Edgard Varèse - Amériques

One of my favorite modernist pieces. I like to think of it as Stravinsky's "Rite of Spring" on crack (see if you can find all the references!) There are also references to other early century music such as Schoenberg and (I think) Mahler. The last 5 minutes or so is one of the most intense endings I know of.
Riccardo Chailly conducts the Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra.

[@definitiveenergy1]

Finally, a musical interpretation of what I heard when I had a fever of 103.5 when I was 7 years old.

[@amhall1970]

Very interesting

[@loplopthebird1860]

103,5°C D...did your blood boiled?

[@djaflo]

@@loplopthebird1860 that would be °F

[@fredkilner2299]

Maybe you had the radio on and it was really 103.5 FM. Once I said it's only 10:45 PM? Friend said. "No" that's 104.5 FM.

[@iagozabibha]

“Contrary to general belief, an artist is never ahead of his time but most people are far behind…” Edgard Varese, French, composer

[@elliottgoldkind]

Technically an American composer of French birth. But whatever, great quote!

[@banmadabon]

as chauvinisme goes since he has italian father and has spent his formative years in Italy (from 10 to 20) you could also say that he is an italian-french composer

[@advokata]

What I just don't understand about Varèse is why he thought the generally conservative USA, out of all the other places, was a good alternative to France, which he though was not avantgarde enough.

[@sleepyavl]

Nonsense. He was both a French and US citizen (at the very least sequentially) and was French-Italian by ethnic origin.

[@superoxidedismutase5757]

"Im not smart, everyone else is dumb!"

[@PepperWilliams_songcovers]

Edgard Varese musical ideas can be heard in a million movie cues!!!

[@amhall1970]

Yeah ?

[@daroanvimusen]

​@@amhall1970 West Side story total !!

[@Soytu19]

This is how i feel when socializing

[@ms9625]

lol

[@goldenyeroc]

Studying Frank Zappa's biography guided me to this track, I'm evolving so much by listening to this one track.

[@williamdelong8265]

Zappa set me free musically to create.

[@fzcbh4698]

The weird thing that when Edgard Vareses passed away at 1965, after that directly Frank started his career as musician and recorded his first album. It is like a legacy(legend later) continued legend works.

[@noahfecks7598]

I came here because of the same thing, six years later! Hope all is well!

[@lucasmichaels8558]

Said it elsewhere...saying again...Varese is the darker, angrier Stravinsky. Great stuff. Pretty obvious Zappa loved those two composers.

[@classicalmusic1175]

I brought myself here.

[@whyshouldisharemynameonthe1490]

nice

[@segmentsAndCurves]

same

[@eruption257]

Varese really knew what he was saying when he described his music as "the movement of sound-masses" colliding at different speeds and angles, as delineated as different colored zones on a map, all in separate movements, occasionally crashing together. And damn is it interesting to listen to.

[@johnappleseed8369]

eruption257 I wish more people would have that reaction to Xenakis

[@fiolds350]

They probably told him his music was blasphemy

[@Zopf-international]

Really enjoyed this. Thanks for the time uploading it. Thanks everybody else here knowing the name Frank Zappa too. I heard this and the Rites of Spring (mentioned above) at a very cool Edinburgh Festival one year. I also managed to see Sun Ra at one event there also. Feel blessed? Why yes. Yes i do.

[@noconnection1839]

Oh man, the aggression. This is like the heavy metal of the classical music scene.

[@maximemerlin3291]

Frank Zappa brought me here.

[@tommyturner7858]

+Maxime Merlin ditto

[@IvanBuck]

+Maxime Merlin And the Legacy continues

[@doctorfuse007]

+Maxime Merlin Frank brought me to Edgard! :)

[@martouk53]

+doctorfuse007 You can definitely hear this man's influence in the Zappa music, particularly the electronic phase.

[@ClarenceDoskocil]

Yep.

[@fleeb]

Your neighbor thought he'd play Bach's Toccata and Fugue in D minor to scare the children for Halloween, but you came up with a better idea...

[@normameza5227]

I can see why Zappa admired him.

