White Man Sleeps

Editorial Reviews
Amazon.com essential recording
Kronos's second Nonesuch record combines seemingly unrelated work into a fairly seamless whole. From the off-kilter jazz of Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman" to the strains of Bela Bartók's String Quartet No. 3, this is an album of blues-tinged music. Kevin Volans, the South African composer, lends the disc its title and its opening track, which melts hesitantly familiar folk melodies into a racing quartet. Volans's technique is not far removed from that of Bartók, more than 70 years his senior. Kronos slow the intonations of Bartók's quartet to about a minute and a half longer than the Emerson Quartet's take--long enough to contribute to a kind of defamiliarization. Speaking of which, Ben Johnston's arrangement of "Amazing Grace" is what makes this CD a real keeper. He tests the mettle of this beloved melody by playing it against itself in numerous different ways, and the tune never succumbs to the tinkering. --Marc Weidenbaum

White Man Sleeps, Music, Kevin Volans, Charles Ives, Jon Hassell, Thomas Oboe Lee, Ornette Coleman, Ben Johnston, Bela Bartok, Kronos Quartet, Avant-Garde Music, Chamber, Classical, Classical Artists, Classical Music, Miscellaneous, Miscellaneous Music, Quartet for Four String Instruments, Strings and Keyboard
Pieces of Africa
Average customer rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars
  • Commercial and disappointing
  • Interesting and Infectious Rhythms
  • Pieces that fit together a continent
  • Buy this CD!
  • inventive and lively
 Pieces of Africa
Hamza El Din , Obo Addy , Kevin Volans , Terrence Kelly , Hank Dutt , David Harrington , Joan Jeanrenaud , John Sherba , Said Hakmoun , Radouane Laktib , Dan Pauli , and Kronos Quartet
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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  1. Kronos Caravan
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  4. Kronos Quartet : Winter Was Hard
  5. Kronos Quartet

ASIN: B000005J15
Release Date: 1992-03-03

Tracks:

  1. Mother Nozipo
  2. I'm Happy
  3. Sunset
  4. First Movement
  5. Waterwheel
  6. Our Beginning
  7. White Man Sleeps: I.
  8. White Man Sleeps: II.
  9. White Man Sleeps: III.
  10. White Man Sleeps: IV.
  11. White Man Sleeps: V.
  12. Spreading

Customer Reviews:

2 out of 5 stars Commercial and disappointing.......2000-12-19

If this CD has made this fantastic quartet known to a larger number of people, then, it's fine. But what a desappointment in terms of music ! A few interresting songs, but i can't feel any great inspiration in this commercial CD poorly surfing on the ethnic wave. A shame.

5 out of 5 stars Interesting and Infectious Rhythms.......2000-10-31

When this recording was first released, it remained a best-selling classical CD for some time, even though it is not "classical music" in the strict sense of that term. But it is a grabber. It presents some very interesting compositions by contemporary African composers, that while different, are also listenable. Unless one's mind is totally closed to new sounds and new ideas, this is quite an enjoyable collection.

In addition to the African composers, which this CD brings to our attention, it has also served as an introduction for many of us to the Kronos Quartet, a talented group of musicians, who perform a varied repertoire. They are quite good and never boring, as these performances amply demonstrate.

5 out of 5 stars Pieces that fit together a continent.......2000-08-29

More than just a compilation of great music by noted African composers, the album is a repository for the emotional richness of Africa. Each piece is lively, intricate and accessible. There is much joy here; the tracks are full of happiness, heat and nightfall. Also sorrow, but that's Africa, too. A friend gave this to me when I happened to be writing a book about Africa, and it became my soundtrack. I have given dozens of CDs to friends who love Africa. From "Sunset" by Foday Musa Suso to "Waterwheel" by Hamza El Din, "Pieces of Africa" is one of the great musical adventures of the past decade.

5 out of 5 stars Buy this CD!.......2000-03-02

I largely consider myself an alternative rock fan and to describe my knowledge of classical music as "limited" would be kind. I first got to know Kronos when they covered Led Zeppelin's "Kashmir" and had a video (which I saw once) on either VH1 or MTV. I was fascinated, so when they came to perform at my college (back in 1992) I went to see them. It was like nothing I had ever seen before. They didn't play, they didn't perform in the sense that most classical artists I've seen perform. It has one-half recital, one-half performance art.

So, I rushed out and bought a CD--fortunately it was "Pieces of Africa." I have since bought about half of Kronos's CDs, and all of their releases since, but this one ranks as my favorite. Why? It is joyful, uplifiting, and spiritual without being sentimental. It is a beautiful CD, rich in texture and melody. The quartet is often accompanied by vocalists, drummers, and other African musicians in a way that doesn't simply "feature" them, but integrates them. You can feel the collaboration among the artists.

Above all, this CD offers an accessible, non-threatening introduction to Kronos and their work. If you never explore beyond this CD, never buy Tan Dun or Night Prayers, your life will still be better for having heard this wonderful music.

