Flotation Device celebrates Gabriel Prokofiev for his 50th birthday, associating his crossover music with disco, modernism, hip-hop, John Cage, the Nonclassical label, and Seattle, all in one fell swoop. We’ll likewise connect Brett Dean with Beethoven via his new piano concerto, while saying farewell to Barre Phillips and his lyrical bassmanship. John Zorn revives his Masada Quartet, while fellow Downtowner Zeena Parkins demonstrates the transgressive potential of the harp in two new albums. Craig Taborn and Thomas Strønen collaborate remotely, Marc Barreca explores dark ambient, and a new recording from Ensemble Aventure introduces us to the late Argentinian composer Mariano Etkin. Creative and improvised music from the Northwest and around the world with host Michael Schell, originally broadcast January 5, 2025. Playlist and photo credits with Comments.
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Post-identity music: Schell's picks of 2024
https://www.sequenza21.com/2025/01/schells-picks-for-2024/
Flotation Device 2025-01-05: Annotated playlist by host Michael Schell
Intro and SET 1: Barre Phillips (1934–2024) [0:00]
1. [1:29] Gabriel Prokofiev: Be Ready…/Reflessivo/Change Up. From Breaking Screens (Melodiya, 2021) with Gabriel Prokofiev (electronics), OpensoundOrchestra, Stanislav Malyshev (conductor), Ilya Karpov (recording engineer)
2. [9:59] Barre Phillips, György Kurtág Jr.: Beyond. From Face à Face (ECM, 2022) with Barre Phillips (double bass), György Kurtág jr. (live electronics), Gérard de Haro, Manfred Eicher (recording engineers)
3. [11:22] Gabriel Prokofiev: Strange Blooms III - Cell Splitting. From Strange Blooms (Oscillations, 2022) with Jane Chapman (harpsichord), Gabriel Prokofiev (realization)
4. [14:58] Gabriel Prokofiev: Please Show You're Not A Robot. From I hope this finds you well in these strange times, Vol. 2 (Nonclassical, 2020)
5. [17:21] Paul Bley, Evan Parker, Barre Phillips: Variation 5. From Sankt Gerold (ECM, 2000) with Evan Parker (soprano saxophones), Paul Bley (piano), Barre Phillips (double bass), Jan Erik Kongshaug (recording engineer)
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SET 2: Gabriel Prokofiev at 50 [23:41]
1. [28:11] Gabriel Prokofiev: Concerto for Turntables No. 1 (excerpts). From Concerto for Turntables No. 1, Cello Concerto (Signum, 2020) with Mr. Switch (turntables), Ural Philharmonic Orchestra, Alexey Bogorad. NOTE: Composed 2006, arranged 2011 for large orchestra
2. [40:56] Zeena Parkins: Dam Against the Spring Tide - Berlin Bedroom: Renwick St. Jan.14.2024 (excerpts). From Dam Against the Spring Tide (Relative Pitch, 2024) with Zeena Parkins (acoustic harp), Matthew Ostrowski, Sebastian Roux (electronics, processing)
3. [49:23] Zeena Parkins: Past Turned Space - 5. cardboard box (torn in half). From Dam Against the Spring Tide (as above) with Zeena Parkins (elbows on piano, field recordings), Brett Carson (piano, organ), William Winant (vibraphone, crotales, harmonica)
4. [54:36] Outro with Zeena Parkins, Chris Brown, William Winant, Ben Davis: Metamorphosis
5. [56:23] Outro with John Cage: Imaginary Landscape No. 1 (with Percussion Group Cincinnati)
6. [1:01:41] John Zorn: Acharei Mot, Mibi. From New Masada Quartet, Volume 3: Live at Roulette (Tzadik, 2024) with New Masada Quartet: John Zorn (alto saxophone), Julian Lage (guitar), Jorge Roeder (bass), Kenny Wollesen (drums), Stephen Cooper (recording engineer). NOTE: Recorded live May 24, 2024 by Stephen Cooper at Roulette intermedium, Brooklyn
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SET 3: New and notable [1:07:39]
1. [1:09:02] Thomas Strønen: The Axiom of Equality. From Relations (ECM, 2024) with Craig Taborn (piano), Thomas Strønen (drums, percussion), Lara Persia, Martin Abrahamsen, Patrik Zosso (recording engineers)
2. [1:11:15] Mariano Etkin: La sangre del cuerpo. From Flores blancas (Wergo, 2023) with Ensemble Aventure: Andrew Digby (trombone), Beverley Ellis (cello), Johannes Nied (double bass), Akiko Okabe (piano), Nicholas Reed (percussion), Robert F. Schneider (recording engineer). NOTE: Composed 1997, premiere recording
3. [1:20:12] Marc Barreca: Pym Particles. From A Discourse of Mist (Palace of Lights, 2024) with Marc Barreca (modular and virtual synthesizers, samplers and granular effects)
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SET 4: Beethoven and Dean [1:27:11]
1. [1:30:01] Brett Dean: Piano Concerto (Gneixendorfer Musik - Eine Winterreise). From Beethoven 'Emperor' concerto, Brett Dean 'A Winter's Journey' (Orchid Classics, 2024) with Jonathan Biss (piano), Swedish Radio Symphony Orchestra, David Afkham (conductor), Johan Hyttnäs (recording engineer)
2. [1:55:05] Outro with Beethoven: Piano Concerto No. 5 "Emperor"
Photo credits: Zeena Parkins by Andy Newcombe, Barre Phillips by Michael Hoefner, Mariano Etkin via Folklore Imaginario, New Masada Quartet (Julian Lage, John Zorn, Kenny Wollesen, Jorge Roeder) via Roulette Intermedium, John Cage by Ann Keyvan, Ludwig van Beethoven by Joseph Karl Stieler, Craig Taborn via Deezer, Gabriel Prokofiev by Nathan Gallagher, Brett Dean via Boosey & Hawkes, Thomas Strønen via ECM Records.