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In C

Ars Nova Copenhagen and Percurama Percussion Ensemble Because of its roots in improvisation and aleatory performance techniques, Riley’s iconic work In C has always had, at its heart, a sense of ebb and flow—one that overrides the more mechanistic tendencies that would later become a stereotype of minimalism. This recording, conceived by Ars Nova director… Read more »

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NewMusicBox Staff

Ars Nova Copenhagen and Percurama Percussion Ensemble

Because of its roots in improvisation and aleatory performance techniques, Riley’s iconic work In C has always had, at its heart, a sense of ebb and flow—one that overrides the more mechanistic tendencies that would later become a stereotype of minimalism. This recording, conceived by Ars Nova director Paul Hillier in collaboration with Riley, uses voices in place of many of the instruments of the 1964 original. From their first entrance, the voices (singing “sacred syllables” suggested by Riley) add a surprising texture to the sheen of marimba and vibraphone and give this performance a uniquely human touch.

—DA