Name: Ruth Crawford Seeger: Music for Small Orchestra; Study in Mixed Accents; Three Songs; Three Chants; String Quartet; Two Ricercari; Andante for String Orchestra; Rissolty Rossolty; Suite for Wind Quintet / Charles Seeger: John Hardy by Lucy Shelton, Schönberg Ensemble, Oliver Knussen
Brand: Lucy Shelton
SKU: 028944992526
Price: 9.9 USD
Availability: OnlineOnly
Rating: 3 (147 reviews)

ALBUM

Sometimes it is difficult to see how classical labels make money. The good labels keep releasing highly worthwhile but seemingly uncommercial projects like this one: Nine short mostly highly dissonant and virtually unknown works by an American woman composer plus one work by her husband.
British conductor Oliver Knussen seems to be the driving force behind the project. Using his Schoenberg Ensemble as the heart of a recording in which no work is for the same performing forces as any other, he also uses the new London Chamber Choir, four vocal soloists, and chamber groupings including a string quartet and a wind quintet. All the performances are outstanding, the players all getting through the pieces like they were everyday repertory.
The disc was recorded in church in Utrecht in February 1996. Despite the widely varying performing forces involved, producer Sid McLaughlan and Tonmeister (balance engineer) Reinhard Lagemann get remarkably consistent sound.
Knussen emerges as a culture hero for his part in getting this music released on a major label. He provides both a reason and this writer's conclusion after hearing it: "Ruth Crawford Seeger's music grows in stature the more one gets to know it. [With each utterly original conception] she got the execution of the idea right first time and immediately moved on to something new."
You don't need to buy it to encourage record companies to continue taking chances on unusual music (though that's a good one). Get it because here is a woman who said a lot in a remarkably original and concise way. Sure, it's tough modern music, but it's very good music that can expand your horizons.

1. Crawford Seeger: Music for Small Orchestra (1926) - 1. Slow, pensive

by Schönberg Ensemble, Oliver Knussen

Ensemble: Schönberg Ensemble
Schonberg Ensemble; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Schonberg Ensemble
Oliver Knussen
Schönberg Ensemble; Main Performer
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Conductor: Oliver Knussen; Conductor
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

2. Crawford Seeger: Music for Small Orchestra (1926) - 2. In roguish humor. Not fast

by Schönberg Ensemble, Oliver Knussen

Primary Artist: Schonberg Ensemble
Oliver Knussen
Schönberg Ensemble; Main Performer
Performer: Schönberg Ensemble
Schonberg Ensemble; Performer
Ensemble: Schönberg Ensemble
Schonberg Ensemble; Ensemble
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Conductor: Oliver Knussen; Conductor
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

3. Crawford Seeger: Three Chants - 1. To An Unkind God

by James Wood, New London Chamber Choir

Primary Artist: James Wood
New London Chamber Choir; Main Performer
Performer: New London Chamber Choir; Performer
Choir/chorus: New London Chamber Choir; Ensemble
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Conductor: James Wood; Conductor
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

4. Crawford Seeger: Three Chants - 2. To An Angel

by New London Chamber Choir, James Wood

Primary Artist: James Wood
New London Chamber Choir; Main Performer
Performer: New London Chamber Choir; Performer
Choir/chorus: New London Chamber Choir; Ensemble
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Conductor: James Wood; Conductor
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

5. Crawford Seeger: Three Chants - 3. To A Kind God

by James Wood, New London Chamber Choir

Primary Artist: James Wood
New London Chamber Choir; Main Performer
Performer: New London Chamber Choir; Performer
Choir/chorus: New London Chamber Choir; Ensemble
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Conductor: James Wood; Conductor
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

6. Crawford Seeger: Piano Study in Mixed Accents (1930)

by Reinbert De Leeuw

Performer: Reinbert De Leeuw; Performer
Primary Artist: Reinbert De Leeuw; Main Performer
Piano: Reinbert De Leeuw; Performer
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

7. Crawford Seeger: Three Songs - 1. Rat Riddles

by Lucy Shelton, Schönberg Ensemble, Oliver Knussen

Performer: Lucy Shelton; Performer
Primary Artist: Schonberg Ensemble
Oliver Knussen
Lucy Shelton
Schönberg Ensemble; Main Performer
Soprano: Lucy Shelton; Performer
Ensemble: Schönberg Ensemble
Schonberg Ensemble; Ensemble
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Conductor: Oliver Knussen; Conductor
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

8. Crawford Seeger: Three Songs - 2. Prayers of Steel

by Lucy Shelton, Schönberg Ensemble, Oliver Knussen

Performer: Lucy Shelton; Performer
Primary Artist: Schonberg Ensemble
Oliver Knussen
Lucy Shelton
Schönberg Ensemble; Main Performer
Soprano: Lucy Shelton; Performer
Ensemble: Schönberg Ensemble
Schonberg Ensemble; Ensemble
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Conductor: Oliver Knussen; Conductor
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

9. Crawford Seeger: Three Songs - 3. In Tall Grass

by Lucy Shelton, Schönberg Ensemble, Oliver Knussen

Performer: Lucy Shelton; Performer
Primary Artist: Schonberg Ensemble
Oliver Knussen
Lucy Shelton
Schönberg Ensemble; Main Performer
Soprano: Lucy Shelton; Performer
Ensemble: Schönberg Ensemble
Schonberg Ensemble; Ensemble
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Conductor: Oliver Knussen; Conductor
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