5 out of 5 stars inventive and lively.......1999-11-11

I especially like the quartet by Volans and waterwheel. But there are no bad pieces here and most are sprightly and inventive, with a few really beuatiful ones.
25 Years: Retrospective
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A worthwhile investment
  • Excelent compilation!
  • Amazingly Now Retrospective
  • How Could You Not Listen?
  • Good for help to know up-to-date contemporaly music
 25 Years: Retrospective
Suzanne Elder , Paul Hillier , David Krakauer , John Adams , Franguiz Ali-Zadeh , Ken Benshoof , George Crumb , Morton Feldman , Philip Glass , Osvaldo Golijov , Henryk Gorecki , Sofiya Gubaydulina , Arvo Part , P. Q. Phan , Astor Piazzolla , Steve Reich , Terry Riley , Alfred Schnittke , Peter Sculthorpe , Kevin Volans , Aki Takahashi , Ellen L. Hargis , Neal Rogers , and Kronos Quartet
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
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All Works by AdamsAll Works by Adams | Adams, John | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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Gubaidulina, SofiaGubaidulina, Sofia | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Górecki, Henryk MikolajGórecki, Henryk Mikolaj | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by GlassAll Works by Glass | Glass, Philip | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Piazzolla, AstorPiazzolla, Astor | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by PartAll Works by Part | Part, Arvo | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Reich, SteveReich, Steve | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Riley, TerryRiley, Terry | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by SchnittkeAll Works by Schnittke | Schnittke, Alfred | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
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ASIN: B00000DD9B
Release Date: 1998-10-27

Tracks:

  1. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Judah to Ocean
  2. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Toot Nipple
  3. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Dogjam
  4. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Pavane: She's So Fine
  5. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Rag the Bone
  6. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Habanera
  7. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Stubble Crochet
  8. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Hammer & Chisel
  9. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Alligator Escalator
  10. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Standchen: The Little Serenade
  11. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Judah to Ocean (Reprise)
  12. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Fratres
  13. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Psalom
  14. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Summa
  15. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Missa Syllabica: Kyrie
  16. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Gloria
  17. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Credo
  18. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Sanctus
  19. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Agnus Dei
  20. John's Book of Alleged Dances (1994): Ite, missa est

Tracks:

  1. Traveling Music: 1. Gentle, easy
  2. Traveling Music: 2. Moderate
  3. Traveling Music: 3. Driving
  4. Song of Twenty Shadows
  5. Five Tango Sensations: Asleep
  6. Five Tango Sensations: Loving
  7. Five Tango Sensations: Anxiety
  8. Five Tango Sensations: Despertar
  9. Five Tango Sensations: Fear
  10. Five Tango Sensations: Four, for Tango

Tracks:

  1. Piano And String Quartet (1985) - Various Artists

Tracks:

  1. Quartet # 4 (Buczak, 1989): I
  2. Quartet # 4 (Buczak, 1989): II
  3. Quartet # 4 (Buczak, 1989): III
  4. Mishima Quartet, Quartet #3 (1985): 1957 - Award Montage
  5. Mishima Quartet, Quartet #3 (1985): November 25 - Ichigaya
  6. Mishima Quartet, Quartet #3 (1985): 1934 - Grandmother and Kimitake
  7. Mishima Quartet, Quartet #3 (1985): 192 - Body Building
  8. Mishima Quartet, Quartet #3 (1985): Blood Oath
  9. Mishima Quartet, Quartet #3 (1985): Mishima/Closing
  10. Company, Quartet #2 (1983): I
  11. Company, Quartet #2 (1983): II
  12. Company, Quartet #2 (1983): III
  13. Company, Quartet #2 (1983): IV
  14. Quartet #5 (1991): I
  15. Quartet #5 (1991): II
  16. Quartet #5 (1991): III
  17. Quartet #5 (1991): IV
  18. Quartet #5 (1991): V

Tracks:

  1. The Dreams & Prayers of Isaac the Blind: Prelude: Calmo, sospeso
  2. The Dreams & Prayers of Isaac the Blind: I. Agitato - Con fucco - Maestoso - Senza misura, oscilante
  3. The Dreams & Prayers of Isaac the Blind: II. Teneramente - Ruvido - Presto
  4. The Dreams & Prayers of Isaac the Blind: III. Calmo, sospeso - Allego pesante
  5. The Dreams & Prayers of Isaac the Blind: Postlude: Lento, liberamente
  6. Quartet #4 (1993)
  7. Mugam Sayagi (1993)

Tracks:

  1. Quasi una fantasia (Quartet #2), Op.64 (1990-91): I. Largo (Sostenuto - Mesto)
  2. Quasi una fantasia (Quartet #2), Op.64 (1990-91): II. DecisoEnergico (Marcatissimo sempre)
  3. Quasi una fantasia (Quartet #2), Op.64 (1990-91): III. Arioso: Adagio cantabile
  4. Quasi una fantasia (Quartet #2), Op.64 (1990-91): IV. Allegro (Sempre con grande passione e molto marcato)
  5. Already It is Dusk (Quartet #1), Op.62 (1988)

