Starter Packs

Complete your collection with these curated titles, grouped at a special discount.

Shop Now
Subotnick, Vol. 4: Complete Piano Works
Mode Records

Subotnick, Vol. 4: Complete Piano Works

$20.99

Details

Composer
SUBOTNICK, MORTON
Artist
Anjou, Subotnick
Format
CD
Label
Mode Records
Released
Jan 18, 2019
Catalog #
MOD-CD-306
UPC
764593030621

About

This release brings all of Subotnick's piano music together on one album for the first time, along with four first recordings, all supervised by the composer. 'Liquid Strata' is an important work in Subotnick's oeuvre. Here the electronic component is what he calls "ghost electronics," and this is the first of 11 Ghost Pieces. In these works, Subotnick sought to address technology in a way that highlights rather than compromises the inherent features and strengths of acoustical instruments. In the Ghost Pieces, Subotnick pre-recorded the vocal "energy shapes" on tape. These audio signals were played back (but not heard), combined with sine tones, and sent to an envelope follower. The voltages generated trigger Buchla-produced pitch, amplitude, modulation and stereo panning. All of the Ghost Pieces are to be performed live on a proscenium stage, with speakers in front of the performer. 'The Other Piano is a continuation of the Ghost pieces. The composer refers to the electronics as "a quadraphonic sound painting [spread] throughout the auditorium, done on the spot, intuitively, by a sound painter.... one always hears the real piano and the transformations are a fantasy, changing in time and space, whirling around the room..." Subotnick drew conceptual ideas for Falling Leaves from Scarlatti sonatas, a "sense of Scarlatti, but not derivative," particularly repeated notes, the virtuosic crossing of hands, and the idea of cadences. The early Preludes Nos. 1 & 2 are post-Webern influenced works. Prelude No. 4 is the first piece where Subotnick worked with the Buchla synthesizer. The electronic component is composed onto stereo tape, which is played alongside the live piano. Liner notes by Bob Gluck and the composer

Tracklist 9 tracks

  1. 1 0. Within (Remembering Morty) 03:34
    Track
    1
    Title
    0. Within (Remembering Morty)
    Duration
    03:34
    Composer
    Morton Subotnick
    Performer
    Soojin Anjou, Morton Subotnick
  2. 2 I. Lullaby 09:24
    Track
    2
    Title
    I. Lullaby
    Duration
    09:24
    Composer
    Morton Subotnick
    Performer
    Soojin Anjou, Morton Subotnick
  3. 3 II. Many 09:32
    Track
    3
    Title
    II. Many
    Duration
    09:32
    Composer
    Morton Subotnick
    Performer
    Soojin Anjou, Morton Subotnick
  4. 4 III. Rocking 06:52
    Track
    4
    Title
    III. Rocking
    Duration
    06:52
    Composer
    Morton Subotnick
    Performer
    Soojin Anjou, Morton Subotnick
  5. 5 Falling Leaves 08:43
    Track
    5
    Title
    Falling Leaves
    Duration
    08:43
    Composer
    Morton Subotnick
    Performer
    Soojin Anjou
  6. 6 Liquid Strata 26:38
    Track
    6
    Title
    Liquid Strata
    Duration
    26:38
    Composer
    Morton Subotnick
    Performer
    Soojin Anjou, Morton Subotnick
  7. 7 Prelude No. 1, "The Blind Owl" 06:08
    Track
    7
    Title
    Prelude No. 1, "The Blind Owl"
    Duration
    06:08
    Composer
    Morton Subotnick
    Performer
    Soojin Anjou
  8. 8 Prelude No. 2, "The Feast" 02:21
    Track
    8
    Title
    Prelude No. 2, "The Feast"
    Duration
    02:21
    Composer
    Morton Subotnick
    Performer
    Soojin Anjou
  9. 9 Prelude No. 4 06:12
    Track
    9
    Title
    Prelude No. 4
    Duration
    06:12
    Composer
    Morton Subotnick
    Performer
    Soojin Anjou, Morton Subotnick