Resurgify

[quantum]

This was played live. 

The March solar flares were part of the inspiration. 

Piano: Yamaha C7
Mics: DPA (I think they were 4006) in AB position

[nick_op]

I've listened to this several times now and keep spotting new things every time. I recently had my mind opened to the scope that is possible with improvisation (through a mixture of this forum, Keith Jarrett and Gabriela Montero), so whenever I stumble upon an improvisation which is more complex than I could currently conceive I find myself fascinated.

I enjoyed the sense of the unknown and unease that you created, and I could see the solar flares inspiration. Did you actively use certain harmonies and techniques to create this atmosphere?

[quantum]

Hi nick_op,

Thank you for listening. 

A lot of the harmonic devices I used in this piece were Scriabinesque in nature.  Lots playing around with quartal harmony.  The main theme was based on the tetrachord C, Db, E, F (not those notes in particular), transposed and twisted into as many configurations as I could think of. 

In music such as this, which tends to propel in surges, I like to refer more to my ear rather than set theoretical directives.  If a sonic phenomenon presents itself, and it sounds good to me, I will take it and develop it. 


You will find a very supportive improvising community here are Pianostreet.  Feel free to join in the fun. 

[nick_op]

Cool, thanks for describing the harmony. I guessed it might be quartal but I don't have enough experience (with Scriabin or quartal harmony in general) to say for certain.

I'll certain be posting something of my own soon. I just need to work out how best to use my recorder.

[quantum]

If you need help with the technicalities of recording, don't be afraid to ask.  There are many people here that can give assistance in that regard. 

[ted]

The form, in particular, is interesting - like a series of beads on a string, each bead a denser and more convoluted evolution of the germinal first bead. In a sense, I suppose you could say it is a modern type of variations on a theme, except the actual modes of expansion are freer and more abstract, and the "theme" involves more than melody. I think I shall try this form out with some of my cell transitions when I come to recording my next improvisation. It seems to lend itself to many impressionistic associations in the natural world. Thanks for the idea.

[quantum]

Ted, you make a very fitting observation.  At the time I wasn't thinking in quite that manner, as it was more a search for a central element to develop.  That element was there all along, I just had to notice it.  Thanks for listening.