If Ever (an Ocean) Relinquished
Posted by Erik | Filed under Music, Video
For your consideration, my interpretation of Alex Ketley’s work is realized in three sections, scored for mixed ensemble of three pitched percussion instruments, B-flat Bass Clarinet and String Quartet. Written for DanceWorks Chicago and Harris Theater (01/07/10).
Soundtrack available for download on its own…
Tags: Alex Ketley, choreography, dance, DanceWorks Chicago, Harris Theater, soundtrack
Souls Entwined (Decade Mix)
Posted by Erik | Filed under Music
We found an ignored B-Side track the other day, recorded during the Palm Desert sessions in 1999. This is a free shortened mix. (Rev. 2009)
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(FREE, just click the BUY link and save)
Tags: audio, emigre, itchy pet, mp3 downloadable
The Scarecrow Dancing
Posted by Erik | Filed under Music
The Scarecrow Dancing is written for a mixed ensemble of three pitched percussion instruments, B-flat Bass Clarinet and Violin. The instrumentation includes a few hard-to-find instruments, including the pitched percussion instruments Lithophone, Glass Armonica, and Ugal. The Lithophone part may be played by any xylophone—metallophone, vibraphone, marimba, etc.—but ideally will be performed on a replica of Joseph Richardson’s mid 19th century Musical Stones of Skiddaw. The sound of the Stones of Skiddaw is percussive, non-resonant and slightly out of tune across its entire range.
The Glass Armonica is far less rare, but nonetheless requires some explanation. The Armonica was named by its inventor, Benjamin Franklin. He devised a mechanical equivalent to the rubbing of wine glasses. Many variations of this instrument have been called for by more than 100 composers including Mozart and Beethoven. Any of the variations will do.
The Ugal is one of the instruments in a Balinese Gamelan orchestra. Since these instruments are each unique to the orchestra for which they are built, this part may require more than one instrument or another Gamelan instrument. Any metallophone with sufficient range may be substituted if needed. The requirement for this part is a long, resonant metallic tone from the bow on bronze. The Ugal is suspended over bamboo resonators, adding volume, color, and duration. This work is an adaptation of the larger If Ever (an Ocean) Relinquished dance piece, intended for live performance. The score is available to interested ensembles upon request. (2010)
The Scarecrow Dancing
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Tags: bass clarinet, composition, gamelan, pitched percussion, violin
At the Fast End of the Fast-Slow Continuum
Posted by Erik | Filed under Music, Video
This piece was conceived of as an artistic expression of the notion that those species which live fast also die young. Time compression—roughly one month in six minutes—exposes the relentless 24-hour commuter drive into downtown Chicago, beneath an unnatural forest of light posts and a smoggy skyline. The piece was created in support of the International Day of Climate Action (24/10/2009), in evidence of current conditions contributing to global warming.
At the Fast End of the Fast-Slow Continuum is an experimental time-based video made using custom Max/MSP/Jitter patches to sample and reconstitute a streaming media source. (2009)
Tags: chicago, computer music, continuum, cycle, durational, experimental time, jitter, lens, max msp, rhythm, skyline, streaming media, time, urban art, Video
The Friendship Gardens
Posted by Erik | Filed under Music
The Friendship Gardens is a composition in two parts, written for string quartet and bowed piano. The score is available to interested ensembles upon request. (2009) This piece is dedicated to Madeleine (1938-2009).
The Friendship Gardens I
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The Friendship Gardens II
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Tags: arts, audio, bowed piano, composition, friendship gardens, score, string quartet
