Between 1920 and 1933, the American poet Ezra Pound composed two complete operas and several pieces for solo violin, all in a very personal language that drew from sources as diverse as troubadour music and Igor Stravinsky. The resulting body of music is of surpassing beauty and casts new light on the practice of prosody, the elusive craft of setting texts to music. The first and only available CD recording of its kind, Ego Scriptor Cantilenae features outstanding historical performances from England, the U.S., and Holland, as well as new studio recordings by the Other Minds Ensemble. This deluxe package also includes an 80-page booklet by Pound scholar Margaret Fisher, with previously unpublished photographs.
There are times when – listening to ”Ego Scriptor Cantilenae: The Music of Ezra Pound,” a comprehensive sampling of the poet’s little-known musical output – one wants to shout: ”Pound! Pound! Write a poem!” More often, though, one listens quite fascinated. Much of it is strangely compelling, if eccentric, stuff. Richard Taruskin, The New York Times, July 2003
Excerpts from Le Testament (1923)
Harry Van der Kamp, Bass; Jack Pereira, Percussion; John Foreman, Percussion; Jerome Neff, Percussion
Conductors: Reinbert De Leeuw, John Stringer
Orchestra/Ensemble: ASKO Ensemble, Villon Music Theatre
1 · Brothel Music (0:18)
2 · Dictes moy (2:00)
3 · Heaulmiere’s Aria: “Ha, vieillesse felonne et fiere” (8:06)
4 · Dame du ciel (3:37)
5 · Pere Noé (5:27)
6 · Freres humains (8:48)
7-12 · Fiddle Music Suite no 1 (1923 – 1924) (3:12)
Nathan Rubin, Violin
13 · Al poco giorno (circa 1931) (6:05)
Nathan Rubin, Violin
Selections from Cavalcanti (1931-1933)
Marco Camastra, Baritone
Conductors: Robert Hughes, Marcello Fera
Orchestra/Ensembles: Other Minds Festival 7 Ensemble, Arch Ensemble, Conductus Ensemble
14 · Poi che di doglia (1:56)
15 · Sol per pieta (2:06)
16 · Cianni quel Cuido (1:29)
17 · Tos temps serai (0:45)
18 · Ailas (2:27)
19 · Quando di morte (5:58)
20 · Perch’io non spero (6:09)
21 · Frottola (circa 1931)
22 · Carmen LXI, Selection from Collis O Heliconii (1932) (4:51)
Robert Hughes, Bassoon; David Varnum, Bass Baritone; Nathan Rubin, Violin
23 · Aliter (0:33)
Nathan Rubin, Violin
