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MORTON FELDMAN

(RZ)

This is an important collection of historic recordings, early interpretations (from the early '50s) of Morton Feldman's work by the composer himself and a host of distinguished members of the avant-garde, including pianists David Tudor and Cornelius Cardew. Feldman's own piano playing is fascinating to hear: it's surprisingly clumsy, with outrageous dynamics and heavy silences, making the work sound more improvised and less static. But there is a peculiarly heavy grace to these performances, as if the big man Feldman was were walking on the moon. Hearing him play the work makes it seem all the more remarkable that he was able to translate these feelings to other instruments, and to other musicians. An indispensable record for Feldman aficionados, in an elegant package from the Berlin-based label RZ.

-- Damon Krukowski