Happy Fourth From Ben Johnston
For the past couple of years the Kepler Quartet has been on a mission from God to record all ten of Ben Johnston’s string quartets with their intended tunings. The first recording in this series–String Quartets Nos. 2, 3, 4 & 9–was our (or, at least, my) favorite album of the year. Eric Kepler remembered and offered us (with Ben’s blessing) a Fourth of July treat we couldn’t refuse.
Enjoy Ben Johnston’s microtonal version of the National Anthem. It was written for the N.Y. Miniaturist Ensemble a couple of years ago, and Eric made this studio quality recording with Ben as a demo for them. Ben himself is singing. It’s a very short piece, 100 notes, scored for two voices, male and female, violin, clarinet and snare drum
Performers are from Present Music in Milwaukee. Voices Ben Johnston, Laura Monagle, snare Terry Smirl, bass clarinet Bill Helmers, violin Eric Segnitz, engineer, John Tanner copyist, David Bohn
I am fond of Johnston’s work. There’s a terrific interview with him in “Talking Music.”
I’m looking for more writings about composing and notating microtones. I interviewed Joe Maneri in ’01, and he graciously shared his ear-training book with me. Any other materials that people might recommend?
At last, a brief and unaffected Nat’l Anthem and cuts right to the start of game. Play ball!
Ha!!!!! I thought the spy was the composer!
Depends. You talking bout the spy or the composer?
David Bohn…Isn’t that the brother of the infamous and lovable James Bohn??
That’s a sweet little miniature! Reminded me of Hendrix somehow; maybe the violin harmonics. Well performed too. We should have more MP3’s here!