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EM100

Herbert Brun

Language, Message, Drummage

The first in a series of four CDs containing the complete works of Herbert Brun, one of the remarkable musical personalities of the 20th century. This CD contains Brun's compositions for tape and for instruments.

The compositions include 'Futility 1964' (1964), a setting of a Brun poem in which the text alternates with electronic sounds, often with dramatic, intense gestures; 'Five Pieces for piano (Op. 1)' (1940-45), fluid, lively, and often rhythmic; 'Anepigraphe' (1957), in which each of the nine sections feature a unique musical 'personality', the results suggesting a theatrical dialog between different character types; 'String Quartet #2' (1957), where each event flows to the next, as Brun puts it, "under the formerly established terms, but introduces by some structural characteristic the possibility for revision of terms"; 'Trio' (1964), which grows from spare and quiet double bass pizzicato notes to complex energy; 'A Piece of Prose' (1972), commissioned and composed in the Experimental Studio of the Polish Radio, Warsaw; 'just seven for drum' (1987), an engaging snare drum solo that explores contrasting rhythms, textures, densities and volumes; and 'Gesto for piccolo and piano' (1965), an argument of sorts between an insistently gesturing piccolo and piano that join together, at times call and respond, and at times clash, closing out this recording on a lively note.

The instrumental pieces are performed by the LaSalle Quartet, Kathleen Keasey (piano), James Culley (snare drum), and the University of Illinois New Music Ensemble.

Tracks

Futility 1964 (1964)

A setting of a Brun poem in which the text alternates with electronic sounds, often with dramatic, intense gestures.

Five Pieces for piano (Op. 1) (1940 - 45)

Fluid, lively, and often rhythmic.

Anepigraphe (1957)

Each of the nine sections feature a unique musical 'personality', the results suggesting a theatrical dialog between different character types.

String Quartet #2 (1957)

Each event flows to the next, as Brun puts it, "under the formerly established terms, but introduces by some structural characteristic the possibility for revision of terms".

Trio (1964)

The composition grows from spare and quiet double bass pizzicato notes to complex energy.

A Piece of Prose (1972)

Commissioned and composed in the Experimental Studio of the Polish Radio, Warsaw.

just seven for drum (1987)

An engaging snare drum solo that explores contrasting rhythms, textures, densities and volumes.

Gesto for piccolo and piano (1965)

An argument of sorts between an insistently gesturing piccolo and piano that join together, at times call and respond, and at times clash, closing out this recording on a lively note.

The instrumental pieces are performed by the LaSalle Quartet, Kathleen Keasey (piano), James Culley (snare drum), and the University of Illinois New Music Ensemble.

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