Credits:

Antheil, George (1900-1959)

Description:

American pianist and composer George Antile. Calling himself a "musical bad boy," he is known for writing many avant-garde and bizarre works, including "Ballet Mechanique," which caused a scandal. The four works on this album, written between the 1930s and 1940s, trace the evolution of his style, which was said to "become more traditional with each passing decade. The two string serenades, both composed between 1947 and 1948, have a familiar atmosphere, as is typical of Antheil, who had been successful in film music and opera at the time. The first piece in particular shares many similarities with his own "Symphony No. 5" and "Symphony No. 6," including the use of the same material. The Golden Bird" from 1921 is exotic music with a Chinese flavor, while "Dream" from 1934 is colorful music in the neoclassical style, composed at the request of the choreographer Balanchine. Naxos Japan