FERRARI, LUC - Archives Génétiquement Modifiées/Société II

"2008 release. Two historic compositions by the late, great Luc Ferrari on CD for the first time. The program opens with Archives Génétiquement Modifiées ("Genetically Modified Archives"), a work for "memorized sounds" from 2000. This composition (subtitled "Exploitation des Concepts No. 3") was the third in a series of later pieces in which Ferrari revisited aspects of his early concepts and compositional strategies to create wholly new works. The result here is a very bizarre, sensual, and beautifully paced electroacoustic work of aural memories and (re)collections created sounds from Ferrari's vast archive of musical activities. After a short intermission, the program continues with a true highlight of Ferrari's early instrumental work titled Société II from 1967. Subtitled "Et Si Le Piano Était Un Corps De Femme" ("And If The Piano Were the Body of a Woman") (for four soloists and 16 instruments), this composition appeared opposite Presque Rien on the legendary 1970 Deutsche Grammophon LP. Société II may be viewed as an erotically charged piece of musical theater in which the soloists compete for the attention of a woman (the piano). This concerto, with its gestures and a fantastic kaleidoscope of styles and color, shows the extravagant qualities of the piano in its "harmony, imagination, and brutality." Packaged in a full-color digipak with a 20-page bilingual (French/English) booklet featuring Ferrari's early artwork, notations, and program notes, along with an extensive commentary by Jim O'Rourke and Jay Sanders. Remastered sound with audio restoration by fellow INA-GRM alumnus Jean Schwarz. A wonderful glimpse into the world of one of the most legendary, unique, and inspiring musical figures of the 20th century." - Robot.