An Ox on the Roof

Today is the twenty-eighth episode of An Ox on the Roof by Thea Derks, inspired by her book Een os op het dak: moderne muziek na 1900 in vogelvlucht. The second print was released in December 2020.

At last, the coronation rules have been relaxed, and we can go to concerts without having to submit ourselves to an unpleasant test. A relief for many, as shown by the lack of interest in these admission tests.

Today’s episode features no fewer than five very different composers. Starting with the CD Come to the Edge, named after the choral work by the Norwegian Cecilie Ore. She studied with Ton de Leeuw and others, who challenged her to find her own way.

Since the beginning of this century, Ore’s work has been increasingly linked to current events. The libretto of Come to the Edge, for instance, is based on historical statements about freedom of speech and literal quotes from the defence of the Russian protest group Pussy Riot, which was sentenced to two years in prison during a farce trial in 2012.

American Laura Kaminsky also addresses a political theme in Reckoning: Five Miniatures for America for Piano Four Hands, which she composed in 2019 for the just-released portrait CD Fantasy. Kaminsky refers to the “tumultuous political landscape” and the increasing polarization in her country in her commentary. Even though his name is not mentioned, it is clear that Kaminsky is referring to President Trump.

Cuban-African Tania León incorporates music influences from all imaginable cultures and avoids labels, but her music is still often described as “Pan-Latin”. In Axon, a violinist enters into dialogue with a computer that responds live to her playing.

A CD by Greek-French composer Georges Aperghis was released in the Solo series by Klangforum Wien on the Kairos label. In Ruinen, the trombonist not only plays a range of acrobatic motifs whose onset is precisely written out on the inhale or exhale, but he also lets out sighs and (despairing) cries.

Spanish-British pianist Antonio Oyarzabal recently released the CD La muse oubliée, with 13 different female composers from the Baroque period. The April Preludes by the Czech Viteszlava Kaprálová, a kindred spirit of Janáček and Martinů, will be heard today.

The first edition of An Ox on the Roof has been sold out, but you can get a copy of the second edition on  boekenbestellen.nl.

1. Cecilie Ore [photo]. Come to the Edge.
Ensemble 96 conducted by Nina T. Karlsen.

2. Laura Kaminsky. Reckoning, Five Miniatures for America for Four Hands.
Ursula Oppens & Jerome Lowenthal, piano. 

3. Tania León. Axon for violin and interactive computer.
Mari Kimura, violin.

4. Georges Aperghis. Ruinen.
Mikael Rudolfsson, trombone.

5. Viteszlava Kaprálová. April Preludes.
Antonio Oyarzabal, piano.

Compilation, presentation and techniques by Thea Derks