Search - George Crumb, Richard Wernick, University of Pennsylvania Chamber Players :: Works By George Crumb

George Crumb, Richard Wernick, University of Pennsylvania Chamber Players
Works By George Crumb
Genres: Pop, Classical

Track Listings (21) - Disc #1
1. An Idyll for the Misbegotten
2. Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale): Vocaliste (...for the beginning of time)
3. Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale): Variations on Sea-Time: Sea Theme
4. Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale): Variations on Sea-Time: Archeozoic (Var. I)
5. Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale): Variations on Sea-Time: Proterozoic (Var. II)
6. Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale): Variations on Sea-Time: Paleozoic (Var. III)
7. Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale): Variations on Sea-Time: Mesozoic (Var. IV)
8. Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale): Variations on Sea-Time: Cenozoic (Var. V)
9. Variations on Sea-Time: Sea-Nocturne (...for the end of time)
10. Madrigals: Book I: I
11. Madrigals: Book I: II
12. Madrigals: Book I: III
13. Madrigals: Book II: I
14. Madrigals: Book II: II
15. Madrigals: Book II: III
16. Madrigals: Book III: I
17. Madrigals: Book III: II
18. Madrigals: Book III: III
19. Madrigals: Book IV: I
20. Madrigals: Book IV: II
21. Madrigals: Book IV: III

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CD Details

All Artists: George Crumb, Richard Wernick, University of Pennsylvania Chamber Players, Jan DeGaetani, James Gemmell
Title: Works By George Crumb
Members Wishing: 3
Total Copies: 0
Label: New World Records
Original Release Date: 1/1/1987
Re-Release Date: 12/8/1992
Genres: Pop, Classical
Styles: Vocal Pop, Opera & Classical Vocal, Chamber Music, Historical Periods, Classical (c.1770-1830), Modern, 20th, & 21st Century
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPC: 093228035725

Synopsis

Amazon.com

These are fine performances by the University of Pennsylvania Chamber Players of a somewhat tedious collection of works by the American experimental composer George Crumb. The Vox Balaenae is a suite based on songs of the humpback whale: the musicians are instructed in the score to perform in a "serene, pure, transfigured" manner. OK. The Madrigals continues the composer's lifelong exploration of the expressive potentials in extended instrumental techniques. "Dark and disquieting" they may be, as the liner notes intone; but they're also for listeners with a fair amount of patience. --Joshua Cody

CD Reviews

Missing the point!

03/25/1999

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Amazon.com review above misses the point of Crumb's musical aesthetic. Crumb's music is meditatve and spritual. The stage presentation is occasionally elaborate and ritualistic, intended for dramatic effect. Unfortunately, this doesn't translate well onto CD. Your reviewer should attempt to catch a live performance of Crumb's music to get the fuller picture."

Wonderful Whales

Christopher Forbes | Brooklyn,, NY | 06/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Vox Balaenae was, along with Crumb's Ancient Voices of Children, amoung my favorite 20th century works as a child. Far from tedious, I find this work to be captivating, albeit difficult to penetrate at times as is most of Crumb's work. The piece begins with an extended flute vocalise requiring the flautist to sing into the instrument. The result has an uncanny resemblence to the songs of the Hyumpbacked Whale. The piece then continues with a mysterious set of variations depicting the earth's geological periods, climaxing with the emergence of human beings. The final section of the work is haunting and luminious, as the tonality settles into a beautiful B major which fades off into the distance. The Crumb Madrigals are interesting works as well, though I have not yet warmed to them as I have to other Crumb works. Jan DeGaetani is marvelous as is usual in this work."