Composer, alone by Jürg Frey (Reinier van Houdt)

HD 96k/24bit files are also available to download.
(Digital download includes the PDF of the 6-panel wallet.)

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elsewhere 030-3

‘Composer, alone’ is a collection of twelve solo piano pieces by Swiss composer Jürg Frey, performed by Dutch pianist/composer Reinier van Houdt. It is the sequel to the 2022 triple album 'lieues d'ombres' (elsewhere 020-3) and the third collaboration between Frey and van Houdt on elsewhere music. The two have cultivated a close rapport, first documented on 'l'air, l'instant - deux pianos' (elsewhere 014) in 2020.

This three-disc set features a wide range of Frey's solo piano compositions from 1990 to 2024, including his latest piano pieces 'Composer, alone (1)' and 'Composer, alone (2)'. This three-disc album traces Frey's journey over the past 30 years as he explores his voice as a composer through piano works. It reveals how his compositional style has evolved, while also demonstrating that the underlying essence of his compositions remains consistent.

As a pianist who has a deep connection to the music of Frey, van Houdt skillfully reveals the subtleties hidden in Frey's compositions, as he did in 'lieues d'ombres'. Staying true to the composer's vision, van Houdt captures the essence of Frey's diverse piano pieces from the past 34 years while achieving a perfect balance between fragility, warmth, and clarity.

All twelve pieces were recorded by Micha de Kanter at the Muziekcentrum van de Omroep (MCO) in Hilversum over three days in September 2024, in the presence of the composer, and mastered by Taku Unami.

The album cover features Frey's drawings.

Tracklist

1.	Composer, alone (1)	25:05
2.	Klavierstück 1	11:54
3.	Miniature in Five Parts	5:15
4.	In Memoriam Cornelius Cardew	2:01
5.	Klavierstück Arrangement I	3:52
6.	Klavierstück Arrangement II	3:14
7.	Klavierstück Arrangement III	6:11
8.	Pianist, alone (1)	72:59
9.	Circular Music No. 5	12:16
10.	Klavierstück 2	15:23
11.	Invention	11:44
12.	Composer, alone (2)	22:28
13.	CD 1-1: Composer, alone (1) (excerpt)	4:26

14.	CD 2-1: Pianist, alone (1) (excerpt)	5:06

15.	CD 3-1: Circular Music No. 5 (excerpt)	4:20

Videos

Credits

released September 20, 2025

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(*Three short excerpts are for sample listening only and are not included in the album track list.)

TRACK LIST

CD1:
1. Composer, alone (1) (2023/2024)
2. Klavierstück 1 (1995)
3. Miniature in Five Parts (2013)
4. In Memoriam Cornelius Cardew (1993)

Klavierstück Arrangement I, II, III (1991)
5. Klavierstück Arrangement I
6. Klavierstück Arrangement II
7. Klavierstück Arrangement III

CD2:
1. Pianist, alone (1) (1998–2004)

CD3:
1. Circular Music No. 5 (2011/2012)
2. Klavierstück 2 (2001)
3. Invention (1990)
4. Composer, alone (2) (2023/2024)

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CREDITS

compositions by Jürg Frey

Reinier van Houdt - piano

recorded by Micha de Kanter at The Muziekcentrum van de Omroep (MCO) in Hilversum (NL) on 2, 3, 4 September 2024

mixed by Micha de Kanter
mastered by Taku Unami

cover drawings by Jürg Frey
design and produced by Yuko Zama

special thanks to Gary Glenn

Jürg Frey's music is published by Edition Wandelweiser.
www.wandelweiser.de

p+c 2025 elsewhere music
www.elsewheremusic.net

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Q&A with Jürg Frey and Reinier van Houdt about 'Composer, alone'
www.elsewheremusic.net/qa-with-juumlrg-frey-and-reinier-van-houdt.html

「Composer, alone」をめぐるユルク・フライとレイニア・ファン・ハウトのインタビュー（和訳）
www.elsewheremusic.net/qa_about_composer_alone_japanese.html

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