JOHN ZORN : Angelus Novus (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

John Zorn has shown us many sides of his eclectic musical vision (some may think too many), but here is a side of Zorn's work that has pretty much remained hidden - his compositions for classical chamber ensembles. This CD marks the first in a series documenting these pieces, commissioned by some of the world's leading ensembles and appearing on CD for the first time.

The works here span over twenty years, and include Christabel, a student piece written in 1972 inspired by the romantic mystic poetry of Samuel Taylor Coleridge, the wind octet Angelus Novus composed for the world-renown Netherland's Wind Ensemble and dedicated to the Jewish cultural theorist Walter Benjamin, the dynamic chamber symphony For Your Eyes Only and Carny, a virtuosic solo piece that receives an impassioned and breathtaking performance by pianist Stephen Drury.

The Callithumpian Consort of the New England Conservatory (conducted by Stephen Drury) perform this challenging music with startling clarity and intensity on this CD that will surprise and delight Zorn fans and detractors alike. TZADIK
Tracklist :
1    For Your Eyes Only    13:47
Christabel    
2    Part I    4:04
3    Part II    3:52
4    Carny    12:59
Angelus Novus    
5    Peshat    2:05
6    Tzomet    1:24
7    Aliya    4:25
8    Herut    1:46
9    Pardes    2:55
Credits :
Alto Flute – Gasper Hoyos (pistas: 2, 3)
Bass – Chris Burns (pistas: 1)
Bassoon – Minako Taguchi (pistas: 1, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), Robert McGrath (pistas: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Cello – Walter Haman (pistas: 1)
Clarinet – Bharat Chandra (pistas: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), Michelle Montone (pistas: 1), Min-Ho Yeh (pistas: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Conductor [Conducted By] – Stephen Drury
Executive-Producer – John Zorn
Flute – Ann Bobo (pistas: 2, 3), Beth Chandler (pistas: 2, 3), Cindy Kim (pistas: 2, 3), Julianna Miller (pistas: 1), Stephanie Wagner (pistas: 2, 3)
French Horn – Daniel Shaud (pistas: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), James Nickel (pistas: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)
Harp – Heather Kellgreen (pistas: 1)
Horns – James Nickel (pistas: 1), Molly Pate (pistas: 1)
Oboe – Izumi Nishizawa (pistas: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), Kyoko Hida (pistas: 5, 6, 7, 8, 9), Tania Tupper (pistas: 1)
Percussion – Robert Schultz (pistas: 1), Scott Vincent (pistas: 1), Sean Mannion (pistas: 1)
Performer [Performed By] – The Callithumpian Consort Of New England Conservatory
Piano – Jun Komatsu (pistas: 1), Stephen Drury (pistas: 4)
Trombone – Chris Rozmarin (pistas: 1)
Trumpet – Chris Still (pistas: 1), Heinz-Karl Schwebel (pistas: 1)
Tuba – Roger Clapp (pistas: 1)
Viola – Christiana Day (pistas: 1), Ilana Schroeder (pistas: 2, 3)
Violin – Haldan Martinson (pistas: 1), Mina Sasaki (pistas: 1)

JOHN ZORN - Aporias : Requia for Piano & Orchestra (1998) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

An aporia is an impossible passage and this "Requia" pays tribute to the indomitable creative spirit that negotiates the aporia of life and death. Written for piano soloist, six boy sopranos and full orchestra, Aporias is John Zorn's most accomplished composition to date. Performed in Cologne, Vienna and at Carnegie Hall, this monumental piece, part piano concerto, part Requiem has been universally hailed by performers, composers and audience alike as a new vision of modern orchestral music. Performed here by pianist Stephen Drury, the Hungarian Radio Children's Choir and the American Composers Orchestra under the direction of Dennis Russell Davies, this premiere recording made under the supervision of the composer is an exhilarating experience filled with subtle detail, unusual instrumental colors and emotional power. TZADIK
Tracklist :
1    Prelude    6:41
2    Impetuoso    3:31
3    Con Mistero    3:01
4    Languendo    2:34
5    Risentito    2:50
Handclaps – Craig McNutt, Gary Wallen, Robert Schultz, William Manley
6    Freddamente    2:32
7    Religioso    2:05
8    Drammatico    4:53
9    Postlude    4:22
10    Coda    0:47
Credits :American Composers Orchestra
Stephen Drury: Piano

Hungarian Radio Children's Choir
Dennis Russell Davies: Conductor

JOHN ZORN : Madness, Love And Mysticism (2001) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Definitive performances of three dynamic new chamber pieces pushing the boundaries of virtuosity and intensity. Le Mômo, for violin and piano is a work of extremes, a ritual about exorcism and possession inspired by the works of visionary 20th Century shaman Antonin Artaud. Untitled, dedicated to Joseph Cornell, the hermetic New York artist whose delirious box constructions mix innocent nostalgia with uncomfortable personal obsessions, is a tour de force for solo cello brilliantly performed by Erik Friedlander. The piano trio Amour Fou explores love—obsessive love, mad love, doomed love in a compendium of moods ranging from Buñuel to Bataille, Scriabin to Messiaen. A mysterious and romantic new direction from John Zorn. TZADIK
Tracklist :
1    Le Mômo 16'08
Piano – Stephen Drury
Violin – Jennifer Choi
2    Untitled 15'11
Cello – Erik Friedlander
3    Amour Fou 20'09
Cello – Erik Friedlander
Piano – Stephen Drury
Violin – Jennifer Choi
Credits :
Composed By [1999, NYC], Producer – John Zorn

