Flotation Device 2024-05-05 - The Crumb and the unicorn

Flotation Device closes the book on George Crumb (1929–2022) with the premiere release of Kronos-Kryptos, his last composition to be recorded, and his only one for percussion instruments alone. We also honor his works for extended piano, noting their influence on such younger composers as Tan Dun and Augusta Read Thomas. Another nonagenarian composer on the agenda is the Northwest’s own Ken Benshoof, who wrote the first work commissioned by the Kronos Quartet upon their formation in 1973. We also dive into Kate Soper’s latest chamber opera, which reworks the Medieval allegory of the lady and the unicorn, as does an obscure ambient work by Kaija Saariaho. Stockhausen’s Laub und Regen is another unconventional theater piece: a romp in the leaves for clarinet and viola premiered in May 1974. New albums from Matt Mitchell, Anna Webber, Otomo Yoshihide and Mamer bring us to the present day. Creative and improvised music with host Michael Schell.