[@alexacontrerasb]

Totally

[@tonewall1]

+Jaime Robles Mendoza he looks like the Dweezil.......

[@johnappleseed8369]

+tonewall jaxon that's so true it's scary..

[@andym28]

If you are into this and Allan Holdsworth I salute you.

[@mrveritas700]

JUST FOUND OUT HE WAS A BIG INFLUENCE ON HIM...I NOW CAN HEAR IT.

[@jeffrogers210]

A reviewer said of Varese's music at the time "His music is either from the distant past, or the far future, and I can tell which it is."

[@AntwhaleNearfar]

Both

[@matthewmartinez3596]

Man, the dynamics in this recording are incredible, and this only a KZbin capture. Can’t wait to locate a physical copy of this and listen to it on my stereo.

[@trismegistus7758]

Varese's definition of music: "The corporealization of intelligence that exists within sound."

[@carlosalfano8553]

Masterwork from a truly Genius!!!

[@jeffreywilliams2240]

I like to listen to this very very LOUD!!!

[@BrownSoldier96]

Fascinating! Not even five minutes in and I've got goosebumps.

[@thevector384]

I'm so grateful for this Thank you for sharing 🙏

[@ratmadness4858]

I'm on disability retirement and have 24 hours a day to do whatever I want to. I'm going to start making sounds I like. Should be fun.

[@itssanti]

👏👏👏🍺

[@THEDONTTELLSHOW]

How's it going?

[@ratmadness4858]

@@THEDONTTELLSHOW good! I've learned B Major. starting to work on creating sounds in Reason 10. I just like B major

[@acavalalcha]

Hey, any update on this?

[@ratmadness4858]

@@acavalalcha yes! I'm learning scales on the keyboard. Now I'm taking what I've learned to a electric guitar 1 string at a time. I have learned B Major the best so far. thanks!

[@mustafakandan2103]

Varese is very exciting to discover. Unlike other modernists, once you hear his work 2 or 3 times, you are satisfied for life. Nothing more to be gained from further listening. The music of composers like Messiaen, Ligeti or Boulez one can listen to for decades, but not Varese.

[@mrtchaikovsky]

Speak for yourself.

[@jamesstoltzfus887]

I hear so much of this echoed in Zappa's music (of course) Chicago had a track titled "a hit by Varese"

[@michaelwosslert9524]

Edgar Varèse brought me here.

[@KaterinaStamatelos]

One of my favorites, too. Just ADORE his sirens!!!!

[@MrBeethovenfan]

Why is the siren so much more tasteful in this version than in my Naxos version? Who knew a siren player could make that big of an impact? This is probably my first Varese piece I've truly enjoyed.

[@chomoi1389]

The siren bought me here

[@davbig74]

This is the first time I listen to a work by Varèse from the beginning to the end. Very cool! I find all the references you mentioned (mostly evident to me is the Rite of Spring) and also some Villa-Lobos (above all "Uirapuru", "Amazonas" and Choros no.8). Thanks!

[@sleepyavl]

Glad to know someone hears Villa-Lobos!

[@EdNeyBraga]

Yes, Villa Lobos's everywhere here!

[@psycoticreaction9135]

To David: You listened to it from beginning to end. Very few people do that anymore. Bravo Sir!!!!!

[@OmarFernandesAly]

Sure it has Villa Lobos and Stravinsky

[@123must]

Beautiful ! Thanks

[@gaeldupret6493]

Very cool and I love this music because it's crazy how he can do that

[@PointyTailofSatan]

Thank you Frank!

[@guyclegg]

So deeply inspired.

[@DrAxloJones]

I admit my research on Revolution 9 sent me here. Well worth the effort as this is truly a work of genius.

[@MegaCirse]

Soothing being! Taste Varese implies a regression, acceptance of an abandonment of critical sense and a letting go to resonate with the expression of human passions. A moving and sensual music, it will always remain hermetic to the sicks of the heart !

[@DJLILPYREX]

Contemporary Classical Music at its Finest

[@green-eyed4435]

This music creates a creepy mood. There is something appealing about... and surprising... An incredible amount of impressions, especially when I'm listening at night...

