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Contemporary scores & related - Update five

interzone — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 14:21:00 GMT

Contemporary scores & related - Update five
Scores modern | PDF | ~1,75 GB

Another update on 20th century (and some earlier) scores in pdf, coming from a multitude of sources. This time, credits to 'verbena', who sent me some rare stuff in high quality scans, and the folks at lnt for the renaissance facsimiles, great stuff. Alongside these materials, some other stuff I encountered along the way (here too: all credits to whom it may concern). The materials are sorted alphabetically on composer and chopped into three chunks of ~250 MB, plus separate zips on Hans Otte (incl. mp3), Claude Debussy, Renaissance guitar music and guitar ensemble music.
Again, I hope there's something of your interest or for your education here. Previously posted scores are all still up, just browse through the modern and the classic scores section here at AH for an overview.

Wim Mertens - Whisper me - 1988

bieffe — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 18:32:00 GMT

Wim Mertens - Whisper me - 1988
Minimalist | MP3 320 kbps VBR | 55,5 MB

Astor Piazzolla - Tango ballet (1999)

interzone — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:23:00 GMT

Astor Piazzolla - Tango ballet (1999)
20th Century | EAC (APE + CUE) | covers | 267 MB
Performed by Gidon Kremer (violin), the Astor Quartet & the Kremerata Baltica

“

"With Tango Ballet - an early Piazzolla piece written to accompany a short film - we have yet another [Kremer] gem. Divided up into six movements, Tango Ballet slyly melds chamber music and ballet with tango themes (the Argentinean wasn't yet bitten by the jazz bug when he wrote this). The next grouping, Concierto del Angel, is the real show-stopper on this disc. These highlights from Piazzolla's brooding Angel series of compositions erupt in the spirited hands of Kremer and his ensemble. The bandoneon playing of Per Arne Glorvigen adds a sonic depth not found on Tango Ballet and Kremer - especially on Resurreccion del Angel - sounds simply gorgeous. Kremer's 1998 interpretation of Piazzolla's opera Maria de Buenos Aires is also an essential work. This recording features pieces that are less noteworthy, but the playing is just as exquisite. A must-have for Piazzolla fans."

Jason Verlinde (editorial review at amazon.com)

”

Gabriel Fauré - Piano music (1989)

interzone — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:21:00 GMT

Gabriel Fauré - Piano music (1989)
20th century | EAC (APE + CUE) | covers + booklet | 185 MB
Performed by Vlado Perlemuter (piano).

“

"This is lesser-known repertoire, that doesn't seem to travel too well outside France. Interesting enough ,though. Perlemuter studied these works with Faure himself (who at that time was the director of the Paris Conservatoire), so this is more or less how the composer has meant the works to sound. There's more to Faure than Requiem ..."

Jan van Olmen (customer review at amazon.com)

”

Alfred Schnittke - String trio - Concerto for three (1996)

interzone — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:18:00 GMT

Alfred Schnittke - String trio - Concerto for three (1996)
Contemporary | EAC (APE + CUE) | covers | 206 MB
Performed by Gidon Kremer (violin), Yuri Bashmet (viola), Mstislav Rostropovich (cello), and the Moscow Soloists Ensemble, conducted by Yuri Bashmet.

“

"As cellist Mstislav Rostropovich says, "With Alfred Schnittke, it's impossible to predict what comes next." This compelling CD is typical of much of Alfred Schnittke's chamber music: ironic, unpredictable, annoying, intriguing. The String Trio, commissioned by the Alban Berg Foundation for Berg's centenary, was modified into a piano trio seven years later. Schnittke's mantra-like repetition of the Happy Birthday tune is a brilliant stroke, particularly when the tune begins to dissolve. He enhances the effect with Bergian pathos throughout the piece. Sometimes it dips briefly into a romantic wellspring, where it lingers until shattered by ominous chords. As performed by Gidon Kremer, Yuri Bashmet, and Mstislav Rostropovich, the String Trio is a dynamic piece, more appealing than its piano trio clone because of its tonal density. (...)
This world-premier performance of the Concerto for Three begins with a fugue-like passage, only to change character several times before its conclusion. Sometimes it is a showcase of solo passages, as the three instruments banter back and forth; other times, they wander aimlessly. Concerto for Three, despite its talented performers, is not a stirring, ironic, or even an eloquently morose piece. The showy finale is moderately amusing, although not profound. The three instruments squabble with each other until a jarring note from a piano ends it all, like a pail of water thrown on a dogfight.
The second world premier, the three-minute Minuet, is a delightful example of Schnittke's polystylism. It is unclear whom or what he is satirizing--Mozart perhaps? The minuet form itself? Whatever the case, its skewered, off-key melody creates images of drunken, late night dancers with smeared faces. It is a wonderful pastiche and, as Mozart would say, contains just as many notes as necessary."

Peter Bates (review at Classical Net)

”

Alfred Schnittke - Esquisses [Sketches] (1997)

interzone — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 11:15:00 GMT

Alfred Schnittke - Esquisses [Sketches] (1997)
Contemporary | EAC (APE + CUE) | mini cover | 189 MB
Performed by the Bolshoi Theater Orchestra, conducted by Andrei Chistyakov.

