Radio Eclectus #75: Ludwig van Zappa (Dec. 17, 2020)

Beethoven at 250, Zappa at 80. And a playlist that begins loud and rough with the likes of Boris & Merzbow, then gets softer and mellower at it goes along, ending with the soothing drones of Sarah Davachi.

Along the way we preview 5 remarkable new albums, featuring first recordings of Sorabji and Carter, and the Radio Eclectus debuts of 3 intriguing European composers: Philippe Leroux, Christian Mason & Thomas Agerfeldt Olesen (who contributes an orchestral work whose winds blow from many directions). We bid farewell to the late “Blue” Gene Tyranny, honor a landmark of sound art by Luc Ferrari on its 50th anniversary, and check out the latest tracks from Small Cruel Party, Mouchoir Étanche & Unexplained Sounds Group. Throw in cameos by Z'EV, Louis Andriessen & Wozzeck (on its 95th anniversary), and a rare COVID-era concert preview with Kagel, Wang Lu & Suzanne Farrin via Seattle Modern Orchestra, and you get three hours of radical new music, all certified carol-free for the holidays!