IANNIS XENAKIS (1922-2001): Xenakis Edition, Volume 13: Ensemble Music 3 - Palimpsest for Piano and Ensemble (Cory Smythe [piano]), Échange for Bass Clarinet and Ensemble (Joshua Rubin [bass clarinet]), Akanthos for Soprano and Ensemble (Tony Arnold [piano]), Zythos for Trombone and 6 Marimbas (Benny Sluchin [trombone], red fish blue fish), Thalleïn for Chamber Ensemble, O-Mega for Percussion and Ensemble (Steven Schick [percussion]).

Description: This series has been running since before we took over Records International in mid-1997. Unbelievably, there is a World Premiere Recording here: 1997's Xythos which, like O-Mega, the composer's last work (from the same year), is an example of his stripped-down, austere final period style. The propulsive waves of sound of such earlier pieces as Palimpsest (1979) are gone and the conductor/percussionist who conducts here likens them to "cold and dense as the center of an ancient star" (O-Mega). Xenakis completists will have most if not all of the other pieces here but will surely want the master's last words. International Contemporary Ensemble; Steven Schick.