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Compiled and produced by Gert Jan Blom, creator of the acclaimed Harmonic Development: The Complete Harmonium Recordings 1948–1949, the Oriental Suite is comprised of a 256-page hardcover book bundled with four newly recorded CDs. The CDs contain both the Paris orchestrations and the American versions of the eight public demonstrations of the Sacred Gymnastics and Movements at the Théâtre des Champs Elysées in Paris between December 13 and 25, 1923. The music, composed by Mr. Gurdjieff to accompany these dances, was orchestrated by Thomas de Hartmann and performed by an orchestra of 35 musicians. In January 1924 Gurdjieff and his students gave a series of public demonstrations in New York, Boston and Chicago. At Gurdjieff's request, de Hartmann adapted the full orchestral scores for a smaller ensemble in America. Both the Paris orchestrations and the American versions have been recorded for the first time by the Metropole Orchestra and the Little Orchestra. An addenda section features music intended for Gurdjieff's unfinished ballet The Struggle of the Magicians. The book is illustrated with many new photos and unique historical documents, as well as the recollections of people who were present for the demonstrations. Also included is the extensive press coverage generated during these public appearances. Among the recollections are those of P.D. Ouspensky, Olga de Hartmann, Anna Butkovsky-Hewitt, Tcheslaw Tchekhovitch, Jessmin Howarth, Denis Saurat and J.G. Bennett.
Price: $99.00
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I played objective music to make you cry, answered Mr. Gurdjieff to a question from Dorothy Caruso [see her A Personal History]. "There are many kinds of music—some to make laugh, or to love or to hate. This the beginning of music—sacred music, too, three thousand years old. Your church music comes from such but they don't realize. They have forgotten. This is temple music—very ancient."
Featured are 113 harmonium improvisations recorded in Mr. Gurdjieff's apartment in Paris. They are separated into four series:
1. First Series—recorded between April 1 and July 21, 1949
2. Mesoteric Series—recorded between July 22 and August 18, 1949
3. American Series—recorded between August 25 and September 27, 1949
4. Second Series—recorded between September 27 and October 16, 1949
This collection also includes the very first recordings of Mr. Gurdjieff's harmonium music played at the Wellington Hotel, New York City, between December 1948 and early February 1949—his last visit to America. These recordings also include several talks and stories as told by Mr. Gurdjieff to his pupils.
There is also an addenda section which contains several unlabeled pieces from the original wire recordings. The grand total of recorded pieces is thus 136—over 19 hours of music. All are brought together in chronological sequence on a single disc in MP3 format. Included also is a short 9-minute film made by Evelyn Sutta on several automobile trips with Mr. Gurdjieff during the summer of 1949. This disc will play on any computer with MP3 software installed and on most recent DVD players. An extra two-CD set in standard audio format contains a representative compilation of recordings; these discs will play on any CD player.
In addition, there is a handsome and copiously illustrated 144-page book with many previously unpublished photographs of Mr. Gurdjieff and recollections of people who were present when these recordings were made.
Price: $65.00
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The extensive collection of music of G.I. Gurdjieff and Thomas de Hartmann was recorded from tapes of de Hartmann's playing thirty years ago and represents the definitive rendition of an extraordinary collaboration. Includes a talk by de Hartmann about Gurdjieff's view of the music.
3 compact discs, 3 hours.
Price: $55.00
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Ensemble Resonance offers an arrangement and exploration of the music of Gurdjieff/de Hartmann for instruments through 17 different instrumental combinations, balances, and tempos.
Price: $18.00
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Volume 9: Circles
Alain Kremski, piano
Kremski pays paramount attention to the inner movement of the energy that must sustain the interpretation of a work from beginning to end, and that movement is especially perceptible here. There are 21 pieces on this volume.
Price: $20.00
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Volume 2
Rosenthal, piano
Rosenthal continues his exploration of the Gurdjieff/de Hartmann music in 25 pieces for piano.
Price: $20.00
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Volume 1: Asian Songs and Rhythms
Laurence Rosenthal, Linda Daniel-Spitz and Charles Ketcham, piano
Nearly all the pieces in this album are short, sometimes lasting only a minute, often with only one theme, as if trying to illuminate a certain idea or evoke a particular feeling. In certain instances the repetition of an entire piece is necessary for its essence to be fully conveyed. Each composition is, in a way, a moment musical, a kind of "travel sketch," but with an implication of deeper feeling beneath the surface, waiting to be discovered.
2 compact discs, approx. 1.5 hours
Price: $50.00
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Volume 2: Music of the Sayyids and the Dervishes
Laurence Rosenthal, Linda Daniel-Spitz and Charles Ketcham, piano
The intention of the composers was clearly to evoke the spirit of the Sayyids and Dervishes, rather than to transcribe their music. As in all of the Gurdjieff/de Hartmann works, one finds here their unique blend of Eastern and Western musical idioms.
2 compact discs, approx. 2 hours
Price: $50.00
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Volume 3: Hymns, Prayers and Rituals
Laurence Rosenthal, Linda Daniel-Spitz and Charles Ketcham, piano
In considering the complete musical works of Gurdjieff/de Hartmann, we find in this volume undoubtedly the most profound reflection of Gurdjieff the Master. Although quite varied in form and somewhat in style, these pieces all share the unmistakable mark of the depth of his inner feeling and sensitivity.
3 compact discs, approx. 2.5 hours
Price: $50.00
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Volume 4: Hymns from a Great Temple and other Selected Works
Laurence Rosenthal, Linda Daniel-Spitz and Charles Ketcham, piano
A major part of the musical oeuvre of Gurdjieff and de Hartmann—and from a certain point of view perhaps the most important—is comprised of the sacred hymns. It is in these works that one finds, remarkably, the most inward and, at the same time, the most nearly objective expression in all of this body of music.
2 compact discs, approx. 1.5 hours
Price: $45.00
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Wim van Dullemen, piano
Contains a 36-page booklet of liner notes giving the latest historical research, as well as musical commentary on each of the 46 pieces. Essays by van Dullemen on Gurdjieff, de Hartmann and the Gurdjieff teaching.
2 compact discs, over 2 hours
Price: $40.00
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Wim van Dullemen, piano
Shortly before his death, Mr. Gurdjieff sent a note to Thomas de Hartmann requesting that he write the music for the new movements Gurdjieff had created. De Hartmann, who felt connected to his teacher as if by a magnetic bond through all the years of their separation, responded. The '39 Series' is part of that music. These 39 movements, each approved by Gurdjieff, are considered by many to be Gurdjieff's magnum opus.
2 compact discs
Price: $40.00
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