George Crumb
Makrokosmos Vol. II
Columbia. Robert Miller, piano.

I love Miller's performance of these crazy piano works. He is extremely animated and theatrical amidst the formidable obstacle course that the performer faces in this work. He is called to strum the strings inside the piano, scream, whoop and holler, preparing the strings, etc. In the 4th cut on side 1, the performer is instructed: "serene, desireless, like a Nirvana-trance!" O.K. Miller makes it work. it's really fantastic. I have become quite attached to these performances to the exclusion of all others. (LP)

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