Thomas Ades - Any Opinions?
Jeff Harrington
wondering what the opinions of RMC.. readers is about this 27 year old
hyped-wunderkind-composer.
Specific mention is made of several pieces most interstingly a
techno-inspired piece "Entransica" (article at home) and a big piece
"Alysa."
I keep hearing about this guy but haven't heard any pieces and was
wondering whether to risk the $16 to find out. My impression so far is
that he's another Knussen/Benjamin clone. Lots of pretty colors and
atmosphere but with a bit more punch?
Any opinions welcome...
Jeff Harrington [-->>[[ Mercurealities for Flute, Viola, Cello MPEG ]]<<--]
je...@parnasse.com [->>[[ http://www.parnasse.com/mercurealities.mp2 ]]<<--]
http://www.parnasse.com/jeff.htm --------->>[[ My Music ]]<<--------------]
http://www.parnasse.com/vrml.shtml ------->>[[ My Worlds ]]<<-------------]
Ryan Hare
: Just finished reading the new New Yorker's profile on Thomas Ades and was
: wondering what the opinions of RMC.. readers is about this 27 year old
: hyped-wunderkind-composer.
: Specific mention is made of several pieces most interstingly a
: techno-inspired piece "Entransica" (article at home) and a big piece
: "Alysa."
: I keep hearing about this guy but haven't heard any pieces and was
: wondering whether to risk the $16 to find out. My impression so far is
: that he's another Knussen/Benjamin clone. Lots of pretty colors and
: atmosphere but with a bit more punch?
That pretty much sums it up.
There are a couple of cheap (i.e under $10) cds in the EMI Debut series
(or whatever it's called). The one with _Living Toys_ (something like
that) is one I've heard--it's worth hearing.
I haven't heard the pieces you mention, but your comments about what to
expect seem pretty much right. I wouldn't write him off, though . . . he's
got something to say, I think. It'll be interesting to see how he matures.
Ryan Hare
rh...@u.washington.edu
em...@netcom.com
[re: the Benjamin of the 90's]
: That pretty much sums it up.
: There are a couple of cheap (i.e under $10) cds in the EMI Debut series
: (or whatever it's called). The one with _Living Toys_ (something like
: that) is one I've heard--it's worth hearing.
apparently it wasnt a mistake with the price sticker. It contains seven
solo/chamber works and I'm fairly impressed, having previously only heard
Berkeley Symphony rehearsals/performances of Living Toys and Powder Her
Face. They are not obviously profound, but still very attractive
pieces: the prelude of Under Hamelin Hill sounds a bit like Hungarian
Rock for chamber organ.
Richard Mix
Alyssa Wright
> techno-inspired piece "Entransica" (article at home) and a big piece
> "Alysa."
Well, I know one thing for sure -- he can't spell. <grin>
ALYSSA
Alyssa Wright, Cellist & Composer
For more information, visit my webpage at
http://www.interlog.com/~takenote/alyssa.htm
Or contact:
Take Note! Promotion Phone: (416) 781-4393
Toronto, ON e-mail: take...@interlog.com
CANADA http://www.interlog.com/~takenote
*********************************************
Representing musicians who excel in craft and performance,
and make a professional and heartfelt contribution to a
living, growing Canadian acoustic music scene.
Nicolas Hodges
<take...@interlog.com> writes
>> Specific mention is made of several pieces most interstingly a
>> techno-inspired piece "Entransica" (article at home) and a big piece
>> "Alysa."
>
>Well, I know one thing for sure -- he can't spell. <grin>
>
>ALYSSA
Actually it's ASYLA as in plural of ASYLUM
but I'm sure you knew that really ;-)
--
Nic
Joe Sef
a few years to see if it is a dull / meandering / esoteric as I first
thought/felt.
sigh.
JOE
Jeff Harrington wrote:
> Just finished reading the new New Yorker's profile on Thomas Ades and was
> wondering what the opinions of RMC.. readers is about this 27 year old
> hyped-wunderkind-composer.
>
> Specific mention is made of several pieces most interstingly a
> techno-inspired piece "Entransica" (article at home) and a big piece
> "Alysa."
