George Hunka

Notes and comment

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    All in the family

    Better than a Grammy, and not just because it’s French: L’Origine du Monde, an album of the music of Hugues Dufourt performed by my lovely wife Marilyn Nonken, has been awarded the 2025 “Coup de cœur” from the Académie Charles Cros Contemporary Music Committee (les Coups de coeur 2025 musique contemporaine de l’Académie Charles-Cros). As this press release from Métier has it:

    Founded in the aftermath of World War II in 1947, the Charles Cros Academy defends musical diversity, ensures the preservation of sound memory, supports the creation, career development of artists, the entrepreneurial spirit and courage of graphic and phonographic publishers. …

    “Métier is excited to celebrate this award with pianist Marilyn Nonken. L’Origine du Monde marked her third album exploring the spectral music movement, of which she is a leading interpreter. An award from this distinguished French Academy is all the more appropriate for this album of music by Hugues Dufourt, a foundational figure of the French spectral school. Métier and First Inversion thank the Académie for this recognition.” — David Weuste, First Inversion Executive Director

    L’Origine du Monde has also received excellent reviews from the likes of Gramophone magazine, which called it “an exceptionally assured and spellbinding demonstration of Dufourt’s uncompromising creative ambitions.” You can purchase a CD or stream the entire album at Presto Music. It’s available on Apple Classical too.

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    One response to “All in the family”

    1. J. Haynes

      Congratulations to Marilyn on this well-deserved honor!

      I purchased the recording some time ago, and have replayed it several times since then. I am not educated enough, musically speaking, to fully appreciate what I’m hearing but as a lay person I can say I enjoy what I hear and know I’m listening to someone who has spent many years mastering her craft.

      For those who haven’t yet purchased the album, consider doing so.

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    Opernabend: Don Giovanni, Vienna, 1955

    A rehearsal session for Mozart’s “Don Giovanni.” Conductor Karl Böhm is on the right; next to him Erich Kunz; behind him George London; Sena Jurinac; and at far left Anton Dermota. Vienna, 1955.

    An “alpha-plus” according to the eminent Sir Denis Forman, Mozart’s 1787 Don Giovanni, in a landmark 1955 Wiener Staatsoper recording conducted by Karl Böhm, will be broadcast by radio klassik Stephansdom tomorrow, Saturday, January 31, at 2:00 pm Eastern time. The fine cast includes George London as the lecherous Giovanni, Erich Kunz as his hapless servant Leporello, Sena Jurinac as Donna Elvira, and Ludwig Weber as Giovanni’s nemesis, The Commendatore.

    Eva Reinold hosts this broadcast, a fitting end to Mozart’s Birthday Week. You can stream it here.

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    “An elegy to … music’s departing landscape”

    Circle Thursday, March 26, in your calendar now, and plan to Uber it to Steinway Hall in New York at 1133 Sixth Avenue for Morton Feldman at 100: “Triadic Memories,” Marilyn Nonken‘s performance of Feldman’s epic 90-minute piano solo, which she originally recorded for Mode Records in 2005. According to the web page for the event:

    Feldman’s Triadic Memories is a 90-minute elegy to what the composer saw as music’s departing landscape, where the sound exists in our hearing — leaving us rather than coming towards us. Part ritual, part meditation, Triadic Memories offers the opportunity to explore issues of perception, memory, and imagination.  “Any pianist wanting to play Feldman needs the most exquisite touch, and also great stamina,” writes the London Times,  “and Marilyn Nonken clearly has both in abundance.”

    A reception and pre-concert talk will precede the performance. RSVP and prepare to perceive.

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    2 responses to ““An elegy to … music’s departing landscape””

    1. J. Haynes

      This sounds like a wonderful event, one I wish I could attend.

      If by chance the performance is recorded, please let us know. I for one would love to purchase / hear it!

    2. George Hunka

      Thanks, John! Unfortunately the performance will not be recorded and the CD appears to be sold out, but you can stream it on Apple Music or any one of a number of streaming services.