10. Crawford Seeger: String Quartet 1931 - 1. Rubato assai

by Marijke Van Kooten, Helen Hulst, Karin Dolman, Hans Woudenberg

Cello: Hans Woudenberg; Performer
Primary Artist: Hans Woudenberg
Marijke Van Kooten
Helen Hulst
Karin Dolman; Main Performer
Performer: Hans Woudenberg
Marijke Van Kooten
Helen Hulst
Karin Dolman; Performer
Viola: Karin Dolman; Performer
Violin: Marijke Van Kooten
Helen Hulst; Performer
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

11. Crawford Seeger: String Quartet 1931 - 2. Leggiero

by Marijke Van Kooten, Helen Hulst, Karin Dolman, Hans Woudenberg

Cello: Hans Woudenberg; Performer
Primary Artist: Hans Woudenberg
Marijke Van Kooten
Helen Hulst
Karin Dolman; Main Performer
Performer: Hans Woudenberg
Marijke Van Kooten
Helen Hulst
Karin Dolman; Performer
Viola: Karin Dolman; Performer
Violin: Marijke Van Kooten
Helen Hulst; Performer
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

12. Crawford Seeger: String Quartet 1931 - 3. Andante

by Marijke Van Kooten, Helen Hulst, Karin Dolman, Hans Woudenberg

Cello: Hans Woudenberg; Performer
Primary Artist: Hans Woudenberg
Marijke Van Kooten
Helen Hulst
Karin Dolman; Main Performer
Performer: Hans Woudenberg
Marijke Van Kooten
Helen Hulst
Karin Dolman; Performer
Viola: Karin Dolman; Performer
Violin: Marijke Van Kooten
Helen Hulst; Performer
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

13. Crawford Seeger: String Quartet 1931 - 4. Allegro possibile

by Marijke Van Kooten, Helen Hulst, Karin Dolman, Hans Woudenberg

Cello: Hans Woudenberg; Performer
Primary Artist: Hans Woudenberg
Marijke Van Kooten
Helen Hulst
Karin Dolman; Main Performer
Performer: Hans Woudenberg
Marijke Van Kooten
Helen Hulst
Karin Dolman; Performer
Viola: Karin Dolman; Performer
Violin: Marijke Van Kooten
Helen Hulst; Performer
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

14. Crawford Seeger: 2 Ricercare - 1. Sacco, Vanzetti

by Lucy Shelton, Reinbert De Leeuw

Primary Artist: Reinbert De Leeuw
Lucy Shelton; Main Performer
Performer: Reinbert De Leeuw
Lucy Shelton; Performer
Piano: Reinbert De Leeuw; Performer
Soprano: Lucy Shelton; Performer
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

15. Crawford Seeger: 2 Ricercare - 2. Chinaman, Laundryman

by Lucy Shelton, Reinbert De Leeuw

Primary Artist: Reinbert De Leeuw
Lucy Shelton; Main Performer
Performer: Reinbert De Leeuw
Lucy Shelton; Performer
Piano: Reinbert De Leeuw; Performer
Soprano: Lucy Shelton; Performer
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

16. Crawford Seeger: Andante for Strings

by Schönberg Ensemble, Oliver Knussen

Ensemble: Schönberg Ensemble
Schonberg Ensemble; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Schonberg Ensemble
Oliver Knussen
Schönberg Ensemble; Main Performer
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Conductor: Oliver Knussen; Conductor
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

17. Crawford Seeger: Rissolty Rossolty

by Schönberg Ensemble, Oliver Knussen

Ensemble: Schönberg Ensemble
Schonberg Ensemble; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Schonberg Ensemble
Oliver Knussen
Schönberg Ensemble; Main Performer
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Conductor: Oliver Knussen; Conductor
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

18. Seeger: John Hardy (1940)

by Schönberg Ensemble, Oliver Knussen

Ensemble: Schönberg Ensemble
Schonberg Ensemble; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Schonberg Ensemble
Oliver Knussen
Schönberg Ensemble; Main Performer
Composer: Charles Seeger; Composer
Conductor: Oliver Knussen; Conductor
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

19. Crawford Seeger: Suite (1952) - 1. Allegretto

by Schönberg Ensemble, Oliver Knussen

Ensemble: Schönberg Ensemble
Schonberg Ensemble; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Schonberg Ensemble
Oliver Knussen
Schönberg Ensemble; Main Performer
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Conductor: Oliver Knussen; Conductor
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

20. Crawford Seeger: Suite (1952) - 2. Lento rubato

by Schönberg Ensemble, Oliver Knussen

Ensemble: Schönberg Ensemble
Schonberg Ensemble; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Schonberg Ensemble
Oliver Knussen
Schönberg Ensemble; Main Performer
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Conductor: Oliver Knussen; Conductor
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production

21. Crawford Seeger: Suite (1952) - 3. Allegro possibile

by Schönberg Ensemble, Oliver Knussen

Ensemble: Schönberg Ensemble
Schonberg Ensemble; Ensemble
Primary Artist: Schonberg Ensemble
Oliver Knussen
Schönberg Ensemble; Main Performer
Composer: Ruth Crawford Seeger; Composer
Conductor: Oliver Knussen; Conductor
Balance Engineer: Andrew Wedman; Production
Producer: Sid Mclauchlan; Production
Studio Personnel: Andrew Wedman; Production