Avant Music News

For some info and samples of avant and/or under-appreciated composers, try Unknown Composers and Groovy Composers on the Web.

Coming out soon on Tzadik:
“COMPOSER SERIES
Mark Applebaum: Catfish
A former student of Brian Ferneyhough, Mark Applebaum straddles the two worlds of modern classical complexity and improvisational insanity. As one would expect, this first CD devoted to his work is an eclectic compendium of homemade electro-percussion, orchestral fireworks, virtuoso solo pieces and cartoon cut-ups. […]

The scoop from Squidco, which happens to be taking preporders…
“To mark the 25th Anniversary of the Art Bears Recommended Records will be releasing a 6 CD box. Squidco is working with ReR to take preorders for US sales only at this special preorder price of $72 ($70 when paying by check), which includes the cost […]

Here is a more complete list:
“I am pleased to announce the Fall 2003 reunion tour of four stars of Bulgarian and Romani Wedding music. Ivo Papazov (clarinet), Neshko Neshev (accordion), and Salif Ali (drums) will be featured guests with the Yuri Yunakov Ensemble, including Yuri Yunakov (saxophone), Kalin Kirilov (guitar, keyboard, and vocals), and […]

“The Sun Ra Arkestra under the direction of Marshall Allen ‘Halloween in Harlem.’
Halloween Night, October 31, 2003, at 8 PM, The Faculty House, Columbia University, 117th Street and Morningside Drive (enter from 116th Street). Free admission and open to all.”

A few dates are now available, with hopefully more to come. Please note that this touring group is mostly players from Ivo’s Bulgarian Wedding Band but might be billed under “The Youri Younakov Ensemble”. Also, the tour is not getting a ton of publicity so let potentially interested people know.
“10/26 - Pittsburgh, […]

Well, one is new, the other is a re-issue of a 1979 solo concert. Check out both at Jazz Weekly.

This site contain information on many Easern european folk/fusion/avant acts, such as Ivo Papasov, Pavel Fajt, Boris Kovac, Koroi Orom, and others.

Although they do release material from their namesake, Ayler Records is about much more. Take a look at their catalogue and reviews, and then if you find something that looks good, order online.

Two new shows:
“THE VERMONT JAZZ CENTER
72 Cotton Mill Hill, Brattleboro, VT
(8O2) 254-9O88, www.vtjazz.org, info@vtjazz.org
Friday, November 7, 2OO3
sets at 7:3O & 9 p.m., tickets $1O/ set or $16 for both;
HARVARD UNIVERSITY
Lowell House, Jr. Common Room, 1O Holyoke Place (off Mt. Auburn St. under the bell tower), Cambridge, MA
(617) 493-2965, www.fas.harvard.edu/~ofa, http://lowell.student.harvard.edu, schoonov@fas.harvard.edu
Saturday, November 8, 2OO3
9 p.m., […]

The latest on Hathut include:
“hatOLOGY 590
Daniele D’Agaro,
Ernst Glerum & Han Bennink
Strandjutters
Total time 56:38, DDD, Barcode: 752156059028
What’s a versatile Italian reed player doing in the company of a slam-bang Dutch rhythm section, you ask? D’Agaro spent several years living in Holland, collaborating with the leading lights of the often explosive Amsterdam scene, and though he’s gigged […]

FMP has recently announced two new releases:
“DUOS 2 : EUROPE AMERICA JAPAN
Peter Kowald & 18 more musicians
Recorded between 1986 and 1990
FMP-CD-124
(First release date: November 6, 2003)
AUDIOLOGY II - 11 GROUPS LIVE IN BERLIN
TOTAL MUSIC MEETING 2002
a/l/l 006
(Released: September 12, 2003)”

A few new releases of interest on ECM:
“Evan Parker Electro-Acoustic Ensemble, Memory/Vision
Sounds of the future and echoes of Evan Parker’s creative past commingle in this extraordinary live recording that blurs the boundaries between free improvisation, contemporary composition and electronic music. “Memory/Vision” is the third album in the critically-acclaimed series that began with “Toward The […]

Rihm started composing as a teenager and never looked back. A comprehensive list of works is available.

Netnewmusic.net has a review of a new Wolfgang Rihm CD. Reading the review makes me want to run out and get it…