FRANK STEMPER, COMPOSER
Modern Rituals for a Primitive Society (1994)
oboe, clarinet, bassoon, violin, cello, piano, and percussion [15 mins.]
Commissioned by The Archaeus Ensemble, Bucharest, Romania
Liviu Danceau, Music Director
Premiered 16 September at the 1995 George Enescu International Festival of Contemporary Music
Bucharest, Romania
Toured extensively by The Archaeus Ensemble
throughout Western and Eastern Europe, the Far East, and the United States
Opus 35 — A.S.C.A.P. work I.D. 433962635
SCORE
Liviu Danceau, Music Director
Premiered 16 September at the 1995 George Enescu International Festival of Contemporary Music
Bucharest, Romania
Toured extensively by The Archaeus Ensemble
throughout Western and Eastern Europe, the Far East, and the United States
Opus 35 — A.S.C.A.P. work I.D. 433962635
SCORE
PROGRAM NOTES:
MODERN RITUALS FOR A PRIMITIVE SOCIETY (1994)
MODERN RITUALS FOR A PRIMITIVE SOCIETY is a series of dances that might be performed on a warm breezy night under an open sky. Each dance has a specific purpose, but that purpose can only be defined by each individual dancer. For example, during Ritual III one dancer might be exhibiting pathos, while another ecstasy and yet another humor. The dancers , therefore, don't really understand the universal meanings of these rituals, nor that of the music that inspires the corresponding dances. Each can only grasp their personal meanings, as the music reflects their own desires and inner thoughts. In this regard, MRPS's music, which by modern intellectual thought is somewhat naive, will still have a wide variety of interpretations, or misinterpretations, for the society that hears and misunderstands it. In misinterpreting its art, society cures the problems of its soul and stimulates its intellectual growth, and, while each of these misinterpretations is valid, and that each listener will be allowed his or her own interpretation is fundamental to artistic communication, our society must remain primitive in order to advance.
MODERN RITUALS FOR A PRIMITIVE SOCIETY was composed for Liviu and Rodica Donceanu and the Archeus Ensemble.
MODERN RITUALS FOR A PRIMITIVE SOCIETY (1994)
MODERN RITUALS FOR A PRIMITIVE SOCIETY is a series of dances that might be performed on a warm breezy night under an open sky. Each dance has a specific purpose, but that purpose can only be defined by each individual dancer. For example, during Ritual III one dancer might be exhibiting pathos, while another ecstasy and yet another humor. The dancers , therefore, don't really understand the universal meanings of these rituals, nor that of the music that inspires the corresponding dances. Each can only grasp their personal meanings, as the music reflects their own desires and inner thoughts. In this regard, MRPS's music, which by modern intellectual thought is somewhat naive, will still have a wide variety of interpretations, or misinterpretations, for the society that hears and misunderstands it. In misinterpreting its art, society cures the problems of its soul and stimulates its intellectual growth, and, while each of these misinterpretations is valid, and that each listener will be allowed his or her own interpretation is fundamental to artistic communication, our society must remain primitive in order to advance.
MODERN RITUALS FOR A PRIMITIVE SOCIETY was composed for Liviu and Rodica Donceanu and the Archeus Ensemble.
The Archaeus Ensemble of Bucharest Romania
Anca Vartolomei (cello), Rodica Dănceanu (keyboards), Dorin Gliga (oboe), Ion Nedelciu (clarinet), Şerban Novac (bassoon), Alexandru Matei (percution), Marius Lăcraru (violin)
Liviu Dănceanu (Music Director)
Anca Vartolomei (cello), Rodica Dănceanu (keyboards), Dorin Gliga (oboe), Ion Nedelciu (clarinet), Şerban Novac (bassoon), Alexandru Matei (percution), Marius Lăcraru (violin)
Liviu Dănceanu (Music Director)
PRESS NOTICE
MODERN RITUALS FOR A PRIMITIVE SOCIETY
— performed by The Archeaus Ensemble in Bucharest Romania
Am ascultat apoi o lucrare pentru întregul ansamblu de un compozitor din Statele Unite, Frank Stemper, care poarta titlul sugestiv si oarecum paradoxal Rituale primitive pentru o societate moderna. A fost o prîma auditie absoluta si, deschizand o paranteza e bine sa sublinem acest aspect, mai ales când e vorba despre creatii stimulate de Archaeus si dedicate lui. E o muzica in care se topesc felurite influentein care se percepe asimilarea unor limbajuri diverse, trasatura caracteristica nu numai acestui autor, ci muzicii americane in genere.
-Petre Codreanu
VITRALIN, Anul IV (nr. 8) 1995
Periosic Al Centrului International de Cultura si Arte “Geaorge Apostu” - Bacau
(Translation)
“I then listened to a work for the entire ensemble of a composer in the United States, Frank Stemper, it bore the suggestive and somewhat paradoxical title “Primitive Ritual for a Modern Society.” It was ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE, creating a FRESH NEW DIRECTION. It is good to point out that this new creation was stimulated by the Archaeus Ensemble — and it was dedicated to them. It is a music that melts various influences combining an assimilation of various languages, the trait characteristic not only of this composer, but of American music in general.”
MODERN RITUALS FOR A PRIMITIVE SOCIETY
— performed by The Archeaus Ensemble in Bucharest Romania
Am ascultat apoi o lucrare pentru întregul ansamblu de un compozitor din Statele Unite, Frank Stemper, care poarta titlul sugestiv si oarecum paradoxal Rituale primitive pentru o societate moderna. A fost o prîma auditie absoluta si, deschizand o paranteza e bine sa sublinem acest aspect, mai ales când e vorba despre creatii stimulate de Archaeus si dedicate lui. E o muzica in care se topesc felurite influentein care se percepe asimilarea unor limbajuri diverse, trasatura caracteristica nu numai acestui autor, ci muzicii americane in genere.
-Petre Codreanu
VITRALIN, Anul IV (nr. 8) 1995
Periosic Al Centrului International de Cultura si Arte “Geaorge Apostu” - Bacau
(Translation)
“I then listened to a work for the entire ensemble of a composer in the United States, Frank Stemper, it bore the suggestive and somewhat paradoxical title “Primitive Ritual for a Modern Society.” It was ABSOLUTELY UNIQUE, creating a FRESH NEW DIRECTION. It is good to point out that this new creation was stimulated by the Archaeus Ensemble — and it was dedicated to them. It is a music that melts various influences combining an assimilation of various languages, the trait characteristic not only of this composer, but of American music in general.”