Edgard Varese - Ionisation

[dummeswe]

For me it's not neciseraly good music .it's more interesting or funny. Kinda tickles the brain.

Hum yeah lets see lets get 50 percussion instrument and play them all att once. But man music? what is music? alot of stuff like atonal music music without a key have things in common with this type of music. In the end it all deppends on the listener. Define music for me

[aculturemind]

This isn't a symphonic work, in form, metaphor, or intent. It's a percussion work.

[eggynapalm]

scary as.

[CiZination]

I'm a percussionist in high school. My band teacher wants me to be in his after school percussion ensemble, and I thought it'd be fine. Until I found out we were playing this...and honestly, it's just awful. I'm not trying to be mainstream at all, but really, I barely consider this music. It just doesn't sound good to me. why do people like this? i really don't understand... >:/

[SeventhSandwich]

@CiZination

You disgust me.

[aculturemind]

@CiZination

I'll do ya know better. Non-pitched percussion *isn't* musical. And even then, few things (such as bell choir), can really be used on their own.

[234234234werrrrrrr]

lame

[xXxLunaCielxXx]

....hipnotizing... 8P....

[ShazerThe]

Getting the rhythm right must be a bitch.

[Cthulhuized]

MAGNIFIC! incredible! spasms of percussions everywere!

[9215514]

beautiful

[DoctorRazzArea4]

fun to listen to, but the problem with music like this is the lack of aesthetics 

[RachmaninoffSatieOrf]

Frank Zappa LOVED him. He was like his childhood hero. For his fifteenth birthday his gift was to make long-distance phone call Edgard Varese.

[aliciaamycouture]

Who plays this peice? Like, what are these people called?

[MAMRetro]

@aliciaamycouture This piece is actually played a lot on avant garde recitals, usually in a program of 20th century "sound" composers. These musicians are all percussionists. Theyre the ones in a symphony that play the timpany drums, the cymbals, etc. Varese wrote this piece just for percussion, in order to show how percussion can also be used to produce rhythm and music, in its own way.

[Davenortsmagic]

@evetslol ha

[sayno2lolzisback]

this is good, im really feeling it haha

[Rickriquinho]

This is nothing!

[johnny27snm]

77 people do not understand

[DIZamudio]

@johnny27snm Are yo telling us that you knoledge in music is so vast that you can fully understand this piece?

[cdanielfile]

that chick at 3:50 is a total babe

[PorroFirst]

I'm losing my mind just listening to this..

[ReynardJay]

I've always enjoyed "Ionization". Also I like Varese "Deserts". Boulez, Harry Parch, even Alban Berg's "Wozzeck" have that chaotic yet organized feel in those compositions.

[rckmmmm]

this is much more about "sound" than "music" varese and zappa both spent their lives in search of sound. as a scientific pursuit, which is very much a fringe perception. think about it. who "hears" or "perceives" like varese and zappa ?...........varese and zappa, primarily. not you or i. thats the value for your music class, and the reason most of it sounds so horrible. sound rather than music.

[BigRed4231]

I don't understand what people like about this, it sounds like a 6 year old having fun in a music store.

[evetslol]

needs more cowbell

[JosiahTheBone]

Even if you personally don't enjoy this music, I think you have to respect the fact that it has inspired others to create, including Frank Zappa, a man who went on to write a LOT of music, music which has been enjoyed by many for years. Any piece of music that inspires others to create, and as a result, keeps music going, is in my opinion a force for good!

[CJandthebreakfast]

I see why peeps would say it's sucksauce but I think it's brilliant.

[MrPatMagu]

I'm going to be honest, this sucks. Does anybody else feel the same?

[nalweb]

@MrPatMagu

Totally agree. While I understand the philosophy behind making a musical collage, so to speak, this has absolutely no listening value whatsoever.

[DarkZekeX]

@nalweb Yes it does.

[ARFD23i]

@MrPatMagu Agreed :)

[PathosDistanz]

Hardly an incredible performance. This is good, but the one conducted by Boulez is far superior.

[mrpankau]

@PathosDistanz True dat, man. The Wind Ensemble at my school played it better than this...

