Makrokosmos

Starring:Crumb, Leng Tan
Studio: MODE
Product Type: DVD

Editorial Review:
Description
Makrokosmos, Book 1 (1972)
Makrokosmos, Book 2 (1973)

Margaret Leng Tan, piano

* Crumb's Makrokosmos I & II were written to expand the world of color and sonic possibilities which a single piano and pianist could create

* In addition to playing the keyboard, the pianist is required to strum and pluck the strings; apply glass tumblers and paper to the piano interior; as well as chant, whistle and whisper - to create a work at times pastoral, mysterious, jubilant, dark, otherworldly and terrifying

* Composer supervised recordings

* Both Books presented in their entirety on one disc

* Modeled after the Zodiac, each Book consists of 12 short movements

* Pianist Margaret Leng-Tan - considered the leading exponent of "extended" piano techniques - is at her best with this music

* Mr. Crumb and Ms. Tan worked closely on the preparation of these works for the recording

* The hi-definition 96-khz/24-bit recording reveals all of the spectacular qualities of the music

SPECIAL DVD FEATURES:

* The complete performance filmed by Hong Kong director Evans Chan

* Interview of George Crumb & Margaret Leng-Tan by Don Gillespie, long-time friend and Crumb's publisher

* Recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound plus alternate PCM-stereo track

* Full 96-khz/24-bit audio

Description

Makrokosmos, Book 1 (1972)
Makrokosmos, Book 2 (1973)

Margaret Leng Tan, piano

* Crumb's Makrokosmos I & II were written to expand the world of color and sonic possibilities which a single piano and pianist could create

* Composer supervised recordings

* Both Books presented in their entirety on one disc

* Modeled after the Zodiac, each Book consists of 12 short movements

* Pianist Margaret Leng-Tan - considered the leading exponent of "extended" piano techniques - is at her best with this music

* Mr. Crumb and Ms. Tan worked closely on the preparation of these works for the recording

* The hi-definition 96-khz/24-bit recording reveals all of the spectacular qualities of the music

SPECIAL DVD FEATURES:

* The complete performance filmed by Hong Kong director Evans Chan

* Interview of George Crumb & Margaret Leng-Tan by Don Gillespie, long-time friend and Crumb's publisher

* Recorded in 5.1 Surround Sound plus alternate PCM-stereo track

* Full 96-khz/24-bit audio

* Dolby Digital and additional DTS audio * Subtitles: French, German, Spanish

Customer Reviews:

MESMERIZING!!!.......2005-04-28

Totally amazing! I'd like to write a full-length review but am simply too overwhelmed to do so right now. The music is mystical--and unlike a lot of contemporary stuff, EMOTIONALLY ENGAGING. And Margaret Leng Tan is truly a sorceress--she brings a kind of alchemistical (or alchemYstical!) energy to whatever piece of music she is interpreting, and the result is just mesmerizing. WOW!!! (Those who are not familiar with Leng Tan should check out her "Sonic Encounters" as well--she recorded Crumb's FIVE PIECES on that seminal CD.)

A fine performance -- with study aide included!.......2005-02-10

Leng Tan's performance of Crumb's music is very good. Besides her
usual piano work, her rendering of the vocal parts is quite worthy. Rather than do the whistling parts herself, she brings in
professional whistler.

What makes this unique among available recordings, of course, is the video. As an amateur piano student in college, I would have killed to have had this available for study back then. Of course, the video attempts to be more of an artistic accompaniament, so there are sections where the camera focuses more on Leng Tan's face, or some visually interesting detail of the piano. Still, Leng Tan's hands are often in view, and given the difficult choreography these preludes occasionally require, moving quickly between keyboard and piano interior, the video makes for a valuable aide for anyone who wishes to attempt playing these preludes themselves.

The lengthy interview included with this DVD is only vaguely interesting but has a few interesting tidbits.

A Memorable and Exquisite Experience.......2004-12-19

This gem offers a delightful match of talents: George Crumb's seminal composition for amplified piano, Margaret Leng Tan's spellbinding performance, and Evans Chan's poetic filmmaking.The intimate relationship of Margaret Leng Tan with the very soul of her piano conjurs up the image of a High Priestess offering up the music at the altar, while the use of her expressive movements, on and off the keyboard, creates a choreographed ballet.Evans Chan animates each participant/element in the musical drama: composer, performer, piano with its entrails, and Crumb's graphic score and literary citations, to create a dynamic, and superbly integrated, presentation of this original andpowerful musical composition. This is contemporary music at its captivating best.The DVD showcases an outstanding performance of George Crumb's visionary masterwork woven into an elegant and seamless visual fabric. There is also a documentary of an interview with Crumb, included as a bonus. Enjoy!

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