Works By George Crumb

George Crumb (Composer), Richard Wernick (Conductor), University of Pennsylvania Chamber Players (Performer), Jan DeGaetani (Performer), James Gemmell (Performer) | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Performer: University of Pennsylvania Chamber Players, Jan DeGaetani, James Gemmell
• Conductor: Richard Wernick
• Composer: George Crumb
• Audio CD (December 8, 1992)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: New World Records
• ASIN: B0000030DZ
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #367,260 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 16 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Missing the point!, March 25, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Works By George Crumb (Audio CD)

The Amazon.com review above misses the point of Crumb's musical aesthetic. Crumb's music is meditatve and spritual. The stage presentation is occasionally elaborate and ritualistic, intended for dramatic effect. Unfortunately, this doesn't translate well onto CD. Your reviewer should attempt to catch a live performance of Crumb's music to get the fuller picture.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Whales, June 15, 2002

By 

Christopher Forbes "weirdears" (Brooklyn,, NY) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Works By George Crumb (Audio CD)

Vox Balaenae was, along with Crumb's Ancient Voices of Children, amoung my favorite 20th century works as a child. Far from tedious, I find this work to be captivating, albeit difficult to penetrate at times as is most of Crumb's work. The piece begins with an extended flute vocalise requiring the flautist to sing into the instrument. The result has an uncanny resemblence to the songs of the Hyumpbacked Whale. The piece then continues with a mysterious set of variations depicting the earth's geological periods, climaxing with the emergence of human beings. The final section of the work is haunting and luminious, as the tonality settles into a beautiful B major which fades off into the distance.

The Crumb Madrigals are interesting works as well, though I have not yet warmed to them as I have to other Crumb works. Jan DeGaetani is marvelous as is usual in this work.

5.0 out of 5 stars Compelling recording by masters of the genre, May 21, 2007

By 

Kirsten Eyerman "K. Vogelsang Cellist" (Temecula, CA USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Works By George Crumb (Audio CD)

Purchased the recording to study it for our own performance - the works are hypnotic and masterfully recorded by performers who are comfortable with the extended techniques. The liner notes provide loots of interesting and pertinent information.