[eyescreama]

i liked the siren sooo much

[MsMoirah]

BRAVO !!!!

[phisean]

Cool. It's like a salad rather than a soup, like a purer form of jazz. But go ahead and knock it, people, it's easier than using you brain to turn it around. Just because you don't have an immediate emotional response to it does not make it inferior.

It's like saying that that sad film where some girl died and you cried is superior to the Godfather, where you admired the ruthless cunning and power of the guy.

[wookiewhat]

is that dude playing the fan

[EvilEddtheRed]

I can hear echoes of Gershwin in this.

[TehAsploder]

When I listen to tonal composers like Mozart and Bach, I can feel everything from profound sadness to exuberant happiness. When I listen to atonal music, I have to hit pause and make sure raccoons haven't gotten into my garbage cans again.

[DarkZekeX]

@TehAsploder haha you're totally not the first person to not understand a kind of music and make jokes about how terrible it sounds to you. There are many different ways to convey the various emotions in art, and there are other ideas to express besides just raw emotions, though I think emotion plays a part an all works of art because humans are emotional creatures.

[ReverendKateColombo]

Its just so avante garde.... I don't know what to say about it....

[Cannlos]

Fuck this shit!

[DJHeyWire]

He did write this in music notation way back when. purely intentional, Avant Garde....

Straight percussion... except the siren. I find educational to hear.. otherwise. Not for me.

[bassrockin]

Earworm worthy. I have this song going over and over in my head on a 5:14 cycle.

[paschen2219]

this shti was terrible, the type of embarassing shit a guy who cant accept hes not talented makes.

[kfcohea]

I always liked this song. I can't get the melody out of my head.

[ORUPRANKSTAZ]

Probably European. Definitely 80's.

[xeinosa]

@ORUPRANKSTAZ French... 1930s

[ORUPRANKSTAZ]

@xeinosa

Fuck you. Troll. It's obvious I was talking about the orchestra and not the composition. Get your head out your ass and go fuck a lighting rod.

[xeinosa]

@ORUPRANKSTAZ I actually thought you were talking about the piece. There seems to be a lot of people commenting that don't like the piece... I thought you were one of them trying to be a smart ass. My bad dude, just chill out.

[ORUPRANKSTAZ]

@xeinosa

Lol. Sorry. Youtube.. lol Yeah man.. Varese was an amazing talent. People don't realize the influence he had.

[robertoreference]

W giuseppe verdi!!

[Steve7508]

It takes time but eventually this makes perfect sense.

[sybo59]

@Steve7508 Please, spell it out for us.

[martok666]

if you ask me to describe this symphony the only answer i could possibly think of is a portrait of chaos, something like world war 2.

[whiteprints]

i love it! i really do! it's very special but i just love it!

[wuz352]

Why are all the women so hot in this video? It's amazing.

[zeroblackstar]

He's like the Autechre of his day :)

[METALGABE559]

talk about modern composition

[pedofieltje111]

Barfeslecht

[MrKristophorus]

@pedofieltje111 I am not surprised..Look at your nickname...If that's not the pinnacle of bad taste..

[pedofieltje111]

@MrKristophorus

haha you'r awesome! gij krijgt een hand van mij!

[mountaindewzilla]

I had never heard a piece like this outside of the context of old films.

Neat.

I got the impression that this is desert music, but that may be because of the guy that turned me on to it.

I have never seen so many percussionist babes in one room; wow.

[DDbolle]

die gehn ja voll ab :D

[monteithbarraxoets]

geil

[emtube]

Great piece, but terrible recording. Seems like the mic is on a few of the instruments, but the overall balance is entirely screwed up.

Basically, this is what it would sound like to someone performing in the orchestra, but not what it should sound like to the audience at some distance from the players.

[squaijis]

When they was young, Meshuggah's member had that lullaby.

[skutratufahija]

both video and audio are fucking amazing.

[kibelezlek]

fuck Zappa

[TheTrirkle]

@kibelezlek how? i'm low on gas and he needs a jacket

[NeuferP]

@kibelezlek Take a longer look. FZ was moved to expand his musical prowess by Varese. Give yourself time to grow.

