Two works by the famed microtonal composer Ivan Wyschnegradsky. The first work, “Meditation sur 2 themes de la ‘Journée de l’Existence’” is scored for cello in ⅓-, ¼- and ⅙-tones with piano. This is followed by “Etude sur la carré magique sonore” a 1956 composition for semitone piano. The performers are Jacques Wiederker, cello , and Martine Joste, piano. Wyschnegradsky was a Russian-born composer who in the early 1920’s designed the first quarter-tone piano. For the next 30 years Wyschnegradsky developed an intricate system for composing microtonal music, producing numerous musical works and written articles. However it was not until the 1970s that his music finally found the audience that it deserved. On September 29, 1979, Ivan Wyschnegradsky died in Paris at the age of 86.
Notes
For more detailed program information and to browse other material in the Other Minds Archive visit: radiOM.org