Nancarrow: Three Canons for Ursula

This new CD "Late and Unknown" features numerous first recordings on Nancarrow’s player pianos of pieces either associated with his late output or previously unknown. The program documents Nancarrow’s practice of turning old rolls into new works ("For Ligeti", "Study No. 18" second version, "unnumbered canon 3:4:5:6") and his usage of the player piano as a tool for testing practically everything he wrote ("Three Canons for Ursula"). Included is also the unfamiliar "Study No. 45d" surrounded by its companions "No. 46" and "No. 47", all former members of the most extensive work that Nancarrow ever conceived, the so-called "Betty Freeman Suite". Finally, current technology has made possible a properly coordinated version of the ambitious "Study No. 48c", for two superimposed rolls, heard here for the first time - in fulfillment of a long-lasting wish from the composer - on one of his own instruments.

This is Vol 9 and the final CD in the Player Piano Series. Nancarrow’s four posthumous Studies are recorded here for the first time. The disc also includes Nancarrow’s last composition for player piano.