Early Compositions

The folks at Bärenreiter have been at it again, compiling the ground-breaking Samtliche Werke edition of Shultz's entire output. This new multi-volume publication will contain newly-discovered gems from the Early Period (c. 1987-88), including the curiously-titled C Major Fugue, which is neither a fugue nor in C major. The editors have made sure to include new Urtext editions of Shultz's familiar

Mace [sic] Friends and other cornerstones of the repertoire.

Meanwhile, Deutsche Grammophon has been racing to keep up with demand for the definitive recordings of Shultz's works played on original instruments. Shultz's own Amiga 500 computer, masterfully restored to its original condition exclusively for this recording project, can be heard on these recordings. By special arrangement with the composer, we are able to provide samples:

  • "Mace Friends" - This piece is know to many as Shultz's finest surviving work from any period. Its simplicity provides a welcome contrast to the youthful vigor in Shultz's other early pieces

  • "Grammy's Birthday" - The debate centered on the date of this work continues to rage. It is known that Shultz wrote the piece for his grandmother's ("Grammy") birthday, but after years of research digging through boxes in Shultz's garage, no further details have emerged. It is widely believed that Shultz's mother, Kathie, commissioned this work, telling her young son that it would be "cute." What a surprise she must have gotten when hearing this nasty little shocker...

  • "C Major Fugue" - Countless great thinkers remain vexed, even after years of analysis of this work; why is it called "C Major Fugue" when it is neither in C major nor fugal? Canonic, yes, but not quite fugal...Hell, it even starts on a D...

  • "Day and Night" - One of Shultz's few works with a clearly programmatic title, this short piece stretches the capabilities of the performers, requiring large leaps, particularly in the lower registers.

  • "Hilarious Gas" - This brief work, generally considered unperformable, presents many technical challenges to the performer. In fact, Shultz could rarely find adequate musicians to undertake the first performances of pieces such as this. As a result, this work is only performed today on original Amiga 500 computers from approx. 1986, similar to the composer's instrument. It has been confirmed that Shultz got the inspiration for the title after a reference was made to "the Hilarious Gas" in an episode of the popular Inspector Gadget television series.

  • More to come soon!