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Varèse: The New World, Machines and the Noise of the City

Kate Molleson and Gillian Moore shine new light on the 'modern' music of the 20th century. In this episode, Gillian's focus is on Edgard Varèse's Amériques.

Kate Molleson and Gillian Moore continue their new landmark series for ѿý Radio 3 exploring the pivotal 'modern' musical works of the 20th century, the groundbreaking composers who created them, and the radical cultural and artistic movements which gave rise to them. This is a story about a hundred years of change. Of war. Of oppression. Of steps towards equality. Of censorship. Of rapid, inescapable technological advancement. Of machines. Of transport. Of science... And it's the story of how art and music responded, the story of the composers who defined the 20th century, who created 'modern' musical art which would shock, appall and fascinate in equal measure, changing the way we listen for ever.

In this second episode we are in America at the end of the 1910s. A French composer in his early 30s arrives in New York. As he steps off the boat and begins to find his feet in this unfamiliar land, his ears meet an array of novel sounds and his mind is full with groundbreaking music he has carried with him from Europe. The New World would prove to be a place of transformation for Varèse. Surrounded by a circle of new artistic acquaintances as well as the sheer noise of the traffic, building work and sirens of the city, he would go on to reinvent the sound of the orchestra, starting with the first work he composed in the USA: Amériques.

Produced by Sam Phillips
A Reduced Listening production for ѿý Radio 3

To listen on most smart speakers just say, “ask ѿý Sounds to play 20th Century Radicals”

59 minutes

Music Played

  • Edgard Varèse

    Hyperprism

    Conductor: Pierre Boulez. Ensemble: Ensemble intercontemporain.
    • A Symphony Of Three Orchestras, Déserts · Ecuatorial · Hyperprism.
    • Sony Classical.
  • Igor Stravinsky

    The Rite of Spring: Part One: Adoration of the Earth: Introduction

    Orchestra: Berliner Philharmoniker. Conductor: Sir Simon Rattle.
    • The Rite of Spring: Part One: Adoration of the Earth.
    • WARNER CLASSICS.
  • Edgard Varèse

    Un grand sommeil noir

    Performer: Jérôme Ducros. Singer: Philippe Jaroussky.
    • Melodies françaises on Verlaine’s poems.
    • Erato.
  • Charlie Parker

    Constellation

    Performer: Max Roach. Performer: John Lewis. Performer: Miles Davis. Singer: Curley Russell.
    • Constellation / Ah-Leu-Cha.
    • Weton-Wesgram.
  • Ruth Crawford Seeger

    String Quartet (1931) - movement III

    Performer: Marijke van Kooten. Performer: Karin Dolman. Performer: Heleen Hulst. Performer: Hans Woudenberg.
    • String Quartet (1931).
    • Deutsche Grammophon.
  • George Antheil

    Ballet Mécanique

    Orchestra: American Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Leon Botstein.
    • Ballet Mécanique.
    • American Symphony Orchestra.
  • Edgard Varèse

    Ameriques

    Performer: ѿý Symphony Orchestra. Conductor: Sakari Oramo.
    • Ameriques.
    • ѿý Records.
  • Frank Zappa

    Wolf Harbor

    • Dance Me This.
    • Zappa Records.

Broadcast

  • Sun 13 Apr 2025 21:00