Xenakis - Complete Vol. 2

Xenakis Complete Vol. 2 - Iannissimo!
ST-X Ensemble USA - Charles Zacharie Bornstein
Vandenburg 0003

Contents:

  1. Waarg (1988; wind quintet, trumpet, trombone, tuba, string quartet, bass)
  2. Charisma (1971; clarinet, cello)
  3. Analogiques A + B (1958; 3 violins, 3 cellos, 3 basses, electronics)
  4. Thallein (1984; piccolo, wind quintet, trumpet, trumpet piccolo, trombone, string quartet, bass, piano, 2 percussionists)
  5. Herma (1960-61; piano)
  6. Palimpsest (1979; oboe, english horn, clarinet, bass clarinet, bassoon, horn, string quartet, bass, piano, 2 percussionists)

Performers: Paula J. Landry (flute, piccolo), Jacqueline Leclair (oboe, English horn), Michiyo Suzuki (clarinet, bass clarinet), Janet Grice (bassoon), Gregory D. Evans (horn), Wayne J. duMaine (trumpet, piccolo trumpet), Michael Seltzer (trombone), Jose Davila (tuba), James Baker (percussion), Dominic Donato (percussion), Joseph Pehrson (cues), Justin Rubin (piano), Conrad Harris (violin), Theresa Salomon (violin), Mary Whitaker (violin), David J. Bursack (viola), Dan Barrett (cello), Jennifer DeVore (cello), Matthew Goeke (cello), Robert Wenger (string bass), Richard Sosinsky (string bass), William Ellison (string bass), Paul D. Miller (electronics)

Playing time: 67'

Recording date: May 1997 (New York City)

Although choosing between the various recitals by this ensemble is not straightforward, the present program contains a particularly good series of works from beginning to end. All are readily available in other performances except for Analogiques, but despite my usual reluctance to embrace electronic music, I have particularly enjoyed it here. The performances themselves do not generally exceed others in any particularly technical way, but show a real verve and willingness to take risks which this music could use by way of variety in interpretation.

The first recording in the Vandenburg series:

Xenakis Live in New York - Xenakis Complete Vol. 1
Phlegra / Kuilenn / Kai / Epicycles / Interview
ST-X Ensemble USA - Charles Zacharie Bornstein
Vandenburg 0001

A recording by this ensemble in their earlier Mode series:

Xenakis: Ensemble Music - 2
ST-X Ensemble USA - Charles Zachary Bornstein
Mode 56

The above citation also contains a listing of other items in Mode's continuing Xenakis series.

Another item by the present ensemble:

Xenakis: Kraanerg
Paul D. Miller / ST-X Ensemble - Charles Zacharie Bornstein
Asphodel Sombient 0975

Another recording of Kraanerg, an extended "ballet" with both tape and live instruments:

Xenakis: Kraanerg
Alpha Centauri Ensemble - Roger Woodward
Etcetera 1075

A recording devoted specifically to electronic music:

Xenakis: Electronic Music
Diamorphoses / Concert PH / Orient-Occident / Bohor / Hibiki-Hana-Ma / S.709
Electronic Music Foundation, Albany NY
EMFCD003

An earlier recital similar to the present one:

Xenakis: Live 1
Echange / Palimpsest / Waarg / Eonta
ASKO Ensemble - David Porcelijn
Attacca "Babel" 9054

To purchasing information for this disc

To Xenakis list.

T. M. McComb