Flotation Device salutes Tan Dun with a survey of his career from its experimental cross-cultural origins through its later Ang Lee/Disney-infused fame, culminating in the 2022 Northwest premiere of his Buddha Passion. We emphasize his connection to John Cage (via new albums from guitarist Arturo Tallini and pianist Ralph van Raat), as well as a certain obsession with water that pervades his sound world and aesthetic.
We also say farewell to Seattle synthesist Norm Chambers, and note a shared electroacoustic heritage in new albums by Chloe Alexandra Thompson, David Rosenboom with Sarah Belle Reid, and Qasim Naqvi with Wadada Leo Smith and Andrew Cyrille. Our “50 years ago in the avant-garde” feature contrasts the contemporaneous unveiling of Zappa’s 1972 "Petit Wazoo" band and Henze’s sprawling Second Violin Concerto. Massimo Olla’s lonely drones, River People's globalized style of creative music, and a new accordion piece by Georges Aperghis round out the playlist.
