Join Flotation Device as we pay our respects to Tom Johnson (1939–2024), composer, critic, uncompromising minimalist and cultivator of performative failure. We draw a connection forward to Donnacha Dennehy and backwards to Satie by way of Virgil Thomson. And the late Peter Brötzmann also gets posthumous attention with two new releases, including a recording of his final public performances in February 2023. Lotte Anker, Kamil Piotrowicz, Thomas Strønen and Brandon Seabrook offer new recordings, while Kevin Juillerat updates Cage’s prepared piano. Brooks Williams uses newfangled AI to make instrumental sounds go in and out of recognizability, while Joan La Barbara does the same for her voice using vintage analog technology. Our 50 years ago in the avant-garde feature returns with Giya Kancheli’s enigmatic Fourth Symphony (does its Soviet-approved quincentennial dedication to Michelangelo conceal a less compliant ideological message?), and an Arvo Pärt cameo rounds out the playlist.
Global chart history
Top position held by this upload
Comments
Flotation Device 2025-01-12: Annotated playlist by host Michael Schell
Intro and SET 1: Sax & percussion, metal strings & electronics [0:00]
1. [1:27] Thomas Strønen: Weaving Loom. From Relations (ECM, 2024) with Chris Potter (soprano saxophone), Thomas Strønen (drums, percussion), Lara Persia, Martin Abrahamsen, Patrik Zosso (recording engineers)
2. [4:158] Brandon Seabrook: Object of Unknown Function. From Object of Unknown Function (Pyroclastic, 2024) with Brandon Seabrook (guitar banjo, tenor banjo, tapes), Ben Greenberg (recording engineer, Circular Ruin Studio)
3. [12:16 Peter Brötzmann, Paal Nilssen-Love: Ride the Bar. From Butterfly Mushroom (Trost, 2024) with Peter Brötzmann (bass saxophone), Paal Nilssen-Love (drums), Michael Huon (recording engineer). NOTE: Recorded August, 2015 at Zuiderpershuis, Antwerp
4. [13:43] Peter Brötzmann: Part 1. From The Quartet (OTOROKU, 2025) with Peter Brötzmann (alto sax, clarinet), Jason Adasiewicz (vibraphone), John Edwards (bass), Steve Noble (drums), Billy Steiger (recording engineer). NOTE: Recorded live February 10–11, 2023 at Cafe OTO, London
5. [18:38] Kevin Juillerat: Fünf Sonaten Ohne Interludien (excerpts). From Dämmerung (Neos, 2024) with Cédric Pescia (prepared piano), Kevin Juillerat (electronics), Antoine Etter (recording engineer)
⠀
SET 2: Minimalism and Tom Johnson (1939–2024) [23:43]
1. [27:28] Donnacha Dennehy: Land of Winter: 3. February, 5. April, 6. May. From Land of Winter (Nonesuch, 2024) with Alarm Will Sound: Erin Lesser (flute, piccolo), Christa Robinson (oboe, English horn), Bill Kalinkos (clarinet), Elisabeth Stimpert (clarinet, bass clarinet), Michael Harley (bassoon, contrabassoon), Nicolee Kuester (horn), Tim Leopold (trumpet, piccolo trumpet), Michael Clayville (trombone), John Orfe (piano, celesta), Courtney Orlando, Patti Kilroy (violin), Matt Albert (viola), Stefan Freund (cello), Miles Brown (double bass), Chris P. Thompson, Sean Ritenauer (percussion), Adam Abeshouse (recording engineer)
2. [38:578] Virgil Thomson: Insistences, a Portrait of Louise Crane. From A Gallery of Portraits for Piano (Everbest, 2024) with Craig Rutenberg (piano), Tim Martyn (recording engineer). NOTE: First recording
3. [41:20] Tom Johnson: Combinations 1, 3, 4 for String Quartet. From Combinations (Collection QB, 2022) with Quatuor Bozzini: Alissa Cheung, Clemens Merkel (violins), Stéphanie Bozzini (viola), Isabelle Bozzini (cello). NOTE: Composed 2003
4. [57:03] Outro with Tom Johnson: An Hour for Piano (with R. Andrew Lee)
5. [1:00:44] Tom Johnson: Failing. From A Different View (Smithsonian Folkways, 1981) with Bertram Turetzky (double bass), Terry A. Setter (recording engineer). NOTE: Composed 1975
⠀
SET 3: Worlds and antiworlds [1:08:14]
1. [1:09:08] Kamil Piotrowicz: A. From Antiworld I (Fundacja Słuchaj, 2024) with Lotte Anker (saxophones), Jacob Anderskov, Kamil Piotrowicz (grand pianos), John Fomsgaard (recording engineer)
2. [1:17:40] Joan La Barbara: Vocal Extensions. From Voice Is The Original Instrument (Wizard, 1976, reissued 2003 by Lovely Music and 2016 by Arc Light Editions) with Joan La Barbara (amplified voice with electronics). NOTE: Premiered January 15, 1975 at Washington Square Church, New York, recorded Recorded live February 26, 1976 at University Art Museum, Berkeley
3. [1:20:20] Brooks Williams: Audit. From Abstract Art (Harmonic Ranch, 2024) with Brooks Williams (AI modelled instruments Ableton Live, Pro Tools, VCV Rack)
4. [1:22:52] Brooks Williams: Trombone. From Abstract Art (credits as above)
⠀
SET 4: 50 years ago in the avant-garde [1:27:25]
1. [1:30:57] Giya Kancheli: Symphony No. 4. From Symphonies No. 4 and 5 (Melodiya, 1979) with State Symphony Orchestra of Georgia, Jansug Kakhidze (conductor), Mikhail Kilosanidze (recording engineer). NOTE: "To the Memory of Michelangelo", composed 1974, premiered January 13, 1975 in Tblisi
2. [1:56:15] Outro with Arvo Pärt: Fratres (with Morphing Chamber Orchestra)
Photo credits: Brooks Williams via the artist, Tom Johnson via the artist, Joan La Barbara in 1976 by Roberto Massoti, Donnacha Dennehy by Iarla, Virgil Thomson by Eugene Cook, still from Between Two Sounds: Arvo Pärt’s journey to his musical language by Joonas Sildre, Giya Kancheli via Wise Music Classical, Peter Brötzmann by RI Sutherland-Cohen, piano preparations by Kevin Juillerat, Brandon Seabrook by Luke Marantz, Lotte Anker by Hreinn Gudlaugsson