Listen to “zen-funk” a sort of “ritual groove” from Nik Bartsch’s Ronin, insistent with its propulsive interlocking rhythms and demanding constant attention, rather than mind-wandering meditation. The gradual evolving sound of Ronin makes one jump to use the “m” word, but there’s melody and improvisation here in addition to the repetitive motifs. Also on the show, Dutch minimalism from Louis Andriessen. Hear excerpts from the opera "Writing to Vermeer," which is centered around letters from three women in Vermeer’s life. The collaborative project includes bursts of electronic music contributed by Michel van der Aa, with the libretto (and as those who might have seen the production recall) and a gigantic film component by Peter Greenaway. Plus, work by Piero Milesi for the cinema and the theater from "The Nuclear Observatory Of Mr. Nanof" release. If we’re lucky, we’ll hear the frantic gamelan piece, Three Figurations. And, as always, much more.

PROGRAM # 2549, The Minimalist Influence In Europe (First aired on Fri., 5/19/06)

ARTIST(S)	RECORDING	CUT(S)	SOURCE
Nik Bärtsch’s Ronin	Stoa	Modul 36 [15:30]	ECM #1939 ** www.ecmrecords.com*
Louis Andriessen	Writing To Vermeer	Scene 6 [18:30]	Nonesuch #79887 ** www.nonesuch.com*
Piero Milesi	The Nuclear Observatory of Mr. Nanof	Graffiti [1:30] Mr. Nanof’s Tango [13:00]	Cuneiform #RUNE 7 www.cuneiformrecords.com