George Crumb MAKROKOSMOS I & II (CD)

Makrokosmos Volume I

Twelve Fantasy-Pieces after the Zodiac for Amplified Piano (1972)

Part One · I–IV

[01] I Primeval Sounds (Genesis I; Cancer) 04:58

Darkly mysterious

[02] II Proteus (Pisces) 01:35

Very fast; whimsical, volatile

[03] III Pastorale (from the Kingdom of Atlantis, ca. 10,000 B.C.; Taurus) 02:01

Moderately, with incisive rhythm

[04] IV Crucifixus (Symbol; Capricorn) 03:05

Darkly mysterious – Adagio molto; serene, transcentental

Part Two · V–VIII

[05] V The Phantom Gondolier (Scorpio) 03:33

Eerily, with a sense of malignant evil

[06] VI Night-Spell I (Sagittarius) 03:58

Poised, expectantly – Serene, hauntingly; echoing (like an Appalachian valley acoustic)

[07] VII Music of Shadows (for Aeolian Harp; Libra) 02:20

Gracefully, with elastic rhythm

[08] VIII The Magic Circle of Infinity (Moto perpetuo – Symbol; Leo) 02:12

Luminous – Joyously, like a cosmic clock-work; with mechanically precise rhythm

Part Three · IX–XII

[09] IX The Abyss of Time (Virgo) 02:46

Dark, with a sense of profound mystery – Sinister

[10] X Spring-Fire (Aries) 02:11

Prestissimo; breathlessly, with élan

[11] XI Dream Images (Love-Death Music; Gemini) 04:30

Musingly, like the gentle caress of a faintly remembered music

[12] XII Spiral Galaxy (Symbol; Aquarius) 03:11

Vast, lonely, timeless

MAKROKOSMOS Volume II

Twelve Fantasy-Pieces after the Zodiac for Amplified Piano (1973)

Part One · I–IV

[13] I Morning Music (Genesis II; Cancer) 03:04

Exuberantly, with primitive energy

[14] II The Mystic Chord (Sagittarius) 02:21

Adagio molto; serene, desireless, like a Nirvana-trance

[15] III Rain-Death Variations (Pisces) 01:52

Crystalline, with elegance (Tempo metronomico)

[16] IV Twin Suns (Doppelgänger aus der Ewigkeit, Symbol; Gemini) 03:41

Majestic – Solemn (Hymn for the Advent of the Star-Child)

Part Two · V–VIII

[17] V Ghost-Nocturne: for the Druids of Stonehenge (Night-Spell II; Virgo) 02:10

Dark, fantastic, subliminal

[18] VI Gargoyles (Taurus) 01:37

Marcia grottesca; savagely, with irony

[19] VII Tora! Tora! Tora! (Cadenza Apocalittica; Scorpio) 02:36

Dramatic, with great intensity; violent, relentless

[20] VIII A Prophecy of Nostradamus (Symbol; Aries) 03:47

Stark, powerful (molto pesante) – Fatefully (Tema enigmatico) – Come prima

Part Three · IX–XII

[21] IX Cosmic Wind (Libra) 02:27

Ghostly, shadowy, tremulous

[22] X Voices from “Corona Borealis” (Aquarius) 04:43

Passacaglia: very slow, with majestic calm

[23] XI Litany of the Galactic Bells (Leo) 03:04

Jubilant; metallic, incisive, echoing (including Beethoven – Hammerklavier Sonata)

[24] XII Agnus Dei (Symbol; Capricorn) 04:09

Very slow, like chanting – Very slow, tender, wistful – Very slow; like a vision;

as if suspended in endless time (Prayer-wheel)

CD total playing time: 72:25

Markus Stange, piano