Notes and Editorial Reviews
Goethe noted pithily, if nonetheless alarmingly, in his Maxims and Reflections that "music in its best sense needs less novelty, but rather, the older and more familiar it is, the more effective it is." Although this applies to Goethe's own difficulties with the musical innovations of his time, one only needs to glance at the present day situation of concerts, of musical training or publishing to see that he is right. Moreover, festivals of new music and other occasional ventures are deceptive - they only just manage to survive. New music is not loved; even the support it is given is meager. In 1940, the conductor and composer, Hermann Scherchen (1891-1966) wrote to his wife about what new music is capable of and what it requires: "...with
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contemporary music, the present wants to depict, to elucidate and to order itself while it, at the same time, upholds, enhances or judges the past; however, it also points to the future, introduces it and makes it come true. This is the reason why one must take a good look at contemporary music, must penetrate, understand, get to know, love, fight it, with, for and through it." Gunther Becker is one of those who, through his involvement in the history of music in the last half of the 20th century, be it through composing or writing about music, through teaching or initiating, through conducting or organizing, has rendered outstanding service. He trained as a composer with Wolfgang Fortner, orchestral and choral conductor. In 1956, he moved to Greece where he taught for twelve years. In 1968, he returned to Germany and settled in Essen. In 1989, he ended his teaching and devoted himself exclusively to composing. Today, he lives in Dusseldorf. Read less
Works on This Recording
1.
Stabil-Instabil by Günther Becker
Conductor:
Michael Gielen
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1965; Germany
Date of Recording: 1969
Length: 10 Minutes 39 Secs.
2.
Passagen by Günther Becker
Performer:
Christoph Caskel (Percussion),
Gisela Saur-Kontarsky (Voice),
Herbert Henck (Piano),
Raimund Jülich (Synthesizer)
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1975-1976; Germany
Date of Recording: 06/1970
Length: 22 Minutes 16 Secs.
Language: German
3.
Quartet for Strings no 1 by Günther Becker
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Parrenin String Quartet
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1963; Germany
Date of Recording: 07/1964
Length: 6 Minutes 43 Secs.
4.
Correspondences I by Günther Becker
Performer:
Hans Lemser (Bass Clarinet),
Hans Lemser (Alto Saxophone),
Hans Lemser (Clarinet),
Hans Lemser (E Flat Clarinet)
Conductor:
Ernest Bour
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Southwest German Radio Orchestra members
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1966; Germany
Date of Recording: 10/1996
Length: 12 Minutes 9 Secs.
5.
Nacht- und Traumgesänge by Günther Becker
Conductor:
Andrzej Markowski
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra,
Bavarian Radio Chorus
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1964; Germany
Date of Recording: 04/1966
Length: 14 Minutes 2 Secs.
Language: German
6.
Concerto for Electric Oboe by Günther Becker
Performer:
Pierre W Feit (Electric Oboe)
Conductor:
Ernest Bour
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1973-1974; Germany
Date of Recording: 04/1974
Length: 15 Minutes 5 Secs.
7.
Serpentinata by Günther Becker
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Danzi Woodwind Quintet
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1967-1968; Germany
Date of Recording: 06/1970
Length: 11 Minutes 44 Secs.
8.
Fragmente aus "Hymnen an die nacht" von Novalis by Günther Becker
Conductor:
Wolfgang Fromme
Orchestra/Ensemble:
Cologne Collegium Vocale
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1979; Germany
Date of Recording: 10/1981
Length: 8 Minutes 13 Secs.
Language: German
9.
Scanning by Günther Becker
Orchestra/Ensemble:
American Brass Quintet
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1969-1970; Germany
Date of Recording: 04/1970
Length: 10 Minutes 55 Secs.
Notes: This is a work for wind quintet and tape.
10.
Caprices concertants by Günther Becker
Performer:
Detlef Thewes (Mandolin),
Thomas Scharowski (Mandola),
Reinhard Froese (Guitar),
Karl-Josef Kels (Percussion)
Conductor:
Karl-Heinz Keinemann
Orchestra/Ensemble:
National Youth Plucked Instrument Orchestra NRW
Period: 20th Century
Written: 1968; Germany
Date of Recording: 10/1980
Length: 10 Minutes 30 Secs.
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