Richard Danielpour has become one of the most sought-after composers of his generation – a composer whose distinctive American voice is part of a rich neo-Romantic heritage with influences from pivotal composers like Britten, Copland, Bernstein, and Barber. Danielpour has commented that "music [must] have an immediate visceral impact and elicit a visceral response." Check out his Souvenirs (2008) for orchestra ... this week's FEATURED NEW MUSIC VIDEO.

According to Ned Raggett (All Music Guide), "Mirjam Tally's self-titled debut CD, collecting pieces composed over the previous seven years, reflects both a striking confidence in the 27-year-old's compositional abilities and an attractively broad range of influences ..." Have a look at it - it's our PYTHEAS FEATURED RECORDING.

In 1930 Berthold Bartosch moved to Paris and created the 30 minute film entitled L'Idea/The Idea. It is described as the first serious, poetic, tragic work in animation. The film's characters and backdrops were composed of several layers of different types of paper from semi- transparent to thick cardboard. Special effects like halos, smoke and fog were made with lather spread on glass plates and lit from behind. The film was based on a book of woodcuts from Frans Masereel and the animated film featured a score by composer Arthur Honegger, who employed the Ondes Martenot in his score, the very first use of an electronic instrument in film history ... see and hear it - it's our current PYTHEAS SIGHTING.

"For sheer visceral effect, nothing matched Chen Yi's Spring Dreams. The idea of 'petals falling' was conveyed through rhythmic whispers and chatters, birds by pulsating whistles. In the midst of this cumulative din the sound of voices actually singing came as a jolt. Chen has the ability to create a minor sensation with the simplest of means." - Paul Horsely, The Kansas City Star. See a perfomance of Chen Yi's Spring Dreams (1997) by Chanticleer at this week's FROM THE PYTHEAS ARCHIVES.

Explore, Listen and Enjoy!
Vinny Fuerst
Pytheas Center for Contemporary Music