Dive into the enigmatic and hauntingly beautiful world of George Crumb with his album "Black Angels & Music for a Summer Evening." Released on April 22, 2022, under the B Records label, this collection of avant-garde and chamber music pieces is a testament to Crumb's mastery of creating atmospheric and deeply evocative soundscapes.
The album is a journey through two of Crumb's most celebrated works: "Black Angels" and "Makrokosmos III: Music for a Summer Evening." "Black Angels," subtitled "Thirteen Images from the Dark Land," is a 13-movement piece that blends ritualistic elements with supernatural harmonies and incredible percussion. It's a piece that explores the darker aspects of human experience, filled with mystical incantations and otherworldly sounds.
Complementing this is "Makrokosmos III: Music for a Summer Evening," a five-movement work that offers a stark contrast to the darkness of "Black Angels." This piece is more introspective and serene, evoking the tranquility and beauty of a summer night.
Performed by the talented Quatuor Hanson, along with Emmanuel Jacquet on percussion, Etienne Demoulin on computers, and Philippe Hattat on piano, the album is a mesmerizing blend of traditional and electronic elements. The performances are nuanced and powerful, bringing out the full depth and complexity of Crumb's compositions.
With a total runtime of 1 hour and 1 minute, this album is a substantial and immersive listening experience. Whether you're a longtime fan of George Crumb or new to his work, "Black Angels & Music for a Summer Evening" is a captivating exploration of the boundaries of chamber music and avant-garde composition.
Tracks
Black Angels, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land, Departure: I. Threnody I "Night of the Electric Insects"George Crumb, Quatuor Hanson
Black Angels, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land, Departure: II. Sounds of Bones and FlutesGeorge Crumb, Quatuor Hanson
Black Angels, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land, Departure: III. Lost BellsGeorge Crumb, Quatuor Hanson
Black Angels, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land, Departure: IV. Devil-musicGeorge Crumb, Quatuor Hanson
Black Angels, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land, Departure: V. Danse MacabreGeorge Crumb, Quatuor Hanson
Black Angels, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land, Absence: I. Pavana LachrymaeGeorge Crumb, Quatuor Hanson
Black Angels, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land, Absence: II. Threnody II "Black Angels!"George Crumb, Quatuor Hanson
Black Angels, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land, Absence: III. Sarabanda de la Muerte OscuraGeorge Crumb, Quatuor Hanson
Black Angels, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land, Absence: IV. Lost Bells (Echo)George Crumb, Quatuor Hanson
Black Angels, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land, Return: I. God-musicGeorge Crumb, Quatuor Hanson
Black Angels, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land, Return: II. Ancient VoicesGeorge Crumb, Quatuor Hanson
Black Angels, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land, Return: III. Ancient Voices (Echo)George Crumb, Quatuor Hanson
Black Angels, Thirteen Images from the Dark Land, Return: IV. Threnody III "Night of the Electric Insects"George Crumb, Quatuor Hanson
Makrokosmos III, Music for a Summer Evening: I. Nocturnal Sounds. The AwakeningGeorge Crumb, Philippe Hattat, Théo Fouchenneret, Emmanuel Jacquet, Rodolphe Théry
Makrokosmos III, Music for a Summer Evening: II. Wanderer-FantasyGeorge Crumb, Philippe Hattat, Théo Fouchenneret, Emmanuel Jacquet, Rodolphe Théry
Makrokosmos III, Music for a Summer Evening: III. The AdventGeorge Crumb, Philippe Hattat, Théo Fouchenneret, Emmanuel Jacquet, Rodolphe Théry
Makrokosmos III, Music for a Summer Evening: IV. MythGeorge Crumb, Philippe Hattat, Théo Fouchenneret, Emmanuel Jacquet, Rodolphe Théry
Makrokosmos III, Music for a Summer Evening: V. Music of the Starry NightGeorge Crumb, Philippe Hattat, Théo Fouchenneret, Emmanuel Jacquet, Rodolphe Théry
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