Haas: "Solstices"; H&N, Sat, 9/3/19; 10:00pm

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

A recording from a Live concert given by the Riot Ensemble in the Theatre of the Royal Academy of Music on 29th January. This 70-minute piece is one of Georg Friedrich Haas(b1953)'s works that he wishes to be performed and heard in total darkness (so the ten Musicians have to learn their parts by heart, and there is no conductor). Over a slowly-moving "continuum" texture, a series of what the composer calls "Musical games" is enacted, building in intensity to a loud climax, and ending with a single chord, sustained for a four minute diminuendo al niente, and, as the sounds gradually fade into silence, the lights slowly come back on.

Robert Worby presents the performance, and the programme is completed by Jean-Claude Risset(1938-2016)'s 1979 work Songes ("dreams"), and some electric guitar feedback.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m00035l5

[ferneyhoughgeliebte]

Simon Cummings' reactions to the Haas are reported on his 5:4 site:

http://5against4.com/tag/georg-friedrich-haas/

[Quarky]

....A very good reaction: " Haas’ chords seemed to suggest a continuation of pre-dawn, the promise of light but not its actual arrival."

I felt the crescendo of piano chords, part-way through, was out of place, but otherwise very good.

R3 put on quite a feast of music this weekend as far as I was concerned: Claire Booth -
******Weather Warning - Storm Claire hit R3 over the weekend- strong gales of Fresh Air*****

JRR, Dizzy Reece, Haas, Miles Davis, Biber, Strozzi, Monteverdi: still catching up!

And by the way I fell in love with Joni Mitchell - better late than never! I hope she overcomes her present illness.