KPFA-FM Music Dept. ➔ Ode To Gravity: American Composers on Dutch Radio, 2 of 2

Analog Audio


Event Type
Interview and Music
Origin
KPFA
Identifier
OTG.1975.06.12.B
Program Series
Ode To Gravity
Program Length
83 min
Part
2 of 2
Dates
1975-06-12 | broadcast
| 402 | created
Description
Two interviews with American sound poets and composers that were originally recorded for Dutch Radio. First is an interview originally recorded on February 4, 1974 for the Dutch program “Musica Nova.” New music radio host Ton Hartsuiker, interviews his American counterpart, Charles Amirkhanian, on the subject of eccentric and obscure American composers of the 20th Century. The program begins with two text-sound compositions by Amirkhanian, who introduces the works and provides a brief history of the genre of sound poetry. This is followed by examples of other maverick American composers such as Conlon Nancarrow, George Antheil, Lou Harrison, Harry Partch, and Peter Garland. Prior to each musical selection Amirkhanian provides some background and contextual information which is then repeated in Dutch by Hartsuiker. Even if you don’t speak Dutch, you’ll get a kick out of hearing this program and comparing it to KPFA’s handling of similar subject matter.
This is then followed by an excerpt of an interview with Earle Brown, recorded for the “Holland in Art and Science” radio program in either 1974 or 1975, while Brown was in the Netherlands giving lectures and classes and working with the Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra. Brown describes his recent activities, his interest in aleatoric music, and the inspiration he gets from modern artists and composers. The program then finishes with Earle’s “Modules I & II” a chance composition for two orchestral groups, performed by the Rotterdam Philharmonic, conducted by both the composer and Edo de Waart. Taken in its entirety this program serves to highlight the attention and respect that American avant-garde composers received in the Netherlands, often in contrast to their relative obscurity in the United States.
Genres
New music
Avant-garde
Musical Selections
Modules I & II (1966) (10:17) / Earle Brown
Performers
Rotterdam Philharmonic Orchestra
Edo de Waart, conductor
Earle Brown, conductor
Subjects
New music
Avant-garde (Music)
20th century classical
Orchestral music
Aleatory music