Sun Ra returns to the spotlight through a new box set documenting his first European performances in August 1970. We revisit the spectacle that enthralled many, befuddled others, and signaled his arrival into the elite ranks of the international avant-garde. Contrasting the Arkestra is an improvisational album by Karlheinz Stockhausen that we celebrate for its golden anniversary and for marking the first recorded appearance by the composer's son Markus. Also celebrating its 50th year is Sofia Gubaidulina’s Rumore e Silenzio, for the unusual combination of harpsichord and percussion, while a 90th birthday salute to Aulis Sallinen triggers a survey of orchestral works by two younger (and more minimalist-oriented) Finnish composers. New selections by Caroline Shaw, Robert Millis, Jeong Lim Yang and John Zorn’s newly-revived Painkiller trio, round out the proceedings. Creative and improvised music with host Michael Schell from 91.3 KBCS Bellevue/Seattle/Tacoma.
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Flotation Device 2025-04-13: Annotated playlist by host Michael Schell
Intro and SET 1: Composed, improvised and fixed-media [0:00]
1. [1:46] Painkiller: The Wizard Way. From The Equinox (Tzadik, 2025) with John Zorn (alto saxophone), Bill Laswell (bass), Mick Harris (beats, electronics), James Dellatacoma (recording engineer)
2. [6:44] Caroline Shaw: In Waves. From How to fold the wind (Cantaloupe, 2025) with Ars Nova Copenhagen: Carina Tybjerg Madsen, Else Torp, Ann-Christin Wesser Ingels (sopranos), Hanne Marie le Fevre, Laura Lamph, Miles Lallemant (altos), Luís Toscano, Nils Greenhow, Jakob Skjoldborg (tenors), Asger Lynge Petersen, Danny Purtell, Mikkel Tuxen (basses), Paul Hillier (conductor), Preben Iwan (recording engineer)
3. [11:32] Jeong Lim Yang: Synchronicity. From Synchronicity (Sunnyside, 2025) with Mat Maneri (viola), Jacob Sacks (piano), Jeong Lim Yang (bass), Randy Peterson (drums)
4. [17:33] Robert Millis: Hikikomori. From Interior Music (Discrepant, 2025)
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SET 2: Sun Ra goes to Europe [23:10]
1. [26:40' Sun Ra and His Inter-Galactic Research Arkestra: Prelude. From Nuits de la Fondation Maeght (Strut, 2025) with Sun Ra (piano, Farfisa Spacemaster organ, Minimoog synthesizer, RMI Roksichord, space harp), Marshall Allen (alto saxophone, flute, piccolo, oboe), Danny Davis (alto saxophone, flute), John Gilmore (tenor saxophone, drums, vocals), Pat Patrick (baritone saxophone, alto saxophone, flute), Danny Ray Thompson (baritone saxophone, flute, Neptunian Libflecto), Robert Cummings (bass clarinet), Absholom Ben Shlomo AKA Virgil Pumphrey (clarinet, flute, alto saxophone), James Jacson (flute, oboe), Kwame Hadi AKA Lamont F. McClamb, Akh Tal Ebah AKA Doublas E. Williams (trumpets), Alan Silva (bass, cello, space harp), John Goldsmith (timpani, drums), Lex Humphries, Nimrod Hunt AKA Carl S. Malone, Rashied Salim IV AKA William Brister (drums, percussion), June Tyson (vocals), André Francis (recording engineer), Peter Beckmann (restoration). NOTE: Recorded live August 3 and 5, 1970 at Fondation Maeght, Saint-Paul de Vence, France
2. [33:55] Sun Ra: Sometimes I Feel Like a Motherless Child. From Uncharted Passages (Modern Harmonic, 2025) with Sun Ra (piano). NOTE: Recorded live July 1977 at Axis-in-Soho, New York
3. [39:20] Sun Ra And His Inter-Galactic Research Arkestra: Sky, Friendly Galaxy No. 2 (excerpt), Next Stop Mars (excerpt). From Nuits de la Fondation Maeght (credits as above)
4. [48:59] Sun Ra: Space Is the Place. From Uncharted Passages (as above) with June Tyson (voice), Sun Ra (piano)
5. [50:49] Sun Ra & His Arkestra: Sophisticated Lady. From Ellingtonia, Vol. 1 (Enterplanetary Koncepts, 2022) with Sun Ra & His Arkestra. NOTE: Recorded June 24, 1982 in Mannheim, West Germany. Composition by Duke Ellington
6. [56:56] Outro with Marshall Allen: Boma (from New Dawn)
7. [59:49] Sun Ra and His Inter-Galactic Research Arkestra: The Shadow World (excerpts). From Nuits de la Fondation Maeght (credits as above)
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SET 3: 50 years ago in the avant-garde [1:06:40]
1. [1:09:09] Sofia Gubaidulina: Rumore e Silenzio for percussion and harpsichord. From Anthology of Music for Percussion (Otdelenie VYHOD, 2010) with Pekarsky Percussion Project. NOTE: Composed 1974, premiered April 16, 1975 in Leningrad
2. [1:17:48] Karlheinz Stockhausen: Zugvogel. From Ceylon/Bird of Passage (Chrysalis, 1976) with Markus Stockhausen (trumpet, electric trumpet, flugelhorn), John Miller (trumpet), Aloys Kontarsky (piano), Harald Bojé (electronium), Karlheinz Stockhausen (rin, Lotus flute, Indian bells, bird whistle, voice). NOTE: From Für kommende Zeiten (1970). Recorded April 1975 in London
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SET 4: Finnish nights (and Sallinen at 90) [1:29:27]
1. [1:32:36] Olli Mustonen: Symphony No. 2 (Johannes Angelos) - 1. The Panagia of Blachernae. From Symphonies Nos. 2 & 3 (Ondine, 2023) with Turku Philharmonic Orchestra, Olli Mustonen (conductor), Enno Mäemets (recording engineer). NOTE: Composed 2013, premiere recording
2. [1:38:54] Sebastian Fagerlund: Sky II (revised version, 2023). From Autumn Equinox (BIS, 2025) with Lapland Chamber Orchestra: Heli Haapala (flute), Pekka Niskanen (clarinet), Ismo Eskelinen (guitar), Anna Laakso (harpsichord), Nina Ronkainen, Riikka Silvonen (violins), Jussi Launonen (viola), Juuli Holma (cello), Heidi Rahkonen (double bass), John Storgårds (conductor), Martin Nagorni (recording engineer, Arcantus Musikproduktion)
3. [1:50:28] Aulis Sallinen: Kullervo - Act I, Scene 2 and Entr'acte. From Kullervo (Ondine, 1992) with Smith's Young Wife: Anna-Lisa Jakobsson (mezzo-soprano), Kimmo: Jorma Silvasti (tenor), Kalervo: Matti Salminen (bass), Finnish National Opera Orchestra, Ulf Söderblom (conductor), Robi de Godzinsky, Matti Heinonen (recording engineers)
4. [1:56:29] Outro with Aulis Sallinen: Duo Concertante
Photo credits: Sebastian Fagerlund by Ville Paasimaa, June Tyson and Sun Ra in Space Is the Place, Sofia Gubaidulina via Orfeo Music, Robert Millis at Kyushu University, Jeong Lim Yang via Discogs, Painkiller (John Zorn, Bill Laswell, Mick Harris) via the artists, Sun Ra meets the French by Philippe Gras/Claude Gaspari, Olli Mustonen by Heikki Tuuli, Karlheinz and young Markus Stockhausen via the latter, Aulis Sallinen by Maarit Kytöharju, Caroline Shaw by Kait Moreno