DESCRIPTION:
Burdocks, for 10 parts (1970-1971)

David Tudor, bandoneon, organ
Christian Wolff, bass guitar, flute
Gordon Mumma, horn, harmonica
Frederic Rzewski, piano, percussion
David Behrman, viola, melodion, whistle
John Nash, violin

Burdocks, written in the summers of 1970 and 1971, is an orchestral piece in ten parts, each different in some distinct way. These include specific notations on staves; notations indicating only durations, often depending on other sounds a player hears; and various verbal directions both explicit and suggestive. Various numbers of performers (no upward limit) can play, using any means of making sounds. Any number of the ten parts can be played simultaneously or overlapped.

The performance on this recording consists of versions of parts II ('chords'), V ('wheels'), VI ('melody and accompaniment'), VIII ('100 bits') and IX ('quicksand'), played in succession. Instruments used include violin (Nash), viola, melodion, whistles (Behrman), horn, harmonica (Mumma), piano, percussion (Rzewski), bandoneon, organ (Tudor), bass gultar, flute (Wolff).

The piece offers a various, somewhat unruly, if not sticky, quantity of material, whose character is, however, still intended to allow clear articulations and transparency, both a festive, busy feeling and a more quiet one.

On the present recording the unruly aspect is partially reflected by the absence of a pure studio sound. Incidental noises -players' movements, shifting of instruments, preparations for playing -are not avoided but allowed to mix with the various noises which are part of the performed music. --Christian Wolff

Art by Piet Mondrian