Class of '38

$8.99 (COMPACT DISC)

Link to this COMPACT DISC

Symphony No. 15, "Homage to Mozart" (more info)
Performed by: Vienna Radio Symphony Orchestra
Composed by: Gloria Coates
Conducted by: Michael Boder
Recording date: 16 June 2006


1.   Symphony No. 15, "Homage to Mozart": III. What Are Stars? - 05:46


Black November Turkey (more info)
Composed by: John Corigliano
Recording date: 17 April 2004 and 26 October 2004


2.   A Black November Turkey - 02:55


Fantasia (more info)
Performed by: London Philharmonic Orchestra Toulouse National Chamber Orchestra
Conducted by: Jose Serebrier
Recording date: 9-10 March 1999


3.   Fantasia (version for string orchestra) - 12:11


4 North American Ballads (more info)
Composed by: Frederic Rzewski
Ralph van Raat,
Recording date: 21-22 April 2007


4.   4 North American Ballads: No. 4. Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues - 10:35


Piano Trio No. 1 (more info)
Composed by: John Harbison
Recording date: 5-10 May 2005


5.   Piano Trio No. 1 - 07:24


Tambor (more info)
Performed by: Nashville Symphony Orchestra
Composed by: Joan Tower
Conducted by: Leonard Slatkin
Recording date: 29-30 June 2006


6.   Tambor - 14:03


Cello Sonata (more info)
William Bolcom, piano
Jeanne Kierman Fischer,
Norman Fischer,
Recording date: 15-17 May, 10 September, 28 November 2006


7.   Cello Sonata: II. Adagio semplice - 07:58


Josquiniana (more info)
Charles Wuorinen, piano
Recording date: 12, 15-16 January 2007


8.   Josquiniana: I. Helas madame - 03:15

Interview with Joan Tower (more info)
Composed by: Joan Tower na Not Applicable


1.   Interview with Joan Tower - 10:48


Interview with William Bolcom (more info)
Composed by: na Not Applicable
William Bolcom, piano


2.   Interview with William Bolcom - 10:51


Interview with John Corigliano (more info)
Composed by: John Corigliano na Not Applicable


3.   Interview with John Corigliano - 10:59


Interview with Charles Wuorinen (more info)
Composed by: Charles Wuorinen na Not Applicable


4.   Interview with Charles Wuorinen - 10:52


Interview with John Harbison (more info)
Composed by: John Harbison na Not Applicable


5.   Interview with John Harbison - 10:50


Interview with Jose Serebrier (more info)
Composed by: na Not Applicable
Conducted by: Jose Serebrier


6.   Interview with Jose Serebrier - 10:58

Reviews

Great primer of modern composers (Sep 5, 2008)
Reviewer:Tym
The eight composers on this compilation were all born in 1938, and then went in every direction away from each other. This overview is actually a great jumping-in point for learning the range and bold moves of modern experimental classical music.

Gloria Coates' "Symph. 15 III What Are Stars?" has the stately frame of an urban anthem, with simple majesterial horns and tumbling... The eight composers on this compilation were all born in 1938, and then went in every direction away from each other. This overview is actually a great jumping-in point for learning the range and bold moves of modern experimental classical music.

Gloria Coates' "Symph. 15 III What Are Stars?" has the stately frame of an urban anthem, with simple majesterial horns and tumbling drums, but the strings fidget frequencies like an atonal hive underneath. John Corigliano's "A Black November Turkey" springs out spritely on its way before worrying itself into a tentative uncertainty, then finally jumping back onto the path determined. Jose Serebrier's "Fantasia (For Strings)" is one of his seminal works, a darkly lush rumination that is at times romantic and desperate. Frederic Rzewski's "Four North American Ballads: No. 4 Cotton Mill Blues" rises and falls in modal piano variations that recall a train crossing different landscapes, including deconstructed barrelhouse blues passages. John Harbison's "Trio (1968)" spins dissonant viola, violin, and piano in circles, at times sparring and others wounded. Joan Tower's "Tambor" is rhythmic and declarative, like a reconsidered Copland, before moving into atmospheric interludes over soft vibes and dappling strings, always swooping and evocative. William Bolcom's "Cello Sonata II Adagio Semplice" is a night fever of serpentine piano and cello, sometimes relaxing into bittersweet beauty. Charles Wuorinen's "Josquiniana" builds in serial swells that are akin to a medieval folk melody, courtly and yet pastoral.

There's also a second disc included with interviews of six of the composers to round out the education. A choice primer all around. (read more)

Stunning sampler (Aug 24, 2008)
Reviewer:Emma Choi
Naxos has in the past few months released a number of excellent samplers of alternative classical music, all loosely based around a more or less unifying theme. Their latest offering in this vein is this collection of pieces written by eight composers who were born in 1938, which, on the musical evidence here, can be considered something of an annis mirabilis in 20th century music. Despite... Naxos has in the past few months released a number of excellent samplers of alternative classical music, all loosely based around a more or less unifying theme. Their latest offering in this vein is this collection of pieces written by eight composers who were born in 1938, which, on the musical evidence here, can be considered something of an annis mirabilis in 20th century music. Despite their shared chronological beginnings, these composers are as different from one another as night is to day. All the selections are, in a word, stunning, including the brilliantly sustained dissonance of Gloria Coates’ Symphony #15 (Third Movement), the chilly lyricism of John Harbison’s Piano Trio #1, and the mind-bending trance music that is Frederic Rzewski’s Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues. The icing on the cake is a bonus disc of interviews with all of the featured composers save two, in which they talk about their influences, the development of their individual styles. Their informative comments help contextualize the music and provide intriguing insights into the creative process. (read more)