Charles Wuorinen is one of the most vital composers working in the U.S. today. For
those interested in categorizing, Wuorinen will frustrate. For sure, he's definitely not a
minimalist or neo-Romantic--his music is just too darn complex and utterly lacking in
sentimentality to fall into those categories of the new accessibility. And while he is
not strictly a serialist, he is profoundly influenced by serial technique both in how he
arranges notes and in overall design. But his influences are many, from Stravinsky to
fractal geometry to the snaps of his God-given creative synapses. And apparently,
like Bach, he composes for the greater glory of God. Far be it from me to reduce or
"explain" Wuorinen--it would wear me out (and I'd be wrong in the end).

What makes this album so extraordinary is the sheer level of invention. All of these
trios are exploding with formal and timbral ideas using the very controlled medium of
the trio to contain them. But just barely--it seems that Wuorinen could toss off
another ten of these with ease, his ideas are so rich. Just listen to Horn Trio (1981)
and Horn Trio Continued (1985). There's so much playfulness, on every level, that
I'm surprised there's no Horn Trio Continued Continued to catch the creative
overflow. And it goes without saying that performers Purvis, Hudson and Feinberg
deliver the virtuosity required.

I'm also particularly fond of the pungent polyphony of the Trio for Bass Instruments
(bass trombone, tuba, and contrabass) as well as the dynamic exchanges of the
Trombone Trio.

In some ways, I feel that Wuorinen's forte is chamber music. Not that I don't care
for his bigger orchestral pieces-they're miracles of conception and construction--but
most of them just don't send me the way these do. Perhaps it has something to do
with the density of his ideas--which are pervasive--which make those larger works
top-heavy. Wuorinen is a "maximalist" and his substantial musical imagination shines
through when not bogged down with too much instrumentation. That's why these
triumphant trios bubble with brio.

-Robert Hilferty

Koch International Classics CD 7617 (Mid Priced CD)

Horn Trio (1981) 11:32
Horn Trio Continued (1985) 10:07
Trio for Bass Instruments (1981) 8:34
Trio for Violin, Cello and Piano (1983) 10:03
Double Solo for Horn Trio (1985) 15:05
Trombone Trio (1985) 8:33


Produced and engineered by Michael Fine; editing by Joanna Nickrenz. Recorded at the American Academy of Arts and Letters, New York (with the exception of Double Solo which was recorded at the Recital Hall of the State University of New York at Purchase) , September & October 1991.
Liner notes: an interview with Wuorinen and Joan Peyser
Cover, Fractal image by Dr. Richard Voss

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