Tracks:

  1. Different Trains: America Before The War
  2. Different Trains: Europe During The War
  3. Different Trains: America After The War
  4. Black Angels: I. Departure - 1. Thenody I: Night Of The Electric Insects - 2. Sounds Of Bones And Flutes - 3. Lost Bells - 4. Devil-Music - 5. Danse Macabre
  5. Black Angels: II. Absence - 6. Pavana Lachrymae - 7. Threnody II: Black Angels! - 8. Sarabanda de la Muerte Oscura - 9. Losts Bells (Echo)
  6. Black Angels: III. Return - 10. God Music - 11. Ancient Voices - 12. Ancient Voices (Echo) - 13. Thenody III: Night Of The Electric Insects

Tracks:

  1. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Introduction
  2. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Cadenza: Violin I
  3. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Where Was Wisdom When We Went West?
  4. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Cadenza: Viola
  5. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): March of the Old Timers Reefer Division
  6. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Cadenza: Violin II
  7. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Tuning to Rolling Thunder
  8. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): The Night Cry of Black Buffalo Woman
  9. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Cadenza: Cello
  10. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Gathering of the Spiral Clan
  11. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): Captain Jack Has the Last Word
  12. Cadenza on the Night Plain (1984): G Song
  13. Salome Dances for Peace (1985-86) - III. The Gift: Echoes of Primordial Tim
  14. Salome Dances for Peace (1985-86) - III. The Gift: Mongolian Winds
  15. V. Good Medicine: Good Medicine Dance

Tracks:

  1. Quartet No. 2 (1981): I. Moderato
  2. Quartet No. 2 (1981): II. Agitato
  3. Quartet No. 2 (1981): III. Mesto
  4. Quartet No. 2 (1981): IV. Moderato
  5. Quartet No. 4 (1989): I. Lento
  6. Quartet No. 4 (1989): II. Allegro
  7. Quartet No. 4 (1989): III. Lento
  8. Quartet No. 4 (1989): IV. Vivace
  9. Quartet No. 4 (1989): V. Lento
  10. Collected Songs Where Every Verse Is Filled With Grief (1984-85)

Tracks:

  1. Jabiru Dreaming, Quartet #11 (1990): I. Deciso
  2. Jabiru Dreaming, Quartet #11 (1990): II. Amoroso
  3. Quartet #8 (1969): I. Con dolore
  4. Quartet #8 (1969): II. Risoluto; calmo
  5. Quartet #8 (1969): III. Con dolore
  6. Quartet #8 (1969): IV. Con precisione
  7. Quartet #8 (1969): V. Con dolore
  8. From Ubirr (1994)
  9. Tragedy at the Opera (1995)
  10. White Man Sleeps Quartet #1: First Dance
  11. White Man Sleeps Quartet #1: Second Dance
  12. White Man Sleeps Quartet #1: Third Dance
  13. White Man Sleeps Quartet #1: Fourth Dance
  14. White Man Sleeps Quartet #1: Fifth Dance

Amazon.com

Seems like only yesterday the Kronos Quartet stepped up their career as musical mavericks with a coveted, wide-open contract with Nonesuch Records. Now it's Nonesuch's turn to give Kronos the big-package nod, gathering key works recorded by the group--from younger composers and time-tested veterans alike--into this 10-CD box set. As one might expect, the set is stuffed with contrasts, from the first CD, with its 11-part, upstepping John Adams suite and then the far more solemn Missa Syllabica from Arvo Pärt. Nearly 20 of these pieces here were composed expressly for Kronos, pitched and sculpted for their easily-racked mixture of straightforward string quartet roles and intelligently restructured approaches to the even the simplest gestures. Perhaps most key here is George Crumb's Black Angels, in large part due to Crumb's role in inspiring David Harrington to form Kronos 25 years ago. Crumb's music spirals and chases through the air, engaging high pitches and fast pacings as if they were ends in themselves. Gone from this set are most of the short snippets that have filled some of Kronos's other fine single CD recordings. In abundance instead are some of the legendary works: Morton Feldman's long, endlessly patient Piano and String Quartet (with Aki Takahashi), Steve Reich's unnerving Different Trains, and Henryk Górecki's String Quartets Nos. 1 and 2. There are also some of the astounding Eastern European works from Night Prayers as well, including the stunning Quartet No. 4 from Sofia Gubaidulina. And of course there are the Kronos biggie pieces: Philip Glass's works fill one CD, and so do Terry Riley's. What's more, Riley's Cadenza on the Night Plain and "G Song" are presented here in entirely fresh, new recordings. What the listener gets is a huge block of music, full of shifting colors and textures but perfectly apt in giving a wide-angle vantage on what Kronos has done for contemporary music. --Andrew Bartlett

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A worthwhile investment.......2003-10-06

It would be an understatement to say that this is a fabulous box set. All 10 CDs are packed with some fabulous music that beautifull highlights the first 25 years of the Kronos Quartet, and the booklet included provides a great history of the group as well as nice blurbs on the composers and their pieces.

