IANNIS XENAKIS

Kraanerg

for 23 instruments and 4-channel tape in surround with full video plus interviews

The Callithumpian Consort / Stephen Drury

Tim Chu (video)

Kraanerg may be one of Xenakis' most popular, and infamous, works for ensemble grouped into woodwinds, brass and strings. The title, Kraanerg, is a composite of two Greek words: "kraan", meaning to perfect, to accomplish; and "erg", signifying energy. Comissioned for the gala opening of the National Arts Centre (NAC) in Ottawa, Canada in 1968, Kraanerg was the score to a ballet choreographed by Roland Petit with 'op-art' sets by Victor Vasarely. Petit did not impose a programme or 'story' on the composer, but chose to work with the materials Xenakis provided. According to Xenakis' programme notes, the title also referred to current youth movements: 1968 being a significant year in modern social history, his utopian vision of the upcoming "biological struggle between generations unfurling all over the planet, destroying existing political, social, urban, scientific, artistic and ideological frameworks on a scale never before attempted by humanity." This powerful statement can be felt in the music.

The dramatic 4-channel tape is derived from a recording of the orchestra which is transformed and distorted. Its sonic textures kaleidoscopically expand the range of expression while at the same time remaining connected to the instrumental material. Restored for this release from high resolution transfers of the analogue masters by German electronic composer Daniel Teige, revealing greater details in the texture and a wider dynamic range than previously heard on any Kraanerg recording.

96khz/24-bit high resolution.

Special DVD Features:

Full 77-minute performance video including specially created visuals for the tape interludes by director Tim Chu.

35-minute Interview on Kraanerg with Xenakis experts Gerard Pape and James Harley, writer Françoise Xenakis (the composer's widow), and dancer Veronica Tenant (who danced in the 1968 premiere).

Additional Interview with Daniel Teige on the restoration of the analogue tape.

"It is a wonderful piece of music, enthralling, and one that grips the mind and the heart.…one of the major ballet scores of the century." The NewYork Times 1968

Region 0, NTSC

Subtitles: English, German, French

5.0 Surround, Dolby Digital and DTS

Kraanerg (77 min); Interviews (50 min)

First recording with newly restored tape

Mode DVD mode196dvd