JOHN ZORN : Chimeras (2003) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Composed throughout 2001 and previewed at the prestigious venue BargeMusic, Chimeras is a major new chamber work by John Zorn. Loosely inspired by Schoenberg's masterwork Pierrot Lunaire, and scored for the same small ensemble (plus percussion), each of the twelve movements combine different permutations of the players, climaxing with a breathtaking tutti of all eight musicians. Dramatic and colorful, with a soprano vocal part that takes virtuosity to another level, Chimeras is a work of beauty, truth and imagination. Premiere recording by a hand-picked ensemble of the best musicians in contemporary music. TZADIK
Tracklist :
1    One 0'55
Celesta – Stephen Drury
Cello – Fred Sherry
Clarinet – Mike Lowenstern
Flute – Tara O'Connor
Percussion – William Winant
Violin – Jennifer Choi
2    Two 2'42
Piano – Stephen Drury
Voice – Ilana Davidson
3    Three 2'55
Bass Flute – Tara O'Connor
Organ – Stephen Drury
Percussion – William Winant
Voice – Ilana Davidson
4    Four 2'06
Cello – Fred Sherry
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet – Mike Lowenstern
Flute – Tara O'Connor
Violin – Jennifer Choi
Voice – Ilana Davidson
5    Five 1'45
Percussion – William Winant
Violin – Jennifer Choi
Voice – Ilana Davidson
6    Six 2'08
Cello – Fred Sherry
Clarinet – Mike Lowenstern
Flute – Tara O'Connor
Percussion – William Winant
Piano, Celesta – Stephen Drury
Violin – Jennifer Choi
7    Seven 4'39
Percussion – William Winant
Voice – Ilana Davidson
8    Eight 3'19
Cello – Fred Sherry
Piano – Stephen Drury
Violin – Jennifer Choi
Voice – Ilana Davidson
9    Nine 2'46
Alto Flute – Tara O'Connor
Cello – Fred Sherry
Clarinet – Mike Lowenstern
Percussion – William Winant
Piano, Celesta, Organ – Stephen Drury
Violin – Jennifer Choi
10    Ten 2'54
Flute, Alto Flute – Tara O'Connor
Percussion – William Winant
Voice – Elizabeth Farnum, Ilana Davidson
11    Interlude 1'24
Percussion – William Winant
12    Eleven 3'18
Cello – Fred Sherry
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet – Mike Lowenstern
Flute, Piccolo Flute [Piccolo] – Tara O'Connor
Percussion – William Winant
Piano, Celesta, Organ – Stephen Drury
Violin – Jennifer Choi
Voice – Elizabeth Farnum, Ilana Davidson
13    Twelve 2'51
Cello – Fred Sherry
Percussion – William Winant
Piano – Stephen Drury
Voice – Ilana Davidson
Credits :
Composed, Producer, Liner Notes [English] By, – John Zorn
Conductor – Brad Lubman
Painting [Paintings By] – Hieronymous Bosch   

JOHN ZORN : Rituals (2006) FLAC (tracks+.cue), lossless

Owls, Windmachines, Gravedigging and Ritual Magick, Zorn’s strange and mystical monodrama for mezzo soprano and ten instruments is presented here in a beautiful new studio recording. Composed for the Bayreuth Opera Festival in 1998, the Rituals premiere was a bit of a scandal, with the audience split down the middle…half outraged detractors, stomping out, whistling and jeering and half cheering supporters. Performed here by a stellar group of Zorn regulars and some very special guests, Rituals is opera at its virtuosic and intimate best. Five movements of magic and alchemy from the crucible of an uncompromising and unpredictable musical maverick. TZADIK
Tracklist :
1-5     Rituals, a monodrama for voice & 10 instruments (26:35)
Credits :
Bass – Kurt Muroki
Bassoon, Contrabassoon – Peter Kolkay
Cello [Violincello] – Fred Sherry
Clarinet, Bass Clarinet, Clarinet [Eb] – Mike Lowenstern
Conductor – Brad Lubman
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo Flute – Tara O'Connor
Illustration – Austin Osman Spare
Percussion, Instruments [Wind Machines, Water, Bull Roarers, Grave Digging, Fishing Reels, Paper, Bowls Of Bb's, Bird Calls] – Jim Pugliese, William Winant
Piano, Harpsichord, Celesta, Organ – Stephen Drury
Producer, Composed By – John Zorn
Trombone – Jim Pugh
Violin – Jennifer Choi
Voice – Heather Gardner