c 78 1933 Edgar VARESE IONISATION CREATOR RECORD SLONIMSKY Percussion Ensemble

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21

Recorded shortly after the premiere was at Carnegie Hall, on March 6, 1933, this recording conducted by CREATOR Nicolas Slonimskywith Percussion Ensemble captures one of the Birth Moments of a Masterwork of MODERN MUSIC.

Varese: IONISATION 1&2

Ionisation (1929 - 1931) is a musical composition by Edgard Varese written for thirteen percussionists, the first concert hall composition for percussion ensemble alone.[1] The premiere was at Carnegie Hall, on March 6, 1933, conducted by Nicolas Slonimsky, to whom the piece was later dedicated. One critic described the performance as "a sock in the jaw."

The instrumentarium is the following:

3 Bass Drums, 2 Side Drums, 2 Snare Drums, Tarole, 2 Bongos, Tambourine, Tambour militaire, crash cymbal, suspended cymbals, 3 tam-tams, gong, 2 anvils, 2 triangles, sleigh bells, chimes, celesta, piano, Chinese blocks, claves, maracas, castanets, whip (instrument), guiro, high & low sirens, and a lion's roar.

Ionisation features the expansion and variation of rhythmic cells, and the title refers to the ionization of molecules. As the composer later described, "I was not influenced by composers as much as by natural objects and physical phenomena." (Schuller 1965, p.34) Varese also acknowledged the influence of the Italian Futurist artists Luigi Russolo and Filippo Tommaso Marinetti in the composition of this work.[2]

Both Chou Wen-Chung[3] and Jean-Charles Frantois[4] have analysed the structure and timbre features of Ionisation in detail. Andrßs Wilheim has noted that only the last 17 measures of Ionisation include musical tones of the "traditional tonal system" , where five successive chords contain the 12 tones of the chromatic scale.[5]

Frank Zappa often claimed that Ionisation inspired him to pursue a career in music. Jack Skurnick, director of EMS Recordings, was the first to produce recordings of VarFse. This piece appears on the first VarFse recording, EMS 401. Sidney Finkelstein wrote in the liner notes about the work:

(Ionisation) "is built on a most sensitive handling and contrast of different kinds of percussive sounds. There are those indefinite in pitch, like the bass drum, snare drum, wood blocks, and cymbals; those of relatively definite musical pitch, such as the piano and chimes; those of continually moving pitch, like the sirens and 'lion's roar.' It is an example of 'spatial construction,' building up to a great complexity of interlocking 'planes' of rhythm and timbre, and then relaxing the tension with the slowing of rhythm, the entrance of the chimes, and the enlargement of the 'silences' between sounds. There are suggestions of the characteristic sounds of modern city life."

E+ condition. Writing on label (someone's signature?).

I use the VJM grading system for 78 RPM records:

• N. As new and unplayed (there are virtually no 78s that can categorically be claimed to be unplayed).
• N-. Nearly Mint, but has been played. No visible signs of wear or damage.
• E+. Plays like new, with very, very few signs of handling, such as tiny scuffs from being slipped in and out of jackets.
• E. Still very shiny, near new looking, with no visible signs of wear, but a few inaudible scuffs and scratches.
• E-. Still shiny but without the lustre of a new record, few light scratches.
• V+. An average condition 78 in which scuffs and general use has dulled the finish somewhat. Wear is moderate but playing is generally free from distortion. Surface noise not overly pronounced
• V. Moderate, even wear throughout, but still very playable. Surface noise and scratches audible but not intrusive.
• V-. Quite playable still, but distortion and heavy greying in loud passages. Music remains loud in most passages. Surface noise and scratches well below music level.
• G+. Grey throughout but still serviceable. Music begins to sound muffled. Heavy scratches.
• G. Quite seriously worn and scratched, but music level is still higher than surface noise.
• G-. Music still prominent, but wear and scratch damage extensive.
• F. Most of music remains audible over surface noise, but listening now uncomfortable.
• P. Unplayable.

Buyer to pay $5.00 shipping (which includes $1.00 for packing material) in the United States. Shipping discount for multiple 78s. Insurance, if desired, is extra.

I have a number of other records at fixed prices in my store.

Thanks!

California residents to pay CA sales tax.