Morton Feldman: Durations I-V; Coptic Light

by Michael G. Morgan

Overview

Performed by the Ensemble Avantgarde, and the Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin conducted by Michael Morgan, this is a very sensitive and fine performance of the new music classic "Durations I-V." In these five innovative pieces, the composer gave over control of the duration parameter entirely to the performers (there are only notes without stems, therefore no divided rhythm) -- the pulse (ictus) is slow, all is quiet, the tones have a minimum of attack. Thus, each performance is unique, and creates its own timbre combinations and exquisite beauty of a transparent sound texture. By contrast, "Coptic Light" for orchestra is of an extremely dense, polyrhythmic texture that shifts slowly by rhythmic staggering (phase shifting) within orchestral groups, creating the unique effect of a shimmering of sound analogous to the shimmering of light on water. The specific visual analog in Feldman's mind was the fine interweaving of ancient Coptic textiles he had seen in a museum. He was also attempting to create the effect of a piano's sustaining pedal for the orchestra, which allows tones to continue resonating and to blend together and overlap. ~ "Blue" Gene Tyranny

Product Details

Release Date:	02/04/1997
Label:	Cpo
UPC:	0761203918928
Rank:	132888

Tracks

1. Durations 1, for alto flute, piano, violin & cello
2. Durations 2, for cello & piano
3. Durations 3, for tuba, violin & piano~Slow
4. Durations 3, for tuba, violin & piano~Very slow
5. Durations 3, for tuba, violin & piano~Slow
6. Durations 3, for tuba, violin & piano~Fast
7. Durations 4, for violin, cello & vibraphone
8. Durations 5, for violin, cello, horn, vibraphone, harp & piano/celeste
9. Coptic Light, for orchestra

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Michael G. Morgan   Primary Artist,Conductor
Bernd Angerhofer   Tuba
Stefan Stopora   Vibraphone
Andreas Seidel   Violin
Ensemble Avantgarde   Ensemble
Matthias Moosdorf   Cello
Deutsches Symphonie-Orchester Berlin   Orchestra
Josef Christof   Piano

Technical Credits

Guenter Griewisch   Recording Supervision
Sophie Liwszyc   Liner Note Translation
Olaf Rothe   Design
Peter Niklas Wilson   Liner Notes
Thomas Schmeller   Cover Art
Herbert Schlueter   Engineer
Susan Marie Praeder   Liner Note Translation
Wolfgang Korb   Executive Producer
Thomas Raisig   Recording Supervision
Wilhelm Mateyka   Executive Producer
C.F. Peters   Photography
Winfried Gotzinger   Engineer
Burkhard Schmilgun   Executive Producer