>
> I keep hearing about this guy but haven't heard any pieces and was
> wondering whether to risk the $16 to find out. My impression so far is
> that he's another Knussen/Benjamin clone. Lots of pretty colors and
> atmosphere but with a bit more punch?
>
Alyssa Wright
> In article <362F66D3...@interlog.com>, Alyssa Wright
> <take...@interlog.com> writes
> >> Specific mention is made of several pieces most interstingly a
> >> techno-inspired piece "Entransica" (article at home) and a big piece
> >> "Alysa."
> >
> >Well, I know one thing for sure -- he can't spell. <grin>
> >
> >ALYSSA
>
> Actually it's ASYLA as in plural of ASYLUM
>
> but I'm sure you knew that really ;-)
> --
> Nic
Oh, shoot -- so that was Jeff's typo? Ah well, the Asyla seems all the
more appropriate, somehow... <grin>
Alyssa
(not in any asyla, but possibly should be...)
--
*********************************************
Howard Stokar
the first two EMI discs). I believe the opera Powder Her Face should be
issued here on CD soon. Seems he's the next in line to be ruined by the
British hype... Like Boosey and Hawkes pushing Torke as the next Stravinsky.
Howard
>
>There are a couple of cheap (i.e under $10) cds in the EMI Debut series
>(or whatever it's called). The one with _Living Toys_ (something like
>that) is one I've heard--it's worth hearing.
>
rne...@my-dejanews.com
Griffiths. R. Neill
-----------== Posted via Deja News, The Discussion Network ==----------
http://www.dejanews.com/ Search, Read, Discuss, or Start Your Own
Jeff Harrington
: My vote is still out. I do not see what all the hoopla is about (based on
: the first two EMI discs). I believe the opera Powder Her Face should be
: issued here on CD soon. Seems he's the next in line to be ruined by the
: British hype... Like Boosey and Hawkes pushing Torke as the next Stravinsky.
How do you pronounce his name? My spouse says it's "Ah-dezz"; I'm
thinking "Aids."
???
Joshua Kosman
> How do you pronounce his name? My spouse says it's "Ah-dezz"; I'm
> thinking "Aids."
>
Actually, neither. According to an article in the NYT a couple of
years ago by Alex Ross -- who, BTW, was the author of the terrific
article in the New Yorker, *not* Paul Griffiths -- it's pronounced
ADD-iss.
Joshua Kosman
Nicolas Hodges
<kos...@sfgate.com> writes
The grave accent was added by him to avoid the 'Aids' thing. His mother
(Dawn Ades, a well-known writer on art) has left it as it is.
Everyone now seems to say Ah-dezz, but it was always ADD-iss before he
became hyped.
--
Nic
D.G. Porter
> Everyone now seems to say Ah-dezz, but it was always ADD-iss before he
> became hyped.
> --
> Nic
Reminds me of those guys who call that Copland work "Roe-DAY-o" (like
the oh-so-posh Drive) when Aaron called it "ROE-dio."
Calliotte/Horn
Joshua Kosman wrote in message wrote:
According to an article in the NYT a couple of
>years ago by Alex Ross -- who, BTW, was the author of the terrific
>article in the New Yorker, *not* Paul Griffiths -- it's pronounced
>ADD-iss.
>
You know, all that stuff about how he's turning into Ades, and the biz about
Ades being the best composer at least since Bach (and the wittiest), etc. I
kept thinking, "Well, if Ross *IS* Ades, and Ades is a genius...."
Of course, I could just be jealous of the fact that a 27-year old got the
NYer gig. I had no idea Ross was so young.
Walter Horn
Jeff Harrington
: Joshua Kosman wrote in message wrote:
: According to an article in the NYT a couple of
:>years ago by Alex Ross -- who, BTW, was the author of the terrific
:>article in the New Yorker, *not* Paul Griffiths -- it's pronounced
:>ADD-iss.
:>
: Did you really think it was terrific? To me, it seemed a bit "golly-gee!"
: You know, all that stuff about how he's turning into Ades, and the biz about
: Ades being the best composer at least since Bach (and the wittiest), etc. I
: kept thinking, "Well, if Ross *IS* Ades, and Ades is a genius...."
