John Cage: Three2, Twenty-Three, Six, Twenty-Six / Fong, Freeman, Krummel

Track Listings

1. Three2 (1991) [9 minutes]

2. Twenty-Three (1988) [23 minutes]

3. Six (1991) [3 minutes]

4. Twenty-Six (1991) [26 minutes]

Editorial Reviews
Brian Olewnick, Bagatellen, April, 2004
a very fine recording that should be far more widely heard than it's likely to be.

Ingvar Loco Nordin, Sonoloco Record Reviews, 2000
The music here is very sober, clear, intellectual, but also inspiring, visionary - and maybe that combination isn't so farfetched.

Album Description
Second in a series featuring the complete "number pieces" (final works) for strings and/or percussion, this CD contains the world premiere recordings of John Cage's Three2, Twenty-Three and Twenty-Six.

John Cage: Three2, Twenty-Three, Six, Twenty-Six / Fong, Freeman, Krummel

John Cage: Three2, Twenty-Three, Six, Twenty-Six / Fong, Freeman, Krummel, Music, John Cage, Christina Fong, Glenn Freeman, Karen Krummel, Chamber, Music For String Orchestra, Orchestral, Percussion Chamber Music

Average customer rating:

Music to Hypnotize You

John Cage: Three2, Twenty-Three, Six, Twenty-Six / Fong, Freeman, Krummel

Manufacturer: OgreOgress productions
ProductGroup: Music
Binding: Audio CD

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ASIN: B0000667F2
Release Date: 2002-04-25

Tracks:

Three2 (1991) [9 minutes]
Twenty-Three (1988) [23 minutes]
Six (1991) [3 minutes]
Twenty-Six (1991) [26 minutes]

Album Description

Second in a series featuring the complete "number pieces" (final works) for strings and/or percussion, this CD contains the world premiere recordings of John Cage's Three2, Twenty-Three and Twenty-Six.

Customer Reviews:

Music to Hypnotize You.......2003-06-18

At the end of his life, Cage became consumed by a series of works that have come to be called the Number Pieces. These works, like so much of Cage's music, were generated using chance techniques, but in this case, with the help of computer algorithms. Each work received a number, according to how many performers were required, and very general sets of playing instructions, with precise pitches and rather open rhythmical interpretation. The resulting works are strikingly individual and in my opinion, among the most beautiful pieces that the composer created in the last thirty years of his life.

Christina Fong, Glenn Freeman and Karen Krummel are the only instrumentalists on this disc. The needed sound masses in the works have been created by overdubbing. Two pieces, Three(2) and Six are rendered for percussion, using instruments that are capable of sustaining quiet sounds. Sounds layer in and out of these works gently. They are well played by Mr. Freeman. The string works are richer in texture. 23 is written for that number of solo strings and rendered with Ms. Fong on Violin and Viola and Ms. Krummel on cello. 26 is for that number of violins alone. Both works are haunting, and at times nearly electronic. The pieces don't so much change as morph from shape to shape, varying in texture, tone and density. The effect is hypnotic. These are not works to "listen" to as much as they are works to let wash over you with sound.

There are some who might question the choice to overdub these works rather than hire the number of instrumentalists required and perform the work "live" as it were. But I think the results here warrant attention and praise. There is no feel of "coldness" or disengagement in the performances and the result couldn't be better. Highly recommended to fans of Cage's work and to others with adventurous ears.

Music Review: