Fortmann: Gimme Twelve
Thomas Fortmann is a Swiss composer who in the 1970s had a very successful career as a writer of rock music – and also as an international golfing star! Over one hundred songs were recorded and released in 27 countries. At age 26 he abandoned this career to study formal composition and has since built a reputation – and almost a cult following – for eclectic and unique music which fuses postmodernism, serial techniques, rock and jazz with hints of circus and cabaret styles too.
This new album contains chamber works and one organ piece; the title of the organ work and the album reflects the fact that while not strictly ‘serial’, each piece uses all twelve notes of the chromatic scale. Pieces are inspired by literature (Murder of a Buttercup) and historic events (Grafeneck 1940) as well as personal experiences.
A number of excellent European ensembles perform this program of works in the unique Fortmann style.
Track Listing
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Thomas Fortmann (b.1950):
- Grafeneck 1940 (21:52) Accademia Amiata
- Burla for Elena and Greta (8:56) Gaia Festival Ensemble
- The Murder of a Buttercup (10:56) Camerata Impuls
- Intermezzo Estatico (3:52) Ensemble Paul Klee
- Concertino Gregoriano - I. Ciaccona (3:39)Interharmony Arcidosso
- Concertino Gregoriano - II. Gregoriano (5:31)Interharmony Arcidosso
- Concertino Gregoriano - III. Giga (3:50)Interharmony Arcidosso
- Gimme Twelve (10:58) organ solo by Ettore Candela
- Postlude (3:42) Ensemble Paul Klee
Reviews
““I find something refreshingly Neo-Classical about it all, essentially often unabashedly tonal, very vivid, extraordinarily well constructed and inventive, well scored and well played. The sound of the music stands out as special. It is most of all “good music,” which of course should be what we seek in the end. That and musical talent. Gimme Twelve satisfies by providing and abundance of both. Something new and very good. Bravo.
” —Grego Edwards
“It is good to hear a composer who works in the traditions of the Second Viennese School and its successors and is not afraid to admit it. Thomas Fortmann is not tied to any one aesthetic. Jazz, ragtime and even hints of pop music feature in these scores. [Grafeneck 1940] is a superbly written piece, but downright scary and troubling as befits the subject. The seriously impressive Gimme Twelve is a superb piece of organ music. The playing of this music is excellent by the multifarious performers. And the sound quality is superb.
” —John France
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