Live recording of the fully-staged Anthony Braxton opera Trillium R - Composition No. 162 -- An Opera in Four Acts/Shala Fears for the Poor (dedicated to Nelson Mandela).
Liner notes by Anthony Braxton
Trillium is the name I have given to a preconceived series of thirty-six autonomous one-act operas that will hopefully be completed in the next ten to fifteen years. I have conceived of this effort as an “opera complex” that allows for the interconnection of all thirty-six operas in any order, to total twelve master three-act operas .
The name Trillium is an extension from my philosophical writings—Tri-Axium—and represents the third partial of my life’s work—that being music ( sound logic) systems, thought (philosophical) system, and ritual and ceremonial systems (belief). When completed, Trillium will serve as the cornerstone of my spiritual musics, to be performed at the end of a twelve-day festival for world dynamics. That is, Trillium is conceived as a forum to experience past, present, and future particulars. This is an attempt to better appreciate universal “balances” and vibrational oppositions as well as the beauty and unbeauty (beauty) of existence and sound wonder. I have come to view the world of opera as especially suited for this challenge, and also that the disipline of Òmusic dramaÓ will continue to exert an even greater influence on my life’s work in the future.
The primary generating number for my ritual and ceremonial musics is the number three. In Trillium this is expressed in 12=1+2+3. There will eventually be twelve major three act operas, twelve primary characters and finally twelve primary logics (or zones of identity and/or ways of “being”). I have approached the effort as a composite platform to express my world view and hope for humanity. Each character in Trillium represents a lineage that can be used to portray my understanding of opposition and life particulars.When completed, Trillium will be offered to humanity as a context that experience “life multiples” and affirmation. I envision a world of “circumstances” where the human experience can be celebrated in all of its splendor. Subject material in Trillium will seek to amplify the nature of “physicality and moment dynamics.” A given scene in this context might contain tragedy, humor, and/or “purpose.” This is so because the discipline of theater can clarify the living experience so that we can better understand ourselves and our potential. For this reason I will attempt to establish the broadest set of circumstances and focuses in Trillium—from ordinary to transcendent experiences. Events in this sound/image world will float in and out of the space- in a succession of skits (or enactments) and the composite nature of the experience is offered as a positive platform for creative participation and reception. Trillium is conceived as a vehicle for family and cultural fundamentals/involvement as a consistent component in African/trans-African vibrational dynamics, as well as corresponding to the greater implications of trans-European and Asian vibrational dynamics. Trillium is conceived as a world culture statement that respects composite humanity and the “realness” of apparent existence.
Plots
Trillium is not a platform for conventional story telling in the classic sense Italian and German opera. Rather, the work is constructed as a series of dialogues based on logics consists of four (or more) scenes in which the characters act out a series of skits or situation particulars. Each skit serves as a vehicle to elaborate on the variables of given philosophic associations. What this means is that a given character in Trillium will be called upon to portray the “forces” of a given “setting” as opposed to functioning as a separate entity (with her or his own separate identity). As such, in one scene a given character might have a role of a positive character (of whatever persuasion) and in the next scene that same character may portray something completely different. An example of this type of role playing may be found in given theater ensembles where the same actor may be asked to portray a series of roles. What this means is that the reality of storytelling in Trillium transcends any one focus or plane of definitions. To experience this effort is to enter into a multiple universe of feelings and particulars. In Trillium, the give insight into one primary plane of logic (or associations). A given experience in this context seeks to transport its audience into a multiple universe of feelings and particulars. In Trillium, the audience is asked to experience a series of situations that give insight into one primary plane of logic (or associations). A given experience in this context seeks to allow for many different levels of interchange and drama.
Structure
The three primary levels of Trillium are1) the apparent story 2) the philosophical associations and 3) the mystical of spiritual fundamental that underlies each setting. By the term apparent story I am refering to the surface setting of each opera or scene type. The singers in this context are given a general story line that is to be realised in the traditional sense of opera or music theater. Each scene attempts to tell a given story about a particular event and the course of a given drama seeks to provide particulars to fulfill what a that event could mean on a musical level. The singers are expected to enact their material and portray the “Story” of the scene—and this aspect of Trillium should satisfy the general requirements of music drama presentations (from the point of view of the audience). In other words the audience is not expected to need the (broader) implications of Trillium ( i.e. related philosophical or mystical dynamics). The “apparent story” of a given opera is conceived as a statement with its own separate weight, and rejoices in the dynamic power of music drama and discovery. The point of focus (and definition) is to experience events in the opera. This is true even though the story line is only one aspect of the music-logic system.
