Tag: Marilyn Nonken

All in the family

Better than a Grammy, and not just because it’s French: L’Origine du Monde, an album of the music of Hugues Dufourt performed by my lovely wife Marilyn Nonken, has been awarded the 2025 “Coup de cœur” from the Académie Charles Cros Contemporary Music Committee (les Coups de coeur 2025 musique contemporaine de l’Académie Charles-Cros). As this press release from Métier has it:

Founded in the aftermath of World War II in 1947, the Charles Cros Academy defends musical diversity, ensures the preservation of sound memory, supports the creation, career development of artists, the entrepreneurial spirit and courage of graphic and phonographic publishers. …

“Métier is excited to celebrate this award with pianist Marilyn Nonken. L’Origine du Monde marked her third album exploring the spectral music movement, of which she is a leading interpreter. An award from this distinguished French Academy is all the more appropriate for this album of music by Hugues Dufourt, a foundational figure of the French spectral school. Métier and First Inversion thank the Académie for this recognition.” — David Weuste, First Inversion Executive Director

L’Origine du Monde has also received excellent reviews from the likes of Gramophone magazine, which called it “an exceptionally assured and spellbinding demonstration of Dufourt’s uncompromising creative ambitions.” You can purchase a CD or stream the entire album at Presto Music. It’s available on Apple Classical too.

“An elegy to … music’s departing landscape”

Circle Thursday, March 26, in your calendar now, and plan to Uber it to Steinway Hall in New York at 1133 Sixth Avenue for Morton Feldman at 100: “Triadic Memories,” Marilyn Nonken‘s performance of Feldman’s epic 90-minute piano solo, which she originally recorded for Mode Records in 2005. According to the web page for the event:

Feldman’s Triadic Memories is a 90-minute elegy to what the composer saw as music’s departing landscape, where the sound exists in our hearing — leaving us rather than coming towards us. Part ritual, part meditation, Triadic Memories offers the opportunity to explore issues of perception, memory, and imagination.  “Any pianist wanting to play Feldman needs the most exquisite touch, and also great stamina,” writes the London Times,  “and Marilyn Nonken clearly has both in abundance.”

A reception and pre-concert talk will precede the performance. RSVP and prepare to perceive.

Happy 100th

Morton Feldman. Photo: Soundstreams.

A toot on the birthday horn today for Morton Feldman, born on this day in 1926. A major figure in post-war American concert music, he produced works of remarkable delicacy and duration that remain unique in the canon.

On this occasion I recommend that you cue up two recordings that my lovely wife Marilyn Nonken has released through Mode Records. Feldman described his 1981 Triadic Memories as “the biggest butterfly in captivity” and it remains one of his most important solo works; Marilyn recorded it in 2003. And only a few years ago she and cellist Stephen Marotto collaborated on Feldman’s Complete Music for Cello & Piano. Links to hi-res recordings above courtesy Presto Music.

Marilyn will be performing Triadic Memories live at Steinway Hall in March. More about that soon; in the meantime, sit back with the lights down low and treat yourself to a few hours of elegant contemplation.