Sonic Rebellion: Alternative Classical

John Cage s father once advised him: If someone says can t, that shows you what to do. It s a safe bet that the 16 iconoclastic composers on this aptly named Naxos of America compilation would agree wholeheartedly with that defiant sentiment.

Sonic rebels one and all, they have consistently challenged accepted notions and standards of composition, performance, and even sound. Some have dedicated themselves to the subversion of existing musical forms; others have rejected those forms outright and created new ones of their own. Their anti-authority stance has been rooted as much in the social as the personal, directed at the dissonant trajectories of the century past as well as present. Faced with the uncertainties and complications of modern life, the onrush (some might say onslaught) of technology, and the growing instability both between and within nations, these artists have chosen to communicate their personal visions in a musical tone and language that is controversial, often confrontational, and always compelling. Product Description

Start the revolution

Even people who like classical music tend to run screaming when they hear names like Penderecki, Ligeti and Cage. But it's hard to blame them. The majority of concert halls and classical music stations play it safe, programming little but such familiar composers as Bach, Beethoven, Mozart, etc. Nothing wrong with those gentlemen, but anyone looking for something a little more experimental is pretty much on their own. They couldn't do better than check out this sampler of alternative classical music that's guaranteed to blast some fresh sounds into complacent ears. It features no less than 16 modern composers of intimidating reputation, yet adventurous listeners will be surprised at how accessible and engaging their music can be. All of the pieces on this disc are easily digestible, even for those unfamiliar with music that takes unusual melodic twists and turns. Space limitations prevent listing all the tracks, but I have to call out Philip Glass' "Heroes Symphony," based on the Bowie/Eno recording, for its lush, atmospheric tonalities. Likewise Penderecki's "Threnody for the Victims of Hiroshima," one of the darkest, yet most moving pieces of music ever written. Jørgen Plaetner's "Beta" is a wild electronic soundscape from some dark, unfathomable id, while Arvo Pärt's "Fratres for Strings & Percussion" exudes hypnotic serenity. All of the compositions explore strange and compelling sound textures, and while a fair share of them veer into atonality, they do so in surprisingly lyrical fashion. For my money (heck, this CD costs less than a fancy Starbucks drink), this is the classical music bargain of the year. November 17, 2007

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