Usher, P: Nancarrow Concerto for Pianola & Chamber Orchestra

The composer Conlon Nancarrow, who died in 1997 at the age of 84, is regarded as an exceptional figure in the field of contemporary music. It is especially his compositions for player piano that made Nancarrow the cult figure he remains to this day.

Apart from his central work Studies for Player Piano, Nancarrow's oeuvre can be classified in three groups of live instrumental compositions. The early works, c.1930-1947: this period covers compositions such as Septet (1939), which was rediscovered only in 1990, and the cycle Suite for Orchestra composed in 1940, both of which are presented on this CD.

Other instrumental works, written in parallel with further pieces for player piano, can be ascribed to the creative period from 1984 to c. 1993, among them being, for example, Three Movements for Chamber Orchestra (1993). A handwritten note in the scores indicates that some of them are transcriptions which were created with the collaboration of Nancarrow's assistant. This practice signifies the transition to the composer's late creative period which is characterised by transcriptions of both his own works and works by other composers, compositions which were written primarily for the purpose of concert performances.

How far transcriptions can deviate from the original source is shown by the piece Nancarrow Concerto by Paul Usher who was guided by the 'spirit' of Nancarrow. It appears at the end of this programme as a shining example of the further creative development of Nancarrow's music.