I've said it before: composers are, by definition, do-it-yourselfers, but some are do-it-yourselfer-er than others. Let us, for the sake of argument, imagine them to be long-lost kin. Dear Abby coined the term "strange uncle".

Messiaen is the one with odd religious views who never hesitates to proselytize at funerals, weddings, etc.

Bruckner, the country bumpkin who just can't leave well enough alone.

And Partch, the eccentric who spends inordinate time in the inventin' laboratory out back, hammering.

Set #1 - 8:00am - 10:00am

1. Olivier Messiaen: Chants de terre & de ciel (1937-38)
Text by Olivier Messiaen
Suzie Leblanc - soprano, Robert Kortgaard - piano
ATMA, ACD2 2564
26:38

2. Anton Bruckner: Symphony No.8 in C minor (Original Version) (1887)
Günter Wand - conductor, Berlin Philharmonic Orchestra
RCA, 74321 82866 2
87'

Set #2 - 10:00am - 11:00am

3. Harry Partch: And on the 7th Day Petals Fell in Petaluma (1963-64, rev. 1966)
Harry Partch - director, Gate 5 Ensemble of Sausalito
The Music of Harry Partch
Composers Recordings Inc., CD 7000
35:56