Georg Friedrich Haas (1953 – )

[bhodges]

Thanks for posting this - I am listening to it and it is a fascinating work.  I can only imagine what the live experience in the dark must have been like.

I was a little astounded by the ability of the quartet to even play it, given that they cannot rely on any visual cues, e.g., where their fingers are on their fingerboards, how to manage attacks, etc.

And yes, if you like overtone scales... 

--Bruce

[bhodges]

For anyone who has not heard Haas's HYENA, it is available for a limited time at the link below, with Bas Wiegers conducting Ensemble Musikfabrik.

For vocalist and chamber ensemble, Haas wrote it for his wife, Mollena, about her struggles with alcoholism. I heard her perform it here in 2017 with the Talea Ensemble, and found it riveting.

https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/georg-friedrich-haas-hyena-vertonte-alkoholsucht.1987.de.html?dram:article_id=450343

--Bruce

[Mandryka]

For anyone who has not heard Haas's HYENA, it is available for a limited time at the link below, with Bas Wiegers conducting Ensemble Musikfabrik.

For vocalist and chamber ensemble, Haas wrote it for his wife, Mollena, about her struggles with alcoholism. I heard her perform it here in 2017 with the Talea Ensemble, and found it riveting.

https://www.deutschlandfunk.de/georg-friedrich-haas-hyena-vertonte-alkoholsucht.1987.de.html?dram:article_id=450343

--Bruce

Here

https://www.youtube.com/v/5oa4uCKbj4g

[bhodges]

Here

https://www.youtube.com/v/5oa4uCKbj4g

Thanks so much for digging this up! I'd like to revisit at some point.

--Bruce

[Mandryka]

Does anyone here have this in better sound than 192 kbps mp3? If so, can I have a rip please? 

[Mandryka]

Funny, I've been listening to precisely Limited Approximations myself lately and was thinking to come on here and urge everyone to track down the Neos box set with this and a boatload of other worthy new pieces. Haas was deeply inspired by Wyschnegradsky's microtonal piano writing, and hearing the Wyschegradsky pieces alongside the Haas in that box set has only deepened my appreciation of both composers.

But all of Haas's CDs on Neos and Kairos are, I daresay, essential purchases for any fan of contemporary music. I would also strongly encourage people to avoid YouTube for this repertoire. Not only is it compressed to hell, but the two record companies that are championing Haas are facing a difficult financial outlook and could use your support.

What I like about Haas is his ability to make the ensemble sound like a single mighty organism, ever-growing. He's like Radulescu but with a clearer form, one that can also deeply move lovers of more traditional repertoire.

Clearly Radulescu, the 9th quartet made me think of Radigue's trilogie.

[Mandryka]

Why isn't this gorgeous cycle, in places quite original,  for voice and small ensemble, Wie stille brannte das licht, better known?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=YjPQLsO4_eo

[Mandryka]

11, 000 Strings for 50 pianos and orchestra.

(Strong Twin Peaks vibes, this is a journey to Another Place. Fasten your safety belt before playing, and make sure the neighbours are out.)

[Rinaldo]

11, 000 Strings for 50 pianos and orchestra.

(Strong Twin Peaks vibes, this is a journey to Another Place. Fasten your safety belt before playing, and make sure the neighbours are out.)

Thanks for digging up a recording (and keeping the thread on life support)!

I've attended this particular performance and it certainly was an evening to remember. To quote my notebook, in which I've tried to scribble my immediate impressions during the piece:

- Spitfires revving up
- I wonder what the kids think (there were plenty)
- AND their parents (a bunch of them left, dragging the kids who looked like they wanted to stay)
- down into a crystal cave, oh here's a gnome workshop
- slipping strings
- bubbles, engulfment

Very informative, I know. What impressed me the most is that the whole thing didn't collapse at any point. And I gather it was a different aural experience for people in different parts of the venue – I was in a corner near some of the flutes and a bassclarinet I think? So I've heard those prominently. The pianos weren't as overwhelming as one might expect, yet there were a few moments when the whole thing kicked into full force and. it. was. glorious.

(Although not for the people who expected fifty Für Elises in sync, I guess? A bunch of VERY perplexed faces throughout that evening. The players themselves were having a blast!)

[Mandryka]

Thanks for digging up a recording (and keeping the thread on life support)!

I've attended this particular performance and it certainly was an evening to remember. To quote my notebook, in which I've tried to scribble my immediate impressions during the piece:

- Spitfires revving up
- I wonder what the kids think (there were plenty)
- AND their parents (a bunch of them left, dragging the kids who looked like they wanted to stay)
- down into a crystal cave, oh here's a gnome workshop
- slipping strings
- bubbles, engulfment

Very informative, I know. What impressed me the most is that the whole thing didn't collapse at any point. And I gather it was a different aural experience for people in different parts of the venue – I was in a corner near some of the flutes and a bassclarinet I think? So I've heard those prominently. The pianos weren't as overwhelming as one might expect, yet there were a few moments when the whole thing kicked into full force and. it. was. glorious.

(Although not for the people who expected fifty Für Elises in sync, I guess? A bunch of VERY perplexed faces throughout that evening. The players themselves were having a blast!)

Nice to see you responding given that you were/are a fan of Twin Peaks!

[Rinaldo]

Nice to see you responding given that you were/are a fan of Twin Peaks!