Talking to a friend yesterday, she was saying that the article, appeared
to me a testament of infatuation. Ross, admits to tracking Ades down at
dance clubs for crying out loud... He wants to be Ades!
This is beyond the pale of criticism. This is the 90's version of
confessional diatribe cloaked as artistic writing.
: Of course, I could just be jealous of the fact that a 27-year old got the
: NYer gig. I had no idea Ross was so young.
Wannabes sniffing each other's butts like dogs.
John Sowalsky
--
John Sowalsky
sowa...@erols.com
Jeffrey Cobb
beyond belief, to boot. With all due respect to Alex Ross, I think he's been
taken in by the latest British nationalist hype. Haven't heard the latest
stuff- but should anyone be really interested in musical renderings of a
London nightclub?
Jeff Harrington wrote in message <362e277d$0$12...@nntp1.ba.best.com>...
>Just finished reading the new New Yorker's profile on Thomas Ades and was
>wondering what the opinions of RMC.. readers is about this 27 year old
>hyped-wunderkind-composer.
>
>Specific mention is made of several pieces most interstingly a
>techno-inspired piece "Entransica" (article at home) and a big piece
>"Alysa."
>
>I keep hearing about this guy but haven't heard any pieces and was
>wondering whether to risk the $16 to find out. My impression so far is
>that he's another Knussen/Benjamin clone. Lots of pretty colors and
>atmosphere but with a bit more punch?
>
>Any opinions welcome...
>
Jeffrey Cobb
Jeffrey Cobb wrote in message ...
Aad van Nieuwkerk
> >>wondering what the opinions of RMC.. readers is about this 27 year old
> >>hyped-wunderkind-composer.
Asyla was played in Amsterdam last weekend (by the Dutch Radio
Philharmonic, Hans Vonk) - one newspaper review says something like: it
may not be a masterpiece, but the work bears all the good signs of youth
and nonconformist thinking... suggestive tones... beautifully fragile...
(but in part 3:) as if the composer is acting to be John Adams'
house-loving little brother...
That kid *is* a hype, isn't he?
The concert is recorded and will be aired on Dutch radio, Wed 28th Oct 98.
Bill O'Connell
wrote:
>Actually, neither. According to an article in the NYT a couple of
>years ago by Alex Ross -- who, BTW, was the author of the terrific
>article in the New Yorker, *not* Paul Griffiths -- it's pronounced
>ADD-iss.
"ADD-iss" it is. I got it from the horse's mouth, so to speak. When
I was at KDFC in Mr. Kosman's town, I interviewed him. Are they still
doing live interviews at KDFC San Francisco? Just asking.
Bill O'Connell
WCLV Cleveland
D.G. Porter
> to.....ROE-dio.......However, the Row-DAY-o is the correct Spanish....something
> that over half of the population of the West observes. (The fact that that
> the excremental shopping street in Beverly Hills is correctly pronounced is an
> enormous accident)
> Tauser
Well, when I was at a shit-howdy cowboy-redneck summer camp
(bummer-camp, realy) near Prescott, Arid-zona in 1967 (Orme, if anyone
cares), they took us to a "Roadie-oh" on July 4th and then we had a
"Roadie-oh" of our own (where I got my knee torn up a li'l riding a cow,
which I really didn't want to do but you had to participate in some shit
or another). YEEHAH! WHOOOOO! KICK ASS! One of the truly low points
of my adolescence. But I learned why cowboys get stinking shitface
drunk on BEER. I'D DRINK TOO IF I HAD T' LIVE LIKE THAT!!! (Hey, I
drink anyway...)
Joshua Kosman
>
> Joshua Kosman wrote in message wrote:
> >years ago by Alex Ross -- who, BTW, was the author of the terrific
> >article in the New Yorker, *not* Paul Griffiths -- it's pronounced
> >ADD-iss.
> >
> You know, all that stuff about how he's turning into Ades, and the biz about
> Ades being the best composer at least since Bach (and the wittiest), etc. I
> kept thinking, "Well, if Ross *IS* Ades, and Ades is a genius...."
