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RE: 10-year performances summary
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John Snijders
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Sep 24, 2009 01:27 PDT
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If you don't mind, let me try to suggest a possible solution for this
apparent puzzle.
We (being the Ives Ensemble) have recorded both string quartets and have
performed SQ2 a number of times. We haven't performed SQ1 in concert
yet. The reason is quite simple: SQ1 is to all intents and purposes
practically impossible to perform well live. The piece poses such
enormous technical demands on the players and there are so many
physically impossible jumps that, even though with careful editing it is
possible to make a recording of it, we don't see a way yet to give a
passable live rendition of the piece.
SQ2's most difficult characteristic is the length, but that is something
you can overcome. Technically the piece isn't even close to the problems
SQ1 poses.
As for Triadic Memories v Piano: I performed both of them several times
and I think that TM, for the simple fact that the piece is a complete
concert in itself is in some way easier to program than Piano. Also TM
is perhaps musically somewhat more accessible - Piano is a strangely
complex piece. Also Piano is very, very difficult to perform and TM less
so. Not easy but there are some problems in Piano which are not really
possible to solve for pianists with only two hands so any solution is
bound to be a compromise. Piano (like SQ1) could almost be thought of as
belonging to something you might almost call Feldman's 'complex' period.
Violin and Orchestra has similar problems, as has Neither. All are from
the same couple of years (1977-79).
If someone has an alternative view I'd be interested to read it.
Best,
John
David Toub wrote:
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I have no idea why SQ1 is performed so much less often than SQ2,
except that perhaps SQ2 is looked upon as a testament to a string
quartet's endurance, and maybe that serves as an incentive. Both are
amazing works. In all honesty, For Christian Wolff is probably more of
an acquired taste than For Philip Guston. Both are great works, but
there is more diversity in FPG than in FCW, at least in my opinion,
and that diversity might make FPG more interesting for many listeners.
I'm still trying to figure out why Triadic Memories is performed more
often than 1977's Piano.
Best,
David
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John S.
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