Liner Notes
Cat. No. NWCRL397
Release Date: 2011-03-15
Contemporary Chamber Players of the University of Chicago; Harold Katz, viola; Everett Zlatoff-Mirsky, viola; Stephanie Smith, bass; Marilyn Bass, clarinet; Stanley Davis, bass clarinet; James McKay, bassoon; James Berkenstock, contrabassoon; Rodney Miller, trumpet; Luther Didrickson, trumpet; James Mattern, trombone; Edward Ponemba, percussion; Norman Szymanski, percussion; John Cobb, piano, celesta; Ralph Shapey, Conductor; Jan DeGaetani, mezzo-soprano; New England Contemporary Ensemble; Philip West, oboe; Alvin Brehm, bass; Joann Freeman, piano; Robert D'Angelo, percussion; David Smith, percussion; Ralph Shapey, Conductor
“[Francis Thorne's] Seven Set Pieces have that balance between the newest technical panoply (a protective aesthetic armor that permits Thorne the maximum individual musical liberties) and the consistency of a rewarding communicative potential. He thinks his structures through 'loose and easy,' as most good jazz-experienced pianists have done, and still do when they are more than 'ear' men who have put on the stylistic gear of the past ten years. Listen carefully to both Jam Sessions of this work for proof of this. And he pursues no good idea to the point of absurdity that annihilates any good by-accident ideas and moments of communicative fantasy. Listen carefully also to both Grotesques. He respects aesthetic freedom and never abuses it. The result is a fine work of top-notch craftsmanship and entertainment — a clear example of the future composed of fragments of the past — a work thoroughly of our time.
- David Diamond:
One of the masterpieces of Western music is Mahler's Das Lied von Der Erde (Song of the Earth), a symphony for tenor, contralto (or baritone) and orchestra. It was begun in 1907 and completed in 1908. Der Abschied (The Farewell) is the high point of this great work, and is three times the length of the preceding movements. It is also the most symphonic, making extensive use of orchestral interludes.
Richard Moryl's work uses the same German translations of two Chinese poems. The poems are by two different poets, both of whom are considered by the Chinese to be as important to their literature as Shakespeare is to ours. The words are considered sacred, and create a serene experience for all who listen.
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.
“[Francis Thorne's] Seven Set Pieces have that balance between the newest technical panoply (a protective aesthetic armor that permits Thorne the maximum individual musical liberties) and the consistency of a rewarding communicative potential. He thinks his structures through 'loose and easy,' as most good jazz-experienced pianists have done, and still do when they are more than 'ear' men who have put on the stylistic gear of the past ten years. Listen carefully to both Jam Sessions of this work for proof of this. And he pursues no good idea to the point of absurdity that annihilates any good by-accident ideas and moments of communicative fantasy. Listen carefully also to both Grotesques. He respects aesthetic freedom and never abuses it. The result is a fine work of top-notch craftsmanship and entertainment — a clear example of the future composed of fragments of the past — a work thoroughly of our time.
- David Diamond:
One of the masterpieces of Western music is Mahler's Das Lied von Der Erde (Song of the Earth), a symphony for tenor, contralto (or baritone) and orchestra. It was begun in 1907 and completed in 1908. Der Abschied (The Farewell) is the high point of this great work, and is three times the length of the preceding movements. It is also the most symphonic, making extensive use of orchestral interludes.
Richard Moryl's work uses the same German translations of two Chinese poems. The poems are by two different poets, both of whom are considered by the Chinese to be as important to their literature as Shakespeare is to ours. The words are considered sacred, and create a serene experience for all who listen.
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.
Thorne / Moryl
| MP3/320 | $14.00 | |
| FLAC | $14.00 | |
| WAV | $14.00 | |
| CD-R | $14.00 |
A *.pdf of the notes may be accessed here free of charge.
Track Listing
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Seven Set Pieces: I. Adagio maestoso - Allegretto misterioso "Grotesque"
Francis Thorne
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Seven Set Pieces: II. Adagietto "Romance"
Francis Thorne
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Seven Set Pieces: III. Presto Vivace "Jam Session"
Francis Thorne
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Seven Set Pieces: IV. Allegretto - Grotesco "Grotesque"
Francis Thorne
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Seven Set Pieces: V. Adagio semplice "Chorale Prelude"
Francis Thorne
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Seven Set Pieces: VI. Allegro con fuoco "Jam Session"
Francis Thorne
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Seven Set Pieces: VII. Andante grazioso; Presto vivace "Finale"
Francis Thorne
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Das Lied
Richard Moryl
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