THE RELACHE CHRONICLES is a podcast about musicians residing in what we call “the Margins of American Music.” In these 30-to-45-minute episodes, we play recordings – primarily by The Relache Ensemble – of complete musical works plus commentary by composers, performers, and others with insight to the music. “Relâche is sort of the New York Philharmonic of truly creative music. They stand alone.” — Kyle Gann
Throughout the podcast, we’ll discuss the guest composers’ processes, how they utilized current and past technologies and how the acoustical properties of a given space informed the creation and performance of a musical work.
Finally, we will discuss how the composers’ relationship with the musicians brought the music to life. Episodes feature music by John Cage, Robert Ashley, Joe Kasinskas, Pauline Oliveros, Guy Klucevsek, Eve Beglarian, Fred Ho, Phill Niblock, Romulus Franceschini, Bill Duckworth, Lois v Vierk, and an overview of the New Music America Festival 1987 – Philadelphia, and the expansive residency/performance project named Music in Motion.
THE RELACHE CHRONICLES is produced, directed, and edited, by Arthur Stidfole with Joseph Franklin, Joe Kasinskas, and Arthur Sabatini. Throughout their careers, they have been performing musicians, composers, executive and artistic directors, university teachers, radio hosts and authors, dedicated to the music of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Mary Ellen Childs’ work “Carte Blanche” is featured in this episode. The commission was funded by Champaigne Taittinger and the New York and Philadelphia premieres were part of the “Taittinger Evening of American Music.” The project was created by Drew Keegan, then the Director of Marketing for Relache. Along with a complete performance you will hear conversations with Mary Ellen and Drew about their work with the Relache Ensemble.
Recent Episodes
Episode Twenty One - Kyle Gann
Kyle Gann’s is a writer, educator and composer. He was music critic for the Village Voice from 1986 to 2005. In this episode we discuss and listen to two works performed by the Relache Ensemble. “Hesapa Ki Lakhota Ki Thawapi” is based on a Lakhota flag song We also hear two movements from “The Planets,” which was written for the Relache Ensemble.
Episode Twenty - Paul Epstein
Paul was a close associate and friend of Relache for many years having composed ten works for the group and its members. We’ll feature two of those works, “Moving Voices” for two singers and flute and “Chamber Music: 3 Songs from Home.” To comment on Paul’s music, we’ve asked a former student of his in Philadelphia, Dustin Hurt to join us as we relive Paul’s music and life.
Episode Nineteen - Music in Motion Part 3
Composer-educator Mark Weber developed an interactive computer program named "The Virtual Concert." In this episode Mark will discuss the tools he created for this work and a piece for the Relache Ensemble while sharing those ideas with the audience. Hear two of his works, "Disconnect IV," and "Asphalt Grooves."