James Tenney

By zkr director Reinhold Friedl’s personal request now available on vinyl for the first time: Zeitkratzer’s critically acclaimed interpretations of groundbreaking compositions by James Tenney
James Tenney (1934 – 2006) was a composer, music theorist and pioneer especially in the field of microtonal music, being an influential part of the so-called New York avantgarde scene (Cage, Feldman). Besides his compositonal work, Tenney was teacher at various universities with students like Charlemagne Palestine, Carl Stone or Catherine Lamb, and a close friend with Eliane Radigue
This album by Zeitkratzer presents three compostions by Tenney whose music has been part of Zeitkratzer’s repertoire since their beginning: # „Critical Band“ – Tenney’s late classic – with maximum clarity and precision of bearing tone rhythms and microtonal tuning as light effect. # the first recording of „Harmonium #2“. Both works demonstrate the remarkable power and resplendent sharpness which Tenney achieved with his microtonal settings. # „Koan: Having Never Written A Note For Percussion“ (incl. in the download) is an orgiastic listening experience in the form of a huge crescendo on a tam-tam – from whispering to singing, culminating in shrill roaring and blustering – and it’s dark decay. Zeitkratzer’s approach to Tenney’s music as a sensual sound adventure, finally available on vinyl!