GLASS MUSIC WORLD FALL 2006 1 FALL 2006 The Baschet Brothers Michel Deneuve: and Their Cristal Master of the Cristal Baschet the text below was written by Michel in 2000 Michel Deneuve (born 1955) After five years of Percussion classes, he studied Composition with Alain Kremski and Horia Ratiu, and then, Orchestra Direction at l’Ecole Roumaine. He composes for solo instruments as well as orchestra and creates music for theater, choreog- raphy, poetry and films. For six years, he worked with Bernard Baschet on his sound research. They gave many concerts together under the name of “Structures Sonores Baschet”. Francois and Bernard Baschet He gives musical initiation courses to teachers and pupils for the diffusion of by Carlton Davenport on acoustics by Francois, descriptions Bernard Baschet’s musical peda- and illustrations of the many different gogical work. Along with most of the Paris sculptures the two developed which In 1977, he decided to concen- Festival attendees, I visited the Baschet led up to today’s Cristal, and many trate only on the “Baschet Cristal”. Brothers’ Atelier in the Latin Quarter of interesting, and often humorous, He developed a special technique for this Paris the Sunday morning of the Festival anecdotes about their experiences and new instrument, unveiling the unique and Bernard and Marguerite’s home and encounters with numerous artists and sound of this exceptional instrument. studio that afternoon. At both places others throughout the world. He has composed a solo and orchestra I was fascinated by the Baschet Cristal Francois and Bernard com- repertory for the “Cristal”. He tran- instrument and the proficiency of those plement each other so well. Francois’ scribes both contemporary and classical who played it. ambition was to be a great sculptor works. He has received commissions While at the Atelier, I purchased and he achieved that in the area of from all over the music world. His work the book, “Les Sculptures Sonores”, writ- metal sculptures which were dis- has inspired other composers such as ten by Francois Baschet and have now played in many cities throughout the Jean Cristophe Adam Walrand, read and re-read it in great detail. I world and at different world fairs. Paul Hertel, Alain Labarsouque, enjoyed it so much that I felt that I had to Bernard, on the other hand, devel- Marcel Landowsky, Francoise share my enthusiasm with the GMI mem- oped a knowledge of music which Legrand, Aubert Lemelland, bership. Francois did not have and provided Horatiu Radulescu … to create The book combines Francois’ life the impetus to develop sculptures original works for his repertoire. He story, which would make a wonderful on which talented musicians could has played with such soloists as com- book in itself, with the story of the two produce beautiful classical, jazz, and poser and organist Jean Guillou, the brothers’ worldwide travels and successes experimental music. baryton-bassist Jose Van Dam, the over some fifty years or so. In doing so, The book documents the two pianists Pascal Amoyel and Alain it includes a very interesting discussion see BASCHET, page 4 see DENEUVE, pages 7 website: http://www.glassmusicintl.org • egroup: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/glassmusic/ 2 FALL 2006 GLASS MUSIC WORLD GLASS MUSIC WORLD FALL 2006 3 PRESIDENTIAL GMI Happenings – By Liz Mears – NOTES The news has been coming in about the activities in happy; it was like having Gerhard there, as he resembles which our members are participating. Glass music is being his father so much”. In April, she participated in the pre- In the last issue of GMW, I reported that there was with our GMI website. Please send any comments on this promoted in quite a plethora of different venues: miere of a chamber composition, which was commissioned a serious proposal for a festival in 2007. Alain Pacquier, of proposal to Sascha ([email protected]) Tom Degnan writes that at Franklin Court in by the American Philosophical Society. The piece, “Useful Sarrebourg, France who had made the proposal along with and myself ([email protected]). All comments will be Philadelphia their Ben Franklin glass armonica is being Knowledge, a Franklin Fantasy”, was composed by Paul Patrick Kochersperger, of Colmar, France, has regretfully reviewed by Sascha and the GMI officers and we will report kept in good playing condition. The new Independence Park Moravec, a Pulitzer Prize winner in music in 2004. Cecilia informed me that “we must cancel all projects about Glass more on this in the next issue. Institute, with classrooms to better orient school children to and the Armonica were in a feature article in the official Music in Sarrebourg because we have a tremendous ‘gap’ of The complete updated lists of GMI email addresses the park, has a new Finkenbeiner demonstration model glass magazine of the National Federation of Music Clubs, and in money in 