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Milton Babbitt and Moondog

Ivan Hewett marks the centenaries of composers Milton Babbitt and Moondog. With works by Babbitt played at St Nicholas Church in Brighton, plus John L Waters discussing Moondog.

Ivan Hewett celebrates the centenaries this month of two American mavericks who continue to inspire today: Milton Babbitt and Moondog. From a concert given at St Nicholas Church in Brighton in February, we hear rarely performed chamber works of Babbitt including two European premieres, alongside his masterpiece Philomel, performed by soprano Juliet Fraser to a newly restored tape part. Jazz pianist Ethan Iverson and writer Paul Griffiths discuss Philomel in a feature which includes archive interviews with the composer. And tonight's studio guest is writer, producer and musician John L. Walters who assesses the legacy and influence of Moondog, another extraordinary figure in American music, often to be found busking on the streets of New York dressed as a viking, and whose playful compositions, invented instruments and poetry won admirers in Igor Stravinsky and Philip Glass.

Milton Babbitt: Reflections, for piano and tape (1975)
Mark Knoop (piano)

Milton Babbitt: Homily (1987)
Adam Bushell (snare drum)

Milton Babbitt: None but the Lonely Flute (1987)
Helen Whittaker (flute)

Milton Babbitt: Philomel, for soprano and tape (1964)
Juliet Fraser (soprano)

Milton Babbitt: Autobiography of the Eye (2004; European premiere)
Sarah Gabriel (soprano)
Rohan de Saram (cello)

Milton Babbitt: An Encore (2006; European premiere)
Mandhira de Saram (violin)
Julian Trevelyan (piano)

Milton Babbitt: Accompanied Recitative (1994)
Huw Wiggin (soprano saxophone)
Julian Trevelyan (piano)

Milton Babbitt: Soli e Duettini (1989)
Jon Rattenbury, Brian Ashworth (guitars).

2 hours

Last on

Sat 7 May 2016 22:00

Music Played

  • Moondog

    Moondog Monologue

    • More Moondog.
    • Prestige.
    • 16.
  • Moondog

    Theme

    • Moondog.
    • CBS.
    • 1.
  • Milton Babbitt

    Reflections

    Performer: Mark Knoop. Performer: Newton Armstrong.
  • Milton Babbitt

    Homily

    Performer: Adam Bushell.
  • Milton Babbitt

    None But the Lonely Flute

    Performer: Helen Whitaker.
  • Milton Babbitt

    Philomel

    Performer: Newton Armstrong. Singer: Juliet Fraser.
  • Moondog

    Avenue of the Americas

    • Viking of Sixth Avenue.
    • Honest Jon's Records.
    • 22.
  • Moondog

    Be a Hobo and Go with Me

    Performer: Moondog. Performer: Steve Reich. Performer: Philip Glass. Performer: Jon Gibson.
    • Viking of Sixth Avenue.
    • Honest Jon's Records.
    • 19.
  • Moondog

    Bird's Lament

    • Moondog.
    • CBS.
    • 7.
  • Moondog

    Reedroy

    Performer: London Brass. Performer: London Saxophonic.
    • Rare Material.
    • Roof Records.
    • 11.
  • Moondog

    Theme & Variations

    Performer: Joanna MacGregor.
    • Sidewalk Dances.
    • Sound Circus.
    • 13.
  • Milton Babbitt

    Autobiography of the Eye

    Performer: Rohan de Saram. Singer: Sarah Gabriel.
  • Milton Babbitt

    An Encore

    Performer: Mandhira de Saram. Performer: Julian Trevelyan.
  • Milton Babbitt

    Accompanied Recitative

    Performer: Julian Trevelyan.
  • Milton Babbitt

    Soli e Duettini

    Performer: Jon Rattenbury & Brian Ashworth.
  • Newton Armstrong

    Too Slow for Milton

    Performer: Mark Knoop.
  • Moondog

    Stamping Ground

    • Moondog.
    • CBS.
    • 2.

Broadcast

  • Sat 7 May 2016 22:00

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