Crumb Complete Crumb Edition, Vol 5
A birthday tribute that brings together a suitably unorthodox collection of pieces
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: George (Henry) Crumb
Genre:
Orchestral
Label: Bridge
Magazine Review Date: 4/2002
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 61
Mastering:
Stereo
DDD
Catalogue Number: BRIDGE9113
![](https://reviews.azureedge.net/gramophone/media-thumbnails/090404911323.jpg)
Tracks:
Composition | Artist Credit |
---|---|
Easter Dawning |
George (Henry) Crumb, Composer
Don Cook, Carillon George (Henry) Crumb, Composer |
Celestial Mechanics (Makrokosmos IV) |
George (Henry) Crumb, Composer
George (Henry) Crumb, Composer Haewon Song, Piano Robert Shannon, Piano |
(A) Haunted Landscape |
George (Henry) Crumb, Composer
George (Henry) Crumb, Composer Thomas Conlin, Conductor Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra |
Processional |
George (Henry) Crumb, Composer
George (Henry) Crumb, Composer Robert Shannon, Piano |
Author:
Volume 5 of Bridge’s Complete George Crumb Edition is a fine tribute to the composer’s 75th birthday. It brings together an attractive group of unfamiliar works‚ opening with the first recording of Easter Dawning for carillon: the second recording too‚ since the piece is played again at the end. It appears to be one of only two works that Crumb has written during the 1990s. The rapid passages explode like fireworks (the outdoor setting is betrayed by slight noises off) and the ending fades subtly away.
It’s valuable to have a modern recording of A Haunted Landscape (1984). Crumb says he had no specific programme in mind‚ but there seem to be two ghosts who make themselves known – Vaughan Williams in the mystical triadic passage at 1'59"‚ which also recurs later‚ and Varèse‚ with a nearquote from the second movement of Octandre at 5'52". The melodic use of unpitched percussion‚ a fingerprint of Varèse’s‚ is a feature of the large battery Crumb employs. But A Haunted Landscape is a strongly atmospheric piece where the ghosts interact with Crumb in a fascinating ménage à trois.
‘Celestial Mechanics’‚ which is the fourth Makrokosmos‚ is in more familiar Crumb territory‚ with his characteristic extensions of the piano as soundproducer enhanced by amplification – vintage Crumb‚ sounding like no one else. It is for piano duet‚ but in the more active passages the pageturner is called in to assist. Effective performances throughout and all well recorded.
Discover the world's largest classical music catalogue with Presto Music.
![](/media/252399/gramophone_-10_24-_magsubscriptions-images_600x600px2.png?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=370&height=500&rnd=133700837660000000?quality=60)
Gramophone Digital Club
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £8.75 / month
Subscribe![](/media/252400/gramophone_-10_24-_magsubscriptions-images_600x600px3.png?anchor=center&mode=crop&width=370&height=500&rnd=133700837800000000?quality=60)
Gramophone Full Club
- Print Edition
- Digital Edition
- Digital Archive
- Reviews Database
- Full website access
From £11.00 / month
Subscribe
If you are a library, university or other organisation that would be interested in an institutional subscription to Gramophone please click here for further information.