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appreciation chamber music contemporary

the other escher

Engraving by MC Escher
Engraving by MC Escher

Most everyone who ever had a college dorm room knows about MC Escher. His mind-bending engravings which embody mathematical theories and play with our perception of reality are fascinating.

Rudolf Escher
Rudolf Escher

But hardly anyone knows about MC’s half-brother, Rudolf Escher, who was a composer and music theorist who lived until 1980.

eschercd

Some time ago I came into possession of a trio for clarinet, viola and piano by Escher, and have since lost it. I remember trying to read it with friends and a bit of it has remained caught in my mind’s ear ever since. I finally was able to track down an out of print recording from an Amazon e-seller, and am glad that I did.