Description
Milton Babbitt’s Transfigured Notes for string orchestra had a ‘sensational’ career before it was ever actually performed, having been declared “unplayable” twice by a major American orchestra. That it is eminently playable is demonstrated by this first recording, made live at Gunther Schuller’s world premiere performance.
Transfigured Notes is embraced on this CD by seminal works by Babbitt’s two favorite composers: Schoenberg’s early masterpiece Transfigured Night and Stravinsky’s Concerto in D for String Orchestra.
Performed by a string orchestra handpicked from among Boston’s finest musicians and recorded live at Jordan Hall, Boston, February 1991.
PERFORMERS
Gunther Schuller’s Handpicked Boston String Orchestra:
Beth Abbate, Stacey Alden, Daniel Banner, Cynthia Cummings, Colin Davis,
Jennifer Elowitch, Barbara Englesberg, Holly James, Sandra Kott, Veronica Kulig, Judean LaSalle, Julie Leven, Paul MacDowell, Danielle Maddon, Ann Miklich, Gerald Mordis, Nancy Oliveros, Alexander Roumanul, Etsuko Sakakeeny,
Charles Sherba, Susan Shipley, Ray Shows, Jessica Stensrud, John Williams, violin; David Allcott, Victor Alpert, Anne Black, Emily Bruell, Beth Cohen, Frank Grimes,
Betty Hauck, Leslie Perna, David Rubinstein, Consuelo Sherba, Pattison Story,
John Ziarko, viola; Michael Curry, Andres Diaz, Joan Esch, Jolene Kessler,
Ronald Lowry, Beth Pearson, George Seaman, Mark Simcox, Leslie Svilokos, cello; Tom Coleman, Greg Koeller, Henry Peyrebrune, Nick Tsolainos, Guy Tyler, bass; Gunther Schuller, conductor
PROGRAM
1. Arnold Schönberg: Transfigured Night (1899) 28:17
2. Milton Babbitt: Transfigured Notes (1986) 26:34
Igor Stravinsky: Concerto in D for Strings 13:26
3. I. Vivace 6:25
4. II. Arioso: Andantino 2:53
5. III. Rondo: Allegro 4:08
Recorded 8-9 February 1991 in Jordan Hall at the New England Conservatory in Boston, Massachusetts.
Producer: Gunther Schuller
ALSO AVAILABLE
for downloads and streaming on Amazon as well as other digital sites.
