Cornelius Cardew (1936-1981)
The
English composer Cornelius Cardew (1936-81) was among the most
adventurous, controversial and innovative musicians of his generation.
After an initial association with Stockhausen and the European
avantgarde, he became engaged with the aesthetic ideas of John Cage and
the New York School. A leading figure in the experimental music of the
1960s, Cardew is widely acknowledged as a pioneer of indeterminacy,
graphic notation, free improvisation and performer involvement. As well
as extending the boundaries of music in unprecedented directions, he
enquired deeply into its social relevance and meaning. His passionate
and untiring quest for wider social significance led him eventually to
become a political activist. In the 1970s he repudiated his earlier
experimental work and adopted
a more traditional musical language. He joined a revolutionary
Marxist-Leninist party and devoted himself to political action, at the
same time searching for ways to express his commitment in musical
terms. At the height of his political involvement he died tragically at
the age of 45, killed by a hit-and-run driver near his home in East
London.-
Matchless
Recordings
COMPOSITIONS Cardew Links ~ ~ ~ Works by Genre
Three Rhythmic Pieces, trumpet and piano (1955)
String Trio No. 1 (1955-56)
String Trio No. 2 (1955-56)
Why Cannot the Ear Be Closed To Its Own Destruction?, soprano/tenor and piano (1957)
Piano Sonata No. 1 (1955-58)
Piano Sonata No. 2 (1955-58)
Piano Sonata No. 3 (1959)
February Piece 1959, piano (1959)
2 Books of Study for Pianists, 2 pianos (1958)
Octet 1959, picc, alto fl, ob, ob, Ebcl, bass cl, dbl bsn, vln, db (1959)
Autumn '60, orchestra (1960?)
Arrangement for Orchestra (1960) ~ top of page ~
Third Orchestra Piece 1960 (1960) [arr. as Material, harmony instruments, 1964]
Autumn '60, chamber ensemble (1960)
February Piece 1960, piano (1960)
Octet '61, undetermined forces (1961) [partly graphic] [dedicated to Jasper Johns]
First Movement for String Quartet (1961)
Piece (for Stella), guitar (1961)
February Piece 1961, piano (1961)
Movement for Orchestra (1962)
Ah Thel, chorus w/opt. piano (1963)
Solo with Accompaniment, undetermined forces (1964)
Volo Solo, undetermined forces (1964)
Bun No. 2, orchestra (1964)
Memories of You, piano (1964)
Three Winter Potatoes, piano (1961-65) [some material from Octet '61, 1961 and Material, 1964]
Bun No. l, orchestra (1965)
Treatise, undetermined forces (1963-67) [graphic]
Sextet - The Tiger's Mind, undetermined forces (1967) [text]
Schooltime Compositions, undetermined forces (1968) [text, graphic]
Schooltime Special, undetermined forces (1968) [text]
The Great Learning, 7 paragraphs, various performers (1968-70; paragraphs 1 and 2, rev. 1972)
Unintented Piano Music, piano (1970 or 71)
Octet '71, [undetermined forces?] (1971?)
Scratch Music, undetermined forces (1971)
The East is Red, violin and piano (1972)
Three Bourgeois Songs, soprano and orchestra or unison chorus and piano (1973)
- Our Joy
- High Heaven
- The Turtledove
The Old and the New, soprano, chorus and orchestra (1973)
Piano Album 1973 (1973)
- Charge!
- Song and Dance
- Bring the Land a New Life
- Sailing the Seas Depends Upon the Helmsman
- Red Flag Prelude
- Soon (There Will Be A High Tide Of Revolution In Our Country) [one of Cardew's first political pieces]
- The Croppy Boy
- Father Murphy
- Four Principles on Ireland
- Long Live Chairman Mao!
