Edgard Varese, Arcana (1926-1927, revised 1960)

Orchestre Philharmonique de L'O.R.T.F. directed by Marius Constant. Above the first page of the score stands a quotation from the 16th Century scientist, humanist, and alchemist Paracelsus: "A star exists higher than all the rest. It is the star of the Apocalypse. The second is the star of the Ascendant, the third the star of the Elements, of which there are four. But there is yet another star, Imagination, which gives birth to a new star and a new heaven". Varese said, "this phrase is a dedication to Paracelsus, not a homage to him". At the same time, he wrote, "Imagination gives its form to dreams", and said his true thought was found in this work, and it should be considered as "absolute music, not program music".
Varese was born in 1883 and began composing in 1903, and quickly began to break away from traditional norms. Unfortunately his earliest works have never been preserved. He died in 1965.
This performance and recording, from 1973, is a particularly good one, because it captures the very harsh and austere drama of the piece. It is regarded as Varese's "magnum opus", comparable with his "Ameriques", which together comprise the only two works where Varese calls for huge orchestral forces. The wind section is greatly expanded, and 12 percussionists must handle 35 instruments. I have acquired several CDs of other recordings, which are better quality, but the sheer power of the music seemed somehow to be lost. This is what inspired me to upload this performance here, which regrettably suffers a little of the inevitable vinyl disc surface noise in the quietest moments. Good headphones or powerful hi fi speakers are essential.
After the first performance under Leopold Stokowski in 1927, the public reception was thoroughly averse. There was public outrage.The following day, one newspaper critic titled his article, "Desecration of the Sacred Hall!"
I have attempted to embellish this recording with suitable images. I have allowed my imagination fair reign, considering that this is the highest star of all! The austere character of the work seemed to call for apocalyptic and galactic subjects. There is a painting of the dedicatee Paracelsus at 5 minutes from the start.
At the newly constructed end, revised in 1960, it is as if the philosophical stone has at last fulfilled its mission. But the gold shines only a moment in the crucible: the music is inflated into a convulsive shout, then silence again. The six closing bars bring the great Secret back into the infinite of galaxies, into the very heart of matter.
From 1935, Varese went through an acute personal and artistic crisis: the electro-acoustic means which he needed in order to realize his tonal imaginings were not then available. He had to wait until the nineteen fifties. At the time he wrote, "Sometimes one sees so far into the future that the means of expression refuse to follow, as though they were scared". So it was in 1952 that he became very active again, producing his "Deserts", "Poeme Electronique", "Nocturnal", and others.

[@beckr11]

I was a double bassist at the University of Wisconsin Madison in 1986 when I was conducted by the great Catherine Comet with the U.W.-Madison Symphony Orchestra. I was only a Sophomore in college, but I understood the significance of this moment during rehearsals and concerts. A turning point in my life.

[@philipchance5454]

One hears in this music so many influences on the film composers of the 60's onward. Varese was so underrated! Thank you for this.

[@datrinhennessey466]

Philip Chance Yeah wow! Like The original Planet of Apes. That's what the remakes miss out on a soundtrack like this.

[@zwetwezenofficial]

Beautiful !!!! No other words !!! A True Masterpiece ^^

[@maryg.3957]

Thank you for the Art Work!!!!!!! - Stunning addition to this fantastic music

[@Bashkii]

He's a great composer...always sounds so fresh and new!! Totally underrated!!

[@drestonjclaw2839]

Finally! Something that actually sounds like music!

[@gerardbegni2806]

Arcana is an absolute masterwork. It is however surprising to hear some sequences which sound rahter "usual", if I can use that word. It is a part of the aura of this masterwork.

[@blacksantaria3642]

Love it .Great music .

[@subplantant]

You're right about the recording, wow!

[@pmenzio1]

Arcana was part of the sound track of the experimental underground film IL MOSTRO VERDE 1967 by Paolo Menzio and Tonino De Bernardi

[@acyutananda1083]

That was intense!

[@bramblelarsonfrisch4801]

terrific avant-garde classical composition. Harry Partch is my favoriye classical music composer.

[@StavroginR]

What does Harry Partch have to do with this masterwork?? I like Partch too, but that's another story.

[@gnikcohs]

A titanic vision by a titanic visionary.

[@eurandicorvelloantunesdeol5392]

this reminds me a lot of the planet of the apes soundtrack in the 60s.

[@kurikokaleidoscope]

Epic.

[@aragonabbaeli7794]

VERY GOOD MUSIC COOL

[@jorgealbertobaron1]

1883-1965. 50 AÑOS DE FALLECIDO

[@davewestner]

I can hear some compression on this during the loud sections (as well as some clever edits considering the era that this was recorded), although I assume the compression is from the original recording, not youtube. I hear how the balance is better with the percussion on this compared to the Varèse recording from that other video. The percussion is nice and present in here without being too loud. Do you by any chance have any info on the recording of this? Where, when, by who? I'm a bit of an audio nerd and like to know these things. Thanks!

[@michaelberridge1934]

Thanks for your interest Dave. Other than what I wrote in my introduction (where I give the performers), I have no further information, as I disposed of nearly all my LPs last year. I see in my intro that I agreed there were better recordings than this one, but did not convey the sheer power that is heard here.

[@davewestner]

@@michaelberridge1934 cool, thanks!

[@UnkleKnuck]

Teach me how to mix Dave

[@VictorAlexanderFiltenborg]

One of Stockhausen's few musical influences together with Webern and Messiaen

[@futuropasado]

John Cage also, and if Varese is an influence then Stravinsky is another one too because Varese has strong Stravinsky influence.

[@MrFalconford]

j c is a hack and a plagiarist

[@SaccidanandaSadasiva]

In my opinion, stockhausen was the best composer of 20th century

[@ozkok9355]

Isn't that song used in some movies like star wars?

[@michaelberridge1934]

This was scored well before "Star Wars" was even dreamed of. Perhaps the "Star Wars" composers developed some of their ideas from Varese.

[@ozkok9355]

Michael Berridge I know that this was earlier. But you are probably right with that. Thanks for the response

[@Eminovici]

No, that "song" is Mars, from Gustav Holst's Planet Suite, which gave inspiration to Starwars, Stargate and Metallica (Am I Evil).

[@shiroumxm2052]

I think Varese´s music unintentionally created film music "genre" now is a generic thing you listen in 50´s 60´s 70´s hollywood movies

[@jiyujizai]

✨💕🥀💚🙂

[@beckr11]

Holy Tempo!!!

[@MrFalconford]

thank you paracelsus

[@bronson1392]

i prefer Alex north, but this is not bad either.. Goldsmith used fragments of this in Planet of the apes. NEXT!

[@betsyharris8505]

This music fills my veins up with little creatures, and installs tiny elevators in my thorax, for the myriad hoardes, to engage in muscular, interstellic games of laughing marmite to the pods, gang, to the pods..

[@charlottewhyte9804]

give me more

[@thierrylopez-acteur]

cf. "Matrix"

[@Trotskisty]

Beats Hip-Hop...