Music for Instruments & Electronic Sounds

Donald Erb - Music for Instruments & Electronic Sounds

RECONNAISSANCE, a composition in 5 movements for violin, double-bass, piano, percussion, Moog synthesizer, and Moog polyphonic instrument

Bonnie Douglas - violin

Rand Forbes - double-bass

Ralph Grierson - piano

Kenneth Watson - percussion

Michael Tilson Thomas - Moog synthesizer

Leonard Stein - Moog polyphonic instrument

Donald Erb - conductor

IN NO STRANGE LAND, a composition in 4 movements for trombone, double-bass, and electronic sounds

Stuart Dempster - trombone

Bertram Turetzky - double-bass

Electronic sounds realized at the studio fo the R. A. Moog Company, Trumansburg, New York.

The pieces on this record represent two different approaches to the use of electronic sounds with instruments. "Reconnaissance" utilizes two live electronic instruments in conjunction with four conventional instruments. A couple of years ago it occurred to me (and to many other composers) that the new instruments with their extreme versatility and portability could be used on stage rather than being committed to tape. Live musicians add a drama to music that a tape recorder simply cannot duplicate; the electronic instruments are extremely dramatic on stage and add a visual dimension to the music. Electronic sounds manipulated in this manner stay flexible in relation to the other instruments in a manner that tape obviously cannot. This allows a real give-and-take quality (which is one of the attractions of chamber music). The biggest drawback of live electronic music is that the electronic instruments are limited (temporarily, at least) to fewer possibilities than when the music is committed to tape.

"Reconnaissance," which uses two Moog instruments performed "live," exists in two versions. The first was completed in 1967 for the Music In Our Time concert series in New York and was subsequently performed at Expo '67 and at the Monday Evening Concerts in Los Angeles. The version on this record has undergone extensive revision and is now almost 7 minutes longer than the original.

...

"In No Strange Land" was written for electronic sounds and two very specific and versatile performers. Bertram Turetzky is a friend of many years' standing and one whose work I admire as much as I value his friendship. I have written several pieces for him and we have collaborated on many previous occasions. Stuart Dempster is also a friend whose work I (as a former brass player) find verging on the incredible.

A year or so ago, with a Nonesuch Records commission to spur us on, the three of us began discussing a work for the two performers plus tape. After a good deal of three-way communication and experimentation, the piece was completed in September, 1968. The tape segments were realized in Trumansburg, New York, at the electronic studio of the R. A. Moog Company; then, the three of us met in La Jolla, California, where the instrumental tracks were added. (Donald Erb)

Tracklisting:

Side One

1. Reconnaissance: movement 1 {3:10}

2. Reconnaissance: movement 2 {2:09}

3. Reconnaissance: movement 3 {1:41}

4. Reconnaissance: movement 4 {6:38}

5. Reconnaissance: movement 5 {2:48}

Side Two

1. In No Strange Land: movement 1 {4:53}

2. In No Strange Land: movement 2 {4:44}

3. In No Strange Land: movement 3 {3:13}

4. In No Strange Land: movement 4 {3:36}

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