Reissued from the historic 1980 CBS Masterworks LP. This 2CD set includes original liner notes plus a rare critical essay by composer Lou Harrison [CD sold out, but album is available in digital format, including PDF booklet]. Carl Ruggles (1876–1971) was an innovative American composer who used “dissonant counterpoint” to fashion a body of work both finely crafted and wrought with emotional power. This reissue includes world-renowned conductor Michael Tilson Thomas with the Buffalo Philharmonic, the original liner notes plus a rare essay on Ruggles by Lou Harrison and historic photos of the composer.

For collectors of 20th-century American music Michael Tilson Thomas’s survey of the music of Carl Ruggles has been a landmark from the moment that CBS Masterworks (now Sony Classical) released it in 1980, nine years after that composer’s death at 95…Now Other Minds, the San Francisco new-music organization, has done these recordings proud in a superb transfer, with all the original liner notes as well as an expansive overview by the composer Lou Harrison. Allan Kozinn, The New York Times, April 2012

The San Fransisco-based Other Minds label has done American music a great service with this reissue. Marc Medwin, Dusted Magazine, June 2012

No other composer who wrote so little music is as important as Carl Ruggles. Kirkville

Disc 1

1 · Toys (1919) (1:38)
Judith Blegen, Soprano
Michael Tilson Thomas, Piano

Vox Clamans in Deserto (1923)
for Chamber Orchestra and Mezzo-soprano
2 · I — Parting at Morning (1:14)
3 · II — Son of Mine (1:34)
4 · III — A Clear Midnight (3:22)
Beverly Morgan, Mezzo-soprano
Speculum Musicae

5 · Men and Angels (1924) (2:17)
Buffalo Philharmonic
Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor

6 · Angels (1921, Original Trumpet Version) (2:54)
Brass Ensemble, Gerard Schwarz, Leader

Men and Mountains (1924)
7 · I — Men (2:42)
8 · II — Lilacs (2:57)
9 · III — Marching Mountains (4:30)
Buffalo Philharmonic
Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor

10 · Angels (1940, Trumpet/Trombone Version) (3:16)
Brass Ensemble, Gerard Schwarz, Leader

11 · Sun-Treader (1926-31) (16:22)
Buffalo Philharmonic
Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor

Disc 2

1 · Portals for String Orchestra (1925) (6:39)
Buffalo Philharmonic
Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor

Evocations (1934-43, Original Piano Version)
2 · I — Largo (1:54)
3 · II — Andante Con Fantasia (2:50)
4 · III — Moderato Appassionato (1:39)
5 · IV — Adagio Sostenuto (2:58)
John Kirkpatrick, piano

Evocations (revised 1956, Orchestral Version)
6 · I — Largo (2:29)
7 · II — Andante Con Fantasia (3:40)
8 · III — Moderato Appassionato (1:41)
9 · IV — Adagio Sostenuto (3:52)
Buffalo Philharmonic
Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor

10 · Organum (1946) (6:17)
Buffalo Philharmonic
Michael Tilson Thomas, Conductor

11 · Exaltation (1958) (7:22)
for Brass, Chorus and Organ
Brass Ensemble, Gerard Schwarz, Leader
Gregg Smith Singers, Gregg Smith, Director
Leonard Raver, Organ

All tracks except Toys and Evocations (Piano Version) conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas