Crumb Star Child. Mundus Canis. Songs.
Crumb himself contributes to this fine 70th birthday tribute, playing his part in all three works - as pianist in the early [song] songs and percussionist in the remaining [piece] pieces
View record and artist detailsRecord and Artist Details
Composer or Director: George (Henry) Crumb
Label: Bridge
Magazine Review Date: 4/2000
Media Format: CD or Download
Media Runtime: 54
Catalogue Number: BCD9095
Tracks:
| Composition | Artist Credit |
|---|---|
| Star-Child |
George (Henry) Crumb, Composer
George (Henry) Crumb, Composer George Crumb, Handbells Joseph Alessi, Trombone Paul Cesarczyk, Handbells Susan Narucki, Soprano Thomas Conlin, Conductor Warsaw Boys' Choir Warsaw Philharmonic Choir Warsaw Philharmonic Orchestra |
| Mundus Canis |
George (Henry) Crumb, Composer
David Starobin, Guitar George (Henry) Crumb, Composer George Crumb, Percussion |
| (3) Early Songs |
George (Henry) Crumb, Composer
Ann Crumb, Soprano George (Henry) Crumb, Composer George Crumb, Piano |
Author: Peter Dickinson
The major event here has to be the first recording of Star-Child, described as a 'Parable for Soprano, Antiphonal Children's Voices, Bell Ringers and Large Orchestra'. Premiered in 1977 with the New York Philharmonic under Boulez, Star-Child was considered at the time to be over-ambitious for a composer who had created a new sound world in a highly imaginative type of intimate chamber music. But there are hymns for the Star-Child in Makrokosmos II and III and the half-hour spectacular has many characteristic touches. Above a continuous soft string texture, purloined from Ives's Central Park in the Dark, there are some extraordinary passages, such as the duet between soprano and trombone. Susan Narucki is consistently excellent and Joseph Alessi, through his athletic trombone, speaks the words of the prayer for deliverance.
The shouted male chorus is vivid and there are, predictably, seven trumpets of the apocalypse spaced around the hall. The layout demands four conductors, but it must have been a relief for the record company that the four tracks could simply be superimposed.
The rest of the CD is just as attractive. In a family affair, Crumb's daughter Ann, well known in the musical theatre, and one can see why, is accompanied by her father in settings of Southey and Teasdale, composed as long ago as 1947. Not especially personal, but neatly defined in mood. In Mundus canis, Crumb then celebrates five of the dogs in his life in an amusing suite for the enterprising guitarist, David Starobin. A delightful collection, ranging from the monumental to the domestic, and well recorded.'
The shouted male chorus is vivid and there are, predictably, seven trumpets of the apocalypse spaced around the hall. The layout demands four conductors, but it must have been a relief for the record company that the four tracks could simply be superimposed.
The rest of the CD is just as attractive. In a family affair, Crumb's daughter Ann, well known in the musical theatre, and one can see why, is accompanied by her father in settings of Southey and Teasdale, composed as long ago as 1947. Not especially personal, but neatly defined in mood. In Mundus canis, Crumb then celebrates five of the dogs in his life in an amusing suite for the enterprising guitarist, David Starobin. A delightful collection, ranging from the monumental to the domestic, and well recorded.'
Crumb Star Child. Mundus Canis. Songs.
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