Makrokosmos Volume I
Twelve Fantasy-Pieces after the Zodiac for Amplified Piano (1972)
Part One · I–IV
[01] I Primeval Sounds (Genesis I; Cancer) 04:58
Darkly mysterious
[02] II Proteus (Pisces) 01:35
Very fast; whimsical, volatile
[03] III Pastorale (from the Kingdom of Atlantis, ca. 10,000 B.C.; Taurus) 02:01
Moderately, with incisive rhythm
[04] IV Crucifixus (Symbol; Capricorn) 03:05
Darkly mysterious – Adagio molto; serene, transcentental
Part Two · V–VIII
[05] V The Phantom Gondolier (Scorpio) 03:33
Eerily, with a sense of malignant evil
[06] VI Night-Spell I (Sagittarius) 03:58
Poised, expectantly – Serene, hauntingly; echoing (like an Appalachian valley acoustic)
[07] VII Music of Shadows (for Aeolian Harp; Libra) 02:20
Gracefully, with elastic rhythm
[08] VIII The Magic Circle of Infinity (Moto perpetuo – Symbol; Leo) 02:12
Luminous – Joyously, like a cosmic clock-work; with mechanically precise rhythm
Part Three · IX–XII
[09] IX The Abyss of Time (Virgo) 02:46
Dark, with a sense of profound mystery – Sinister
[10] X Spring-Fire (Aries) 02:11
Prestissimo; breathlessly, with élan
[11] XI Dream Images (Love-Death Music; Gemini) 04:30
Musingly, like the gentle caress of a faintly remembered music
[12] XII Spiral Galaxy (Symbol; Aquarius) 03:11
Vast, lonely, timeless
MAKROKOSMOS Volume II
Twelve Fantasy-Pieces after the Zodiac for Amplified Piano (1973)
Part One · I–IV
[13] I Morning Music (Genesis II; Cancer) 03:04
Exuberantly, with primitive energy
[14] II The Mystic Chord (Sagittarius) 02:21
Adagio molto; serene, desireless, like a Nirvana-trance
[15] III Rain-Death Variations (Pisces) 01:52
Crystalline, with elegance (Tempo metronomico)
[16] IV Twin Suns (Doppelgänger aus der Ewigkeit, Symbol; Gemini) 03:41
Majestic – Solemn (Hymn for the Advent of the Star-Child)
Part Two · V–VIII
[17] V Ghost-Nocturne: for the Druids of Stonehenge (Night-Spell II; Virgo) 02:10
Dark, fantastic, subliminal
[18] VI Gargoyles (Taurus) 01:37
Marcia grottesca; savagely, with irony
[19] VII Tora! Tora! Tora! (Cadenza Apocalittica; Scorpio) 02:36
Dramatic, with great intensity; violent, relentless
[20] VIII A Prophecy of Nostradamus (Symbol; Aries) 03:47
Stark, powerful (molto pesante) – Fatefully (Tema enigmatico) – Come prima
Part Three · IX–XII
[21] IX Cosmic Wind (Libra) 02:27
Ghostly, shadowy, tremulous
[22] X Voices from “Corona Borealis” (Aquarius) 04:43
Passacaglia: very slow, with majestic calm
[23] XI Litany of the Galactic Bells (Leo) 03:04
Jubilant; metallic, incisive, echoing (including Beethoven – Hammerklavier Sonata)
[24] XII Agnus Dei (Symbol; Capricorn) 04:09
Very slow, like chanting – Very slow, tender, wistful – Very slow; like a vision;
as if suspended in endless time (Prayer-wheel)
CD total playing time: 72:25
Markus Stange, piano
