Carlton Vickers-Alto flute
New Music Brandeis
Brandeis University
April 25, 2015

Massimiliano Viel - CONSTELLATIONS (PROCESS AND STATIC) (2015) (World Premiere)

Atlas Eclipticalis is the title of the collection of astronomical charts employed by John Cage in the composition of his work of the same name. Using transparent overlays he determined by means of chance operations which stars on the charts were to be notes and how these notes were to relate to one another. The work, commissioned in 1961 by the Montreal Festivals Society, was completed in 1962 and comprises 86 instrumental parts (for full orchestra) “to be played in whole or part, any duration, in any ensemble, chamber or orchestral." The present recording superimposes digital tapings of three parts for flute “(treble clef) changing with piccolo and alto flute ad lib. “ without a conductor. A performance may be at any point between minimum activity (silence) and maximum activity (what’s written). Based from my correspondences with Cage in 1987, my recording, completed in January, 2002, represents the culmination of a project spanning a 15 year period. Specifically, the analysis of the existing orchestral parts for flute, the generation and notation of precise microtonal versions of each, and the resulting recording and digital editing of each part with piccolo/alto flute doublings (9 parts total). This final recording is dedicated to the great shakuhachi master, Masayuki Koga. Since 1983, the sagacious virtuosity of Masayuki Koga has had the most profound influence on my personal artistry. His friendship and guidance have been invaluable, and without whom, this album would not have been possible. Only the natural sound of the instruments is heard.

 

Atlas Eclipticalis for 3 Flutes I

Atlas Eclipticalis for 3 Flutes II

Atlas Eclipticalis for 3 Flutes III

Atlas Eclipticalis for 3 Flutes IV

Martino QUODLIBETS II i

Martino QUODLIBETS II ii

Martino QUODLIBETS II iii

From OVER FROM SILENCE/Carlton Vickers-flute

Davidovsky SYNCHRONISMS #1 for Flute and Electronic Sounds

Kreiger INTIMATE EXCHANGES for Flute and Electronic Tape

Carlton Vickers is internationally regarded as one of today's most important performers of avant-garde flute music, specialising in the most demanding works of the contemporary and electro-acoustic repertoire. Vickers has remained a ubiquitous presence for well over two decades as flute soloist with the acclaimed Canyonlands New Music Ensemble/Maurice Abravanel Visiting Distinguished Composers Series, and the Cleveland based NO EXIT New Music Ensemble.

In March/2013, Carlton Vickers presented the U.S. Premiere of Brian Ferneyhough's Sisyphus Redux for alto flute solo, as well as the U. S. Premiere of A Small Revelation for solo flute by James Erber. Subsequently, Boston/2015, saw the World Premiere of three major large format works for alto flute solo/electronics, James Erber's daunting  Desire Lines for solo alto flute, the massive (22 minute) streaming for solo Kingma System alto flute by Marc Yeats, and Constellations (Process and Static) for alto flute and electronic sounds by Massimiliano Viel, all dedicated to Carlton Vickers.

He has worked in conjunction with, and has won the admiration of, such prominent composers as Milton Babbitt, Sir Harrison Birtwistle, Martin Boykan, John Cage, Eric Chasalow, Chen Yi, John Corigliano, Mario Davidovsky, Stephen Dembski, Jason Eckardt, James Erber, Richard Festinger, Don Freund, John Harbison, Jonathan Harvey, Jörg Herchet, Andrew Imbrie, Louis Karchin, John Kennedy, Arthur Kreiger, Stan Link, Steven Mackey, Donald Martino, Eric Moe, Tristan Murail, Shulamit Ran, Steve Reich, Roger Reynolds, Andrew Rindfleisch, Frederic Rzewski, Joseph Schwantner, Jeffrey Stadelman, Ernstalbrecht Stiebler, Harvey Sollberger, George Tsontakis, Massimiliano Viel, Scott Wheeler, Charles Wuorinen, Yehudi Wyner and Marc Yeats.

Mr. Vickers has appeared in concerts and recitals spanning four continents. Invitations include the Dresdener Zentrum für Zeitgenössische Musik, DIEM (Danish Institute of Electroacoustic Music), SEAMUS, Third Practice Electroacoustic Music Festival and the Cleveland Contemporary Players.
His performances are featured on Albany, Bridge, CRI, Capstone, Centaur and contextrecords.

Carlton Vickers

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