Adams Boxed Set Listening Party

John Adams Collected Works Boxed Set 40XCDs Nonesuch   What a seventy-fifth birthday present. Today, Nonesuch releases John Adams Collected Works, a 40-CD compendium of his recordings for the label and a few from other imprints.    The curation of the set has thoughtful touches. It begins with Harmonielehre, the 1985 recording by Edo deContinue reading “Adams Boxed Set Listening Party”

Sunday: counter)induction in Brooklyn

This Sunday: counter)induction performs in Brooklyn (Livestream) The ensemble counter)induction has been active for over twenty years, premiering countless pieces. A collective of performers and composers, counter)induction has performed at many venues in NYC. This season, they will be in residence at Soapbox Gallery, a Brooklyn venue for visual art and music. counter)induction’s first concertContinue reading “Sunday: counter)induction in Brooklyn”

Messiaen on Kairos (CD Review)

Sequenza 21 – Best of 2021   Olivier Messiaen Vingt regards sur l’enfant-Jésus Alfonso Gómez, piano Kairos CD   In 1944, Olivier Messiaen wrote a recital length work (about 2 hours in duration) for pianist Yvonne Loriod, one of his proteges and, later, his spouse. Vingt regard sur l’enfant-Jésus (“Twenty Visions of the Infant Jesus”)Continue reading “Messiaen on Kairos (CD Review)”

Josquin at 500 (CD Review)

Josquin: Missa Hercules Dux Ferrarie – Missa D’ung aultre amer – Missa Faysant regretz Tallis Scholars Gimell Records   Josquin Motets and Mass Movements Brabant Ensemble Hyperion Records   The Golden Renaissance: Josquin des Prez Stile Antico Decca Classics   While scholarly consensus on Josquin’s birthdate has moved around over time (current estimates are aroundContinue reading “Josquin at 500 (CD Review)”

Recordings of the Year

Recording of the Year: Terry Riley, Sun Rings, Kronos Quartet, Volti (Nonesuch)             Terry Riley’s 2002 work Sun Rings simultaneously celebrates the 25th anniversary of the Voyager exploration and soberly reflects on September 11, 2001. Kronos Quartet, longtime collaborators with Riley, the ethereal voices of Volti, and a collection of space sounds are combined toContinue reading “Recordings of the Year”

John Luther Adams – Become Desert (CD Review)

Become Desert John Luther Adams Seattle Symphony, Seattle Symphony Chorale, Ludovic Morlot, conductor Cantaloupe Music “Become Desert is both a celebration of the deserts we are given, and a lamentation of the deserts we create.” – John Luther Adams Born in Mississippi, John Luther Adams first came to the attention of listeners as a composerContinue reading “John Luther Adams – Become Desert (CD Review)”

10/16 at the Jazz Standard – Ethan Iverson with Tom Harrell

In recent years, pianist Ethan Iverson has been collaborating with a number of artists, particularly elder statesmen of the jazz tradition. In 2017, he appeared at the Village Vanguard with trumpeter Tom Harrell. The performances were document on Common Practice, Iverson’s most recent ECM recording. In addition to Harrell, the CD’s personnel includes bassist BenContinue reading “10/16 at the Jazz Standard – Ethan Iverson with Tom Harrell”