Milos Raickovich

(b. 1956)

mode 45

New Classicism

$14.99

mode 45 Milos RAICKOVICH: “New Classicism” orchestral, chamber & toy piano works in Raickovich’s unique blend of minimalism and classical styles — Margaret Leng Tan (toy piano), Moscow Symphony Orchestra/Milos Raickovich.

In stock

New Classicism
Originally issued as a compact disc. Program and biographical notes in English, German, and French ([16] p. : ill.) inserted in container. The 1st, 5th works for orchestra; the 2nd work for violin and orchestra; the 3rd work for 2 toy pianos; the 4th work for violin, viola, violoncello, and piano. Igor Frolov, violin (2nd work) ; Margaret Leng Tan, toy pianos (3rd work) ; Ensemble Musica da Camera (4th work) ; Moscow Symphony Orchestra, Milos Raickovich, conductor (1st, 2nd, 5th works). The 1st-2nd, 5th works recorded Aug. 24-25, 1993 (Mosfilm Studios, Moscow); the 3rd work recorded Apr. 5, 1994 (Harmonic Ranch, New York City); the 4th work recorded 1987 (Radio Novi Sad Studios, Yugoslavia).

1. HAPPY OVERTURE  (1987)  for orchestra

2. THREE ROMANCES  (1988)  for violin and orchestra
Igor Frolov, violin

3. PRELUDE & FUGUE  (1987) 
for keyboard, version for 2 toy pianos (1993)
Margaret Leng Tan, 2 toy pianos (played simultaneously)

4. DREAM QUARTET  (1986)  for violin, viola, cello and piano
Ensemble Musica da Camera

5. SYMPHONY No.1  (1992) 
Moscow Symphony Orchestra
Milos Raickovich, conductor 

Yugoslavian born Milos Raickovich writes modern music in a new and accessibly appealing style which he calls NewClassicism. New Classicism is, to quote Mark Swed from his insightful liner notes for the CD: “…neither ironic nornaive but is, instead, a unique postmodern response to both Minimalism and multiculturalism. It is surely possible tohear Schubert, Haydn or Rossini in Raickovich’s “New Classicism”; but under Schubert, Haydn or Rossini lie EasternEuropean folk music, Minimalism, Messiaen, and, deeper still the Pacific Rim and its cultures. All are part ofRaickovich’s remarkable musical roots, but they operate in the background, nested like the windows on a computer screen.

Listen to Raickovich’s Symphony No.1 with a modern ear, and out of those Schubertian patterns, patterns more akin toPhilip Glass seem to magically pop out like hidden figures…”

Milos Raickovich was born in 1956 and began his musical studies in Belgrade. His college years were spent inParis, taking Messiaen’s composition classes at the Conservatoire. All the while he remained active in the Belgrade newmusic scene, forming his own ensemble inspired by American minimalist groups and helping to found the Belgrade YouthPhilharmonic.

Raickovich moved to Los Angeles in 1981 and became active in the avant-garde Independent Composers Association whileattending master classes in conducting with Herbert Blomstedt and studying film music at UCLA. In 1988, he moved to NewYork where he studied with David Del Tredici and received a Ph.D. in composition. In 1992, he taught in Hiroshima andstudied the koto. Raickovich now lives in Brooklyn, New York.

The critically acclaimed Margaret Leng Tan performs his Prelude & Fugue, arranged especially for her to beperformed on 2 toy pianos simultaneously. The orchestral works are superbly played by the Moscow Symphony Orchestrafeaturing the noted Russian violinist Igor Frolov.

Language : English, French, German.

Reviews

“This is one of the strangest discs that I’ve heard all year. That’s a compliment. Strongly recommended to both the informed and the unwary.”
—Raymond Tuttle, Fanfare

MILOS RAICKOVICH: New Classicism
by Stephen D. Hicken
American Record Guide, November/December 1996

If you like new music that sounds like classical or early romantic music you’ll likeRaickovich. His music is earnest and well-made. The Happy Overture isparticularly good, and the Preludes and Fugues for toy piano ischarming. The performances are quite good, and Mode’s sound is warm,with presence.


Links

Margaret Leng Tan on Mode:
Sonic Encounters (mode 15)
Sorceress of the New Piano, The Artistry of Margaret Leng Tan (mode 194)
John Cage: The Works for Piano 4 (mode 106)
                  The Piano Works 7 (mode 158)
George Crumb: Makrokosmos Books 1 and 2 (mode 142)
Milos Raickovich: Prelude & Fugue  (version for 2 Toy Pianos)
  (mode 45)

AMC’s New Music Box magazine – Raickovich text
    published in September 2001