Equally nice about the box set is the inclusion of multiple new recordings, thus making this a worthwhile investment for fans. The Peter Sculthorpe Quartets are a particularly nice addition, as are the added Piazzolla, Part, and Riley compositions.

Along with this, the "classic" Kronos recordings are all here: "Black Angels" "Different Trains" "Salome Dances for Peace" (well, exceprts), and Feldman's Piano and String Quartet. Of particular note, I think is the inclusion of Gubaidulina's Quartet No 4, a fabulous recording that is otherwise hidden in Kronos' recording "Night Prayers."

Yes, this is quite an investment, but I firmly believe that it's worth it - longtime fans and newcomers alike have a lot to gain from this collection.

4 out of 5 stars Excelent compilation!.......2001-09-09

I like more classic period, like Hayden, but Cronos does it very well, technicaly excelent. The ten sets are wonderful recordings and the selection is unique. It deserves the investment, If you buy it, youre going to have more than ten hours of joy.

5 out of 5 stars Amazingly Now Retrospective.......2001-06-26

Since their youthful start in the NW back in the 70's, Kronos has collaborated with, commissioned, or just played such a breadth of musicians it almost seems that breadth - and especially non western world culture - is their mission. But, while this conservatively and esthetically designed 25-yr-retrospective box (with its increasingly sophisticated photo-portraits) belies the pulsation of social angst and conscience that underlies the bulk of the inclusions, the latter concern, its vitality and relevance - and not some stylish chasing after cultural breadth - is what overtakes the listener/reader, rather soon. I say reader, since the booklet is very helpful, especially to the relative novice, and well balanced in its coverage of composers, historical contexts, performers, individual texts, etc.

There are probably more non contemporaries performed by the Quartet over the years than this selection would indicate. That undercuts their ties with the sense of revolution in music throughout the ages, but it leaves more time for the present: and that is where one expects the group wishes to be, is most contributory and challenged, and is best and most fairly judged. Highly recommended, both for those who know Kronos's work well and wish a handsome tribute on their shelf, and for those who do not but are open and ready to be affected, whether impacted esthetically, reminded socio-morally, or whatever combination of both befits.

5 out of 5 stars How Could You Not Listen?.......1998-12-19

My opinion pales when compared to this CD. Indeed the group's ingeniousness, its knowing and its balls are in full display here, hopefully to put to rest any lingering contention that there is little more to Kronos than form. To any person who accepts the merits of 20th-century music, this CD presents the genius of our culture and teaches that daring and ingenuity do not have to be sacrificed on the road to technical brilliance. My only regret is that the CD does not include Kronos's interpretation of Bartok. But, so what? Górecki's here, as are Part and Benshoof. Listen to this CD -- soar and struggle with it.

5 out of 5 stars Good for help to know up-to-date contemporaly music.......1998-11-28

The Kronos Quartet has released many albums. There let us see what the quartet has tried new titles and arrenges in each period. But this is the best set for understand the quartet as summary of thier works. The CDs are distributed by each composers and we can see thier identities easily.Unfortunately this dose not include all but be enough to see what the quartet has been.I hope that every classical music fans(not only contemporaly music fans) listen this CDs.
White Man Sleeps
Average customer rating: 2.5 out of 5 stars
  • Weak Bartok kills this album
  • very weak
 White Man Sleeps
Kronos Quartet , Charles Ives , Jon Hassell , Thomas Oboe Lee , Ornette Coleman , Ben Johnston , Bela Bartok , and Kevin Volans
Manufacturer: Nonesuch
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Bartók, Béla | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Ives, CharlesIves, Charles | ( I ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Ives, Charles | Composers | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
Kronos QuartetKronos Quartet | ( K ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
Avant Garde & Free JazzAvant Garde & Free Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
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  1. Kevin Volans: Hunting: Gathering (String Quartet No. 2) (1987) - Kronos Quartet
  2. Kronos Quartet : Winter Was Hard
  3. Kronos Quartet
  4. Short Stories
  5. Released: 1985-1995

ASIN: B000005IYJ
Release Date: 1990-10-25

Tracks:

  1. White Man Sleeps #1
  2. Holding Your Own: Scherzo
  3. Pano da Costa (Cloth From The Coast)
  4. Morango ... Almost a Tango
  5. Lonely Woman
  6. Amazing Grace
  7. White Man Sleeps #5
  8. String Quartet No. 3

