Hey.
I've recently broken out into writing improvised and aleatoric music, though I've been an improviser for years and years on viola, voice and other found instruments.
I've recently broken out into writing improvised and aleatoric music, though I've been an improviser for years and years on viola, voice and other found instruments.
I'm also really interested in writing for voice. My last song cycle I wrote about three years ago with text by poets who were clinically depressed in the 40s and 50s.
A friend of a friend named Corey Smith does some really interesting performance art in what he's calling the "New Prairie School" which takes inspiration from Midwestern cultural artifacts and ideas (architecture for him, specifically) and uses music, spoken word, movement, costume and space to convey these ideas.
And then Meredith Monk in all of her glory. I'm just so captivated by everything she does.
I love the second work of yours that you shared, the song cycle you wrote. Music is an exceptionally powerful tool to express that which typically goes unexpressed, like mental health problems. It can give a voice to those who feel like they have none and vocally expresses messages of solidarity and compassion.
ReplyDeleteIn both the Monk and the New Prairie School videos I drew a strong connection to costume and color and it started to get me thinking more about how appearance outside of sound and movement really influences perspective. I enjoyed the juxtaposition between the grayscale on the keyboard and the pinky tones in the line up.
ReplyDeleteYour pieces are so intriguing as well! I would love the opportunity to play in something your wrote (even if it's outside of class). Do you ever pair your improve pieces or any of your music with visual insights/collaborations?
I love the growing intensity of your first piece, the power of a chaotic viola can really effect how a person feels. I love your meaningful use of sampling and it's contrast with the almost sly and upbeat sound of the piano.
ReplyDeleteThe mix of art disciplines works so well in the first example you shared, every sector brought out the others through their contrasting natures. Meredith Monk is such a powerful person and a pioneer of such a unique form of expression through music and movement. Her visuals and the sound of her voice always delivers such visceral feelings inside of me.
maybe not pioneer's the wrong word, as she is so one of a kind in nature.
DeleteI really enjoyed your first two pieces. They both use the instrumentation that you've chosen in such an interesting way. I especially love your piece that uses voice. The monk piece was really amazing too because it wasn't just playing with the vocalist's words but more sounds and smaller gestures. I really like the style that your work occupies. Keep up the good work!!
ReplyDeleteI love the concept of randomization, not only in music, but any performance! I'm wondering how that could be pulled in to this class. Maybe audience members have a say in how the piece develops? Also I love the difference in approach of the Meredith Monk piece and the New Prairie School one but that you included both!
ReplyDeletei LOVED the improvisation, it was flawlessly dissonant. I'm super interested in exploring that type of music, and love how refined your second piece is. The text works with the sounds surrounding it so well. I also thought the New Prairie School piece was really sweet - sort of reminded me of Partida for 8 voices by Caroline Shaw if it was fun. And theatrical. Thanks for sharing!
ReplyDeleteI love the diversity of the examples you provided. The improvisation was fabulous! And I found your two collaborative examples both intriguing and entertaining too.
ReplyDeleteThe song cycle was of special interest to me as a vocalist who often prepares pieces in that format. I thought each piece had its own life a color, and still each piece in the cycle feels like part of the whole. I think you did an amazing job with it!
Menace really grabbed me. I love the blend of classical and jazz, especially since they are treated like polar opposites in the conservatory environment. I love the way the trumpet interacts with the strings. it just compliments the textures really well, and underscores the leading strings. The Monk work is super interesting, I've never been exposed to that sort of performance really. I really enjoy the sounds of the organ; subtle, but a nice way to lay the foundation of the piece.
ReplyDeleteI've heard of Corey Smith's work! I'm interested in the way humor is integrated into the New Prairie School. I've envied artists who can effortlessly infuse humor in a way that is tasteful, and I think he does it quite well. I'm a huge fan of the busyness and layering of voices around 3min and how it seamlessly transitions into movement. Something I strive to achieve.
ReplyDeleteI really appreciated the dynamics executed in your music/improvisations. This is an aspect of being an improvisor/musician that is often overlooked; variation in volume is so important the feeling and evolution of any piece.
ReplyDeleteThe first improvisation exhibits wonderful musical communication and listening. I love the moments where the different musicians converge on an idea, which provide nice contrasts to the moments of independence. I think that's a musical phenomenon that lots of composers try to plan out, and when it happens organically in an improvisation it can be magical.
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