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Wed, 7 Aug 2002 20:35:52 +0100 |
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Ian Crisp wrote:
>In a couple of months time I shall have the opportunity to hear Joanna
>MacGregor play Lou Harrison's Piano Concerto with the Britten Sinfonia
>in my local theatre half a dozen miles down the road in Chelmsford (UK).
>I know little of Harrison and less of this piece. What should I expect?
>The flyer for this tour describes it as "mixing Western classical, jazz
>and Asian music" - my three loves!
I had the pleasure of seeing a live performance of this work in the
Corn Exchange, Cambridge (UK) in the summer of 2001 performed by Joanna
Macgregor with, I think, the Britten Sinfonia. Wow, it's a knockout.
Much use is made of what I can only describe an implement which looks
like a snooker table brush but is actually called a tone cluster bar
invented by William Colvig. This is used by the pianist to hit clumps
of white/black notes percussively much as Prokofiev did except he used
only hands. There is also much use of right elbow and forearm to similar
effect. A peculiar (to me) way of tuning the piano is also used known and
Kirnberger's.
Here is a quote from the CD booklet:-
'[this] is an epic piece, one which effortlessly explores three
different traditions, the Western classical tradition, with a nod to
Brahms in the first movement; the pioneering prairie style of American
20th century music; and an older dance tradition found more commonly
in medieval and Asian music.'
I had much difficulty in getting a CD of this work but 'Sound Circus' part
of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation came up trumps. This is played
by JM and the Sydney Symphony /Sian Edwards, CD number SC 005.
They also performed the Schnittke but I am still not to fond of his works.
I hope this helps you enjoy the work even more and let us know what you
think of it.
Ray Stamford, Cambridge, England.
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