FRANK STEMPER, COMPOSER
2304: Between the Alley and the Shorewood Sanitarium (2003)
Alto Sax and Digital Audio [15 mins.]
Premiered by Dante Bazúa at the “XV FESTIVAL DE MARZO 2004” in the recital hall of the Universidad Autónoma de Chihuahua, Chihuahua, Mexico
Opus 49 — A.S.C.A.P. work I.D. 501687992
SCORE
Opus 49 — A.S.C.A.P. work I.D. 501687992
SCORE
NOTES
This is a musique concrete piece. Sounds of clarinet and piano were recorded, distorted, sometimes beyond recognition, and then combined with themselves, and then the live saxophone of the performer. Todd Rewoldt provided the alto sax sounds, and the composer provided the piano sounds. The live saxophone part of 2304: Between The Alley and the Shorewood Sanitarium is virtuosic from many standpoints: disjunct rhythms, stratospheric range, precise synchronization with the audio – even though there is often no audible pulse or rhythm from which to gage the timing and, of course, the performer must also play beautifully! I knew, after working with Todd, that all those things would happen — Todd Rewoldt is an outstanding saxophonist, technically and artistically.
The title is the composer’s childhood address, a rather modest home, a cottage really, that “housed” a flock of Polish kids, two chain-smoking parents, cigarette smoke (trapped inside the small bungalow for the Wisconsin winters), a variety of pets and lots of laughter. It was located in a modest working-class neighborhood, complete with an alley in back for garages, block parties and games. When the house was sold, the composer’s five sisters were quite upset by this “next step” in life’s chronology. The composer is one of seven children of a Jazz Singer- mother and a Psychiatrist (which more than one critic has regarded as a perfect genetic code for modern composer). The family home was located across the street from the father’s place of business!
After its premiere in Mexico by 2304 was written for Todd Rewoldt performed the work several times, including at the Vladmir Ussachevsky Computer Music Festival in Los Angeles, HAPPENING: Perspectives on New Music in Canada, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Imagine II in Memphis; it was also performed in Europe by Roland Stillhard in the Vorarlberger Landeskonservatorium in Feldkirch, Austria.
This is a musique concrete piece. Sounds of clarinet and piano were recorded, distorted, sometimes beyond recognition, and then combined with themselves, and then the live saxophone of the performer. Todd Rewoldt provided the alto sax sounds, and the composer provided the piano sounds. The live saxophone part of 2304: Between The Alley and the Shorewood Sanitarium is virtuosic from many standpoints: disjunct rhythms, stratospheric range, precise synchronization with the audio – even though there is often no audible pulse or rhythm from which to gage the timing and, of course, the performer must also play beautifully! I knew, after working with Todd, that all those things would happen — Todd Rewoldt is an outstanding saxophonist, technically and artistically.
The title is the composer’s childhood address, a rather modest home, a cottage really, that “housed” a flock of Polish kids, two chain-smoking parents, cigarette smoke (trapped inside the small bungalow for the Wisconsin winters), a variety of pets and lots of laughter. It was located in a modest working-class neighborhood, complete with an alley in back for garages, block parties and games. When the house was sold, the composer’s five sisters were quite upset by this “next step” in life’s chronology. The composer is one of seven children of a Jazz Singer- mother and a Psychiatrist (which more than one critic has regarded as a perfect genetic code for modern composer). The family home was located across the street from the father’s place of business!
After its premiere in Mexico by 2304 was written for Todd Rewoldt performed the work several times, including at the Vladmir Ussachevsky Computer Music Festival in Los Angeles, HAPPENING: Perspectives on New Music in Canada, in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, and Imagine II in Memphis; it was also performed in Europe by Roland Stillhard in the Vorarlberger Landeskonservatorium in Feldkirch, Austria.