Customer Reviews

Ruth Crawford Seeger: Chamber Works

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The point about this music is not that it's by a woman, but that it's marvelous music, ahead of its time, and that it's so wonderfully and lovingly played on this cpo disc. Ruth Crawford Seeger essentially gave up composing after she married and started a family; she joined her husband in collecting and publishing American folk music. She came back to composing toward the very end of her life and her powers were undiminished. Most of this music is new to me. I had known and loved the String Quartet, and that's why I bought the CD. But the other music is interesting, moving, challenging as well, and one couldn't ask more from the performers who are universally excellent.

One last thing: the technical explanations of the music in the CD liner notes might tend to intimidate. But the music itself is so musical, so engaging that the technical matters take a back seat to the experience of listening.

This record is an excellent compilation of Ruth Crawford Seeger's works-- many of which were not included on the recent Deutsche Gramaphon collection of her works. Especially of interest are the Diaphonic Suites (4) which show off both the virtuosity of the composer and the instrumentalists. Also of interest are the unpublished suites nos. 1 and 2, which I have never seen before on recordings.

This is certainly a worthwhile investment for anyone interested in this composer, women composers, American music, and early experimental music. Absolutely worth the price!