Works By George Crumb

Fred Sherry (Performer), George Crumb (Composer), Richard Wernick (Conductor), James Freeman (Performer), University of Pennsylvania Chamber Players (Performer), Bonnie Insull (Performer), Zizi Mueller (Performer), Jan de Gaetani (Performer), Benjamin Herman (Performer), Gordon Gottlieb (Performer), Joel Thome (Performer), Matthew Hopkins (Performer), Stephen Paysen (Performer), James Gemmell (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Fred Sherry, James Freeman, University of Pennsylvania Chamber Players, Bonnie Insull, Zizi Mueller, et al.
• Conductor: Richard Wernick
• Composer: George Crumb
• Audio CD (December 8, 1992)
• SPARS Code: AAD
• 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.com Sales Rank: #251,461 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
These are fine performances by the University of Pennsylvania Chamber Players of a somewhat tedious collection of works by the American experimental composer George Crumb. The Vox Balaenae is a suite based on songs of the humpback whale: the musicians are instructed in the score to perform in a "serene, pure, transfigured" manner. OK. The Madrigals continues the composer's lifelong exploration of the expressive potentials in extended instrumental techniques. "Dark and disquieting" they may be, as the liner notes intone; but they're also for listeners with a fair amount of patience. --Joshua Cody

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

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 (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

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 (REAL NAME)

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.