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‘Only travelling itself’: reflections on Luigi Nono (1924–1990)

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  04 February 2010

John Warnaby
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Extract

The death of Luigi Nono in May 1990 has occasioned surprisingly little comment, at least as far as this country is concerned. On the one hand, this may reflect a general lack of interest in the period of high modernism during the 1950s and early 1960s; and an assumption that, unlike his contemporaries, Nono failed to adapt his idiom when the influence of the avant-garde began to wane. On the other, it may be a symptom of British insularity, especially as regards artists who acquire a subversive reputation through their association with radical politics. Indications are that the latter explanation is more accurate. Three new recordings, emanating from foreign sources, prove decisively that Nono modified his compositional methods quite substantially throughout his career.

Type
Research Article
Information
Tempo , Issue 176 , March 1991 , pp. 2 - 5
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1991

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References

1 The Variazioiie Canoiiiche is now available, along with A Carlo Scarpa, Archïtetto and No Hay Caminos, Hay Que Caininar, in performances by the Symphony Orchèstra of SW German Radio, Baden Baden, c. Michael Gielen, on Astrée E8741.

2 … Sofferte oude serene… is available on DGG 423 248–2 played by Pollini, Maurizio, coupled with the tape piece Coittrappunto dialettico alia mente (1968 Google Scholar), and Como una ola defuerza y litz for soprano, piano, orchestra and tape (1971–2).

3 Ilse Hollweg (sop), Eva Borncmann (contralto), Friedrich Lcnz (ten) and the chorus and orchestra of Cologne Radio, c. Bruno Maderna. Stradivarius STR10008. The coupling is an Italian Radio recording of Maderna's Hyperion and a Hamburg Radio broadcast of Act 1 scene 1 of Moses und Aron conducted by Hans Rosbaud.

4 Quando stanno morendo, Diario Polacca 2 and A Pierre, dell'azzuro silenzio, inquietum. Ingrid Ade, Monika Bayr-lvenz, Monika Brustmann (sops), Susannc Otto (contralto), Roberto Fabbriciani (fl, bass fl), Ciro Scarponi (bcl), Christine Theus (vic), c. Roberto Cecconi. Dischi Ricordi CRM1003 (LP).

5 I am indebted to Ricordi (London) Ltd for letting me borrow tapes and discs of some of Nono's later works.

6 ‘Music in Our Time’, BBC Radio 3, 7 June 1990.

7 See Spangemacher, Friedrich, ‘Nono's Prometeo’ in Tempo 151, 12 1984, pp.51–2Google Scholar.

8 Thorlby, A. (cd.). The Penguin Companion to Literature, Volume 2: European Literature, pp.426–7Google Scholar.

9 Sleeve-notesw to Dischi Ricordi CRM1003.