#4901, Echoes of Minimalism
Photo of Ken Thomson by Naomi White
Hear work with echoes of minimalism from London-based Akusmi; by New York minimalist composer Steve Reich, as played by Ken Thomson; and the experimental band Battles.
Hear the swinging, yet interlocking layers of clarinet and bass clarinet of New York Counterpoint, as performed by Ken Thomson, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet of Ensemble Signal. (Thomson is also a composer and bandleader himself, and plays with the Bang on a Can All-Stars.) Then there’s music by London- based composer, multi-instrumentalist and producer Akusmi, aka Pascal Bideau, which blends Steve Reich-like minimalism, cosmic jazz, and ‘fourth world music’.
Also, hear music by Brooklyn-based composer and instrumentalist David Crowell, who uses guitars, and saxophone textures to create motoric minimalist creations, with the band Empyrean Atlas. Then, there’s work from experimental rock band Battles, from when they were a trio. Plus, hear music by piano trio Dawn of Midi, who re-create the sounds of electronic music using only acoustic instruments.
Plus, Belgian composer Wim Mertens' work from the 80’s, “Gentlemen of Leisure”, and a post-minimalist tribute to Wim Mertens from Russian pianist and composer Anton Batagov. - Caryn Havlik
Program #4901, Echoes of Minimalism (First aired 7/9/2024)
ARTIST: Ken Thomson, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet (of Ensemble Signal)
WORK: Steve Reich: New York Counterpoint [1:00]
RECORDING: New Sounds Live, 10/16/19
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: signalensemble.org
ARTIST: Akusmi
WORK: Longing for Tomorrow [6:24]
RECORDING: Fleeting Future
SOURCE: Tonal Union Records Ltd
INFO: akusmi.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Empyrean Atlas
WORK: Redwood [6:24]
RECORDING: Empyrean Atlas
SOURCE/INFO: empyreanatlas.bandcamp.com
ARTIST: Wim Mertens
WORK: Gentleman of Leisure [4:37]
RECORDING: Close Cover
SOURCE: Windham Hill #1056
INFO: Out of print, but try auction sites or Discogs.com
ARTIST: Ken Thomson, Clarinet, Bass Clarinet (of Ensemble Signal)
WORK: Steve Reich: New York Counterpoint [11:15]
RECORDING: New Sounds Live, 10/16/19
SOURCE: This performance not commercially available.
INFO: signalensemble.org
ARTIST: Anton Batagov
WORK: Letter from Sergei Rachmaninoff to Wim Mertens & Niccolo Paganini [5:28]
RECORDING: Letters from Sergei Rachmaninoff
SOURCE: Fancymusic
INFO: https://fancymusic.bandcamp.com/album/selected-letters-of-sergei-rachmaninoff
ARTIST: Battles
WORK: Luu Le [6:53]
RECORDING: La Di Da Di
SOURCE: Warp Records
INFO: warp.net
ARTIST: Dawn of Midi
WORK: Atlas [4:52]
RECORDING: Dysnomia
SOURCE: Thirsty Ear THI 57206.2
INFO: dawnofmidi.com | thirstyear.com
