KPFA-FM Music Dept. ➔ Morning Concert: An Interview With Christopher Rouse
Analog Audio
Event Type
Interview and MusicOrigin
KPFAIdentifier
MC.1989.02.02.c1Program Series
Morning ConcertProgram Length
75 minDates
1989-02-02 | broadcast| 1989-01-31 | created
Description
Charles Amirkhanian and conductor Laurie Steele talk with composer Christopher Rouse about his career and the then upcoming, West Coast premiere of his Symphony No. 1, which was to be conducted by David Zinman. Rouse comes across in this interview as the heavy-metal equivalent of a contemporary classical composer. Originally a rock and roll drummer whose classical compositions often have titles referencing monsters, demons, and mythology, (as well as one percussion ensemble piece named after the drummer of the rock band Led Zeppelin), Rouse describes some of the seminal events in his life that has led him to a successful career as a composer. His earliest memories of being impressed by the power of music entail playing Gene Vincent’s “Be-Bop-A-Lula” at full volume for his parent’s edification when he was just six years old. An event that quickly prompted the concerned parents to force the young prodigy to listen to a Beethoven symphony. And like the main character in “Clockwork Orange” Rouse was enthralled by the power of raucous, in your face, classical works, such as Carl Orff’s “Carmina Burana.” Soon Rouse was expanding his exposure to new music, even to the point of appearing unannounced at the door of Edgar Varèse’s home not just once, but twice, while still a teenager. While this early interest in powerful music was an inspiration for a number of his works, including several heard during this program, Rouse’s career has blossomed into much more. His concern for the disadvantaged is reflected in the somber new Symphony No. 1, part of which was inspired by a dream about finding the personification of Love sleeping. Rouse also talks about his interest in virtuosity and his efforts to write music that allows the audience to appreciate the quality of the musician’s performing his challenging pieces. Another topic touched upon in this interview are his efforts with Zinman and the Baltimore Symphony to introduce audiences to contemporary classical music.Genres
20th century classicalNew music
Musical Selections
The Roots of the Moment, for accordion and electronics [excerpt] (1987-88) (0:45) / Pauline Oliveros -- Ku-Ka-Ilimoku, for percussion ensemble (1978) (4:02) / Christopher Rouse -- Carmina Burana [excerpt] (1936) (0:30) / Carl Orff -- George Washington Bridge, for band [excerpt] (1950) (1:38) / William Schuman -- Liber Daemonum, for organ (1980) (16:30) / Christopher Rouse -- The Infernal Machine, for orchestra [excerpt, talked over] (1981) (2:45) / Christopher RousePerformers
Pauline Oliveros, accordion (Roots)Peter “Panaiotis“ Ward, electronics (Roots)
University of Michigan Percussion Ensemble (Ku-Ka)
William Albright, organ (Liber)
St. Louis Symphony Orchestra (Infernal)
Leonard Slatkin, conductor
Subjects
20th century classicalNew music
Accordion music
Percussion ensembles
Cantatas, Secular
Band music
Organ music
Orchestral music
Acknowledgment
Funding for the preservation of this program made possible through a grant by the National Endowment for the Arts.Related places
San Francisco (Calif.) (was recorded at)Berkeley (Calif.) (was broadcast at)
Related Entities
University of Michigan. Percussion EnsembleSt. Louis Symphony Orchestra
Amirkhanian, Charles
Steele, Laurie K.
Rouse, Christopher, 1949-
Oliveros, Pauline, 1932-2016
Ward, Peter William, 1957-
Panaiotis
Orff, Carl, 1895-1982
Schuman, William, 1910-1992
Albright, William
Zinman, David
Slatkin, Leonard