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Works 1960-70
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| Cornelius Cardew's music of the '60s is arguably from his most creative and experimental period as a composer, beginning with "Autumn 60" and ending with the last paragraphs of "The Great Learning" in 1970. This decade can be divided into two parts, where the first half focuses on indeterminate music and the latter sees a growing emphasis on improvisation. "Treatise" functions as a bridge between these two periods as it contains elements of both. This recording is a document of this duality; a portrait of Cardew leaving the avant-garde he got to know from his work with Stockhausen and Cage, and entering the scene of improvised music as he would get to know it in AMM. Cardew's work with improvisation would culminate with the Scratch Orchestra -- as much a social experiment as a musical one. In the '70s, Cardew left radical music in favor of radical politics. "Autumn 60" is Cardew's first indeterminate score. It is often performed with larger ensembles, but also works well in a smaller format. It was premiered by a quartet consisting of the composer on guitar and John Cage on piano, amongst others. This version was arranged and conducted by John Tilbury. "4th System" is taken from February Pieces, composed between 1959 and 1961. Originally written for solo piano, "4th System" is the last, most open and flexible of these four pieces which were published together in 1961. "Material" is a work for an ensemble of harmony instruments. As in "Autumn 60," letters are used to identify each section (A to Q). These sections of phrases are to be played together and in succession before the performers depart to their own tempo and individual choice of sections to be played. "Solo With Accompaniment" has a complicated accompaniment supporting a relatively simple solo part consisting of a repetition of single notes and a quasi-improvisational middle section. It is one of Cardew's most complex compositions and while the form of the piece seems quite conventional and traditional, ironically it has more sets of rules and examples than any of his other compositions. "Treatise," in which the interpretation is left entirely up to the performer, is undoubtedly Cardew's most famous work, and probably also the most performed of his compositions. In "Treatise," there are no parts indicated by either numbers or letters; only the overall form of this massive 193 page graphic masterpiece is given. "Unintended Piano Music" sounds unlike anything else Cardew produced. It lies somewhere between the most melodic of his experimental music from the '60s and his politically revolutionary music of the '70s. While the rest of the compositions on this CD outline a particular period and style of the composer's music, "Unintended Piano Music" is a form of a musical fragment standing on its own. |
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ARTISTS
John Tilbury (piano); Michael Duch (double bass); Rhodri Davies (harp) |
TRACKS
- Autumn 60
- 4th System
- Material
- Solo with Accompaniment
- Treatise Excerpt
- Unintended Piano Music
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