of the notes may be accessed here free of charge.
Track Listing
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Embarking for Cythera
Eugene O'Brien
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Allures
Eugene O'Brien
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Songs From Walt Whitman: I. Oh me! Oh Life!
Malcolm Peyton
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Songs From Walt Whitman: II. Roots and leaves themselves alone are these
Malcolm Peyton
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Songs From Walt Whitman: III. Darest thou now O soul
Malcolm Peyton
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Songs From Walt Whitman: IV. Scented herbage of my breast
Malcolm Peyton
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Songs From Walt Whitman: V. Warble for lilac-time
Malcolm Peyton
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