“

"Alfred Schnittke has always been the subject of controversy: his German roots were suspicious in the Soviet Union; his modernism rejected by Khrenikov and his apatatsjiks; his freedom in composition reactionary to Western avant-garde; his public success a thorn in the side of music critics. This CD encompasses all these reservations: from the politically incorrect citation of Rossini to the pre-serial melodic and virtuoso-playing, these esquisses [sketches] show a composer using all possible resources available to deliver his message. Yet a message implies a program, a philosophy of some sort. For Schnittke this would be to let go all dogmas that chain music. His music breathes the sweet smell of freedom. It used to be different. I've always found it strange to explain or report on music. It needs to be experienced at first hand. Contemporary classical music is a difficult subject to communicate. This however goes beyond it; the external form of the classical orchestra is about the only relic still standing. In rock music, you hear the blues and recognise the salute; in jazz, the evolution is also noticable. And in Schnittke, all possible styles are brilliantly melted into his own. Buy this CD, and do yourself a favour."

Kris De Ruysscher (customer review at amazon.com)

”

Meredith Monk - Dolmen Music - 1981 [ECM 1197 New Series]

peter happy — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 23:36:00 GMT

Meredith Monk - Dolmen Music [ECM 1197 New Series]
FLAC log cue covers | 238 mb
ECM | Jazz

Thomas Demenga & Heinz Reiber - Cellorganics - 1981 [ECM 1196 New Series]

peter happy — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:43:00 GMT

Thomas Demenga & Heinz Reiber - Cellorganics [ECM 1196 New Series]
mp3 320 | 83,6 mb
ECM | Jazz

Mauricio Kagel: 5 Stücke der Windrose - Phantasiestück

wolfy13 — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 22:08:00 GMT

Mauricio Kagel (1931-2008) - 5 Stücke der Windrose - Phantasiestück
Contemporary | 2001 | 60'25 | APE + CUE | 215 MB

Thomas Borgmann - Dennis Charles - Wilber Morris: The Last Concert - Dankeschön

hanswurst — Sat, 29 Nov 2008 10:28:00 GMT

A Musical Statement S02E01 - On Ne Échappe Pas À La Machine

sakaden — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 23:56:00 GMT

A Musical Statement S02E01 - On Ne Échappe Pas À La Machine
Genre: Radio Show | mp3 192 kbps cbr | 40.42 MB | mediafire

A new radio show for the musically curious: post rock, avantgarde, old time radio, contemporary classical and some fun stuff. Every week a new installment, a new experiment, a new musical statement. This week's highlights: Adriano Modica, Carmelo Bene, Eels, Franz Kafka, Gilles Deleuze, Hector Zazou, Kurt Vonnegut, No-Man, Peter Broderick, Ughima...

Leos Janácek - String quartets (1992)

interzone — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:53:43 GMT

Leos Janácek - String quartets (1992)
Contemporary | EAC (APE + CUE) | covers + booklet | 223 MB
Performed by the Melos Quartett (Wilhelm Melcher & Gerhard Voss (violins), Hermann Voss (viola) and Peter Buck (cello)).

“

"Exact and transparent recording, played with gusto - very distinct and clear, the Melos Quartett conveys the 'modern' feeling of the twenties and thirties of the last century without becoming melodramatic or overplaying the score. Better try to enjoy these two quartets in the concert hall but lacking a live performance, listen to this cd."

J. Gijsenbergs (customer review at amazon)

”

Alfred Schnittke - Complete piano sonatas (2005)

interzone — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:49:00 GMT

Alfred Schnittke - Complete piano sonatas (2005)
Contemporary | EAC (APE + CUE) | covers + booklet | 199 MB
Performed by Igor Tchetuev (piano).

“

"... Today, Igor Tchetuev tries a synthesis by a more homogeneous reading. The plays of plugging light and of low deaf sounds are magisterially balanced. The score takes a not very common power. ... The beauty of the piano of Tchetuev, in particular in the sound crackling of both allegros is striking of expression. His play is at the same time shingling and deep, answering, cherishing and slapping the keyboard. One remains fascinated by this reading sight of an impressive height. Let us add to this integral which is essential on the top production for piano of Schnittke, the Improvisation and Fugue (1965)... The projection of the play of Tchetuev andits expression of the sarcasm in the Fugue are a treat."

Stéphane Friedrich (review in Classica, March 2006)

”

Alfred Schnittke - Complete violin concertos (2000)

interzone — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 16:47:00 GMT

Alfred Schnittke - Complete violin concertos (2000)
Contemporary | EAC (APE + CUE) | covers + booklet | 2-CD | 477 MB
Performed by different orchestras, conducted by Christoph Eschenbach, with soloist Gidon Kremer (violin).

