Grant Chu Covell

Managing Editor Grant Chu Covell works in the Boston area. He once worked for a global technology company that made hardware which Xenakis and Babbitt used to good effect. He was the publisher of the brilliant but forgotten The Periodic Journal of Bibliography (1990-95), and his music reviews have appeared in EAR Magazine and InMusic. His instrumental and electroacoustic music has been performed in the U.S. and abroad, and he has shared many CDs of his music with family and friends (one piece was recorded in a refrigerator). A short article about a composition he wrote for piano and tape can be found in the Csound Magazine. Two electroacoustic works have appeared in commercial compilations: Presence III and The Door Project. A recent CD can be found here, and another is in preparation. A long departed family dog’s name was taken from a character in Wagner’s Ring.

String Theory 12: Violin (with Piano, Mostly)

Fokkens declares a natural and mature style through efficient notes and rhythm.

String Theory 12: Violin (with Piano, Mostly)

Fokkens declares a natural and mature style through efficient notes and rhythm.

Percussion on mode

Huang (re)introduces a particular genre of percussion music, works written for Trio Le Cercle. These films use close-ups, overlays and subtitles, so that the DVD experience is far richer than a live one.

Percussion on mode

Huang (re)introduces a particular genre of percussion music, works written for Trio Le Cercle. These films use close-ups, overlays and subtitles, so that the DVD experience is far richer than a live one.

Passion Texts

Aperghis treats us to nearly an hour of urgent, exhilarating nonsense.

Passion Texts

Aperghis treats us to nearly an hour of urgent, exhilarating nonsense.

Composer haunts in Stuttgart, Berlin, Prague

A recent trip allowed for some exploring in Stuttgart, Berlin and Prague.

Composer haunts in Stuttgart, Berlin, Prague

A recent trip allowed for some exploring in Stuttgart, Berlin and Prague.

Piano Factory 15: Micro and Macro

Here are nine renditions of ten Holt’s most famous opus. Built from multi-measure cells which can be repeated ad lib, this may be the longest work constructed on an unbroken stream of quintuplets. It is also a potent dose of B-flat minor.

Piano Factory 15: Micro and Macro

Here are nine renditions of ten Holt’s most famous opus. Built from multi-measure cells which can be repeated ad lib, this may be the longest work constructed on an unbroken stream of quintuplets. It is also a potent dose of B-flat minor.

(Dis)Arrangements 6. / Piano Factory 14.

Bach and Scarlatti on piano are intrinsically arrangements, music relocated to an instrument unanticipated by their composers. Some 19th and 20th-century composer-pianists found Bach and Scarlatti too spindly for the ivories. They added notes and fleshed out chords, and took other liberties such as composing new voices or adjusting harmonies.

(Dis)Arrangements 6. / Piano Factory 14.

Bach and Scarlatti on piano are intrinsically arrangements, music relocated to an instrument unanticipated by their composers. Some 19th and 20th-century composer-pianists found Bach and Scarlatti too spindly for the ivories. They added notes and fleshed out chords, and took other liberties such as composing new voices or adjusting harmonies.

Mostly Symphonies 27.

I’ve previously expressed impatience with Mahler’s First, however, this release bucks the trend doubly. First, this 2004 live performance is bright and energetic. Second, perhaps because this is a Hungarian effort and the symphony’s five-movement incarnation originally premiered in Budapest, Kocsis restores the Blumine movement.

Mostly Symphonies 27.

I’ve previously expressed impatience with Mahler’s First, however, this release bucks the trend doubly. First, this 2004 live performance is bright and energetic. Second, perhaps because this is a Hungarian effort and the symphony’s five-movement incarnation originally premiered in Budapest, Kocsis restores the Blumine movement.

EA Bucket 21.

The best ea defies explanation and labeling. We find ourselves in a world where the familiar takes on varying expressions.

EA Bucket 21.

The best ea defies explanation and labeling. We find ourselves in a world where the familiar takes on varying expressions.

Percussion with Pianos

There are old and new friends to be found in Edwardes’ excellent recital.

Percussion with Pianos

There are old and new friends to be found in Edwardes’ excellent recital.

Mostly Symphonies 26.

Babbitt’s All Set is a snazzy twelve-tone piece for jazz ensemble. Were it scored for a Pierrot ensemble it might seem bone dry, and if a jazz combo were provided atonal charts, this wouldn’t be the result. Regardless, I can’t help but listen and grin throughout.

Mostly Symphonies 26.

Babbitt’s All Set is a snazzy twelve-tone piece for jazz ensemble. Were it scored for a Pierrot ensemble it might seem bone dry, and if a jazz combo were provided atonal charts, this wouldn’t be the result. Regardless, I can’t help but listen and grin throughout.

(Dis)Arrangements 5.

In a mood to recycle, Sciarrino generally prefers to rummage through his own material. However, this disc presents a few pieces which adapt and twist others.

(Dis)Arrangements 5.

In a mood to recycle, Sciarrino generally prefers to rummage through his own material. However, this disc presents a few pieces which adapt and twist others.

Atopos Survey 3.

We come to a third and final installment in a survey of Atopos recordings. It’s not that I’ve saved the best for last, but rarities, yes. Any recordings of Vinko Globokar and Jean-Pierre Drouet, whether together or separate, are a reason to celebrate.

Atopos Survey 3.

We come to a third and final installment in a survey of Atopos recordings. It’s not that I’ve saved the best for last, but rarities, yes. Any recordings of Vinko Globokar and Jean-Pierre Drouet, whether together or separate, are a reason to celebrate.