LUC FERRARI : Archives Genetiquement Modifiees/Societe II

'2008 release. Two historic compositions by the late, great Luc Ferrari on CD for the first time. The program opens with Archives Genetiquement Modifiees ("Genetically Modified Archives"), a work for "memorized sounds" from 2000. This composition (subtitled "Exploitation des Concepts No. 3") was the third in a series of later pieces in which Ferrari revisited aspects of his early concepts and compositional strategies to create wholly new works. The result here is a very bizarre, sensual, and beautifully paced electroacoustic work of aural memories and (re)collections created sounds from Ferrari's vast archive of musical activities. After a short intermission, the program continues with a true highlight of Ferrari's early instrumental work titled Societe II from 1967. Subtitled "Et Si Le Piano Etait Un Corps De Femme" ("And If The Piano Were the Body of a Woman") (for four soloists and 16 instruments), this composition appeared opposite Presque Rien on the legendary 1970 Deutsche Grammophon LP. Societe II may be viewed as an erotically charged piece of musical theater in which the soloists compete for the attention of a woman (the piano). This concerto, with its gestures and a fantastic kaleidoscope of styles and color, shows the extravagant qualities of the piano in its "harmony, imagination, and brutality." Packaged in a full-color digipak with a 20-page bilingual (French/English) booklet featuring Ferrari's early artwork, notations, and program notes, along with an extensive commentary by Jim O'Rourke and Jay Sanders. Remastered sound with audio restoration by fellow INA-GRM alumnus Jean Schwarz. A wonderful glimpse into the world of one of the most legendary, unique, and inspiring musical figures of the 20th century.'

Tracklist
- Archives Genetiquement Modifiees 24:46
1 - 2:52
2 - 3:36
3 - 1:51
4 - 6:04
5 - 5:48
6 - 4:29
- Societe II 27:35
7 - 8:40
8 - 8:33
9 - 10:22

Credits
Artwork [Back Cover Photomontage], Photography By [Inside Portrait] - Brunhild Meyer-Ferrari
Artwork [Front Cover Artwork, Collage, Scores, Handwritten Text] - Luc Ferrari
Directed By - Konstantin Simonovitch (tracks: 7 to 9)
Layout - Andi Chapple
Liner Notes - Jay Sanders, Jim O'Rourke, Luc Ferrari
Liner Notes [Translation] - Julien Bismuth
Mastered By - Kevin Spencer
Performer - Ensemble Instrumental De Musique Contemporaine De Paris (tracks: 7 to 9)
Remastered By [Audio Restoration] - Jean Schwarz (tracks: 7 to 9)

Notes
Archives Genetiquement Modifiees: Exploitation des concepts no. 3 [Genetically Modified Archives: Exploitation of the Concepts no. 3] (2000) - for memorized sounds, solo. Realized at Atelier post-billig.
Societe II: Et si le piano etait un corps de femme [Societe II: And if the piano were a body of a woman] (1967) - for four soloists and sixteen instruments (flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, French horn, trumpet, trombone, 4 violins, 2 violas, 2 cellos, double bass. Soloists: 1 piano, 3 percussions). This recording was made in 1968.
Packaged in full color Digipak with 20-page booklet in both English and French.
Featured artwork and notations appearing in Mr. Ferrari's original, first draft of "Societe II" are reproduced here with the kind permission of the Presque Rien Association.