#2849: Sweet Driving Rhythm

New music from the concert hall now reflects the driving rhythms of rock and jazz. For this New Sounds program, we'll hear several examples, including Oscar Bettison's "O Death," the European classic, "De Staat" by Louis Andriessen, and "Paranoid Cheese" by Marc Mellits. Oscar Bettison, a composer and instrument-maker writes for both rock ensemble and the concert hall, as well as his own instrument creations (dubbed cinderella instruments) and electro-acoustic elements.

In his work, “O Death,” he calls for a Wrench-ophone (12 differently-sized metal wrenches arranged like a keyboard), flower pots, metal mixing bowls, anvils, and electric guitar, with distortion pedal. We’ll hear “O Death,” on this edition of the program. Also, music from his teacher, Louis Andriessen, with his loud and aggressive “De Staat,” which suggests clangorous Balinese gamelan, jazz, minimalism, and Stravinsky while kicking it all into overdrive. Plus, “damn catchy” chamber music from Marc Mellits – his work “Paranoid Cheese” a hard-driving, smart, frenetic, and frequently beautiful work, which combines elements of modern minimalism and a love of modern rock.

PROGRAM # 2849, Sweet Driving Rhythm (First aired on Fri. 10/10/08)