William Russell
Made In America: The Complete Works Of William Russell
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William Russell was, along with his friends John Cage, Henry Cowell and Lou Harrison, one of the seminal figures in modern percussion music. Russell composed his landmark percussion during the 1930s, eventually abandoning composition to work in jazz and settle in New Orleans. He was the first composer in the western tradition to integrate African, Caribbean and Asian instruments along with found objects and the influence of jazz into his work, all the while maintaining a distinctly exuberant “American” sound.
Cage was so fond of Russell and his music that he kept the idea of reviving Russell’s neglected music alive. He offered assistance towards a retrospective concert of Russell’s complete works in New York in 1990, a gala event attended by many leading figures in new music and jazz. Russell came to New York to work with Essential Music in the preparation of these works; some of which had their world premiere there, others had not been heard in almost 50 years.
Subsequently, Essential Music toured the U.S. and Europe with Russell’s works to great acclaim. This CD marks the first complete recording of Russell’s joyful compositions for percussion ensemble.
“…a captivating slice of American-music history.” Art Lange, Classical Pulse!
“…a wonderfully noisy finish to a quiet career, a proper New Orleans send-off for a composer who blurred the boundaries between new music and jazz.” Damon Krukowski, Fanfare
“…everyone interested in American avant-garde history needs this” Kyle Gann, The Village Voice
“The members of Essential Music are great players, with a unique expertise in this repertoire.” Elliot S. Hurwitt, Fanfare
Prelude, Chorale and Fugue (1932, revised 1985) 6:12
Four Dance Movements (1933, revised 1990) 6:48
Three Cuban Pieces (1935) 3:20
Trumpet Concerto (1937, revised 1990) 6:06
Chicago Sketches (1940) 3:34
March Suite (1936, revised 1984) 5:38
Ogou Badagri (1933) 17:03, a ballet based on the Voodoo Rites of Haiti
Made in America (1936, revised 1990) 2:48
All first recordings except Three Cuban Pieces
Essential Music, John Kennedy and Charles Wood artistic directors
Laurie Frink, trumpet
Release notes
"Prelude, Chorale and Fugue" composed 1932, revised 1985. First recording. "Four Dance Movements" composed 1933, revised 1990. First recording. "Three Cuban Pieces" composed 1935. "Trumpet Concerto" composed 1937, revised 1990. First recording. "Chicago Sketches" composed 1940. First recording. "March Suite" composed 1936, revised 1984. First recording. "Ogou Badagri" composed 1933. First recording. Subtitled "A ballet based on the Voodoo Rites of Haiti". "Made in America" composed 1936,…
| 1 | Prelude, Chorale And Fugue | 6:12 | |
| Four Dance Movements | |||
| 2 | Waltz | 2:06 | |
| 3 | March | 1:23 | |
| 4 | Tango | 1:52 | |
| 5 | Foxtrot | 1:08 | |
| Three Cuban Pieces | |||
| 6 | Havanera | 1:08 | |
| 7 | Rhumba | 1:02 | |
| 8 | Tiempo De Son | 1:10 | |
| 9 | Trumpet Concerto | 6:06 | |
| Chicago Sketches | |||
| 10 | 3525 S. Dearborn | 1:10 | |
| 11 | 5507 S. Michigan | 1:05 | |
| 12 | 4726 S. State | 1:19 | |
| March Suite | |||
| 13 | School March | 0:49 | |
| 14 | Wedding March | 0:56 | |
| 15 | Military March | 0:53 | |
| 16 | Hunger March | 1:09 | |
| 17 | Funeral March | 1:12 | |
| - | |||
| 18 | Ogou Badagri | 17:03 | |
| 19 | Made In America | 2:48 | |
- Eric Kivnick
- Bass Drum (1, 13 to 17), Bass [Washtub] (10 to 12), Bongos (6 to 8), Drums [Drum Kit], Lion's Roar, Triangle (13 to 17), Drums [Drum Kit], Performer [Woodblocks] (2 to 5)
- John Kennedy
- Bass Drum, Whistle [Slide] (9, 13 to 17), Bells [Alarm], Gong, Lion's Roar (13 to 17), Claves, Vibraslap [Quijada] (6 to 8), Liner Notes, Percussion [Metals, Jack Daniel's Bottle] (2 to 5), Tom Tom (2 to 5, 10 to 12), Washboard [Washboard Kit] (9 to 12, 19), Wood Block [Woodblocks] (10 to 12)
- William Russell
- Composed By
- Maya Gunji
- Cowbell (6 to 8, 13 to 17), Cymbal [Cymbals] (2 to 5, 13 to 17), Guiro, Maracas (6 to 8), Wood Block [Woodblocks] (13 to 17)
- Rosanne Lufrano
- Design [Cover]
- John Redsecker
- Drums [Drum Kit] (9 to 12), Performer [Suitcase] (10 to 12)
- David Avidor
- Engineer, Edited By [Digital Editing]
- Peter Cooper
- Gong (13 to 17)
- Charles Wood
- Liner Notes, Marimbula (6 to 8), Percussion [Tin Cans] (10 to 12), Performer [Metronome] (13 to 17)
- Essential Music
- Percussion
- Judith Gordon
- Piano (1 to 5, 9 to 18)
- Brian Brandt
- Producer, Artwork By [Art Direction]