Amazon.com essential recording

Kronos's second Nonesuch record combines seemingly unrelated work into a fairly seamless whole. From the off-kilter jazz of Ornette Coleman's "Lonely Woman" to the strains of Bela Bartók's String Quartet No. 3, this is an album of blues-tinged music. Kevin Volans, the South African composer, lends the disc its title and its opening track, which melts hesitantly familiar folk melodies into a racing quartet. Volans's technique is not far removed from that of Bartók, more than 70 years his senior. Kronos slow the intonations of Bartók's quartet to about a minute and a half longer than the Emerson Quartet's take--long enough to contribute to a kind of defamiliarization. Speaking of which, Ben Johnston's arrangement of "Amazing Grace" is what makes this CD a real keeper. He tests the mettle of this beloved melody by playing it against itself in numerous different ways, and the tune never succumbs to the tinkering. --Marc Weidenbaum

Customer Reviews:

3 out of 5 stars Weak Bartok kills this album.......2005-05-27

I agree with the previous reviewer...the Kronos rendition of Bartok Quartet #3 is charitably described as anemic. Compared to any number of other recordings (most notably, in my opinion, the 1963 Juilliard version), it underscores my feeling that Kronos would be well-advised to avoid the standard repertoire and stick to works composed specifically for them.

Aside from the lousy Bartok, the only piece of note (for me) was the Kevin Volans piece, which earns this album the lofty 3 stars I have given it. The other pieces seem to be largely filler, and are so unmemorable as to be forgotten as soon as they are finished. Definitely not one of Kronos' better efforts.

2 out of 5 stars very weak.......2002-04-04

This is one of Kronos' weakest CDs. As a driving force for new music in the end of the 20th century and beginning of the 21st century, they've been invaluable in commissioning, performing and recording new works. But when they try to play the great music of old, they reveal themselves to be a below-average ensemble. Such is the case here with their Bartok 3, arguably the best of the composers' six quartets. Kronos' anemic sound is combined here with occasionally vague rhythm, utter lack of dynamic contrast and single-color playing, and the result is something of a joke, especially in comparison with some of the great recordings by groups such as the Emerson, Tokyo, and Takacs quartets.

The other works on the disc are weak and easily forgettable (including the odd, somewhat cheesy Johnston arrangement), though the Volans is mildly entertaining. In short, don't waste your time or money on this recording.
Late in the 20th Century, Vol. 1
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • A Masterpiece Sampler
  • Eclectic Feast
 Late in the 20th Century, Vol. 1

Manufacturer: Elektra / Wea
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

DancesDances | Ballets & Dances | Classical | Styles | Music
QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by AdamsAll Works by Adams | Adams, John | ( A ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
Reich, SteveReich, Steve | ( R ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
All Works by GlassAll Works by Glass | Glass, Philip | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
PercussionPercussion | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
San Francisco Symphony OrchestraSan Francisco Symphony Orchestra | ( S ) | Featured Performers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Jazz | Styles | Music
Vocal Jazz GeneralVocal Jazz General | Vocal Jazz | Jazz | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. John Adams: The Dharma at Big Sur/My Father Knew Charles Ives
  2. John Adams - Harmonielehre · The Chairman Dances · Tromba lontana · Short Ride in a Fast Machine / Sir Simon Rattle
  3. Adams: Violin Concerto/Shaker Loops

ASIN: B000005IYQ
Release Date: 1991-06-25

Tracks:

  1. White Man Sleeps #1 - Kevin Volans
  2. The Chairman Dances - John Adams
  3. Pilentze Pee - John Adams
  4. Spillane - John Zorn
  5. Hattie Wall - Hamiet Bluiett
  6. This New Generation - Wayne Horvitz
  7. Garota De Ipanema - Antonio Carlos Jobim
  8. John Somebody - Scott Johnson
  9. Company Part I - Philip Glass
  10. Company Part II - Philip Glass
  11. Ionisation - Edgar Varese
  12. Chohun And Gyamaduclu - Edgar Varese
  13. Tong Geret - Idjah Hadidjah
  14. Drumming Part IV - Steve Reich

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars A Masterpiece Sampler.......2001-08-12

This CD is a real classic among enthusiasts of Late 20th Century Music. It offers jazz, contemporary, and even minimalist genres of music. John Somebody started out as my favorite selection from this CD many years ago, as it makes a good example of spoken word turned into music. In addition, the Philip Glass selections make a wonderful introduction to his music. I could go on and on about all of the music on this Sampler, as all of it is excellent.

I highly recommend this CD to anyone who is either an enthusiast of late 20th century music or anyone who is curious. My disclaimer, however, comes in that this is not for someone who is not open to new things. Some of the music on this CD can be like an acquired taste. In the meantime, enjoy!

