Postminimalist Paul Dresher
Many different influences come together in the work from Paul Dresher, the American West Coast composer. At first, he wrote minimalist works that were inspired by the music from Terry Riley and Steve Reich. Then, he started to develop his own style as a guitar player, using live tape loops and electronica.
From the nineties onwards, Dresher’s style broadened more and more, continuing with minimal music but he also liked to listen to classics from chamber music, jazz, rock and pop. He didn’t shy away from adventure; he concentrated on music theatre, built his own instruments, improvised and wrote neo-classical pieces. In this postminimalist universe of Dresher, anything was possible.
Dresher is now at the age of 74. He studied with free-thinkers like Robert Erickson, Lou Harrison and Pauline Oliveros. In deze episode of Them we can listen to a cross-section of his oeuvre, focussing on his work from the eighties and nineties: from chamber music to music theatre.
Playlist
Paul Dresher
- Channels Passing (1981-82) for septet
On Paul Dresher – Dark Blue Circumstance
Ensemble conducted by Roger Nelson.
New Albion NA053 CD - Liquid and Stellar Music (1981), for electric guitar and live tape loop system
On Paul Dresher – This Same Temple
Paul Dresher (guitar and electronica)
Lovely Music LCD2011 D
- -6 Night Songs (1979-1981), for soprano, two tenors and chamber ensemble
On Paul Dresher – Dark Blue Circumstance
New Performance Group of the Cornish Institute conducted by Melvin Strauss
Thomasa Eckert (soprano)
Rinde Eckert (tenor)
John Duykers (tenor)
New Albion NA053 CD
- +8. Opposites Attack + Skronk’ (1991), for ensemble
On Paul Dresher & Ned Rothenberg – Opposites Attract
Paul Dresher (el. guitar + electronica)
Ned Rothenberg (alto saxophone)
Samm Bennett (drums)
Anthony Jackson (el. bass guitar)
New World/Countercurrents 80411-2 CD
- -11. Slow Fire (delen Riding Shotgun; Without a Word + Eyes Open) (1987-1988) voor vocals, guitar, electronica, keyboard and percussion
On Paul Dresher – Slow Fire
Paul Dresher Ensemble met Rinde Eckert (vocals)
Minmax CD 010 CD
- Din of Iniquity (1994), for ensemble
On Paul Dresher – Cage Machine
Paul Dresher’s Electro-Acoustic Band
New Albion NA 125 CD
- -15.Elapsed Time (1998), for violin and piano
On Paul Dresher – Cage Machine
David Abel (violin)
Julie Steinberg (piano)
New Albion NA 125 CD