Piano Album 1974 (1974)
- Bethanien Song
- Red Aid Song
- Revolution is the Main Trend In The World Today
- The East is Red
Thalmann Variations, piano (1974)
Vietnam Sonata, piano (1975)
Mountains, bass clarinet (1977)
Workers' Song, violin (1978)
Political Songs, voice and piano (1971-81) [see here for detailed list]
We Sing for the Future, piano (1981)
Boolavogue, 2 pianos (1981)
WORKS BY GENRE Cardew Links ~ top of page ~
Undetermined Forces
Octet '61, undetermined forces (1961) [partly graphic] [dedicated to Jasper Johns]
Solo with Accompaniment, undetermined forces (1964)
Volo Solo, undetermined forces (1964)
Treatise, undetermined forces (1963-67) [193 page graphic score]
Sextet - The Tiger's Mind, undetermined forces (1967) [text]
Schooltime Compositions, undetermined forces (1968) [text, graphic]
Schooltime Special, undetermined forces (1968) [text]
Scratch Music, undetermined forces (1971)
Octet '71, [undetermined forces?] (1971?)
Orchestra
Autumn '60, orchestra (1960?)
Arrangement for Orchestra (1960)
Third Orchestra Piece 1960 (1960) [arr. as Material, harmony instruments, 1964]
Movement for Orchestra (1962)
Bun No. 2, orchestra (1964)
Bun No. l, orchestra (1965)
Choral
Ah Thel, chorus w/opt. piano (1963)
Three Bourgeois Songs, soprano and orchestra or unison chorus and piano (1973)
- Our Joy
- High Heaven
- The Turtledove
Chamber
String Trio No. 1 (1955-56)
String Trio No. 2 (1955-56)
Octet 1959, picc, alto fl, ob, ob, Ebcl, bass cl, dbl bsn, vln, db (1959)
Autumn '60, chamber ensemble (1960)
First Movement for String Quartet (1961)
Material, harmony instruments (1964) [arr. from Third Orchestra Piece 1960 (1960)]
Solo Instrument
Three Rhythmic Pieces, trumpet and piano (1955)
Piece (for Stella), guitar (1961)
The East is Red, violin and piano (1972) ~ top of page ~
Mountains, bass clarinet (1977)
Workers' Song, violin (1978)
Piano
February Pieces, piano
Piano Sonata No. 1 (1955-58)
Piano Sonata No. 2 (1955-58)
Piano Sonata No. 3 (1959)
February Piece 1959, piano (1959)
February Piece 1960, piano (1960)
February Piece 1961, piano (1961)
2 Books of Study for Pianists, 2 pianos (1958)
Three Winter Potatoes, piano (1961-65) [some material from Octet '61, 1961 and Material, 1964]
Memories of You, piano (1964)
Unintented Piano Music, piano (1970 or 71)
Piano Album 1973 (1973)
- Charge!
- Song and Dance
- Bring the Land a New Life
- Sailing the Seas Depends Upon the Helmsman
- Red Flag Prelude
- Soon (There Will Be A High Tide Of Revolution In Our Country) [one of Cardew's first political pieces]
- The Croppy Boy
- Father Murphy
- Four Principles on Ireland
- Long Live Chairman Mao!
Piano Album 1974 (1974)
- Bethanien Song
- Red Aid Song
- Revolution is the Main Trend In The World Today
- The East is Red
Thalmann Variations, piano (1974)
Vietnam Sonata, piano (1975)
We Sing for the Future, piano (1981)
Boolavogue, 2 pianos (1981)
Vocal
Why Cannot the Ear Be Closed To Its Own Destruction? (W. Blake), soprano/tenor and piano (1957)
The Great Learning, 7 paragraphs, various performers (1968-70; paragraphs 1 and 2, rev. 1972)
Three Bourgeois Songs, soprano and orchestra or unison chorus and piano (1973)
- Our Joy
- High Heaven
- The Turtledove
The Old and the New, soprano, chorus and orchestra (1973)
Political Songs, voice and piano (1971-81)
- Consciously [written by Cornelius Cardew]
- Founding of the Party [written by Cornelius Cardew]
- Four Principles On Ireland [written by Cornelius Cardew] [based partly on an old Irish melody]
