22. 1973 |
George Flynn:
Drive (Composed for Kenneth Cooper, 1973).
Kenneth Cooper, harpsichord.
Gershwin Theatre, Brooklyn College, New York (3/25/1973), recorded
by David Hancock. Harpsichord: Frank Hubbard-Edward Brewer.
My Columbia colleague George Flynn is a superlative
pianist and composer who wrote some very alarming piano works,
among them his Three Preludes in which clusters were played
by hands, wrists and forearms. "Flynn doesn't make the journey
easy," according to David Jackson (Chicago Reader, 1/2/1987):
"He doesn't give you a tune to whistle, or a rhythm to tap
your feet to. He fills the air with clouds of sound, strange twisted
shapes, murmurs and turbulent flurries. It's mind-expanding stuff."
I commissioned Drive from him for my Tully Hall recital
debut (February 2, 1973), and it arrived, as I recall, about a
week before the concert. Knowing George's reputation for strong
political statements, I ventured to ask him what "Drive"
meant in this context. He explained that the piece (his only work
for harpsichord) depicted the adventurous experience of starting
a car.
  
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