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October 25, 2001 Merkin Concert Hall NYC

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October 25, 2001 Merkin Concert Hall NYC --- 2007

Limited edition of 300 copies. Comes in gatefold cover. "Back in 2001, Thomas Buckner organized a series of concerts at Merkin Hall in New York City. The idea was to have a contemporary classic composer inviting another composer, a kind of alter-ego, to perform together. When Robert Ashley, whose concert was considered the peak of the whole series of events, decided to invite his old friend Walter Marchetti, it was immediately clear that there would have been something unforgettable going on. The night of October 25th, 2001, the audience at the Merkin Hall had the privilege of being present at one of the more dense, intimate and breathtaking sonic events in contemporary music history. Sides A and B include the live rendering of two Walter Marchetti sound works previously issued on CD by Alga Marghen. A 25-minute excerpt of 'Nei Mari del Sud. Musica in Secca' and one painful variation from 'De Musicorum Infelicitate.' The performance of those tape pieces was conceived as an action theatre event, the first concert of the legendary Italian composer in the States after more than 30 years! Side C includes the recording of Robert Ashley's 'Yes, But Is It Edible?,' a composition for piano and voice dedicated to Thomas Buckner who performs it with the composer. This 27:30 min long piece is a true masterpiece, with Robert Ashley introducing us to creation and coincidence, space and time, private parts and characters, with direct references to the ONCE group and his friends David Behrman, Alvin Lucier, Gordon Mumma, Pauline Oliveros, Terry Riley, 'Blue' Gene Tyranny, George Manupelli, as well as Maria Callas and Patsy Cline, Elvis and Lennon, Monteverdi, pop music, Irish and Jewish new-comer's Broadway musical parody of America, Lloyd-Weber, Saturday Night Life, Chinese opera, mariachi bands, country music and much more. Side D includes 'Practical Anarchism,' a touching homage that Robert Ashley dedicated to Walter Marchetti. Previously published as a text by Alga Marghen in the booklet of the Antibarbarus CD, this is actually the first time ever that this piece for solo voice, performed by the same Robert Ashley, is made available on record. Also on side D is 'Musica Per un Bicchiere non Molto Grande,' an early ZAJ piece by Walter Marchetti, performed here by Robert Ashley."