THE RELACHE CHRONICLES is a podcast about musicians residing in what we call “the Margins of American Music.” In these 30-to-45-minute episodes, we play recordings – primarily by The Relache Ensemble – of complete musical works plus commentary by composers, performers, and others with insight to the music. “Relâche is sort of the New York Philharmonic of truly creative music. They stand alone.” — Kyle Gann
Throughout the podcast, we’ll discuss the guest composers’ processes, how they utilized current and past technologies and how the acoustical properties of a given space informed the creation and performance of a musical work.
Finally, we will discuss how the composers’ relationship with the musicians brought the music to life. Episodes feature music by John Cage, Robert Ashley, Joe Kasinskas, Pauline Oliveros, Guy Klucevsek, Eve Beglarian, Fred Ho, Phill Niblock, Romulus Franceschini, Bill Duckworth, Lois v Vierk, and an overview of the New Music America Festival 1987 – Philadelphia, and the expansive residency/performance project named Music in Motion.
THE RELACHE CHRONICLES is produced, directed, and edited, by Arthur Stidfole with Joseph Franklin, Joe Kasinskas, and Arthur Sabatini. Throughout their careers, they have been performing musicians, composers, executive and artistic directors, university teachers, radio hosts and authors, dedicated to the music of the 20th and 21st centuries.
Composer Joe Kasinskas moved to the Philadelphia area when the Relache Ensemble was still in a formative stage. In those days, the ensemble tossed a wide net, hoping to snare young composers with visions of how to incorporate emerging electronic and computer technologies in a compelling manner. Joe’s timing was impeccable. He envisioned musical works that used analog audio-acoustic systems to enhance, alter and extend the sounds generated by traditional musical instruments. He often used mythological stories as vehicles within which to set his musical creations. That is the focus on this episode of the Relache Chronicles.
Two works will be featured are “Vesperal Span” for solo flute and “Flight of Birds” for solo violin. These feature an analog delay technique that produces an aural illusion of sound moving in space. The violin work violin uses an analog delay to create an environmental echo suggesting a group of birds talking flight. Performers are Laurel Wyckoff, flute and Bridget Kasinskas violin.
Recent Episodes
Episode Twenty-Five "Bertolt Brecht and Song"
In the early 1980’s members of the Relache Ensemble – and friends – developed a music theater work that celebrated Brecht and Eisler’s songs and poetry. The title of the piece is “Bertolt Brecht and Song.” Part One of the work features songs by Brecht-Weill sung by Relache’s featured vocalist, Barbara Noska accompanied by the late accordionist-composer, Guy Klucevsek. Part Two features songs by Eisler-Brecht and poetry by Brecht performed by Barbara Noska, actor Christopher Hayes and guitarist Joe Kasinskas. “Bertolt Brecht and Song” premiered at the Yellow Springs Institute in Pennsylvania. This is the performance that is featured on Episode Twenty-Five of The Relache Chronicles.
Episode Twenty Four - "In C" by Terry Riley
Of all the musical works that the Relache Ensemble played during its long history none is more memorable than IN C by Terry Riley. Arguably, IN C is one of the most important musical works of the mid-twentieth century. This episode – Episode twenty-four – will explore the impact that IN C had on the artistic evolution of the Relache Ensemble. Throughout, the Relache Chronicles team explained how each of them listened to and was enriched by live performances they heard of IN C by the Relache Ensemble. The recording you will hear is from 1983. Is it a vintage recording of IN C? It’s difficult to tell since there were over thirty performances by Relache throughout its history. But given the time and place of this performance/recording, it served as a turning point of sorts for the Relache Ensemble. We hope the listener agrees.
Episode Twenty Three - A Tribute to Guy Klucevsek
This episode is devoted to our close friend and collaborator of many years, accordionist-composer, Guy Klucevsek. Guy passed away on May 22nd after a long battle with neuroendocrine cancer. To call Guy a virtuoso accordionist is, of course, accurate. He was a master of the instrument’s potential to express extended lyrical musical lines amidst a rhythmic foundation drawn from folk traditions from throughout the world. And he was one of the most innovative accordion players in the world. As a composer, Guy wrote hundreds of works for solo accordion and accordion ensembles (especially The Accordion Tribe). He also composed for small ensembles (including The Relache Ensemble), music for dance, theater and film. (He was the go-to accordionist for the film composer John Williams.) He recorded and released twenty-three solo CD’s and ensemble recordings and appeared with other composer-performers on many recordings.