Music

Edgard Varèse’s Revolution, In Two Parts

“Varèse: (R)evolution” at the Lincoln Center Festival

by Josh Kurp   |   Jul 19, 2010

Edgard Varèse’s Revolution, In Two Parts

Photo: LincolnCenter.org

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Today and tomorrow, the complete works of influential 20th century composer Edgard Varèse will be performed as part of the Lincoln Center Festival. “Varèse: (R)evolution” will showcase the greatness of the French-born composer, often referred to as the “father of electronic music.” Although he only completed less than three hours of music in his life, Varèse coined the term “organized sound” and wrote music that had never been heard before, music that often emphasized timbre and rhythm. His admirers range from Frank Zappa to Henry Miller, who called Varèse the “stratospheric Colossus of Sound.”

Part I, July 19, 8 p.m.
International Contemporary Ensemble (ICE)
Steven Schick, conductor
So Percussion
Anu Komsi, soprano
Alan Held, bass baritone
Mika Rännäli, piano
Jonathan Golove and Natasha Farny, cello theremins
Claire Chase, flute
Musica Sacra
Kent Tritle, chorus master

Program:
Poème Électronique (1957–1958; no musicians); Un Grand Sommeil Noir (1906); Hyperprism (1923); Offrandes (1921); Integrales (1925); Ecuatorial (1933–1934); Dance for Burgess (1949); Étude pour Espace (1947, arr. Chou Wen-Chung 2009); Density 21.5 (1936); Déserts (1949–1954)

One hour; one intermission
Alice Tully Hall, 65th Street and Broadway
Tickets: $30, $40

Part II, July 20, 8 p.m.
New York Philharmonic
Alan Gilbert, conductor and music director
Anu Komsi, soprano
Oratorio Society
Kent Tritle, chorus master

Program:
Ionisation (1930–1931); Octandre (1923); Tuning up (1947, arr. Chou Wen-Chung 1989); Arcana (1927, revision 1960); Nocturnal (1961); Amériques (1929)

One hour, 45 minutes; one intermission
Avery Fisher Hall, 65th Street and Broadway
Tickets: $30, $40, $50

For a preview of the shows, listen here. And more information can be found here.