The works of George Crumb

[fnork]

I thought Crumb´s works could deserve a thread of their own here, considering his interesting contributions. I took the opportunity to learn part of "A little suite for christmas" as a part of a christmas concert last year and found it very interesting and rewarding to learn. What are in your opinion his most interesting works either for solo piano or including piano? So far, I´ve found Makrokosmos overall more compelling and fascinating than the 5 pieces for piano, while the christmas suite seems like an excellent introduction to both performer and audience to his sound-world.

Thoughts, anyone?

[nanabush]

I performed Vox Balaenae this year with my chamber trio... it was immensely exciting to work on.

I find his works a breath of fresh air from the 'standard repertoire'.  I've got my Baroque, Classical, Romantic, and 20th century stuff, but in the end I find I approach the scores nearly the same way - work out technical difficulties, interpretation, and slow - medium - fast practice.

Crumb's stuff kind of requires a different mindset.  Chamber in general you have to think of the ensemble rather than just what you are playing, but with Vox Balaenae for the entire first movement I just have to hold down the pedal and listen for a few minutes.  There were very few technical difficulties on par with Liszt/Rach (one pretty difficult part at the very end, and some awkward rhythmic stuff), but it was the preparation and sound effects that I had never done before.

His Processional is very interesting, as well as the symbolic Makrokosmos.

[thorn]

Like nanabush, I also find him a breath of fresh air.

I would love to learn one of his piano duets from Zeitgeist, but I don't have a partner  =(

I played some of the Makrokosmos I for my undergrad final recital. It was really interesting to learn and I remember covering the inside of the piano with sticky labels (obviously taking them off afterwards) so I knew where my hands were going.

"A little suite for Christmas" seems like a bit of a Messiaen rip off to me, I have to be honest.

Since graduating, I haven't had access to a grand piano so I am a bit stuck at the moment for the majority of his works!