GLORIOUS!!!!! Will Bridge Records ever put all of this into a box? (Tell 'em I'd pay full price for it) That would be a treasure... I have one good name-dropping George Crumb story: My best friend, David (different one) and I grew up each with that Nonesuch "Ancient Voices of Children" disc. David had a dog that howled, magnificently and wildly, whenever the vocalist sang "inside the piano" during that recorded performance. It worked every time and I never witnessed that dog ever howling, literally singing, other then while that record was played. Well, as I almost reluctantly and suddenly became a composer -- switched my major in college and everything -- I was almost immediately invited to meet with George Crumb at a luncheon after a few masterclasses. Miraculously, I was seated directly in front of him! I probably hadn't even composed a tiny piece of music yet, but here I was -- a "composition major" -- eating a salad inches away from this amazing composer. He didn't say much, so I summoned up the courage to tell him the story of my best friend's dog. I hoped it would amuse him. Instead, he kind of rolled his eyes and said, "Everybody's a music critic." That was that but, hey, I got to start out my career as a composer eating dinner with George Crumb. His music was always enjoyable. He kept your interest no matter where he went. We got to perform a work of his in his presence. I got to play one of the odd percussion instruments. I cherish the experience.
(6:22) "..one of the really great voices...in all music." Amen. As a "hippie-era" composer myself, I can't overstate the effect of Crumb's music on the musical world in the late 60's. It was difficult to escape his influence...so why try? "Echoes of Time and the River" was performed when it was brand new by the Cleveland Orchestra and the ever-trusty Louis Lane; I missed it by a year..but then caught it on TV (!) in one of the Boston Symphony's amazing telecasts in 1976 (Ozawa). I also seem to recall catching a live radio performance of "Star Child" in the late 70's with Ormandy and Philadelphia. Whatever, Crumb was the real deal and, as you point out, a very modest, retiring sort of guy. I had the honor of interviewing him in a pre-concert event with the Chicago Symphony, and I must confess I was rather star-struck and doubt that I made a lot of sense. Incidentally, that concert consisted of 2 works: "Ancient Voices of Children" and, after intermission, the Bruckner 4th, all conducted by "Zubie" Mehta. Go figure. LR
This'll probably spur me to give Crumb a try, though he may be a bit too avant-garde for my tastes. If we're considering other "important recording projects," though, I'd probably nominate the label Bru Zane's effort to recover and record forgotten French music of (mainly) the nineteenth century. Some incredible stuff there!
Boy, THIS one is a big deal! Crumb was born the same place I was, but it doesn't seem to have hindered him any. Love his music. First thing I ever heard by him was ANCIENT VOICES OF CHILDREN, didn't care for it, and then I heard the 1st volume of MAKROKOSMOS, BLACK ANGELS (Friedkin used NIGHT OF THE ELECTRIC INSECTS in THE EXORCIST, of course, but I'm no fan of that movie) , and VOICE OF THE WHALE and was made a fan for life. And MUNDUS CANIS is hilarious. "yoda...Yoda...YODA!"
Damn, there's another composer I never heard of, and I will have to go and buy even more CDs to correct my ignorance. Watching your videos is an expensive hobby. 🤣
Hello there! I’m a new sub and I was wondering what you think of Garrick Ohlsson’s Rach 3? I have the opportunity to see it live with the ASO and I want to know what your thoughts are as I am unfamiliar with him. I have always wanted to see it live so I want to make sure it’ll be a good performance, there is a recording available of him playing with the ASO I believe so I’ll give it a listen at some point but I want to know if you are familiar with him. Thanks in advance
You never can know if it will be a good performance or not, but that shouldn't stop you from going. He's a fine artist with a long and very respectable pedigree, and he certainly has the chops to do the music proud. Just go listen with an open mind. If you like it then it will have been worth your time, and don't worry about how "good" it's supposed to be.