[torker24]

I looked up this video after I read that it inspired Frank Zappa, and I can certainly see why it did. Thank you so much for posting this video.

[alwerner49]

I have been ionised... 20,000 volts AC or more. Thanks great works

Greetings Ramsgate, Kent, UK.

[djtequilaslammer]

The music of the previous generation scares and confuses me. That's not real music, that's just noise. I'd much rather listen to some nice dubstep or hardcore gabba.

[TheJourneyAgent]

@djtequilaslammer HAHAHAHAHAH

[mackeymkay]

Am I the only one that gets visions of a military march, a bombardment, and at one point a rat being pummeled to death, when listening to this piece? Maybe I need to give it more listens.

[drsharath]

Well known art critic: "What wonderful use of colors, what great textures, the whole piece gives you a feeling of motion!!"

Janitor: "What, that on the floor? That's just where someone puked."

[owlandtree]

This music is very visual, like a movie. I wonder if that is the same experience for fans of Varese. I'm a Zappa fan and I can see why HE would like Varese. Especially given what was available as "alternative" music back then. I like soundtracks and goofy noises with odd time signatures so not so much of a stretch for me. Nothing compared to Hootie or Nickelback...I can't type that with a straight face.

[wingsofliberty437]

AT SAINT VARESES PANCAKE BREAKFAST!

[Tengent]

@wingsofliberty437 LOL that made me laugh way too hard I need to go cough up the spit that fell into my lungs..

[dogbig02]

More cow bell .......

[cristo3214]

Even if it is complicated, well though, and stuff like this, doesn't mean it's beautiful.

[RichRobinson]

hmmmm. im open minded... its cool to experiment, its cool to try new things... if i saw a live performance of this kinda thing then maybe i'd watch and enjoy it.... but i wouldn't stick this on my hi-fi or ipod or whatever.

[Gasten400]

they look so happy.

[UncleFexxer]

Came here looking for this right after reading the paragraph in Zappa's biography that mentioned it. You can definitely hear Varese's influences in his music.

[uneedtherapy42]

really great but I feel this would be less interesting (to me anyway) without the visual element of the players. I love the way they coordinate all the sounds and rythmic parts. I also love (pardon if this offends anyone) that this in not really virtuosic music per say... but more visceral and alive (if that makes sense) in that there is no cadenza here, no flashy fingers flying all over an instrument, heck the guy in playing the piano in the most interesting way but not as a virtuoso.

[monsieurperine]

para q?

[rebeccaskye]

I had a dream like this once

[patfitzzpatrick]

...actually, I'd say it better filmed than performed. The tutti are rather unclear and lack a certain «retenue». The lion's roar is also pretty shy compared to the terrifying sound Varèse has in mind in some of his writing.

[TomCatTim3000]

has anyone noticed that this percussion ensemble is primarily made of women? That is notable, is it not?

[racevez]

@TomCatTim3000

woman are better at working together as opposed to men who need to control everything going on

[Drunkenmo]

@racevez Moron.

[racevez]

@Drunkenmo  I dont understand your comment. You must be an alcoholic

[Drunkenmo]

@racevez I wouldn't be so foolish as to make plain assumptions.

[MaestroTJS]

@racevez Uh huh. That's why the Vienna Philharmonic, which was until 1997 an all-male orchestra, was always considered one of the finest orchestras, if not THE finest, in the world....

Nice try, though.

As for this version, although the sound quality is not great, it seems more energetic and raw than Boulez's version...which I think is a good thing. His sounds too tame, but I should probably listen to a few more versions before making a final judgement.

[Flunder]

pretty cool. and Im a bluesman!

[surrealIdeal]

thumbs up if Frank Zappa brought you here

[Zappafan1980]

@surrealIdeal

Oh my God this is really the only reason

I wanted to watch this : )

It really sounds like Zappa Orchestra music

[forestierischard]

The talented conductor is Jeanlouis Forestier.

[pastelicco]

Quel est le chef ?



