The Relache Chronicles

Episode Nine -  New Music America 1987 Philadelphia (1 of 3) In 1979, a group of composers, performers, video artists, producers, presenters, and other experimental artists met at The Kitchen, a renowned Downtown NY performance space to present a festival named New Music New York. The following year in Minneapolis, The Walker Art Center produced and presented a festival based on New Music New York...

Romulus Franceschini was a composer, arranger, music editor and assistant curator at the Edwin A. Fleisher Collection of Orchestral music in Philadelphia, his hometown. Raised in the vibrant Italian American community in South Philly, Romulus absorbed the rich classical music that was ever present in Philadelphia, while absorbing the equally rich jazz inflected music of the mid-twentieth century....

As the founding director of the Experimental Intermedia foundation, Phill Niblock has presented hundreds, if not thousands of concerts at his space in downtown New York City. As a composer, he has created numerous musical works for performing ensembles worldwide. As a film maker, he has made films that have been shown at festivals throughout the world, often accompanied by his music. Recently, we...

Baritone saxophonist, composer, band leader, recording artist, writer, and social activist, Fred Ho was a prodigious artist who created a large body of works for the concert hall and theater. By integrating Chinese folk songs and music from an African American diaspora, Fred created a unique and dynamic artistic legacy. Among the music in his legacy is titled “Contradiction Please! The Revenge of...

Two works by the eminent accordionist-composer, Guy Klucevsek are featured. “Oscillation No. 2” is performed by pianist Jenny Lin and “The Flying Pipe Organ of Sian” is played by the Relache Ensemble. Guy Discusses these works with the podcast team, at times playing examples on the accordion. Guy is an innovate accordion virtuoso who has created multiple works for that instrument while commissioni...

Episode No. 1 The Relache Ensemble . Beginning with a brief history of the ensemble through commentary by Joseph Franklin, Arthur Stidfole, and Joe Kasinskas, they reminisce about the ensemble’s early days in Philadelphia and how the name “Relache” was chosen. The musical works featured are “Forever and Sunsmell” by John Cage and “She Was a Visitor” by Robert Ashley, both performed by the Relache...