Iannis Xenakis - Aïs · Gendy 3 · Taurhiphanie · Thalleïn (1994)

Ostensibly made to commemorate the 1990 Xenakis@UCSD Festival, this CD was released in 1994 and offers only four works, where the festival presented 19 in its week-long run. Of these, only "Aïs" and "Thalleïn" were performed there, making the inclusion of "Gendy3" and "Taurhiphanie" somewhat mysterious. However, whether taken in connection with the San Diego program or as a separate entity, this disc presents late works that show a dynamic composer still active in the last decades of his life. "Aïs" is a disturbing setting of texts taken from Homer and Sappho, and Xenakis described it as dealing with "the domain of the dead, Hades of the shadows." Because of its scathing sounds and harsh vocal techniques, this is the least-ingratiating selection. "Gendy3," a computer-generated piece from 1991, continues the electro-acoustic work Xenakis pioneered in the mid twentieth century. "Taurhiphanie," another taped piece, exploits the bellowing of bulls. The clusters and glissandi Xenakis produced from these raw sounds are fantastic and at times even amusing. "Thalleïn" is the disc's tour de force, and the studio recording presumably re-creates the UCSD performance from a year earlier. The liner notes include a transcription of a symposium held with Xenakis as the guest of honor.

Tracklist

1. Aïs 15:29
for amplified baritone, solo percussion & orchestra

2. Gendy3 18:45
for 2-track tape, 4 loudspeakers & reflective synthesis based on computer sounds

3. Taurhiphanie 10:46
for 2-track tape & 4 loudspeakers

4. Thalleïn 14:44
for 14 musicians

Steven Schick, Percussion
Philip Larson, Baritone
La Jolla Symphony Orchestra, Thomas Nee, Conductor
SONOR Ensemble of USCD, Rand Steiger, Conductor

Neuma Records: 450-86