[@rvc6506]

Curiosity brought me here. Interesting.

[@robertvarese802]

ANOTHER MASTERPIECE

[@alfredoolvera5845]

Hi from México: Monstruo de la creación electrónica!...que sería del Rock sin su influencia...no existiría ni el, ni el Jazz! Abrazo esta maravilla de ser!!...Dios te bendiga Edgar....donde quiera que estés!!

[@MaryLeighLear]

he modern day composer refuses to die

[@viningsbee]

And that's a great thing. :)

[@dallexandro]

Incredible finale!

[@jaegonekim]

wow this is amazing

[@williamdelong8265]

Love it!

[@smithpm81]

Thank you fz I get Varese now

[@JimCim]

A masterpiece.

[@TheAwesomenessman123]

This is so good...

[@lilithsaroyanjellyfish]

he is genius !

[@fabiopadaratz2515]

Wonderful!!!!!

[@davidraymer397]

Heard about him from Zappa, but I'm hearing a lot of Keith Emerson "Tarkus" here too.

[@irrationallynegative]

Thank you!

[@be0wu1f_exe_stopped_working]

I have no words

[@blakegiesting1080]

That final chord!!

[@davidraymer397]

Influenced the Beatles?

[@IYAMNI]

Last time I heard this was on vinyl.... that's how long ago it was. Thanks for posting.

[@christopherfoley5973]

I listen mostly to vinyl now. Still by far the most dynamic and realistic reproduction of the audio spectrum . The thrill of crescendos will scare you , as they should.

[@IYAMNI]

@@christopherfoley5973 As far as the sonic experience yes, vinyl is superior. But for practical purposes, not so much. I would have to add another room for my collection. Right now it's sitting in about 12 notebooks on a wall shelf. And I have yet to figure out how to play records in my car. haha

[@terrysmith4856]

Thanks, Frank......

[@ignasmixer]

By listening this, I've already pictured Tom & Jerry in my mind.

[@GregoryCoccox]

ahahaaahah :)))

[@Robertbrucelockhart]

The word that comes immediately to mind is “cinematic.”

[@snuppssynthchannel]

Varèse led me here.

[@atomkraftteddy]

One of the greats.....

[@IwanttoliveinParis]

He damn-well did indeed. Been learnin' a lot about the Laurel Canyon scene too.

[@TheBillyKmusic]

Came here via Chicago.

[@3586065]

One of Frank Zappa's earliest classical music influences.

[@jeanmessiah1319]

"Le côté de Guermantes" et ses commentaires sur la "Schola" m'ont amené ici

[@buzzawuzza3743]

So glad he added in the cop car siren sound so you know it's him and not some Varese wannabe.

[@camachda]

I am going to a film about Varese at The Moma this Wed. The music sounds like the haunting music sprinkled around the original Planet of The Apes.

[@loucifer8009]

Perfect music for Insane Asylums!

[@andym28]

Here by accident as he looks like Joachim Phoenix

[@narniabuisnessmethinks5111]

Now I know why he looked familiar. Thanks

[@gmc1966]

im a long time Zappa geek..he turned me on to this brilliance :-)

[@viningsbee]

Pierre Boulez brought me here.

[@ogzombiebreakfast]

A 52-year-old comic book villian named Scorpio brought me here.

[@SweetSweetWaldo]

John Luther Adams also uses air-raid sirens in some of his compositions, and oh so well!

[@fiolds350]

Love the amount of frank Zappa people. You can really see how much these people influenced his work

[@tzeentchvonsheo9868]

I had this playing on speed 2 and didn't noticce lmao

[@SaccidanandaSadasiva]

A squid eating dough in a polyethylene bag, is fast and bulbous, got me?

[@leanhquoc3109]

so damn intense, but greatt

[@nikah9635]

Rayuela brought me here, this is delirious!