Well, yeah, I *did* think it was terrific. A mash note, to be sure,
but at least an overt one. For one thing, there's something deeply
honest and right about acknowledging the extent to which we respond to
those composers whose lives are like our own, even in such obvious
ways as age. Generational consciousness is important among composers,
how could it not be between composers and critics? And I also like the
way Ross personalizes his judgments -- such a welcome change from the
Olympian pronouncements of his two predecessors!
Then too I find myself believing in, and being rather moved by, what
must have been an unnerving experience -- to encounter a sort of
musical-genius doppelganger of one's own self. Obviously, this is an
article that he only gets to write once in his career; so now he's
done it. And finally, I don't remember the equation you suggest at
all; my recollection (and it's been a week or so since I read the
piece) is that it ends with a rather unflattering self-portrait of
Ross scrambling to make some sort of connection with the artist whose
genius he can in fact only admire and envy.
>
> Of course, I could just be jealous of the fact that a 27-year old got the
> NYer gig. I had no idea Ross was so young.
Yep. He's the youngest *and* the best. Imagine how the rest of us
feel...
Joshua Kosman
SF Chronicle
Joshua Kosman
>
> "ADD-iss" it is. I got it from the horse's mouth, so to speak. When
> I was at KDFC in Mr. Kosman's town, I interviewed him.
Hello Bill! Glad to see you're doing well.
>
Are they still
> doing live interviews at KDFC San Francisco? Just asking.
Shirley, you jest.
Joshua Kosman
Calliotte/Horn
I prefer both Griffiths and Porter.
Walter Horn
Cadence
Joshua Kosman wrote in message <363500...@sfgate.com>...
Calliotte/Horn
world really isn't like that though. There're always some very good pieces
being written, and it would be rather surprising if only one new composer
each decade should happen to be contributing to this group. I think Ross
would have done better not to fall into this starmaking machinery.
Is he really better than, for example, Simon Fell?
Walter Horn
Aad van Nieuwkerk wrote in message ...
Joe Sef
JOE
Calliotte/Horn wrote:
> Joshua Kosman wrote in message wrote:
> According to an article in the NYT a couple of
> >years ago by Alex Ross -- who, BTW, was the author of the terrific
> >article in the New Yorker, *not* Paul Griffiths -- it's pronounced
> >ADD-iss.
> >
> Did you really think it was terrific? To me, it seemed a bit "golly-gee!"
> You know, all that stuff about how he's turning into Ades, and the biz about
> Ades being the best composer at least since Bach (and the wittiest), etc. I
> kept thinking, "Well, if Ross *IS* Ades, and Ades is a genius...."
>
> Of course, I could just be jealous of the fact that a 27-year old got the
> NYer gig. I had no idea Ross was so young.
>
> Walter Horn
Robert Davidson
We just had Ades out here in Brisbane to do a piano recital and his opera
"Powder her Face". I saw the very first performance of this opera in London
back in 95 too. He is a remarkable pianist and a composer with great
facility - lots of flash in his instrumental writing. He comes across as an
aristocrat personally - never had to struggle it seems. Nice enough guy,
but rather disparaging about the great unwashed. His opera left me unmoved,
though I was impressed by its intelligent scoring and deft use of various
decade-specific references (tangos etc), though I quickly got tired of the
overblown vocal writing. I'm not sure if I'd spend $16 US to see him, but I
got the tickets here for free and was glad. I suspect he'll be used up by
the establishment in a few years (like George Benjamin et al) and the poms
will look for new young blood.
In short, he seems very talented, but not really at all original (much of
his opera sounds like warmed over Berg) or striking. He plays a mean piano
and does Nancarrow very well. He is impressive, but I can't love the music.
I much prefer a naive and wonderful musician such as Howard Skempton who
really has something to say.
All the best,
Robert Davidson
Jeff Harrington wrote in message <362e277d$0$12...@nntp1.ba.best.com>...
>Just finished reading the new New Yorker's profile on Thomas Ades and was
>wondering what the opinions of RMC.. readers is about this 27 year old
>hyped-wunderkind-composer.
>