Anais Nin / De Staat

"The music [of 'Anaïs Nin'], with its syllabic vocal writing, reflects a rawness and bleakness whose desperation arises not so much from an uncontrollable libido as from a pathetic isolation. Zavalloni is excellent. De Staat (1976) addresses the notion of music as a political and social tool."
Sunday Times

"Composed in the 1970s as "a contribution to the discussion about the place of music in politics", De Staat remains one of Andriessen's supreme achievements, an epic rechannelling of Stravinskyan rhythmic energy into his own raw-edged minimalism. That, much more than the newer work, is the reason for buying this disc."
(Guardian)

An exciting start to a new orchestral collaboration for Signum Records, this disc is the first of a new series with the London Sinfonietta - one of the world's elite contemporary music ensembles, with a reputation built on the virtuosity of its performances and ambitious programming. This live recording brings together the world premiere of Anaïs Nin, a new work for soprano and small ensemble, alongside his famed work De Staat.

Anaïs Nin is a monodrama based on the diaries of the same famed author, as well as those of her lovers (Antonin Artaud, René Allendy, Henry Miller and her own father). A sometimes disturbing tale of desire and passion, Andriessen felt that the music should "closely track the irony, despair and passion of this brilliant, many-sided woman".