LISTENING POST: GEORGE CRUMB

Crumb: Ancient Voices of Children by George Crumb (Composer)

Those who know US composer George Crumb mainly from the terrifying musings of 'Black Angels' (made semi-famous by the Kronos Quartet) will probably be surprised by the haunting beauty of 'Ancient Voices'. Based on texts from Lorca, the rich but sparing instrumentation is complemented by evocative, floating soprano - sometimes sung into the piano to create an eerie, mystical ambient. My first exposure was at London's Roundhouse in 1976, where even the background rumbling of trains couldn't sublimate the extraordinary lure of Crumb's sound world. Truly gorgeous and thoughtfully composed.

LIST: TWENTY TWENTIETH CENTURY LANDMARKS
A personal selection with one or two twists. Such things are fun but inherently absurd, of course.