麻豆社

Total Immersion: Edgard Var猫se - Sakari Oramo conducts the 麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra in Varese's complete and extraordinary music for orchestra, joined by the 麻豆社 Singers.

Presented by Martin Handley with Var猫se expert Paul Griffiths.

Recorded at the Barbican on Saturday 6 May.

Var猫se: Arcana
Var猫se: Nocturnal +#

c.2010
Var猫se: Po猫me 茅lectronique

c.2025
Var猫se: 脡tude pour Espace [UK premiere of arrangement by Chou Wen-Chung] +
Var猫se: D茅serts

c.2115
Var猫se: Tuning Up [arrangement by Chou Wen-Chung]
Var猫se: 础尘茅谤颈辩耻别蝉

Allison Bell (soprano) #
麻豆社 Singers +
麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra
Sakari Oramo (conductor)

Edgard Var猫se, even a half century after his death, remains a controversial yet cult figure. Born in France in 1883, he grew up in Italy, studied composition in Paris and Berlin, and knew all the major artistic figures of his day. His early music, influenced by Debussy, Strauss and Busoni, was destroyed in a Berlin warehouse fire in 1918. He emigrated to the US in 1915, and apart from a five-year stint in Paris, he remained in the US until his death in 1965. His unique voice and rigorous, though eclectic aesthetic, influenced countless younger composers even though his entire output can be performed in about three hours.

The 麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra's Total Immersion day at the Barbican on Saturday 6 May embraces every note that has survived by the maverick composer, presented in two concerts and foyer events. This final concert by the 麻豆社 Symphony Orchestra leads the listener from the still startlingly original 础尘茅谤颈辩耻别蝉 of 1918-21, via the witty Tuning Up (arranged by Var猫se pupil Chou Wen-chung) to the late Nocturnal.