Four works by James Tenney, each paired with music by an American composer to whom the Tenney composition is dedicated. The four 'Forms' compositions share with their senior partners -- Edgard Varèse, John Cage, Stefan Wolpe, and Morton Feldman -- a focus on sound and, in a more intuitive way, mood. Tenney's music draws upon an unorthodox and original approach to harmony. The compositions include James Tenney's 'Form 1' (1993) and Edgard Varese's 'Octandre' (1923), James Tenney's 'Form 2' (1993) and John Cage's 'Seven' (1988), James Tenney's 'Form 3' (1993) and Stefan Wolpe's 'Piece' (1971), and James Tenney's 'Form 4' (1994) and 'Morton Feldman's 'Numbers' (1964). The performances are by the ensemble Musikfabrik.

content: 

CD 1271

1. James Tenney: Form 1 In memoriam Edgar Varèse (18.44)
2. Edgar Varèse: Octandre (07.09)
3. James Tenney: Form 2 In memoriam John Cage (16.44)
4. John Cage: Seven (20.00)

CD 1272

1. James Tenney: Form 3 In memoriam Stefan Wolpe (14.00)
2. Stefan Wolpe: Piece (07.42)
3. James Tenney: Form 4 In memoriam Morton Feldman (16.38)
4. Morton Feldman: Numbers (12.08)

All recorded at WDR Köln, Funkhaus I; Tenney pieces recorded on 1-2 October 1997; the Wolpe on 17 November 1997; the Varèse and Cage on 11-21 December 1997; and the Feldman on 2 February 1998.