David Tudor – Rainforest II + John Cage – Mureau
February 22nd, 2010This is a much welcome double-CD set of enveloping electronic sound provided by the undynamic duo of 20th Century experimental music, pianist / composer David Tudor (1926-1996) and composer John Cage (1912-1992). This transcendent live performance is more than an adequate extension of their double-LP from 1959, Indeterminacy, and was recorded live by Radio Bremen in the Bremen Glocke, Germany, on May 5, 1972. It features John Cage reading a rearranged text of Thoreau mixed in with the homebrew music (hence “Mureau”) of David Tudor’s myriad electronic contraptions. With said equipment, David quilts a whole host of sonic afghans and sets them afloat in a most deep-space-staring manner: at times churning, misting, grating and massaging; evoking bird cries, placid scenery and foul weather density—all topped off by John’s peculiar warbled chanting and moaning of re-arranged text. Needless to say, it’s very beguiling and another essential listen from these two legends. What a treat to hear them together again.
Label: New World Records Catalog Number: 80540-2 Format: 2-CD Packaging: Jewel case Tracks: Disc 1: 1, Disc 2: 1 Total Time: Disc 1: 43:02, Disc 2: 51:17 Country: United States Released: 2000 More: Discogs, New World Records
Text ©2003 Arcane Candy