American Contemporary

various artists compilation - American Contemporary

A compilation of "new music" pieces, released in 1977, that vary in style. The first one "Fantasy" is an exciting harpsichord piece. "Four Preludes for Leigh Howard Stevens" is a rather calm piece for marimba. "Echoes" mixes amplified clarinet with two-channel electronic tape. The final piece "Automobile" uses percussion, bass, flute and a soprano. The piece's composer Russell Peck explains in the liner notes: "In the first movement of 'Automobile', I postulated a lounge act in the year 2000, when supposedly Stockhausen-Boulez sounds will be in, as Chopin's are today....Movement II is a 50s' nostalgia number. Indeterminacy and R&B are combined into what George Rochberg called a 'Borsch - Circuit Comedy Act.' Players are dealt cards with cues, vamps, monologues, solos and ensembles which interact across a chance grid of accelerating tempi."

Tracklisting:

Side 1

1. William Penn - Fantasy {11:15}

2. William Penn - Four Preludes for Leigh Howard Stevens {6:00}

Side 2

1. Olly Wilson - Echoes {10:21}

2. Russell Peck - Automobile {9:26}

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