- Law Of History (1975) [written by Cornelius Cardew]
- Nothing To Lose But Our Chains [written by Cornelius Cardew]
- Revolution Is The Main Trend [written by Cornelius Cardew]
- Smash The Social Contract (1977) [written by Cornelius Cardew]
- Song of the CYUB (Communist Youth Union of Britain) [written by Cornelius Cardew/Devenport]
- There is Only One Lie, There is Only One Truth [written by Cornelius Cardew]
- Watkinsons' Thirteens [written 1794; arranged by Cornelius Cardew]
- We Sing for the Future (1979) [written by Cornelius Cardew/Hardial Bains]
- The Workers of Ontario [written by Cardew/Canadian Cultural Workers Committee (CCWC); arr. Lamburn]
Recorded Albums of Liberation Songs:
Consciously (Peoples Liberation Music, Progressive Cultural Association Band, Fight Back Band and others) (2006)
Consciously [written by Cornelius Cardew]
The Spirit of Cable Street [written by Laurie Scott Baker]
We People [written by Burgie/Jackson]
Solidarity Song (1932) [written by Brecht/Eisler]
Bold Fenian Men [traditional/Kearney; arr: Marcangelo/Baker/Silva]
Join in the Fight [traditional/Robeson; arr. Silva]
Take Up the Fight [written by Laurie Scott Baker]
Himno de Riego [written by Machedo/Esplá; arr. Baker/Silva]
We're Not Afraid [written by Dermot; arr. Baker]
Golden Mountain in Beijing [traditional; arr. Rowe/Marcangelo/Baker]
The Blackleg Miner [traditional; arr. Baker]
Mr. Media Man [written by Baker/Tilbury]
Fight the Cuts [written by Thompson; arr. Marcangelo/Baker, TRAD]
The Lords of Labour [written by Thompson]
Cripplin' Blows [written by DeGale]
The Worker's Song [written by Thompson/traditional; arr. Baker]
Hammer of the Working Class [traditional; arr. Jackson]
People of St. Pauls, Bristol [written by DeGale]
In Imperialist Wars [written by Thompson]
Song for the British Working Class [written by Laurie Scott Baker/Thompson]
The Workers of Ontario [written by Cornelius Cardew/Canadian Cultural Workers Committee (CCWC); arr. Lamburn]
Montreal Textile Worker [written by Shrapnel/CCWC]
The Dream of the Generations [written by Peter Devenport/CCWC]
There You Will Find My Bones [written by Thompson/CCWC]
Song of the CYUB (Communist Youth Union of Britain) [written by Cornelius Cardew/Peter Devenport]
Founding of the Party [written by Cornelius Cardew]
We Sing for the Future (1979) [written by Cornelius Cardew/Hardial Bains]
We Only Want the Earth (the Peoples' Liberation Music Tapes & other Songs) (2001)
El Pueblo Unido Jamas Sera Vencido [written by Sergio Ortega]
Will Of The People (1974) [written by Laurie Scott Baker]
Hail Ireland's Glorious Martyrs [written by John Marcangelo]
Peat Bog Soldiers [written by Johann Esser, Wolfgang Langhaff and Goguel]
Men Behind The Wire [written by Paddy McGuigan]
Give Ireland Back To The Irish (1972) [written by Paul McCartney and Linda McCartney]
Revolution Is The Main Trend [written by Cornelius Cardew]
Nothing To Lose But Our Chains [written by Cornelius Cardew]
School Days [written by Laurie Scott Baker, Tilbury]
Watkinsons' Thirteens [written 1794; arranged by Cornelius Cardew]
Smash The Social Contract (1977) [written by Cornelius Cardew]
Law Of History (1975) [written by Cornelius Cardew]
Thälmann Song [lyrics by Erich Weinert; written by Arma]
Freiheit [written by Peter Daniel and Karl Ernst]
United Front Song (1934) [written by Brecht/Eisler]
De Madregada [written by Ferura]
Four Principles On Ireland [written by Cornelius Cardew] [based partly on an old Irish melody]
British Imperialism [written by Laurie Scott Baker]
