Xenakis

[FreakAnimalFinland]

Was just listening to Xenakis – Electronic Works 1 - La Légende D'Eer CD and thinking this might be the best Xenakis CD what I have, but I am no way expert with his stuff.

This material borders "actual noise".
Even those who may dislike some qualities of art music, could be blown out by sheer piercing qualities of this material:

https://youtu.be/onTQERZOEZ4?si=esWjWqYNJiLzxr9y

Would be curious to hear other peoples thoughts and their favorites. Might have to check other releases I have from him before seeing what else to grab.

[Zeno Marx]

Iannis Xenakis - Edition RZ 2CD 2003 - focus on CD2 - "Persepolis" 1971; psychedelic, industrial noise with a menacing monster's appetite in the hold of an old wooden ship; Astro, CCCC, TNB, Hal Hutchinson, NwW's Salt Marie Celeste with The Terror - the final track, "Polytope de Cluny" 1972, is of the same industrial spirit, but with wind and glass-like, organic sounds and waves of rolling sand crashing on a redefined shore.

[Atrophist]

Diamorphoses, 1957. Pretty haunting. Like the above piece, at times not too far from contemporary noise!

I find a lot of the "regular" orchestal music that Xenakis composed frankly a little overwhelming. But some of the vocal pieces are pretty awesome, such as Oresteia.

[FreakAnimalFinland]

Iannis Xenakis - Edition RZ 2CD 2003 - focus on CD2 - "Persepolis" 1971; psychedelic, industrial noise with a menacing monster's appetite in the hold of an old wooden ship; Astro, CCCC, TNB, Hal Hutchinson, NwW's Salt Marie Celeste with The Terror - the final track, "Polytope de Cluny" 1972, is of the same industrial spirit, but with wind and glass-like, organic sounds and waves of rolling sand crashing on a redefined shore.

I got Iannis Xenakis - Edition RZ 2CD as well as I do have Persepolis as stand-alone version as well. Very good stuff! Just listened it earlier in the morning.

Diamorphoses, 1957. Pretty haunting. Like the above piece, at times not too far from contemporary noise!

I find a lot of the "regular" orchestal music that Xenakis composed frankly a little overwhelming. But some of the vocal pieces are pretty awesome, such as Oresteia.

Diamorphoses sounding very good. Right now just finished listening to Xenakis "electronic works 2" CD (Mode, New York) that has Hibiki Hana Ma (69-70) and Polytope de Cluny (72-74). Both of these very good versions. Stereo remixes by Gerard Pape from the old 8-channel master tapes. "electronic works" may be slightly misleading as there is plenty of acoustic sounds here. All sorts of scratching and carving objects. Starts like it could be any "underground stuff", but he has elegancy in timing and timbre that is not always present in sheer "noise".

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnW18b679AY

[TheGreatestThreat]

Was just listening to Xenakis – Electronic Works 1 - La Légende D'Eer CD and thinking this might be the best Xenakis CD what I have, but I am no way expert with his stuff.

This material borders "actual noise".
Even those who may dislike some qualities of art music, could be blown out by sheer piercing qualities of this material:

https://youtu.be/onTQERZOEZ4?si=esWjWqYNJiLzxr9y

Would be curious to hear other peoples thoughts and their favorites. Might have to check other releases I have from him before seeing what else to grab.

In my opinion the Electroacoustic Works box set that Karlrecords put out last year is the strongest representation of his electronic works.
That and the 2018 remix of Persepolis (also from Karlrecords) are imo the strongest representations of his work, and I listen to them almost monthly (or weekly in the case of the Persepolis remix/remaster)

[Commander15]

Just checked Xenakis out because of this thread and damn, this is really, really good stuff. I listened the Electronic Music compilation and Orient-Occident, Bohor and Hibiki Hana Ma really struck me. Persepolis also sounded really good, majestic even. Lots of elements that could be seen as "noise" and industrial qualities are present his works.