Peter Garland The Basketweave Elegies Winant - Cb0066 - Contemporary - by Cold Blue

The Basketweave Elegies is an elegant vibraphone solo recorded by renowned new music percussionist William Winant, who has been called “a dazzling virtuoso” (The Wire) and the avant-elite’s go-to percussionist for more than 35 years.” (SPIN). Garland writes about the piece: “The title was originally conceived as a homage to the late artist Ruth Asawa, famous for, among other things, her woven wire sculptures. Also, anyone who knows me knows of my lifelong interest in basketry (and my collection!). My admiration for basketry and basket makers also extends to a kind of traditional lifestyle and art practice, one that is often rural, attuned to the natural world and the seasons, and lived at a slower pace than the urban-art-world-oriented modern artist (or composer). What difference is there between art and craft? There is some, I suppose, but what unites them both is the idea of doing something well. I want to write music that is well-made, sturdy, useful, and beautiful—like a basket—its beauty resulting from those first three qualities. . . . Formally I got an idea from the medieval poetic-musical form the rondeau. The work is in nine sections or movements. There are four declamatory ‘core’ movements—sections 2, 4, 6, and 8—which are preceded and followed by lyric ‘refrains’—sections 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9. Of course, this being the 21st century and not the 12th, I do not follow the rondeau form in any literal fashion. . . . It is very gratifying to me to have William Winant as the performer on this recording. We have been close friends and collaborators for over 50 years, and he has been a preeminent interpreter of my music. He was featured on two of my first CDs, and it feels like we have now come full circle with this. Thank you, Willie.” [CD in 6-panel wallet]