Episode 30! Wow. We at The Relache Chronicles cannot believe that we’ve crafted thirty episodes of this podcast over a five-year period featuring recorded performances and commentary of a time in American music history that, to our minds will likely not be repeated any time soon. Sure enough, we’ve selected composers and music that celebrates our admiration for them – socially and artistically – while telling stories that reflect our times together.
Episode One features two artists whose artistic visions gave rise to The Relache Ensemble. To tie together this totemic period (mid-to-late twentieth century), Episode Thirty is wrapped around the music of composer Aaron Jay Kernis.
As you will learn from our conversation with Aaron, we’ve known him since the early years of The Relache Ensemble. Our conversation with him is full of good memories and stories. The music that we’ve featured is an early work of Aaron’s titled “Music for Trio IV” composed for flute, cello and piano composed in 1982. The performance is from New Music America 1987 in Philadelphia. The players are Marc-André Hamelin, piano, Charles Forbes, cello and Laurel Wyckoff, flutes.
Recent Episodes
Episode Twenty-Nine - HRT by Michael Nyman
Michael Nyman composed, chamber music, symphonies, operas, but is most known for his film scores. 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 we feature in this episode.
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.