チリの"ヌエバ・カンシオン(音楽を通した社会運動)"の代表ともいえるセルヒオ・オルテガ作の「不屈の民」は、形を変えながら世界中の抵抗運動で伝播される有名曲。なかでもフレデリック・ジェフスキーが書いた36の変奏曲は異例の人気を誇り、アバンギャルドからジャズまで多様な様式を持つ変奏は、超絶技巧が求められるもの。本作でピアノ演奏するウルスラ・オッペンスは、この曲の作曲をジェフスキーに依頼した立役者。1976年"アメリカ建国200年記念音楽祭"で初演を担った彼女が、初演40周年を記念して再録音を実現した2014年12月の録音。 (C)RS
JMD(2015/12/25)
This is the original recording of Frederic Rzewski's masterwork, performed in 1977 by Ursula Oppens. While the composer's own rendition on the hat ART release from 1986 might be regarded as definitive, both this, and the New Albion release by Stephen Drury, are also quite powerful and beautiful. The main theme is a Chilean protest song, and it is run through 36 variations of bewildering and amazing variety, ranging from serialism to jazz to romanticism. to the further reaches of the avant-garde and back, all coalescing into a coherent (if complex) structure leading to a superbly emotional climax. The final recapitulation of the central theme is as deep and moving a moment as there is in late 20th century music. Oppens plays the work with fluency and grace, especially in the quieter interludes where the music takes on an almost ghostly quality. The Vanguard issue includes excellent liner notes by composer Christian Wolff who, in addition to providing good insight into the piece's architecture, elaborates on Rzewski's musical journey from Karlheinz Stockhausen interpreter to freely improvised jazz to his revelation that his socialist political stance would be more properly matched to some sort of populist movement. Hence his absorption into, and adoption of, work songs and other "music of the people." This is a landmark recording and, even if the listener owns other renditions of the composition, this one should definitely be heard. ~ Brian Olewnick|
Rovi