By Ornette Coleman/arr. by David Sanford | For Five Cellos | 4′

Title: W.R.U
Composer: Ornette Coleman
Arranger: David Sanford
Year Composed: 1961/2010
Instrumentation: For Five Cellos
Duration: 4′
Format: Full Score + 5 Parts
Page Size: Letter (score), Legal (parts)
Catalog Number: OM0311

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From the arranger:

W.R.U. (1961) by Ornette Coleman is originally from the saxophonist (and Pulitzer Prize-winning composer)’s Ornette ! album featuring a quar­tet of alto, trumpet, bass and drums, which this version follows with three cellos. However this version is closer in intent and style to the more punk/thrash 1988 version by John Zorn on his Spy vs. Spy album featuring a quin­tet of two altos and drummers and a single bassist. The polyphonic solo sec­tion borrows and combines ideas used by Coleman, trumpeter Don Cherry, and altoists John Zorn and Tim Berne on both versions, along with several motifs of Coleman’s from other improvisations.

Commission/Dedication: To Matt Haimovitz and UCCELLO.
Premiere: First performed August 7, 2009 at Somaine Forget in Saint-Irénée, QC by Matt Haimovitz and UCCELLO.
Recording: This work is recorded on Oxingale Records’ and PENTATONE Oxingale Series‘ album Meeting of the Spirits, performed by Matt Haimovitz and UCCELLO. Click here for the listening options.