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Kyle Gann’s is a writer, educator and composer. As a columnist/critic for the Village Voice from 1986 to 2005, he documented the work of musical artists in New York City who were part of what became known as “Downtown Music.”
In this episode we discuss and listen to two of those works written or adapted for the Relache Ensemble. “Hesapa Ki Lakhota Ki Thawapi” is based on a Lakhota flag song for flute, soprano saxophone, synthesizer and percussion. You will also hear two movements from “The Planets,”1 “Sun” and 2 “Venus,” which was written for the Relache Ensemble between 1994 and 2008.
All Episodes
Episode One - Introducing The Relache Ensemble
Joseph Franklin, Arthur Stidfole, and Joe Kasinskas reminisce about the ensemble’s early days in Philadelphia and how the name “Relache” was chosen. The musical works featured are “Forever and Sunsmell” by John Cage and “She Was a Visitor” by Robert Ashley, both performed by the Relache Ensemble.
Episode Two - Joe Kasinskas "Echoes in Palindromes"
In Echoes in Palindromes by composer Joe Kasinskas four performers move throughout the space playing musical palindromes amidst reverberant echoes. Part dance, part ritual, part dream, this work is an intuitive leap toward sonic truth.
Episode Three - Pauline Oliveros "The Well"
Pauline Oliveros created The Well in collaboration with dancer-choreographer, Deborah Hay, and the Relache Ensemble during a residence at the Yellow Springs Institute for the Arts and Humanities in Chester Springs, PA,
Episode Four - Guy Klucevsek
Accordionist-composer, Guy Klucevsek joins us to discuss some of his innovative musical works. Pianist Jenny Lin performs Oscillation No. 2 and The "Flying Pipe Organ of Sian" is played by the Relache Ensemble.
Episode Five - Eve Beglarian
Meet composer and media artist Eve Beglarian. Hear the Relache Ensemble and the MATA Ensemble play three of her works "Fresh Air," "Machaut in the Machine Age" and "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell". Eve and the podcast team discuss her career and how each of the works performed were created.
Episode Six - Fred Ho
Baritone saxophonist, composer, band leader, writer, and social activist, Fred Ho was a prodigious artist who integrated Chinese folk songs and music from an African American diaspora into his works, "Contradiction Please! The Revenge of Charlie Chan" was composed for The Relache Ensemble. His passing at 57 in 2014 has left a void in American Music. We hope this episode will rekindle an interest in Fred Ho’s music.
Episode Seven - Phill Niblock
Founding director of the Experimental Intermedia Foundation, Phill Niblock (1933-2024) presented hundreds of concerts at his space in downtown New York City. He created numerous musical works for ensembles worldwide and he made films that have been shown at festivals throughout the world, often accompanied by his music.We interviewed Phill to discuss a work "Not Untitled, Knot Untied, Old" that was created for the Relache Ensemble in 1984.
Episode Eight - Romulus Franceschini
Romulus Franceschini was a composer, arranger, music editor and assistant curator at the Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral music in Philadelphia, his hometown. “I’m an eclectic composer.” His “eclecticism” was immensely valuable to the growth and maturity of the Relache Ensemble, for whom he served as a guiding force for all things musical. Romulus passed away in 1994. This episode of the Relache Chronicles celebrates the life and music of Romulus Franceschini.
Episode Nine - New Music America 1987 Philadelphia (1 of 3)
New Music America Festivals were held in a different city each year for nine years. In 1987, the festival was produced by the Relache organization in collaboration with the City of Philadelphia. Over a 10-day period, concerts, installations, videos, parties, and a seminar called “Talking Music” took place at venues throughout the city.
Episode Ten - New Music America Part Two "Polka from the Fringe"
This episode features the premiere of accordionist-composer Guy Klucevsek’s “Polka from the Fringe,” an investigation of Polkas in all their glory. Guy’s performance at a funky bar in Olde City Philadelphia is a must-hear for all “new music” fans. He dedicated the performance with Charles Mingus’s remark, “Let the white man develop the polka.”
Episode Eleven - New Music America 1987 Part Three
Sound installations and outdoor performances happened in unusual places like Philadelphia’s Broad Street Subway station and the Delaware River waterway. We’ve selected three outdoor events and an example of computer influenced work. The composers Alvin Curran, Bob Goldberg, Joel Chadabe and the collaborative team of Christopher Janney and Joan Bingham.
Episode Twelve - Bill Duckworth
William Duckworth often collaborated with the Relache Ensemble. He was not only a composer, but also an author, educator, and professor of music at Bucknell University. He published five books on twentieth century music and theory. We discuss and listen to an early work of Bill’s titled “Pitch City Breakdown” for amplified piano and “Simple Songs About Sex and War “for mezzo-soprano and synthesizer.
Episode Thirteen - James Tenney and Critical Band
The world premiere of "Critical Band," by the Relache Ensemble in 1989, is the single work to be heard and discussed on this episode. It is an extraordinary composition by James Tenney that has been described as a “sound poem,” or an “aural flower” slowly unfolding as the pitch tableau becomes evident and clear to the listener.
Episode Fourteen - Annson Kenney
Annson Kenney (1944-1981) was a visual artist, writer, performer, and composer. In this episode his friends and collaborators share their memories and insights into his life and we’ll hear some of those sonic works.
Episode Fifteen - Robert Ashley
Episode Fifteen of The Relache Chronicles features the work of one of the most fascinating artists of “New Music,” Robert Ashley. This episode focuses on two works that explore sound production with technology and instrumental/timbral contrasts in performance. Music includes "Outcome Inevitable" and excerpts from "The Wolfman."
Episode Sixteen - Lois V Vierk
This episode features a work Lois composed for the Relache Ensemble in 1992 titled “Timberline.” Hear that music and a conversation with Lois as she discusses with influences and events that led to her creating “Timberline.”
Episode Seventeen - Music in Motion Part 1
Mexican composer, Arturo Marquez collaborated with the Relache Ensemble while in residence at Arizona State University West in Phoenix. Together they created a work titled Octeto Malandro.
Episode Eighteen - Music in Motion Part 2
A total of thirty composers participated in Music in Motion over six years. One of those was Mary Ellen Childs whose work “Parterre” was written for the Relache Ensemble
Episode Nineteen - Music in Motion Part 3
This episode features a work Lois composed for the Relache Ensemble in 1992 titled “Timberline.” Hear that music and a conversation with Lois as she discusses with influences and events that led to her creating “Timberline.”
Episode Twenty - Paul Epstain
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 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.