Album

This CD brings together three of Charles Wuorinen's best-known chamber works in stellar performances by the Group for Contemporary Music, of which the composer was a founder, and the New Jersey Percussion Ensemble. Tashi (1975) was written for the ensemble of the same name, which consisted of violinist Ida Kavafian, cellist Fred Sherry, clarinetist Richard Stoltzman, and pianist Peter Serkin, as was Fortune (1979). The two pieces reveal Wuorinen at his thorniest; astringent harmonies, largely disjunct melodic lines, and rhythmic unpredictability make them works that require multiple attentive hearings to begin to unravel their logic. Their hugely expansive energy is their most prominent feature—what exactly is going on may not be easily or immediately apparent, but it's clear that it's something momentous and explosive. The performances by clarinetist Jean Kopperud, violinist Curtis Macomber, cellist Fred Sherry, and pianist James Winn bring both pieces to roiling, shimmering life with their considerable technical virtuosity and their passionate advocacy for the music. Wuorinen's colorful Percussion Quartet is a more immediately engaging piece, with a sparkling surface and compelling rhythmic propulsion. Its second movement, written largely in a springy 6/8 meter, is practically danceable. The New Jersey Percussion Ensemble plays with an infectiousness sassiness that brings out the music's playfulness. Naxos' sound is clean and deep.

© Stephen Eddins, All Music Guide

CD 1
Charles Wuorinen Composer Tashi, for clarinet, violin, cello, piano, & orchestra Work Recorded 1993 30:56 The Group for Contemporary Music String Quartet
1	Movement 1	7:32			$1.49
2	Interlude	2:44			$0.99
3	Movement 2	10:38			$1.99
4	Interlude 2	2:44			$0.99
5	Movement 3	7:18			$1.49
Charles Wuorinen Composer Percussion quartet Work Recorded 1996 18:25 New Jersey Percussion Ensemble Ensemble
6	1.Eighth Note equals 72	11:00			$1.99
7	2.Quarter Note equals 108 (leggiero)	7:25			$1.49
Charles Wuorinen Composer Fortune Work Recorded 1993 18:23 The Group for Contemporary Music String Quartet
8	Before	9:10			$1.49
9	After	9:13			$1.49