GLORIOUS!!!!! Will Bridge Records ever put all of this into a box? (Tell 'em I'd pay full price for it) That would be a treasure... I have one good name-dropping George Crumb story: My best friend, David (different one) and I grew up each with that Nonesuch "Ancient Voices of Children" disc. David had a dog that howled, magnificently and wildly, whenever the vocalist sang "inside the piano" during that recorded performance. It worked every time and I never witnessed that dog ever howling, literally singing, other then while that record was played. Well, as I almost reluctantly and suddenly became a composer -- switched my major in college and everything -- I was almost immediately invited to meet with George Crumb at a luncheon after a few masterclasses. Miraculously, I was seated directly in front of him! I probably hadn't even composed a tiny piece of music yet, but here I was -- a "composition major" -- eating a salad inches away from this amazing composer. He didn't say much, so I summoned up the courage to tell him the story of my best friend's dog. I hoped it would amuse him. Instead, he kind of rolled his eyes and said, "Everybody's a music critic." That was that but, hey, I got to start out my career as a composer eating dinner with George Crumb. His music was always enjoyable. He kept your interest no matter where he went. We got to perform a work of his in his presence. I got to play one of the odd percussion instruments. I cherish the experience.
The most important clump ever!
Great, thanks and kudos to Bridge for this commitment. I just ordered the set.
Amazing video, Dave. Love the passion along with the information.
I agree completely!
(6:22) "..one of the really great voices...in all music." Amen. As a "hippie-era" composer myself, I can't overstate the effect of Crumb's music on the musical world in the late 60's. It was difficult to escape his influence...so why try? "Echoes of Time and the River" was performed when it was brand new by the Cleveland Orchestra and the ever-trusty Louis Lane; I missed it by a year..but then caught it on TV (!) in one of the Boston Symphony's amazing telecasts in 1976 (Ozawa). I also seem to recall catching a live radio performance of "Star Child" in the late 70's with Ormandy and Philadelphia.
Whatever, Crumb was the real deal and, as you point out, a very modest, retiring sort of guy. I had the honor of interviewing him in a pre-concert event with the Chicago Symphony, and I must confess I was rather star-struck and doubt that I made a lot of sense. Incidentally, that concert consisted of 2 works: "Ancient Voices of Children" and, after intermission, the Bruckner 4th, all conducted by "Zubie" Mehta. Go figure. LR
I love this choice! Didn't know there was going to be one more disc. I'm going to pre order it as soon as I can.
This is the most successful and engaging recording of Black Angels I've heard on CD - by far.
They just put the whole CLUMP on sale. 22 cds and a dvd. Mine's ordered!
This'll probably spur me to give Crumb a try, though he may be a bit too avant-garde for my tastes. If we're considering other "important recording projects," though, I'd probably nominate the label Bru Zane's effort to recover and record forgotten French music of (mainly) the nineteenth century. Some incredible stuff there!
Hope they box all these cds. It's quite difficult to get them here in Spain.
And his scores look as beautiful as they sound.
Boy, THIS one is a big deal! Crumb was born the same place I was, but it doesn't seem to have hindered him any. Love his music. First thing I ever heard by him was ANCIENT VOICES OF CHILDREN, didn't care for it, and then I heard the 1st volume of MAKROKOSMOS, BLACK ANGELS (Friedkin used NIGHT OF THE ELECTRIC INSECTS in THE EXORCIST, of course, but I'm no fan of that movie) , and VOICE OF THE WHALE and was made a fan for life.
And MUNDUS CANIS is hilarious. "yoda...Yoda...YODA!"
Damn, there's another composer I never heard of, and I will have to go and buy even more CDs to correct my ignorance. Watching your videos is an expensive hobby. 🤣
Do I see a Crumb Cube in the future? Crumb Box? Crumb Rhomboid?
Hello there! I’m a new sub and I was wondering what you think of Garrick Ohlsson’s Rach 3? I have the opportunity to see it live with the ASO and I want to know what your thoughts are as I am unfamiliar with him. I have always wanted to see it live so I want to make sure it’ll be a good performance, there is a recording available of him playing with the ASO I believe so I’ll give it a listen at some point but I want to know if you are familiar with him.
Thanks in advance
You never can know if it will be a good performance or not, but that shouldn't stop you from going. He's a fine artist with a long and very respectable pedigree, and he certainly has the chops to do the music proud. Just go listen with an open mind. If you like it then it will have been worth your time, and don't worry about how "good" it's supposed to be.