“

"It's good to have all four of Schnittke's violin concertos in one slimline two-disc set in definitive performances by Gidon Kremer, a passionate advocate for his friend's music. Concerto No. 1 is a student work revised in 1963 that is still worth hearing. Concerto No. 2 is a knotty work with a subtext based on the life of Jesus. The Third Concerto is scored for a wind-heavy chamber orchestra and ranges across a musical landscape that includes Mahler, Schubert, Russian Orthodox chant, Berg, and Hindemith, yet remains a fascinating personal statement. The magnificent Fourth is the prize of the set, one of the century's most profound and disturbing concertos. Written for Kremer in 1984, it has lyrical passages of ethereal beauty, but also jagged, violent orchestral eruptions that silence the lone violin, reducing it to silent gestures. This theatrical touch is modified for recording purposes by the soloist's finding an aural equivalent of the visual effect, sounding like frustrated sighs here. Eschenbach and the various orchestras provide first-class backing and Kremer's contributions are beyond praise. Not to be missed."

Dan Davis (editorial review at amazon)

”

Kathy McGinty - self-titled CD (2003)

idrismocephus — Fri, 28 Nov 2008 03:11:00 GMT

Kathy McGinty - self-titled CD (2003)
MP3 @ 192kbps | cover | RAR | 65.5mb
Genre: comedy, prank phone calls

Kathy McGinty is a lady who asked for lonely men to call her for phone sex. What many of these men didn't know that the voice they heard was manipulated live with a computer. The hilarity begins. Yes!

Archives GRM [Groupe de Recherches Musicales] (2005)

ooliver — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 23:33:00 GMT

Archives GRM [Groupe de Recherches Musicales] (2005)
Contemporary | EAC (ape + cue) | 5CD 72:23-65:56-61:05-60:46-57:19 | booklets | 1.659MB

“

To mark and celebrate the thirty years of the INA (Institut National de l'Audiovisuel), the GRM (Groupe des Recheches Musicales) has chosen to bring together an exceptional set of five compact discs, illustrating some of its most remarkable musical archives. These original works, which are often previously unpublished or have been dispersed throughout a host of other publications, are important because of the originality and audacity they testify to in the second half of the 20° century. Some listeners will be pleased to see that there are a number of illustrious composers here who, in the 1950s, frequented the studio of Pierre Schaeffer, and others will discover numerous musicians whose enthusiasm enabled this innovative musical genre to last throughout the following decades.
Emmanuel Hoog, président directeur générale de l'Ina

from the attached booklet

”

Paweł Szymański - Partita III, Lux Aeterna, Partita IV, Two Etiudes, Miserere

Toxic Avenger — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 21:02:00 GMT

Paweł Szymański - Partita III, Lux Aeterna, Partita IV, Two Etiudes, Miserere (1997) CD Accord

One of the greatest Polish composer ever. Amazing. Rare. Must have.

Alfred Schnittke - Cello sonatas nos. 1 & 2 / Musica nostalgica / Peer Gynt: Epilogue (1998)

interzone — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 20:40:00 GMT

Alfred Schnittke - Cello sonatas nos. 1 & 2 / Musica nostalgica / Peer Gynt: Epilogue (1998)
Contemporary | EAC (APE + CUE) | cover | 231 MB
Performed by Alexander Ivashkin (cello) & Irina Schnittke (piano).

“

"The combination of cello and piano has been key to Schnittke's blossoming reputation, especially given the frequency with which the 'Cello sonata no. 1' gets performed. Here Irina Schnittke, the composer's widow (he died in the summer of 1998), plays with bruising key pressure, tremendous sustain, and limpid grace, from the classical tinges of the first section to the slammed clusters of the second section to the fade of the third.
Schnittke had Mstislav Rostropovich in mind for 'Cello sonata no. 2', with its long, slowly wavering lines and mid-to-low register range. Irina Schnittke matches Alexander Ivashkin's dense cello reflections with chromatic bursts and falling trails of off-center notes. The short Musica Nostalgica, recorded here for the first time, was dedicated to Rostropovich and is a short, bittersweet miniature. Closing the CD is the 26-minute Epilogue from the ballet Peer Gynt, which Schnittke brilliantly scored for a taped chorus, cello, and foreshadow-rich piano. Again displaying the composer's imagination to be filled with points of crashing impact, the piece operates on the hinge of elaborately built, somber power and emotive blocks of energy that throw Ivashkin's soaring cello against disembodied choral floats."

Andrew Bartlett (editorial review at amazon.com)

”

Alfred Schnittke - Historia von D. Johann Fausten (1996) & Life with an idiot (1993)

interzone — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 18:56:00 GMT

Alfred Schnittke - Historia von D. Johann Fausten (1996) & Life with an idiot (1993)
Contemporary | EAC (APE + CUE) | covers + booklet | 365 + 443 MB

Performed by the Hamburg State Opera Chorus and Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Gerd Albrecht (Historia) & the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra, conducted by Mstislav Rostropovich (Idiot), with various solists. Personally, I hate opera, and Schnittke hasn't changed that, on the contrary. It just makes my stomach turn. The closest thing to opera I managed to sit through without nausea - and even enjoy - was Feldman's Neither, but then, Feldman hates opera too. Nevertheless, I know some of you will appreciate these two world premiere recordings, so there you go.