[hbfs4182]

SO FREAKING AWESOME.

[emersoul]

¡lo que inspiro al gran Zappa a meterse en el bisne de la musick!

[SonofBrummieDarkness]

1:58 onwards sounds like a drum kit in a giant washing machine

[webman445]

NEEDS MORE COWBELL!!

[zzGRENDELzz]

I've been hearing about Varese for years but never had the opportunity to hear.

Frankly, and I don't want to be dull, this "classic" sounds like the soundtrack to a Tom & Jerry cartoon...

I'm disappointed.

[bickymcq]

Really, the most high spirited performance I've ever encountered of this classic!

[FrankBugZappa]

For all the people fighting over this: This is just one point that 20th century composers were trying to make - you are fighting with people over some sound waves that have been organized in a particular fashion; why is that? I'm paraphrasing Lily Tomlin here: "The music is just soup; the people fighting over it, art."

[ArunNamboodiri]

What is the instrument resembling a large bell, wherein the woman operating it pulls her gloved hand down a string?

[gomro]

@ArunNamboodiri That's called a "lion's roar." The string is rosined, and so the thing makes a loud groaning noise... Don't know how many pieces use one, but Ionisation will serve to keep it around.

[ArunNamboodiri]

What is the instrument resembling a bell, wherein the woman operating it rubs her gloved hand down a string of some sort?

[pipolatti]

Try to learn before comments...

[vinnievibes]

Much too fast, all intension is lost this way!! I'm sorry, and my dear friend Appie is too!!!

[nuclearRabbit123]

Why do you watch this if you don't like it!? Leave us alone!

[candlewick163]

why does everyone blind themselves with pride when they come across innovation? just enjoy the music. There is no melody, but it's all about rhythm, not melody. even though there is no melody there is climax and build and decay within this piece. It's catchy and whatnot, but it's just cool.

[candlewick163]

@candlewick163 i meant "it's *not* catchy" btw. my bad

[JamesTKirkCobain]

MORE COWBELL!

[fireblossom2u]

I have no trouble following or allowing my brain to understand this piece. Each sound connects, there is definite and easy to follow rhythm. Though it doesn't follow a one-two-three one-two-three or a one-two-three-four beat it is quite accessible. If you can listen to the rush and pause of the wind or a stormy sea you can hear this piece with understanding.

[todaystomsawyer]

I really want to like this.... but I don't. :-/

[SirMalker]

@todaystomsawyer And that's why you don't like it.

[todaystomsawyer]

@SirMalker

Makes sense. Once I didn't want to like Trout Mask Replica, I did. Same with Friday by Rebecca Black!

[SirMalker]

@todaystomsawyer You have to be careful with that shit. Might just jump up and sting you in the butt.

[Zappafan1980]

@todaystomsawyer

Thats the funniest comment i read today

allthough its not supposed to be funny

i am sorry : )

[badazzpresidents23]

@todaystomsawyer That's how I felt at first. Mostly because I didn't get it. Probably listened to it 50 times before I was able to grasp the absurd use of time signatures/arranging.

[elbay2]

@todaystomsawyer That's fine if you don't... or if you do!

[Wafflesmart]

cool. But i have trouble understanding it

[Massupossu]

I love it and all, but... it needs more cowbell!

[primarkopolop]

organized sound...no better way to sum up this self description of varese's music than this piece

[rovennaa]

This music is not supposed to be aesthetically pleasing. It's supposed to represent some greater idea. The sounds collaborate to procure thought. If you want to lay back, relax, and listen to some "beautiful" music, you may prefer to listen to classical artists. However, this is music just as much as the compositions of Chopin or Beethoven were considered music; its intentions are merely different. It requires less feeling and more thinking.

[RatherLargeAllan]

@rovennaa You say "this is music just as much as the compositions of Chopin or Beethoven were considered music" as though they are no longer considered music.

Your whole comment reeks of bullshit although what do I know? I'm not a farmer!

To say that this is not "supposed to be aesthestically pleasing" suggests to me that you know more about it than Varese. I doubt that. Personally I enjoy it because it is funny.

