Liner Notes
Cat. No. NWCRL293
Release Date: 2010-10-15
Robert Miller, piano; Dorian Woodwind Quintet: Karl Kraber, flute; Charles Kuskin, oboe; Jerry Kirkbride, clarinet; Barry Benjamin, horn; Jane Taylor, bassoon; Contemporary Chamber Ensemble; Jeanne Benjamin, violin; Fred Sherry, cello; Alvin Brehm, bass; Paul Dunkel, flute; Arthur Bloom, clarinet; Allan Dean, trumpet; Frederic Rzewski, celesta; Gilbert Kalish, piano; Raymond Des Roches, percussion; Arthur Weisberg, Conductor; Lewis Kaplan, violin; Walter Ponce, piano
John Harbison writes:
“Parody-Fantasia was composed in December 1967 and January 1968 at the suggestion of the pianist Ursula Oppens, who gave it its first performances. My two basic intentions were to make a large but compressed piece, and to combine sonority and abstraction.
“The 'parody' of the title refers to the use of a venerable cantus firmus as a binding thread and also to the occasional ironic character of the music. In navigating through the single continuous movement, the player is guided by sub-headings: Preamble — Take-offs — Flights — Arrivals — Games — Post-Mortem. These might well be more technical substitutes like plateau- long upbeat-long downbeat-higher plateau. They focus on the large rhythmic issues, and may also suggest connections with Schumann, air travel, and various fantasies.
Roger Johnson's Wind Quintet is in one movement and is fundamentally lyrical, with a strong harmonic foundation. The majority of the pitch material is derived from the four note series B C D E♭ and its many transpositions. The music is based on an alternation of two types of contrasting episodes. The introduction, coda and two internal episodes are chordal in nature and slow moving, with the tone-series used as the principal chord.
Raoul Pleskow's Movement for Nine Players was written in 1967 and is scored for flute, clarinet, violin, piano, celesta (alternating with piano II), percussion, trumpet, cello and bass. It received its first performance by the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble under its conductor, Arthur Weisberg, in October of that year. The work consists essentially of 31 variations set in 7 bar units with some expansions, elisions and interpolations.
Bagatelles No. 3 for Solo Violin was written in 1968 and is the third of a series of short works for various instruments. It was commissioned by Daniel Kobialka but received its first performance by Jeanne Benjamin, violinist. The work is in two movements.
Per Vege Viene was written in the summer of 1970. The title is dedicatory. The first movement of the two-movement work consists essentially of the alternation of three basic activities: 1) Chords and long notes; 2) rapid 16th note movement, 3) diversified thematic material in a canonic relationship between violin and piano. These three events are engaged in constantly changing textural, rhythmic and syntactical relationships. The basic pitch material for both movements is the two chords of parallel construction with which the piece begins.
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. Full liner notes are accessible via the link above.
John Harbison writes:
“Parody-Fantasia was composed in December 1967 and January 1968 at the suggestion of the pianist Ursula Oppens, who gave it its first performances. My two basic intentions were to make a large but compressed piece, and to combine sonority and abstraction.
“The 'parody' of the title refers to the use of a venerable cantus firmus as a binding thread and also to the occasional ironic character of the music. In navigating through the single continuous movement, the player is guided by sub-headings: Preamble — Take-offs — Flights — Arrivals — Games — Post-Mortem. These might well be more technical substitutes like plateau- long upbeat-long downbeat-higher plateau. They focus on the large rhythmic issues, and may also suggest connections with Schumann, air travel, and various fantasies.
Roger Johnson's Wind Quintet is in one movement and is fundamentally lyrical, with a strong harmonic foundation. The majority of the pitch material is derived from the four note series B C D E♭ and its many transpositions. The music is based on an alternation of two types of contrasting episodes. The introduction, coda and two internal episodes are chordal in nature and slow moving, with the tone-series used as the principal chord.
Raoul Pleskow's Movement for Nine Players was written in 1967 and is scored for flute, clarinet, violin, piano, celesta (alternating with piano II), percussion, trumpet, cello and bass. It received its first performance by the Contemporary Chamber Ensemble under its conductor, Arthur Weisberg, in October of that year. The work consists essentially of 31 variations set in 7 bar units with some expansions, elisions and interpolations.
Bagatelles No. 3 for Solo Violin was written in 1968 and is the third of a series of short works for various instruments. It was commissioned by Daniel Kobialka but received its first performance by Jeanne Benjamin, violinist. The work is in two movements.
Per Vege Viene was written in the summer of 1970. The title is dedicatory. The first movement of the two-movement work consists essentially of the alternation of three basic activities: 1) Chords and long notes; 2) rapid 16th note movement, 3) diversified thematic material in a canonic relationship between violin and piano. These three events are engaged in constantly changing textural, rhythmic and syntactical relationships. The basic pitch material for both movements is the two chords of parallel construction with which the piece begins.
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. Full liner notes are accessible via the link above.
Music of John Harbison, Roger Johnson & Raoul Pleskow
| 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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Parody-Fantasia
John Harbison
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Buy
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Woodwind Quintet
Roger Johnson
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Buy
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Movement for Nine Players
Raoul Pleskow
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Buy
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Bagatelles No. 3
Raoul Pleskow
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Buy
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Per Vege Viene: I. Quarter note = 100
Raoul Pleskow
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Buy
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Per Vege Viene: II. Quarter note = 120
Raoul Pleskow
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Buy
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