2007.” I will let GMI members know immediately and GMI websites are being put up on our website at this armonica, which is much like the original one. September she will entertain the Friends of Franklin on the if there is any change to this in the future. time. Please let me and Jonathan, who is the webmaster, In May, Dennis James gave two wonderful concerts Glass Armonica. You will find a proposal from Sascha Reckert in this know if you have any further changes. for the visitors at the Franklin Court Underground Museum The vagabond, Peter Bennett, spent a great deal of issue. It is for a website that would work in cooperation in honor of the Franklin Tercentenary, and Carolyn Skyler his summer exploring Alaska and performing there. The fol- again charmed the visitors to Independence National lowing is an excerpt of one of his adventures: “The macadam Join GMI today, and help th Historical Park this summer at the Living History Center. road starts out smooth and wide, but slowly becomes narrow Photo of 19 Century From Sascha Reckert we learn that his Ensemble and pot-holed. Then, unceremoniously, the pavement ends. glass music flourish again Sinfonia di Vetro had the following activities: They performed Just as good. About the same time the scenery becomes so Mozart chamber music at the Salzburg Festival accompanied riveting the only safe speed is under thirty-five miles-per- 1. Choose a membership: Glass Music Artist Found by an orchestra and a dance company under the direction of hour anyway. No matter what way you look there is precious Sustaining Membership................................$ 40 Joachim Schlomer. That was followed by a performance of scenery of unimaginable magnitude: mountains, glaciers, President’s Membership...............................$ 55 the opera, Lucia die Lammermoor, in the Scala Milano and raging rivers, valleys, meadows, out and out swamp. At one Golden Membership....................................$ 100 in Iford (GB). They also designed a completely new instru- point the road straddles a ridge for miles - no guard rails, a Crystal Award...................................$1000 & up ment; sadly, it was destroyed in an accident with a truck - he thousand foot drop on either side, a pullout for passing only promises to build a new one! every mile or so. And dust so fine it even found entry to my Make checks payable to: Glass music was represented on America’s Got Talent! new and, I thought, tight car. I’ve driven plenty of dirt roads Glass Music International, Inc. Douglas Lee performed on the musical glasses on Thursday, in my time, but I doubt I’ll find another hundred and thirty August 17th. He has a copy of his performance from the month miles of such splendor. And, remarkably, no harm came to 2. Mail your check and information before on the same show and will send it out to anyone who my instrument in the back of the car! (name, address, country, home & work might be interested. And this just in, William Zeitler reports that he was phone numbers) to: Glass music also made an appearance on Extreme hired by Production Limited to give five performances in the Dean Shostak Makeover Home Edition (where will it go next? Editor’s New Town Plaza in Hong Kong to play for “Golden Week”. 125 Spring Branch note). Diane Hession at G. Finkenbeiner and her two chil- Golden Week is a week-long shopping holiday and shopping Williamsburg, Virginia 23185 dren, Daniel and Jaymie, had quite the adventure in March. malls hire entertainers to attract shoppers. It is huge! USA G. Finkenbeiner was contacted to see whether an instrument A few changes to your lists of GMI email addresses and Dues are annual and benevolent contributions could be donated for the Py family in Philadelphia. Two days websites: are welcomed. later a contingent from G. Finkenbeiner: Diane, Tom, Shaun, • Sherwin Borsuk is at [email protected]. and the two youngsters drove to Philadelphia and delivered • Jean-Claude Chapuis is at [email protected] Glass Music International, Inc. the instrument the next day to the Ben Franklin room of the • Stephane Leach is at [email protected]. house being renovated. While Tom and Shaun were being • Alexander Lemeshev is at [email protected]. interviewed and filmed, the other three walked around in • Paul Messier is at [email protected]. President – Carlton Davenport official blue EMHE shirts, and “It was so cool!” They got • Sascha Reckert is now at Vice President – Elizabeth Mears autographs. They took pictures. They chatted with everyone. [email protected]. Secretary – Peter Bennett The episode aired on April 30th, and, even though their inter- • Nevine Sabet d’Acre is at [email protected]. Treasurer – Alisa Nakashian-Holsberg view was cut, they had and awesome experience - “My kids • Lynn Drye’s website is now http://www.glassvirtuoso.us Member-at-Large – Thomas Bloch Membership – Dean Shostak and I will remember it forever”.