Michael Nyman composed, chamber music, symphonies, operas, but is most known for his film scores. He’s also the author of a book that influenced countless composers and educators in the late twentieth century. Experimental Music: Cage and Beyond undoubtedly influenced the producing team here at The Relache Chronicles. His partnership with filmmaker, Peter Greenaway brought Nyman’s music notoriety, but it was his score for Jane Campion’s film, “The Piano” that became his best known music. While The Piano swept multiple categories at the 1994 Academy Awards, Michael Nyman himself did not receive an Oscar nomination.
Michael’s music has been described as “…taking no prisoners…” It is hard-driving, episodic, repetitive, at times very loud, but always unique. So, of course, it attracted the Relache Ensemble. We commissioned a work from him. Composed in 1995-96, “HRT” became a central work in The Relache Ensemble’s repertoire. It is included in a recording on the Monroe Street Music label from 1997 titled “Pick it Up”. It is that recording and a conversation about Michael Nyman that we feature in this episode.
The members of The Relache Ensemble were Douglas Mapp, contrabass and electric bass; Ken Ulansey, saxophone and clarinet; Lloyd Shorter, oboe and English horn; Jon Gaarder, bassoon; Kathleen Carrol, viola; Laurel Wyckoff, flutes and piccolo; (also in the photograph), Helen Carnevale, percussion.
Recent Episodes
Episode Twenty-Eight Comin' On Home: A Concert For Guy
On February 25, 2026 “Comin’ On Home – A Concert for Guy” was held at Roulette in Brooklyn, NY. On the day before what would have been his 79th birthday the concert celebrated the life and music of accordionist, composer and performer, Guy Klucevsek who passed away on May 22, 2025. He created pieces for ensembles such as Relache and Little Big Top (both of them are featured in this episode). His quartet Accordion Tribe toured Europe and became the subject of a documentary film.
“Comin’ On Home – A Concert for Guy” featured thirty-one works played by twenty-four soloists and ensemble players who were friends and collaborators of Guy’s. From those thirty-one works, we have selected eight to play on this episode.
Episode Twenty - Seven, The Walkings
Created, written and performed by Arthur Sabatini, The Walkings are literary and poetic musings and commentaries set to music of William Duckworth’s “The Time Curve Preludes,” played by pianist Neely Bruce from a recording on the Lovely Music label. This episode consists of thirteen preludes from The Walkings. A full recorded performance of all twenty-four preludes can be heard HERE. Although different from Arthur’s collaborations with Bill, Nora and The Cathedral Band, The Walkings represent a tribute to their artistic legacies. The Walkings is somewhat of a departure from the format of earlier episodes, but true to the intent of The Relache Chronicles, it honors the music and related projects created and performed by members of Relache’s extended family.
Episode Twenty-Six - Music by Joe Kasinskas
Composer Joe Kasinskas moved to the Philadelphia area when the Relache Ensemble was still in a formative stage. In those days, the ensemble tossed a wide net, hoping to snare young composers with visions of how to incorporate emerging electronic and computer technologies in a compelling manner. Joe’s timing was impeccable. He envisioned musical works that used analog audio-acoustic systems to enhance, alter and extend the sounds generated by traditional musical instruments. He often used mythological stories as vehicles within which to set his musical creations. That is the focus on this episode of the Relache Chronicles. Two works will be featured are “Vesperal Span” for solo flute and “Flight of Birds” for solo violin. These feature an analog delay technique that produces an aural illusion of sound moving in space. The violin work violin uses an analog delay to create an environmental echo suggesting a group of birds talking flight. Performers are Laurel Wyckoff, flute and Bridget Kasinskas violin.