In this episode of American Highways, pianist Guy Livingston continues with part 3 of his series on Music and Politics. Today’s show, entitled “Music of Struggle” explores one single work, by pianist and social-activist composer Frederick Rzewski.
This performance, by Kai Schumacher on Wergo Records, is a brilliantly angry and ‘take no prisoners’ interpretation of “The People United Will Never Be Defeated!”
This is the CD, on Wergo Records
Playlist:
Theme Music :
Steve Reich. The Desert Music (1984)
First Movement (Fast).
Chorus of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Members of the Brooklyn Philharmonic, Michael Tilson Thomas & William Carlos Williams.
Nonesuch Records 79101.
Frederick Rzewski
36 Variations On “El Pueblo Unido Jamás Será Vencido” (note that the because the composition lasts more than one hour, the beginning of this epic piece was played at the end of last-week’s episode)
1. Variations 7-12 (7:44)
2. Variations 19-24 (7:00)
3. Variations 25-30 (14:28)
4. Variations 31-36 (8:19)
5. Variations 13-18 (10:39)
6. Cadenza (4:00)
7. Theme 2 (3:47)
Kai Schumacher, piano
Wergo 67302