5 out of 5 stars Eclectic Feast.......2000-03-24

Every piece on this album is strikingly original. In fact, I have purchased 4 other albums from the artists on this CD just to hear more of what they have to offer! Should appeal to lovers of world music, jazz and classical.
Kevin Volans: Hunting: Gathering
Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
  • Nice quartets by an honest composer
  • Two sides of Kevin Volans well presented
 Kevin Volans: Hunting: Gathering

Manufacturer: Black Box Classics
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Classical (c.1770-1830) | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
Similar Items:
  1. Volans: Concerto for Piano & Wind
  2. Cicada/Duets

ASIN: B0000631BS
Release Date: 2002-11-26

Tracks:

  1. I.
  2. II.
  3. III.
  4. String Quartet No.6
  5. First Dance
  6. Second Dance
  7. Third Dance
  8. Fourth Dance
  9. Fifth Dance

Customer Reviews:

5 out of 5 stars Nice quartets by an honest composer.......2007-02-26

I like these latter Quartets, but I doubt if I would listen a second time. Volans is a rare composer. His honesty has a nurturing quality if you ever hear him speak (Go to You Tube) of what he does, finding a context, knwos where he wants to go, and unashamed to be utilizing "other's materials" "cultures", or ones he claims to understand. Everyone likes to utilize accessible materials,it has become the only means to survive.Whether this makes for interesting culture, and useable saleable cultural products is another matter.

The genre of the Quartet now seems to be saturated beyond belief. Like the free market itself when a "buzz" a "hook" is found, something that has market potential everyone utilzes it, but very few can make something original about it.Perhaps originality is also a forgtten term, one who has gone from existence.
Volans listenes to much music and you hear it in these works, the rhytmic patternings gestures are entirely his own. Composers think they can simply adopt for themselves a popular lick or idea or concept and simply make money like everyone else. We do live in a free democracy !!? Why Not!. Volans studied for a time with Richard Toop and the Great Stockhausen,curious what with a sensibility of Volans (more cosmopolitan and ecumenical)would learn from so hard-boiled a music philosophy as Stockhausen? We learn from Volans that and (for a time) Stockhausen only listened to his own works, why should he listen to anyone else?, Volans saw this as retrogressive,conservative in that the creative mind becomes very one-dimensional,tunnel-visioned, and perhaps that's what is suggested promuligated in Stockhausen's massive opera LICHT.

Volans works within a post-modernist language here,he tries to skate smoothly, unperceptively within all the materials the post-modern comes to bear,like a merchant ship just docked, Volans goes on board to select what he needs from the globe. We don't mind it for Volans is a good composer very honest and straightforward on what he does, and where he thinks music should be. The genre of the "string quartet" I think has outlived its importance, it is time for a new genre to be utilized;(if one exists) Culture does pay a price in over-production, Walter Benjamin said someplace, and you simply cannot proceed with creative saturation points ad infinitum, ad nauseum really.As the titles suggests man is ultimatley a "hunter" a gatherer (well here of musical forms, shapes and materials). Volans work is really also unanalyzable,not good fodder for academia; really another virtue in my book; you can only place it in a creative context of the post-modern, what materials he uses, what subjects he is drawn toward. His South African roots are apparent but only if he makes them so, as in his earlier quartet "White Man Sleeps". Still these are nice works.

The various "Dances" are like a reaffirmation of a humanity lost I suppose some place. Writing singable melodies as well should spark rebellions against modernity. The finely honed layering of double stops is quite interesting. But you sense there is always a direct voice in place, a direct lyricism that never goes away or becomes compromised. That as well is a reaffirmation of a human means of communication.

5 out of 5 stars Two sides of Kevin Volans well presented.......2003-08-05

To me Kevin Volans' string quartets are the best since Elliott Carter's five (and I hope that Mr. Carter will be able to get to a sixth one too). The two composers have taken the well established (and far far from being cliched) medium and made it distinctly their own. This disc presents three of Volans' seven [as of 3/06: ten] string quartets (nos. 3-5, plus a short separate quartet movement, are out of print but very well worth seeking out; the most recent quartets, 7-10, have not yet been recorded). This disc shows two sides of Volans in his composing career. In this corner there is the African Volans, represented by Quartets 1&2. They both offer a wealth of material from not only his South African homeland, but from the entire continent as well, and presented in a "non-pretentious New Age" manner. The first quartet is a series dance rhythms, while the second one could be seen as a Charles Ives channeling of indigenous material, the way ideas quickly follow each other or are juxtaposed. In the other corner there is the Abstract Volans, greatly influenced by Morton Feldman, blurring the lines of stillness and motion. The 6th String Quartet was written for live string quartet and a taped version of itself (similar to Steve Reich's Different Trains and Triple Quartet). The material is shared between both entities so that the source and its echo becomes blurred. There is very little motion to speak of. Whereas the 1st and 2nd quartets present a plethora of material, the 6th Quartet has only a handful of ideas at most and could easily proceed endlessly like Feldman's 2nd String Quartet if it had wanted to (and the folks who commissioned it allowed it to). There is so little there, just for the most part a toggling between two chords, usually based on fifths. Yet there is that feeling of motion and progression amongst the stillness, a feeling relief, elation, floating. My personal favorite Volans quartet is his Fourth (the second movement I see as some of the best music Feldman never wrote), complementing nos. 2&6, but as I said, his entire quartet oeuvre is quite marvelous in toto. And besides the Duke Quartet always play Volans very well (they have recorded all but no.3; I hope they are working on that along with nos.7-10).
Burleigh: Art Songs
Average customer rating: Not rated
    		Burleigh: Art Songs

