The works of Edgard Varèse are essential listening for anyone interested in Western art music. The range of timbral subtlety alone makes the listening well worth the effort. But, thankfully, Varèse has much more to offer. Startling mastery of rhythmic compulsion, great sensitivity to registral negotiation, and careful attention to changing timbres on a single instrument are among the hallmarks of his writing.
Density 21.5 is one of Varèse's best-known works. I had a tough decision this month determining which work I wanted to showcase. I originally thought of Ionisation, but Density 21.5 won out this time. This performance, part of a laudable collection spear-headed by Riccardo Chailly, features a very good performance by Jacques Zoon.