In Memoriam Tony Conrad (1940-2016).
The American minimalist, master violinist, avant-garde film pioneer Tony Conrad passed away earlier this month. In this edition of Theme, a few of Conrad’s extraordinary compositions and cooperation projects.
Tony Conrad passed away at the age of 76. He was part of La Monte Young’s legendary group The Theatre of Eternal Music. With his amplified, shrill violin drones Tony Conrad played an absolute key role within this minimal collective.
However, above all Tony Conrad turned out to be an independent composer. First-class drone music came in the spotlights, especially the last twenty years.
In this edition of Theme, a few of Conrad’s extraordinary compositions and cooperation projects. From his magical duet with Krautrockers Faust to the intense tribute to the drone in his cycle ‘Early Minimalism’.
Tony Conrad:
1. ‘Blue Gate (Mandolin)’ (2006) on (key)7
(Toon Festival 2006) sampler.
Tony Conrad, mandoline, composition.
Toon Festival CD.
2. ‘From The Side Of Man and Womankind’ (1972) on Tony Conrad with Faust: Outside the Dream Syndicate.
Tony Conrad, violin + Faust.
Table of the Elements 3Li CD.
3. ‘The Second Dance of the Harem Mongos’ (1963) op Jack Smith: Les Evening Gowns Damnées.
Tony Conrad, mandola + Jack Smith, finger cymbals, drums and dance.
Table of the Elements / Audio ArtKive01 CD.
4. ‘Pythagoras, refusing to cross the bean field at his back, is dispatched by the democrats’ (1995) for ensemble, op Tony Conrad: Slapping Pythagoras.
Tony Conrad ensemble, including Tony Conrad, violin, bass; Jim O’Rourke, violin, guitar and accordion; David Grubbs, guitar, pillow; Gene Coleman, bass clarinet and Alex Gelencser, cello, violin.
Table of the Elements 23V CD.
5. ‘Early Minimalism: April 1965’ (1994) op Tony Conrad: Early Minimalism Volume One.
Tony Conrad, first violin; Elke Brauweiler, Lutz Wernicke, violins; Jan Tilman Schade, cello and Matthias Bauer, double bass.
Table of the Elements As 33 CD-box.
