This CD contains material previously available on LP, and represents a collection of astonishing avant-garde pieces by the late Greek artist Jani Christou, described as a "freely atonal" composer. One can expect rigorous avant-garde music with challenging aesthetics on this self-titled CD. Often... [+] Expand

This CD contains material previously available on LP, and represents a collection of astonishing avant-garde pieces by the late Greek artist Jani Christou, described as a "freely atonal" composer. One can expect rigorous avant-garde music with challenging aesthetics on this self-titled CD. Often abrasive and chaotic, this work is occupied with subversion of the norms credited to the 1960s, when modern classical music was being redefined and overhauled in an aggressive manner on every continent. "Enantiodromia" (dated 1965-1968) is one of his few pieces that utilize a full orchestra, and is an arresting work that has the ensemble engaged in freeform improvisation on some passages, while others are interrogations of noise and atonality. "Praxis" chronicled the 1966-1969 period for the composer, and the short piece for string orchestra and piano is a quintessential example of his wayward techniques. "Epicycle" is a 1968 composition for instruments, actors, and voices that draws many comparisons to contemporaries Luigi Nono and Maurucio Kagel, who similarly adapted avant-garde theatre into their compositions in attempts to define a new ethic in opera. Additionally, Jani Christou was led to electro-acoustic means like many of his peers, not as a purely electronic composition technique as in the case of Iannis Xenakis and Karlheinz Stockhausen, but for the transforming effects of coupling tape machines with instrumentalists. "Anaparastasis III" and "Mysterion" are both stunning examples of this electro-acoustic technique. ~ Skip Jansen, All Music Guide [-] Collapse

• songs
• similar
• videos
• eyeviews
• reviews
• download directory