The second primary level of Trillium involves the inner logic system that unifies the conceptual and philosophic reality of my music . This in so because Trillium is conceived as an affirmation of my philosophical system (Tri-Axium). Storytelling in this context seeks to demonstrate the oppositions in a given scene so that we are continually made aware of how that construction mirrors (or reflects) the system schematics of Tri-Axium postulates (or idea associations). Every opera has at least four different levels (every scene is based on a central concept: three primary schematics/associations, and one that establishes a world of images and value systems that seeks to contextualize experiences. Events in this sound-world attempt to act out a given central concept from many different points of view. There is no single story line in Trillium because there is no point of focus being generated. Instead the audience is given a multilevel event state that fulfills vertical and horizontal strategies (objectives) starting from “nowhere” and ending “no-where”. The wonder of this approach brings a fresh vitality to the music and will allow for a broad range of interpretations. I believe that the medium of opera is directly relevant to cultural alignment and evolution. The nature of this medium can serve to clarify and amplify positive alignment.
credits
released January 1, 1999
Anthony Braxton: conductor
Singers:
Lisa Bielawa: soprano as "Shala"
Melissa Fathman: soprano as "Ntzockie"
Elizabeth Henreckenson-Farnum: alto as "Alva"
Heather Dea Jennings: mezzo-soprano voc as "Kim"
Matthew Pass: tenor as "David"
Benjamin Sosland: tenor as "Ojuwain"
Melton Sawyer: baritone as "Ashmenton"
Gregory Purnhagen: baritone as "Joreo"
Peter Stewart: bass as "Zakko"
Instrumentalist Soloists:
David Bindman: tenor sax
Rob Brown: flute
Joseph Celli: oboe
Brandon Evans: bass clarinet
Perry Robinson: clarinet
Aaron Stewart: baritone sax
Steve Swell: trombone
Libby van Cleve: english horn
Mark Whitecage: soprano sax
Tri-Centric Orchestra:
Sara Parkins, Jason Kao Hwang, Marlene Rice, Jacquie Carrasco, Ralph Farris, Gwen Lester: violin
Martha Mooke, Alva Anderson: viola
Catherine Bent, Nioka Workman: cello
Joe Fonda, John Menegon: bass
Patty Monson, Ned Rothenberg: flute
Randy McKean, Chris Speed, Cory Wright: clarinet
Amy Platt: bass clarinet
Chris Jonas: soprano sax
Raphael Cohon: oboe
Ted Reichman: accordion
Mike Rabinowitz: bassoon
Michael Attias: alto sax
Herb Robertson, Chris Matthay: trumpet
Tom Varner, Marshall Sealy: french horn
Joe Fielder: trombone
Ron Caswell: tuba
Kevin Norton, Gino Robair, Reggie Nicholson: percussion
Elizabeth Panzer: harp
Gregor Kitzis: concert-master
Recorded October 25th and 26th, 1996 at The John Jay Theater, New York City
Recording, Editing, and Mastering by Jon Rosenberg
Superb. What seems an implausible combination of instruments is in fact a great showcase for AB's sinuous saxophones. JK's harp sounds like a particularly rich guitar and her playing is virtuosic. Personally I think Anthony Braxton is at his best in these more intimate settings. This will likely be on my top ten list at end of year. arbitify
Improvisational pieces that blossom into moments of melody and cover topics such as “voltage & how certain apples will keep you young.” Bandcamp New & Notable Sep 18, 2023
The experimental musician drew from Korean folk opera, field recordings, synthesizers, and more to create her latest album. Bandcamp New & Notable May 20, 2022
Fire House Records has a catalogue of outstanding releases and this fits the bill perfectly by the sound of this initial track...there is power here and, yes, an irreverence for any kind of safety net...tremendously committed ensemble playing on display... John Cratchley
