low register drone

[keithjarrett]

Hey, I heard someone play this piece at a concert, and I was immediately enchanted by it. I think they mentioned something about an astronomer when they introduced it, but I didn't hear what else they said. I think it was an american composer.

Anyway, it's a modern piece I think, where the theme almost sounds a bit like video game music, and then halfway through, it goes down the low register and it becomes like a drone which goes on for some time. Then it resolves and the melody comes back I think.

I know this is not the best description, but I can't remember that much from it, only that it was very unique in the way that it actually uses the very low register of the piano, to set a kind of mood.

Does anyone know what piece or composer I'm talking about?

[retrouvailles]

Low register "drones" are quite common in much modern music, so I'm afraid your description isn't very helpful. Do you remember anything else?

[keithjarrett]

I can't really remember anything else, more than that it had an outer space kind of a feeling to it, I pictured a rocket going to space, but I suppose I was influenced by the word "astronomer".

If low register drones are common in modern pieces, I would like some suggestions to pieces that utilizes them, so that I atleast can be reminded of the piece in some way, and who knows, maybe it will be just that one piece.

Also, this "drone" is the main focus for I think maybe 5 min or more. Maybe that will help?

[kriskicksass]

I haven't listened to it lately to see if there's a low bass drone, but maybe it was DeGaetano's Challenger Suite? It's about a space shuttle tragedy, so maybe that's where you got astronomer from?

[retrouvailles]

Some quick examples off the top of my head of pieces with "low register drones" are Carl Vine's Piano Sonata No. 1 and many of Messiaen's pieces. These aren't American composers, nor are they related to astronomers or astronomy, so I'll keep thinking about pieces that might match it.

[keithjarrett]

Thanks. I can't find an audio sample of The Challenger anywhere, do you know where I might find one?

[retrouvailles]

I haven't listened to it lately to see if there's a low bass drone, but maybe it was DeGaetano's Challenger Suite? It's about a space shuttle tragedy, so maybe that's where you got astronomer from?

Thanks. I can't find an audio sample of The Challenger anywhere, do you know where I might find one?

Yeah, me neither. Can you please post one, kris? Or perhaps the whole thing, if you please?

[keithjarrett]

The piece I was looking for is Stephen Montague's "Mira". It's named after an asteroid. Thanks for your help nevertheless.