Echoes of Time and the River

In 1970, while Europe was in the midst of structuralism and America was all the rage with minimalism and various graphic elements, George Crumb wrote this Echoes of Time and the River (Echoes II), for orchestra, a highly emotional piece in four parts. The title bears the indication Echoes II because Crumb had previously composed Echoes of Autumn (1965).

Here we present the first movement of Frozen Time which

features a collage of mysterious and muted textures in overlapping 7/8 metric patterns. After a time, three percussionists make their way ritualistically across the stage intoning the motto of the state of West Virginia: “Montani semper liberi?” (Mountaineers are always free); the “ironic” question mark has been added by the composer. The music swells to an intense fff in the middle section with glissandos in all the string parts. As if in answer, the mandolinist exits playing and whispering the same motto darkly as he disappears off stage
[from program notes]

The song was recovered from a very damaged old vinyl record. I cleaned it as much as possible, without damaging the recording, but its provenance is clear.

George Crumb – from Echoes of Time and the River – Frozen Time

Back