Engelberg

RITOGRAFIA (1971) proposes a series of musical sketches alien from any predetermination. The episode-theme is based on a moto perpetuo in the higher-middle register of the piano, which progressively evolves towards synchronies initially consisting of two simultaneous sounds that ultimately become three, four, five or more agglomerations of sounds. The complex harmonic structures of these clusters create an ecstatic atmosphere. The form is indeterminate, and each graphic “sign” does not correspond to a specific sound but wants to evoke unexplored acoustic worlds. The title, Ritografia, precisely attests its procedure as illustrated.

Harry Huff plays organ works of Calvin Hampton at Calvary Episcopal Church, New York City, joined by David Higgs in the Alexander Variations.

Christopher Wells plays a program of original new organ music by American composer Craig Phillips on the Casavant Organ of Christ Church in Bronxville, New York. Christopher Wells is from Annapolis, Maryland, where he began his organ studies with James Dale at the United States Naval Academy. Mr. Wells received his undergraduate degree in organ performance from the Oberlin Conservatory of Music on the Dean s Talent Grant. During these years, he absorbed elements of the Anglican tradition serving as Organ Scholar at Saint Paul s in Washington, D.C, and taking lessons at Washington National Cathedral. Mr. Wells took his master s in organ from the University of Michigan as a student of Robert Glasgow.

"From the Merel Quartet‘s inception, the music of Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy has played an important role in ou repertoire. We find it fascinating how he achieves his own musical language in his string quartet writing, even in his earliest works in that genre. Clearly he is influenced by Haydn, Mozart and Beethoven, nevertheless, from the very first measures of his quartet Op 12 it is his own voice, his own unique sound which we hear.

Using a deep time perspective composer Henning Sommerro chooses themes from myths and from European history. Three works for soloist and orchestra and three visions encounter resistance before they struggle forward to possible redemption and resolution. The first work is Solkverv. The skald Sigvat Tordsson is on his way to the eternal city. It is just before the summer solstice, and the skald has time to reflect about important issues in his life and times – and to think about who to include in his visions. We are enticed further to Vårfest, and the mysterious spring goddess of the same name. A lot is at stake as the vernal equinox approaches.