[nomisj]

I love the bit at 3:32 where it builds up to that absolutly amasing section at around 4:00.

Gives me the tingles all over!

Varése is a legend - he taught me to train my ears. close my eyes, to hear much, much more.

[allespenner]

Frank Zappa's idol!

[kev3710037]

@allespenner John Cage's idol too

[DerangedRanger1]

I love this ensemble. Their expressions are so serious but you know they are having fun both as individuals (feeling what they are doing in their bodies and the air move when the instruments vibrate) and as a group (hearing the totality of this music and recognizing their bit of it in relation to the others). They are to be feared when they are onstage! As a group, they are virtuosic.

[pineappaloupe]

fuck yeah!

[dc797jk]

Nice. I really like 20th century avantgardes.

[madamerotten]

Magnificent!

[moriluk]

Anybody figure out who is performing this?

[darcynash]

Beautiful 

[Garrfieldy]

50 people don't know what music is!

[hojima]

@Garrfieldy Or, you know, they might not like it. Youtube is rife with bullshit comments like this and it needs to stop.

[Garrfieldy]

@hojima And you need to drown in the toilet.

If you don't like this, you don't like music

[hojima]

@Garrfieldy Can you not accept that taste exists? I never said I thought it was bad (or even that I didn't like it). Some people are mature enough to acknowledge that something can be good, despite not appreciating or liking it. Grow the fuck up.

[Garrfieldy]

@hojima Well, you said that I said some bullshit and that comments like mine needs to stop, so I suggest you to drown in the toilet.....

I think that this piece of music is the essence of music, so I think that if someone don't like this, also don't like music....

I don't want to argue with you, so please let's stop it here... Thank you

[hojima]

@Garrfieldy Ill stop it here, but really, different people have different tastes.  Sound + emotion is the essence of music. This fits that, as does many other pieces. Why can't we be a big fucking happy family who accepts that while what the person next to us likes might not be our style, it can still be good.

[cchhuucckk12]

@Garrfieldy 52 haha

awesome music

[rolandrog]

I really dig all-girl bands. It's very refreshing for them to have sticks for a change. :-).

[barun432]

intense performance, great understanding of what the composer is trying to insinuate...but the acoustics of the space, where the performance is held is not that spacious to bring out the actual essence of this masterpiece.....

[musicalbasics]

this is intense

[Mrochlin1]

This piece IS Zappa! Now I understand completely the influence. It is wildly symbolic, edgy, and surreal (AKA Dali).

[from93till]

Chick at 4:30 is HOT

[Loobs666]

If you can't bop to it - bombsville!

[kettlezone]

This actually rocks - fuck your extra cowbell suggestions!

[karinaaarts]

georganiseerd geluid

[CarstenOepping]

Zappas favorite Song.... :-)

[GordonMorrice]

@CarstenOepping Along with "Rubber Biscuit" by The Chips!

[MattMWarren]

That one girl playing 3 bass drums with glasses is pretty hot. I'm not even joking.

[FrankStareye]

Brilliant!



[dippywatcher]

does not need more anything...you don't tamper with perfection. (imho)

[bsaxagent]

I love the colors of this piece. As for those who say there is no melody, it's a rhythmic cell that is duplicated and transformed, just like the Ionization of cells. Wait. Isn't that the name of the piece? Ah, it's just a coincidence. After all, he's just another stupid modern composer...(sarcasm implied)

[irulzu]

@bsaxagent Actually, cells don't really ionise. Molecules can ionise into smaller molecules or components that are electrically charged. It has nothing to do with duplication or replication. It's more like decomposition. You can draw a parallel if you like, just keep in mind that Varese wasn't a chemist.

[squiresuzuki]

@bsaxagent atoms, you meant? cells dont ionize...

[Jazzyteach65]

@bsaxagent What a daring man he was for this piece alone!

[kowalsky111]

@bsaxagent not liking modern music is as legitmate as liking it

[eggiliciousness]

@bsaxagent

you have no idea what ionisation is

[dkleitsch]

Needs more talent in the composition too!