First up is a condensed version (only two of the linking "Journey" segments are performed) of Richter's 2010 work Infra, written in memory of the 7/7 attacks on London in 2005. With just strings, piano and electronics, it's a lovely stark and sombre experience that sets the stage for the main event.
Voices is also condensed, but only in its instrumental forces compared to the album version - all ten parts of the work are performed. The aforementioned narration is also joined by crowdsourced samples of people reading extracts of the Declaration in different languages, and the instrumentation is again based on strings, solo violin and piano. This is fleshed out by wordless choral voices and a soprano part (the lengthy Chorale is a definite highlight), and other sampled environmental sounds. Richter in the preamble discussion notes the influence of Schubert, particularly Winterreisse, but the gentle, accessible mode of expression is recognisably Richter.
After the performance, the broadcast continued with Richter introducing half an hour of music that has inspired him. I've left this in, as they were all great choices: Bob Dylan, Thomas Tallis, Abdullah Ibrahim (aka Dollar Brand), Kraftwerk and Charles Ives.
pw: sgtg
Previously posted at SGTG: Sleep
