Customer Reviews

Music of Elliott Carter 8 (16 Compositions 2002-2009)

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Composers--if they are lucky enough to live a normal span of years--complete the bulk of their work by the time they turn seventy. There may be a few late gems--a 'Requiem Canticles' or a 'Falstaff'--but even very good composers spend most of their last years shuffling papers. Composers simply don't step on the gas when they hit their nineties--unless their name is Elliott Carter. This double CD contains work written by Carter well after his ninetieth birthday (he's now approaching 102). It is varied and vibrant work, not retrospective, but inquisitive and exploratory.

Upon reaching a certain level of fame, most composers find themselves fully occupied writing orchestral commissions. To our great fortune, Carter continues to mix it up. There is a single orchestral piece -- the exciting 'Horn Concerto' -- in this set. There is also much chamber music and vocal music, some serious and some with Carter's trademark wit. This music is never easy to play (although you wouldn't know that from these sure performances) and it requires a certain commitment from the listener. But have I found his late music to be more approachable while still maintaining its inner integrity.

There is one piece in this collection that really stands out to my ear for its uniqueness in Carter's work. "Wind Rose" for wind ensemble is a procession of sonorities. No instrument plays more than a single note at a time, yet there is drama, logic and a compelling harmonic progression. Only Elliott Carter could have written this piece, but it still has loving echos of Cage or Feldman.

It takes only a single hearing to know that this is the work of a master. But it still has more of Spring than of Autumn.

Although Mr. Carter's longevity is amazing, it really is secondary to his continued fecundity. These two discs are a sampler of his most recent work. Continuing his recent trend, most are short and somewhat less abrasive than his compositions 1950 to the 80s. They are no less vigorous for that, and cover his usual wide range: concerti, solo pieces, settings of poems, choral work, duos, etc. It is all consistently acute, original, and bracing. Superior liner notes.

The packaging/presentation is somewhat odd. It's a double CD in a double-size jewel case. I haven't seen one of these in a decade. Every company uses the slimline format. The title is vol 8 in Bridge Records' Carter series and is labeled (& priced) as an import even though Bridge is New York based. And though each track is correctly timed, the box & booklet list the total timing as 143 minutes. In fact the discs add up to 103 minutes, rather short measure at a $30+ price. While the audience for this ultra-refined music may not be large, the label should make a better effort to present an enticing package.

Addendum: the Amazon & "other" price has shifted several times in the weeks since I bought this great CD. And if you type in Carter's name, the line for this CD says "no image available" but when you click on the CD itself, there is the CD cover w/Mr. Carter beaming in front of his 100th birthday cake. It's a cute picture, so why isn't it there if you just type in his name?(March 23, 2010)

Jan 18, 2011. The beaming photo has now been there for some time. And the price is down. What are you waiting for?

This is a major compilation of recent works by America's greatest composer. The performances are superb. Required for all who care about contemporary music.