Four Principles on Ireland and other pieces [1974]
Title
Four Principles on Ireland and other pieces [1974]
Subject
Classical, Post-Modern, revolutionary politics,
Description
Cornelius Cardew had studied with Stockhausen, and was a leading pianist of the modernist canon as well as a founding member of the seminal improvising ensemble AMM. He had composed two landmark avant-garde works; Treatise and The Great Learning.
So when, in line with his revolutionary/populist political beliefs, he abruptly began to write pieces based on workers' songs and leftist anthems, it came as something of a shock to his admirers (an essay of his was even called "Stockhausen Serves Imperialism"!). Many were utterly baffled at this about-face, going so far as to say, as did Adrian Jack in a 1975 interview, "The music you have written recently sounds almost deliberately bad…."
Viewed in retrospect, however, Cardew's compositions fit into the ideas of other politically active composers of the time, including Frederic Rzewski and Howard Skempton, and recognize his work as two facets of the same musical soul.
This recording, with Cardew at the piano, is a lovely sampler of this late period (he was to die a victim of a hit-and-run accident in 1981). The songs are often experimented with, fleshed out, pared down, or otherwise elaborated on, but never lose sight of the melodies. Some are particularly poignant (The Croppy Boy), others exuberant in their revolutionary spirit (Charge or the irresistible The East Is Red). Listeners may argue which of Cardew's paths was ultimately the more rewarding one, but anyone interested in the career of this crucially important British composer cannot afford to simply ignore the direction he chose. Recommended.
So when, in line with his revolutionary/populist political beliefs, he abruptly began to write pieces based on workers' songs and leftist anthems, it came as something of a shock to his admirers (an essay of his was even called "Stockhausen Serves Imperialism"!). Many were utterly baffled at this about-face, going so far as to say, as did Adrian Jack in a 1975 interview, "The music you have written recently sounds almost deliberately bad…."
Viewed in retrospect, however, Cardew's compositions fit into the ideas of other politically active composers of the time, including Frederic Rzewski and Howard Skempton, and recognize his work as two facets of the same musical soul.
This recording, with Cardew at the piano, is a lovely sampler of this late period (he was to die a victim of a hit-and-run accident in 1981). The songs are often experimented with, fleshed out, pared down, or otherwise elaborated on, but never lose sight of the melodies. Some are particularly poignant (The Croppy Boy), others exuberant in their revolutionary spirit (Charge or the irresistible The East Is Red). Listeners may argue which of Cardew's paths was ultimately the more rewarding one, but anyone interested in the career of this crucially important British composer cannot afford to simply ignore the direction he chose. Recommended.
Tracklist:
Side A:
1: The Croppy Boy - 2'47''
2: Father Murphy - 2'59''
3: Four Principals on Ireland - 5'52''
4: Charge - 3'19''
5: Song and Dance - 2'16''
6: Sailing on the Sea Depends on the Helmsman - 1'33''
Side B:
1: Bethanien - 4'02''
2: Bring the Land a New Life - 4'12''
3: The East is Red - 1'33''
4: Red Flag Prelude - 3'07''
5: Soon (there will be a high tide of Revolution in our country) - 2'07''
6: Long Live Chairman Mao - 1'58''
7: Revolution is the Main Trend in the World Today - 3'18''
Side A:
1: The Croppy Boy - 2'47''
2: Father Murphy - 2'59''
3: Four Principals on Ireland - 5'52''
4: Charge - 3'19''
5: Song and Dance - 2'16''
6: Sailing on the Sea Depends on the Helmsman - 1'33''
Side B:
1: Bethanien - 4'02''
2: Bring the Land a New Life - 4'12''
3: The East is Red - 1'33''
4: Red Flag Prelude - 3'07''
5: Soon (there will be a high tide of Revolution in our country) - 2'07''
6: Long Live Chairman Mao - 1'58''
7: Revolution is the Main Trend in the World Today - 3'18''
Creator
Cornelius Cardew
Source
Originally recorded in 1974 by Cramps Records.
Publisher
MiruMir Music Publishing
Date
2012
Contributor
al.sa sas (art direction), Toni Thorimbert (photography), Gaetano Ria (studio assistant), Riccardo Sgarbi (producer/coordinator),
Relation
Format
total duration : 38 minutes
Language
English
Type
Political songs, 1974, experimental music
Identifier
WCLP0004
Coverage
Europe
Collection
Citation
Cornelius Cardew, “Four Principles on Ireland and other pieces [1974],” WPB, accessed April 20, 2024, https://tpb.worm.org/items/show/12763.