Theme

Freedom reigns in contemporary music, including when it comes to language. Of course, you can use English, German or French as lyrics or libretto. But it is much more exciting to unleash your own Babylonian confusion of tongues in your music. Adventurous musicians and composers invent their own expressive fantasy language. Or they use an unknown or even extinct language as the text for their songs. The intelligibility of the text would no longer be important. What matters is the flow of the total musical ritual. In this Theme broadcast we will hear some well-known and lesser-known works by composers such as György Ligeti, Meredith Monk, Stephen Montague and Tom Johnson. But there are also musical rituals full of fantasy language by bands like Magma and the Dutch Maciunas Ensemble.

Playlist:

1. Meredith Monk: ‘Travellers 5’ (1989-1990), for voices, from Meredith Monk: Book of Days. Meredith Monk and Vocal Ensemble. ECM Records ECM 1399 CD

2. Meredith Monk: ‘Madwoman’s Vision’ (1989-1990), for voice and ensemble, from Meredith Monk: Book of Days. Meredith Monk and Vocal Ensemble (Meredith Monk- solo voice). ECM Records ECM 1399 CD

3. Stephen Montague: ’Tigida Pipa’ (1983-1989) for four voices, percussion and tape, from Stephen Montague: Orchestral and Chamber Works. Singcircle conducted by Gregory Rose. Continuum CCD 1061 CD

4. Tom Johnson: ‘Maninke’ from ‘Counting to Seven’ (2014), for voices and percussion, from Tom Johnson: Counting to Seven. Ensemble Dedalus. New World Records 80831-2 CD

5. Tom Johnson: ‘Tajik’ from ‘Counting to Seven’ (2014), for voices and percussion, from Tom Johnson: Counting to Seven. Ensemble Dedalus. New World Records 80831-2 CD

6. Tom Johnson: ‘Crobo’ from ‘Counting to Seven’ (2014), for voices and percussion, from Tom Johnson: Counting to Seven. Ensemble Dedalus. New World Records 80831-2 CD

7. Magma: ‘Üdü Wüdü’ from the album ‘Üdü Wüdü’ (1976), for singing and band, from Magma – ‘Üdü Wüdü’. Magma conducted by Christian Vander. Charly 749 J (Magma Trilogy) cd-box

8. Magma: ‘Lïhns’ from the album ‘Magma Live’ (1975), for singing and band, from Magma – ‘Magma Live’. Magma conducted by Christian Vander. Charly 749 J (Magma Trilogy) cd-box

9. Magma: ‘Hhaï’ from the album ‘Magma Live’ (1975), for singing and band, from Magma – ‘Magma Live’. Magma conducted by Christian Vander. Charly 749 J (Magma Trilogy) cd-box

10. Maciunas Ensemble: ‘Permanent Wave’ (1984) for singing, piano, cello, guitar and percussion, from  Maciunas Ensemble – Yoplaboum. Maciunas Ensemble (a.o. Paul Panhuysen). Edition Telemark 923.08 LP+CD

11-13. György Ligeti: ‘Aventures – Nouvelles Aventures’ (1962-1965), for three voices and orchestra, form György Ligeti – Vocal Works. Members of The Philharmonia Orchestra, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen + Phyllis Bryn-Julson (soprano), Rose Taylor (contra-alto) and Omar Ebrahim (baritone). Sony SK62311 CD