|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
CD
|
|
NEOS 11709CD
|
Unaccompanied solo pieces, like those brought together on the present CD, are in a category by themselves -- for instrumentalists and composers alike. Nowhere else is the musician left on his own to such an extent, left to his own devices. Moreover, there are often special technical difficulties; since the advent of virtuoso performance, the solo piece has always been a preferred venue for stupendous, exposed virtuosity. Such works for a single interpreter play a major role in the oeuvre of Marcus Antonius Wesselmann, already in a quantitative sense with 19 compositions so far. The composer, who lives in Cologne, has consistently explored the possibilities of various ensemble types and sizes in a body of work that has grown steadily over the past thirty years. Alongside a series of ensemble works, he has repeatedly written solo pieces for various instruments, so that today there is a nearly equal balance in his works catalog between ensemble and solo compositions. With the exception of the piano works ("SOLOS 5", "6", "7", "9", "14", and "16"), Wesselmann has so far chosen a different instrumentation for each work -- here flute, percussion, electric guitar, viola, baritone saxophone, or bassoon in the mix, composed in 1991, stands somewhat apart from the series of works introduced on this CD, for this composition for two-channel tape requires no performing soloist. Wesselmann is essentially concerned here -- according to his own formulation of the basic idea of the piece -- with the "connection and/or mediation of musical and scenic sequences." "SOLO 1" features Helen Bledsoe on flute; "SOLO 2" features Dirk Rothbrust on percussion; "SOLO 3" features Mats Bergström on electric guitar; "SOLO 4" features Garth Knox on viola; "SOLO 9" features Simone Otto on baritone saxophone; and "SOLO 10" features Johannes Schwarz on bassoon.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
NEOS 11609CD
|
Neos presents its third release featuring Cologne-based composer Marcus Antonius Wesselmann (born in Germany in 1965). The internationally renowned Ensemble Modern performs the works, conducted by Franck Ollu. Wesselmann has, according to one critic, shot from zero to 60 with the concert program partly documented in this CD. Since his emergence, he has fully established himself in the contemporary musical landscape, combining elements of minimal music with strict constructions and an exuberant playfulness with virtually transcendent virtuosity. Founded in 1980 and based in Frankfurt am Main since 1985, the Ensemble Modern is one of the world's leading ensembles for contemporary music. The ensemble unites numerous soloists from several countries, all of whom contribute to the ensemble's rich cultural background. The Ensemble Modern is famous for its unique organizational structure, unlike any other in the world: there is no artistic director and all of its members are responsible for jointly selecting and implementing projects, co-productions, and financial matters.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
NEOS 11508CD
|
To an extent unequalled by any other instrument, the piano can become a kind of workshop or laboratory. Almost anything can be realized on it, although it is limited in timbre and tone production compared to other instruments or an orchestra. But this is precisely the quality that turns it in the direction of musical abstraction, which can be of interest to composers. Free of specific ensemble requirements, compositional ideas can be tried out on the 88 keys in downright exemplary fashion. One could regard the piano works of Marcus A. Wesselmann presented here as a compositional laboratory of this kind. Moritz Eggert, who performs Wesslemann's piano works here, was born in 1965 in Heidelberg, Germany. As a composer he is glad not to be pigeonholed into any of the usual categories, a fact that bewilders both avant-garde and classical concert audiences. Through projects often discussed in the media -- including Die Tiefe des Raumes (a "Fußballoratorium" or soccer oratorio, written for the Ruhrtriennale festival and commissioned by the cultural program of the 2006 World Cup) and Freax (an opera created in collaboration with Christoph Schlingensief) -- he constantly attempts to undermine the customary image of new music as an affair exclusively for expert audiences. As a pianist, singer, conductor, and performer, Eggert is not only committed to contemporary music but also to the classical repertoire, especially in the areas of lieder and chamber music. He carries on the "Bad Blog of Musick" for the Neue Musikzeitung, the most widely read blog on the subject of contemporary music in Germany. He lives in Munich with his wife, the writer, poet, translator, and literary scholar Andrea Heuser, and their children Milo and Siri.
|
|
|
Artist |
Title |
Format |
Label |
Catalog # |
|
|
CD
|
|
NEOS 11507CD
|
Cologne-based composer Marcus Antonius Wesselmann (born in Germany's Ruhr district in 1965), has, according to one critic, shot from zero to 60 with a concert program partly documented in this CD. Since his emergence, he has fully established himself in the contemporary musical landscape. Neos inaugurates its series wholly dedicated to his work with this CD. Ensemble Works I features furious interpretations of four refreshingly non-academic ensemble works in typical instrumental jazz line-ups, interpreted by the internationally outstanding Ensemble Modern conducted by Franck Ollu. Wesselmann's music combines elements of minimal music with strict constructions, and an exuberant playfulness with virtually transcendent virtuosity. Founded in 1980 and based in Frankfurt am Main since 1985, the Ensemble Modern is one of the world's leading ensembles for contemporary music. At the time of this release, the ensemble unites 19 soloists from eight countries, all of whom contribute to the ensemble's rich cultural background. The Ensemble Modern is famous for its unique organizational structure, unlike any other in the world: there is no artistic director and all of its members are responsible for jointly selecting and implementing projects, co-productions, and financial matters.
|
|
|
|