Iannis Xenakis: Kraanerg in Bloomington, MN

This avant garde release documents an unusual musical event held in 1969. That year, the idiosyncratic Greco-Romanian composer Iannis Xenakis authored a score to celebrate the gala opening of Ottawa's National Arts Centre, comprised of woodwinds, strings, brass and prerecorded 4-channel tape featuring versions of orchestral music restructured in a studio. On a thematic level, Xenakis planned the score as an homage to the sweeping political tumult and chaos of Europe during the year prior; its debut performance (which is featured here) consists of a live set by the Callithumpian Consort Ensemble, under the leadership of Stephen Drury, set to a ballet choreographed by Roland Petit with sets by Victor Vasarely.