We Only Want The Early [lyrics by James Connolly] [original melody by Tomas Davies for A Nation Once Again, 1840's]
CARDEW LINKS Works by Genre ~ top of page ~
Apartment House - Cornelius Cardew: Chamber Music, 1955-64 (Ken Waxman, jazzweekly.com)
Cornelius Cardew: A Life Unfinished (John Tilbury, Copula)
Cornelius Cardew: a Life Unfinished (John Tilbury, Matchless Recordings)
Cornelius Cardew: a Life Unfinished (David Hayes, open Democracy)
Cornelius Cardew - Material (Stewart Voegtlin, Stylus Magazine)
Cornelius Cardew - a Memorial Lecture, revised (John Tilbury, Journal of Experimental Music Studies)
Cornelius Cardew - Piano Music 1959-70 (Matchless Recordings)
Cornelius Cardew Posts (hyperreal.org)
Cornelius Cardew - Treatise (differentwaters.blogspot.com)
Cornelius Cardew Lives (Virginia Anderson, open Democracy)
Making Marx in the Music: A HyperHistory of New Music and Politics - Cornelius Cardew (NewMusicBox)
Notes from the underground: Damon Krukowski on Cornelius Cardew (findarticles.com)
Pilgrimage From Scattered Points – A Film by Luke Fowler (45mins, UK, 2007) or here
"A Question of Language": Frederic Rzewski in Conversation About Cornelius Cardew (Daniel Varela, JEMS)
Remembering Cornelius Cardew, a Vernacular Troubadour (Richard Gott, guardian.co.uk)
Scratch Music (see Amazon review by Rachel Abbinanti, Amazon.com)
Survival Scrapbooks (Simon Yuill, metamute.org)
Treatise: An Animated Analysis (blockmuseum.northwestern.edu)
Turning Circles and Squares Into Noise (Adam Shatz, The New York Times)
A Young Persons Guide to Treatise (spiralcage.com)
Writings
Stockhausen Serves Imperialism (Cornelius Cardew)
Towards an Ethic of Improvisation (Cornelius Cardew, from "Treatise Handbook," 1971, Edition Peters, UbuWeb)
Cardew @ Wikipedia
Cardew @ Answers.com
Cardew @ Ask.com
Cardew @ British Composers Project
Cardew @ composition:today
Cardew @ Classical Composers Database
Cardew @ Classical Net
Cardew @ ClassicsToday
Cardew @ Dead Pop Stars (from original German)
Cardew @ Edition Peters
Cardew @ everything2.com
Cardew @ Facebook
Cardew @ HDtracks
Cardew @ Killed in Cars
Cardew @ Matchless Recordings
Cardew @ MSN Music
Cardew @ music.hyperreal.org
Cardew @ musicianguide.com
Cardew @ musicnow.co.uk
Cardew @ mymusicbase.ru
Cardew @ scaruffi.com
Cardew @ Seattle Improv Meeting
Cardew @ Solidarity
Cardew @ UbuWeb
Publisher
Cardew @ Cornelius Cardew Foundation
Cardew @ Chester Novello
Cardew @ Experimental Music Catalogue
Cardew @ Forward Music
Cardew @ The Gallery Upstairs Press
Cardew @ Hinrichsen Edition
Cardew @ Institute of Contemporary Arts
Cardew @ Latimer New Dimensions
Cardew @ MIT Press
Cardew @ Edition Peters
Cardew @ Scratch Orchestra [distributed by Experimental Music Catalogue]
Cardew @ Universal Edition
Streaming Audio ~ top of page ~
Cardew @ last.fm
Cardew @ Rhapsody
Cardew @ UbuWeb also here
Recordings
Consciously
Cornelius Cardew Memorial Concert (1985)
Four Principles on Ireland and Other Pieces (1974) - a recording of Cardew playing Piano Album 1973 and Piano Album 1974
Treatise @ Mode Records
We Only Want the Earth
Cardew @ ArkivMusic
Cardew @ ClassicsOnline
Cardew @ Danny Dark Records
Cardew @ Discogs
Cardew @ EMC (Experimental Music Catalogue)
Cardew @ HurdAudio - The Great Learning
Cardew @ Matchless Records
Cardew @ Other Minds - We Sing for the Future
Cardew @ People Liberation Music (musicnow.co.uk)
Cardew @ Verge Music
Video
Cardew @ GoogleVideo
Cardew @ YouTube
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