Phrygian Gates (1977).."Phrygian" refers to the predominant mode of composition. "Gates" are the moments when the flow of the music abruptly shifts to another mode. The composition is played without pause-unfortunately here we have to conform to the 10 minute clip limit.
Best part: 3:40-3:54. It was a brilliant idea to bring out the left hand: it makes clear the organization of the whole movement, so it's doesn't just sound like a string of loosely-gathered episodes.
schmetterlink 1 day ago
@downtourknees Pity the generation that needs geniuses.
schmetterlink 1 day ago
I actually saw Mack McCray perform Phrygian Gates live. Truly amazing and inspiring. Having also seen him perform Liszt's Sonata and "Norma," as well as Rachmaninoff's 2nd Sonata, I must say that this was even more exhausting for McCray to play. For those in San Francisco, he plays every year at the Bach Dynamite and Dance Club's November performance, along with 2 other pianists who he selects. His fingers are wider than most people's hands (yes, that's hyperbole) -- what a beast indeed!
TachyonDrums 3 weeks ago
@downtourknees oh no, we don't. I can only suppose you'd be one of those people throwing rotten vegetables at the Rite. It's not, in fact, the music, or the composer, or the performer, or even the recording, that is lacking here.
InvincibleIronyMan 2 months ago
this is alright, but we have to admit this generation lacks geniuses
downtourknees 3 months ago
I like how the phrygian mode sounds nice and harmonic instead of jarring or spanish sounding like it's usually potrayed.
akamarutv 8 months ago
@Artemusicstring No, he's the pianist to whom this piece is dedicated to. I am also fortunate enough to have a copy of the first recording made of the piece (by McCray)
supertomatoman 8 months ago
@supertomatoman Is Mack McCray the piano player who record this coposition?
Artemusicstring 8 months ago
beautiful performance, I love it and can't wait to play it myself.
Sihirbazlik 10 months ago
Hmm...I like the original recording better :) Mack McCray is a beast; I love his interpretation!
supertomatoman 11 months ago