Three versions of English composer Christopher Fox's 2015 compositions "Topophony (for Orchestra With or Without Improvising Soloists", performed by the WDR Symphonieorchester conducted by Ilan Volkov, the 1st version with improvising trumpeter Axel Dorner, the 2nd without improvisation, and the 3rd with improvisers, saxophonist John Butcher & synth player Thomas Lehn.
Label: Hat [now] ART Catalog ID: hat(now)ART211 Squidco Product Code: 26250
Format: CD Condition: New Released: 2018 Country: Switzerland Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold 3 Panels Track 1 recorded at the Kolner Philharmonie, in Cologne Germany, on January 20th, 2016, by Stephan Hahn; tracks 2 and 3 recorded on May 22nd, 2017, by Gunther Wollersheim.
"Improvisation and composition as forcefield. The conundrum remains: how can one combine these two approaches to musical forming without one or the other being compromised or diluted? Christopher Fox has decided to have the best of both worlds. The soloists and the orchestral musicians are assigned roles that enable them to play to their strengths. The conductor mediates. The forcefield is maintained. Just as the improvisers are told not to study the orchestra music, to avoid coming to a fixed idea of that soundworld, so too are the orchestra and conductor confronted with the sonic, dynamic and gestural unpredictabilty of the soloists. Improvisation and interpretation meet head to head."-Nina Polaschegg