[@okavango5937]

The reference to Schönberg Op. 16 No. 1 ending at minute 17:30 is very clear, and well yes Stravinsky on crack :-)

[@ollotheollo]

Wow! This is nasty, I adore it

[@philipchance5454]

This was originally orchestrated for a 140 (!) piece orchestra. Varese cut 15 woodwinds and 5 percussion. I don't believe the original orchestration has ever been recorded. Would love to hear it!

[@derPapierschredder]

This is an actual recording of the original. I think more important is his cutting of the big brass ensemble behind the stage, which you can hear in this recording in all its glory.

[@trismegistus7758]

Fernand Ouellete's biography on Varese is a must read.

[@SteveSparx]

the crack remark is concerning yet humorous

[@haakonlc8002]

capolavoro

[@davidgriffiths1688]

I have to relax a little now with a piano solo by Nigel Tomm " Roses Like a Nest from the Parallel Experience."

[@chickenray182]

In a 1966 interview Frank Zappa said this was the best song, written and performed many years earlier.

[@litlelouis]

"Rite of Spring" is already on crack !

[@tomorronow]

This must be SUPER CRACK

[@RC-wt6yn]

No conocía este "Onkalo" !

[@Protonixum]

Une de ces meilleurs pièces !

[@Matt_Burns]

Charlie Parker brought me here... There's an interview of bird talking about meeting Edgar and studying under him in Europe.

[@rickvosper7318]

'Throughout his career, Charlie Parker publicly acknowledged his admiration for Varese, who was his Greenwich Village neighbor. “I had the pleasure of meeting Edgar Varese,” he once said on Boston radio, “The French composer. He was very nice to me. He’s willing to teach me. He wants to compose something for me.” Of these encounters, Varese remarked, “He stopped by my place a number of times. He was like a child, with the shrewdness of a child. He possessed a tremendous enthusiasm. He’d come in and exclaim, ‘take me in as you would a baby and teach me music. I only write one voice. I want to have structure. I want to write orchestral scores.’ I promised myself I would try to find some time to show him some of the things he wanted to know.” Unfortunately, while the two musicians met informally several times, Varese left for Paris to compose Deserts shortly after they met, and when he returned in the Spring of 1955, Parker was two months dead from lobar pneumonia and a bleeding ulcer.' from digitice.org/blog/post/varese-charlie-parker-and-the-new-york-improv-sessions

[@stevegreg8181]

@@rickvosper7318 Much thanks for this sharing of Parker-Varese encounter.

[@snapfinger1]

The Agony of Modern Music. Henry Pleasant..

[@Harry_Stylus]

I see all of this stuff about frank zappa on here. He probably read about Varese in Henry Miller's "The Air Conditioned Nightmare." That's where I first came across the name. The music is nuts lol

[@ericschroeder591]

may I please be in your club...my heart lives in this........

[@MrJerdnajerdna]

music for wedding parties

[@jamesstoltzfus887]

Chortling out loud That's a great image to behold

[@Protonixum]

Les versions de Robert Craft et de Pierre boulez sont des références en la matière !

[@JonathanRodriguez-tx2xq]

Life brought me here

[@knoxrembrandt]

Das ist eine gute und spannende musik

[@drewstixmagee4823]

this music makes me feel like something bad is gonna happen

[@jbonesmd918]

+drewstix magee if you were tripping on LSD multiply that feeling by about 10,000 and then hold on tight.

[@22fret]

Varèse is much more accessible, than Boulez (RIP), who is by far too edgy for me. And yes, Zappa brought me here, too... :D

[@johnappleseed8369]

Edgy?

[@kamaukirikourexi3955]

the experimental electronic article fron allmusic.com brought me here.....THIS DARK AND INTENSE!!! MY GOD!

[@fredyair1]

Imagine and LSD trip with this music...

[@warrenbailey1079]

yeah Frank brought me here too

[@nytram42]

Me too. All these years later and he's still teaching me.

[@mingfeid.4627]

The most stressful music ever

[@Ninja_Gaijin]

I'm guessing the end of this had a big influence on the score of the movie Aliens.. heavy as

[@scottalper2825]

Reminds me of a Hitchcock movie!