v/a - American Avant-Garde in the 20th Century, The

Following on from our popular primer A Young Person's Guide to the Avant-Garde, LTM now offers a comprehensive overview of American avant-garde music in the 20th century.

Commencing with early pioneers Charles Ives and George Antheil (including the celebrated, Futuristic Ballet Mechanique of 1924), this chronological double disc collection also includes pieces by émigré arrivals in the New World such as Leo Ornstein, Dane Rudhyar and Edgard Varèse, as well homegrown composers including Henry Cowell, Carl Ruggles and Roger Sessions.

The second half of this double disc set offers works by a number of even more modern modernists, notably Morton Feldman, Harry Partch and the immortal John Cage, whose groundbreaking Sonatas and Interludes for prepared piano is presented in its entirety.

With a generous playing time of 140 minutes, this fascinating double CD set comes with an illustrated booklet featuring detailed historical notes.

Tracklist:

Disc 1:

1. Charles Ives Central Park in the Dark (1906)
2. Leo Ornstein Suicide in an Airplane (1913)
3. Henry Cowell Dynamic Motion (1916)
4. George Antheil Sonata Sauvage (1922/23)
5. Carl Ruggles Angels (1922)
6. George Antheil Ballet Mécanique (1924)
7-10. Dane Rudhyar Tetragram #8 (Primavera) (1928)
11. Edgard Varèse Ionization (1929-31)
12. Roger Sessions From my Diary (Poco Adagio) (1940)
13. Morton Feldman Piece for Four Pianos (1951)

Disc 2:

1-19. John Cage Sonatas and Interludes (1946-48)
20. Harry Partch Ulysses at the Edge (1955)
21. Brion Gysin Recalling All Active Agents (1960)

Available on 2xCD and digital download. To order CD please select correct shipping option and click on Add To Cart button below cover image, or else contact LTM by email for other payment options.

Reviews:

"If you got as enthralled as we did by the BBC4 series The Sound and the Fury: A Century of Music last year, which explored the revolution in 20th century music, you too will love this series of compilations from LTM. From Charles Ives to Morton Feldman to John Cage, this collection of modernism will have your neighbours banging on the ceiling and have you dad asking, 'Is that what they're passing for music these days?'" (Resident Advisor, 12/2014)