Free Improvisation (hints of impressionist harmony?)

[skyrabinov]

https://danielberry.bandcamp.com/track/free-improvisation

Just a completely spontaneous improvisation during a recording session. I think it has some hints of Scriabin and Ravel in there. I don't know, what do you think?

[ted]

Very well played and enjoyable. I thought I heard more modern influence, turns of phrase and general style than occur in the music of those two composers. What sort of piano and recording device are you using ?

[skyrabinov]

Thanks for the kind words Ted. This was a one-off recording at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, Australia, on a Steinway model D in one of the recital halls. One of the room mics was having issues, so we mostly used the sound recorded from the close mics. From memory the close mics were KM 184s in XY position and the room mics were a spaced pair of U 87s. Due to the room mic issue the overall sound is rather dryer then I would like, but it was just what we happened to capture on the day.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I definitely see where you're coming from with the influences! Really nice recorded sound, and good playing too! Thanks for sharing this.

[skyrabinov]

Really great to hear that man. Hopefully I'm going back there to record again soon, and this time I want to get much more of the room sound because the acoustics really are nice. If you have any advice on recording gear that would be awesome. I'm thinking of hiring a pair of Sennheiser MKH 20s for room mics and a Grace mic preamp at this stage.

[ronde_des_sylphes]

I'm used U87s before, as room mics for a commercial recording project, and I thought I got a good result out of the combination of them with my own Rode NT5s as close mics.

[quantum]

Enjoyed it!  You are quite well versed in the Scriabin and Ravel styles.  Maybe a few moments of Satie inspired meditation. 

Also great recording sound, as Ted and ronde alluded to.