Insomnia

John [1] Cage (Composer), Jean Francaix (Composer), Michio Miyagi (Composer), Arvo Part (Composer), Nino Rota (Composer), Kaija Saariaho (Composer), Erik Satie (Composer), Alfred Schnittke (Composer), Richard [1] Strauss (Composer), Yuji Takahashi (Composer), Toru Takemitsu (Composer), Naoko Yoshino (Performer), Gidon Kremer (Performer)

Product Details

• Performer: Naoko Yoshino, Gidon Kremer
• Composer: John [1] Cage, Jean Francaix, Michio Miyagi, Arvo Part, Nino Rota, et al.
• Audio CD (February 8, 2000)
• SPARS Code: DDD
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Philips
• ASIN: B000026CMT
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #32,464 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

  Popular in these categories: (What's this?)

  #5 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( T ) > Takemitsu, Toru
  #6 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( S ) > Schnittke, Alfred
  #8 in	Music > Classical > Featured Composers, A-Z > ( C ) > Cage, John

Track Listings

1. Haru No Umi (Ocean in Springtime), for koto & shkauhachi (or violin)

2. Nocturne, for solo violin

3. Stanza II, for harp & tape

4. Insomnia, for violin, voices & kugo

5. Le fils des étoiles, Chaldean pastoral, 3 preludes for piano: Prélude du Premier acte "La vocation"

6. Cinque Piccoli Duetti, for flute & harp: Preludio

7. Cinque Piccoli Duetti, for flute & harp: Pastorale

8. Cinque Piccoli Duetti, for flute & harp: Canzonetta

9. Cinque Piccoli Duetti, for flute & harp: Sogno

10. Cinque Piccoli Duetti, for flute & harp: Rondo

11. Daphne-Etude for violin & piano in G major (after the opera 'Daphne'), o.Op. 141 (TrV 272b, AV 141)

12. Six Melodies, for violin & keyboard: No. 1 (Rubato)

13. Six Melodies, for violin & keyboard: No. 2 (Legatissimo)

14. Six Melodies, for violin & keyboard: No. 3

15. Six Melodies, for violin & keyboard: No. 4

16. Six Melodies, for violin & keyboard: No. 5

17. Six Melodies, for violin & keyboard: No. 6

18. Spiegel im Spiegel, for violin & piano

19. Il padrino, for harp

20. Suite (Sonata) in the Old Style, for violin & piano (or harpsichord): Pantomime

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

This may be one of the least abrasive albums of contemporary music you'll ever hear. On this culture-melding disc, violinist Gidon Kremer and harpist Naoko Yoshino explore the dizzying roots and offshoots of modern compositions from the Far East and Europe. Every work on Insomnia--whether written by John Cage, Arvo Pärt, or Richard Strauss--seems to share influences and similarities with the next. While Japanese composer Michio Miyagi (1894-1956) was looking to France for influences on Haru no umi, Erik Satie (1866-1925) was looking to the East on the preludes to Le Fils des Étoiles. The comparisons are fascinating, and Kremer and Yoshino make this difficult music sound easy and hypnotic. Especially effective: Pärt's gorgeous Spiegel im Spiegel and Schnittke's almost New Age-sounding "Pantomime" (from Suite in the Old Style). Great stuff for modern lovers. --Jason Verlinde

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insomnia- No Way! This one is hot!, June 15, 2000

By	chris jenkins (Slums of Madison) - See all my reviews

The title is misleading if not down right dubious. This is one hot album. Gidon Kremer is a performer of rare ability and he is at his best with the broad range of composers featured here. He is accompanied by an excellent harpist Naoko Yoshino who adds her own special charm to these pieces. They work well together and their skills are clearly evident. This album is not for everyone; it challenges the listener and forces you to pay attention but it is worth it.

6 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Insomnia? No Way-This is for the living!, June 14, 2000

By	chris jenkins (Slums of Madison) - See all my reviews

Gidon Kremer is at his most provocative best! The wide range of composers played here require all of his skill and he comes through. This album is not for everybody but those who want something new won't be disappointed. Naoko Yoshino's contributions on the harp are a delight in themselves and shouldn't be missed. From a musical point of view this is not for quiet nights! It gets you up and keep you up This album may challenge some people but that's one of its charms. Need a challenge go for it; its truly an adventure.

5.0 out of 5 stars sublime and fascinating, February 24, 2006

By	Campbell Roark "tri-zeta" (from under the floorboards and through the woods...) - See all my reviews

I could not agree more with the next reviewer: this is one of the most cohesive collections I've heard; each track segues effortlessly into the next. While the dissonance and atonality of much modern music grates on me; this CD is devoid of such things. The compositions are wonderfully luminous and the performer(s) approach rivets the listener. Excellent night-time composition music, seduction music- what have you. I strongly encourage you to take a chance on this!