Customer Reviews

Works By George Crumb

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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.

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.

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.