    Manufacturer: Centaur
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B0000057YF
    Release Date: 1996-02-20

    Tracks:

    1. You Ask Me If I Love You?
    2. The Prayer I Make For You
    3. One Day
    4. Elysium
    5. The Prayer
    6. And As The Gulls Soar!
    7. Heigh-Ho
    8. The Man In White
    9. Now Sleeps The Crimson Petal
    10. I Hear His Footsteps, Music Sweet
    11. Just You
    12. He Sent Me You
    13. Were I A Star
    14. Oh Love Of A Day
    15. Adoration
    16. Tide
    17. The Grey Wolf
    18. The Dove And The Lily
    19. Oh, My Love!
    20. Why Art Thou Not Near Me!
    21. The Sailor's Wife
    22. Carry Me Back To The Pine Wood
    23. Lovely Dark And Lonely One
    Kevin Volans: White Man Sleeps/Mibira/She Who Sleeps With A Small Blanket
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • Great CD
    		 Kevin Volans: White Man Sleeps/Mibira/She Who Sleeps With A Small Blanket
    Kevin Volans , Smith Quartet , Deborah James , Sophie Harris , Robert Hill , Robyn Schulkowsky , Nic Pendlebury , Clive Hughes , Steven Smith [1] , and Margriet Tindermans
    Manufacturer: Cala Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B000003WF6
    Release Date: 1994-09-27

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars Great CD.......2002-09-25

    I enjoy this version of White Man Sleeps more than the Kronos Quartet's (which is also enjoyable). I especially like the second movement's exploration of variation. Mbira is a wonderful piece of shifting accents. A worthwhile cd.
    Music of the Twentieth Century
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • An interesting compilation
    		 Music of the Twentieth Century

    Manufacturer: Cala Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    QuartetsQuartets | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Chamber Music | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by BrittenAll Works by Britten | Britten, Sir Benjamin | ( B ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Cage, JohnCage, John | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by George CrumbAll Works by George Crumb | Crumb, George | ( C ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Górecki, Henryk MikolajGórecki, Henryk Mikolaj | ( G ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    Howells, HerbertHowells, Herbert | ( H ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by MartinAll Works by Martin | Martin, Frank | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by MartinuAll Works by Martinu | Martinu, Bohuslav | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by MessiaenAll Works by Messiaen | Messiaen, Olivier | ( M ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by PendereckiAll Works by Penderecki | Penderecki, Krzysztof | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by ProkofievAll Works by Prokofiev | Prokofiev, Sergei | ( P ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by SchnittkeAll Works by Schnittke | Schnittke, Alfred | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by ShostakovichAll Works by Shostakovich | Shostakovich, Dmitri | ( S ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    All Works by TavenerAll Works by Tavener | Tavener, John Kenneth | ( T ) | Featured Composers, A-Z | Classical | Styles | Music
    PreludesPreludes | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    SuitesSuites | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    SymphoniesSymphonies | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music | Baroque | Classical | General | Modern & 20th Century | Romantic | Sinfonia | Sinfonia Concertante
    Incidental MusicIncidental Music | Theatrical, Incidental & Program Music | Forms & Genres | Classical | Styles | Music
    RequiemsRequiems | Forms & Genres | Early Music | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    Chamber MusicChamber Music | Forms & Genres | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    Vocal & SongVocal & Song | Modern, 20th, & 21st Century | Historical Periods | Classical | Styles | Music
    FluteFlute | Reeds & Winds | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
    CelloCello | Strings | Instruments | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Sacred & Religious | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    GeneralGeneral | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    Modern & 20th CenturyModern & 20th Century | Historical Periods | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    RequiemsRequiems | Vocal Non-Opera | Opera & Vocal | Styles | Music
    CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Classical General | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Requiems | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Requiems | Classical | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    CDs $7 - $10CDs $7 - $10 | Choruses | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    All Bargain TitlesAll Bargain Titles | Choruses | Opera & Vocal | Today's Deals in Music | Formats | Music
    ASIN: B00000FDDD
    Release Date: 1994-12-28

    Tracks:

    1. The Dream Of The Cherry Blossoms
    2. Hypothetically Murdered: Part I : Act I, Gallop
    3. Huit Preludes: La colombe
    4. String Quartet No. 3 - 3rd Movement
    5. The Consolations Of Scholarship: Lamento
    6. Flute Sonata No. 1 - 3rd Movement
    7. Requiem: I: Salvator mundi
    8. Romeo And Juliet - Juliet As A Young Girl
    9. Der Unterbrochene Gedenke ('The Broken Thought')
    10. 4'33 - 1. Tacet
    11. The Salley Gardens
    12. White Man Sleeps: 1st Movement
    13. Mass - 2: Gloria
    14. Sonata For Cello And Piano: Presto
    15. The Lamb
    16. Black Angels - Extract
    17. Totus Tuus

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars An interesting compilation.......2007-02-06

    Don't know how you got here, but good digging. This album is a sampler from United records, a company out of the UK. It contains a fairly good cross section of 20th century composers. Many pieces stand out - Keiko Abe's, the Shostakovich piece, the Schnittke sonata. The inclusion of John Cage's 4'33 is negligible. It was the piece that drove me to dig up this CD. I knew what it was (silence), but I at least expected ambient crowd noise (I don't think it was recorded live). It being included here amidst such great music, it acts like a dead weight. I think there were surely more representative John Cage pieces they could've selected. But enough of my griping.
    If you're looking for an intro into some of the more avant-garde leanings of 20th century classical, this one works halfway. Overall, a good disc with some pieces that will surely find their way into your head. You might have to look hard for this - it was on my Wish List for a year and a half without any sellers- but it can be worth it.
    If ANYONE reads this, click the helpful button. I'm just curious to see if anyone else finds this CD out here in the Amazon bins.
    White Man Sleeps/Mbira/&
    Average customer rating: 5 out of 5 stars
    • True inner beauty
    		 White Man Sleeps/Mbira/&
    K. Volans
    Manufacturer: Cala Records
    ProductGroup: Music
    Binding: Audio CD

    GeneralGeneral | Classical | Styles | Music
    ASIN: B00000FDEA
    Release Date: 1994-09-19

    Tracks:

    1. White Man Sleeps: First Movt - The Smith Qt
    2. White Man Sleeps: Second Movt - The Smith Qt
    3. White Man Sleeps: Third Movt - The Smith Qt
    4. White Man Sleeps: Fourth Movt - The Smith Qt
    5. White Man Sleeps: Fifth Movt - The Smith Qt
    6. Mbira - Kevin Volans/Deborah James/Robyn Schulkowsky
    7. She Who Sleeps With A Small Blanket - Robyn Schulkowsky
    8. White Man Sleeps: First Dance - Kevin Volans/Robyn Schulkowsky/Robert Hill/Margriet Tindemans
    9. White Man Sleeps: Second Dance - Kevin Volans/Robyn Schulkowsky/Robert Hill/Margriet Tindemans
    10. White Man Sleeps: Third Dance - Kevin Volans/Robyn Schulkowsky/Robert Hill/Margriet Tindemans
    11. White Man Sleeps: Fourth Dance - Kevin Volans/Robyn Schulkowsky/Robert Hill/Margriet Tindemans
    12. White Man Sleeps: Fifth Dance - Kevin Volans/Robyn Schulkowsky/Robert Hill/Margriet Tindemans

    Customer Reviews:

    5 out of 5 stars True inner beauty.......2000-07-21

    It took me almost a year after I purchased this CD to realize that it was one of the best CDs in my collection. Here is a composer who is willing to take quite adventuresome risks (african tunings, harpsichords, viola da gambas) as his medium to give us some of the most splendid inner beauty I have heard in a while. I place particular emphasis on the obscure track here, "Mbira" which is one of the most moving pieces of music I know, in a strange tuning, with a great bass line which can completely sweep you away if you play it loud enough. Also the second movement of the later White Man Sleeps (track 2). What is the difference between this recording of White Man Sleeps and the Kronos one? I don't know, but there is a blatant one. This one seems more raw, which to me is a very good quality. It also includes the original arrangement of White Man Sleeps which is much stranger... Why is this album so obscure? I also recommend almost anything else by Volans you can find.

    Music Review:

    1. Zuill Bailey
    2. Andrea Chenier
    3. Bach: Arias and Choruses from the St. Matthew Passion
    4. Bach - Brandenburg Concertos / Britten, ECO
    5. Bach J.S: the Art of Fugue [Import]
    6. Bartók: Violin Sonatas
    7. Beethoven: Violin Concerto, Romances
    8. Bird Songs
    9. Bolet Rediscovered: Liszt Recital [Original recording remastered]
    10. Bruckner: Te Deum; Mass in D minor

    Music Review

    music review

    Music Review

    Hold Your Fire [Import]

    Beethoven: Piano Concertos No. 5 "Emperor"; Mozart: Fantasia, K. 397; Schumann: Arabesque, Op. 18

    Bouliane: La Musique Du Réalisme Magique Vol. II

    The Understanding

    Body Language [Enhanced] [Import]

    Einstein's Dream

    Best of Scotland [Box set] [Import]

    CD Box Collection [Box set]

    Blue Jukebox (Limited Edition) [Import]

    Ballet Class Music from New York City: Music from Company Class, Vol. 2

    Christangelfox

    Acapulco Cuerpo Y Alma

    Coleccion de Oro: 15 Grandes

    Lovely Way to Spend an Evening, Vol. 2

    Get Used to It