FRANK STEMPER, COMPOSER
Agua (2011)
Music for wind ensemble and electronics - Concrete MAX Patch
[8 mins.]
Consortium Commission by the SIUC Wind Ensemble and the Pomona College (CA) Band.
First performances: 3 November 2011 – Carbondale, Illinois;
18 & 20 November 2011 – Claremont, California
3 February 2012 – Vladmir Ussachevsky Computer Music Festival, Los Angeles
Opus 71 — A.S.C.A.P. work I.D. 883473988
SCORE
First performances: 3 November 2011 – Carbondale, Illinois;
18 & 20 November 2011 – Claremont, California
3 February 2012 – Vladmir Ussachevsky Computer Music Festival, Los Angeles
Opus 71 — A.S.C.A.P. work I.D. 883473988
SCORE
NOTES
AGUA – Performance notes and electronics explanation
Agua is a relatively short (c.8 mins.) composition for wind ensemble and computer interaction.
The computer part – the top stave in the score – is “performed” in sync on a lap top computer (preferably MAC) using a program that comes with the score on a single, all-inclusive CD. This simple program, created in MAX/msp, merely turns on and off several samples of water sounds as indicated in the score, thus accompanying the ensemble. The lap top audio out is connected to a loudspeaker system in the performance hall. Although the sounds are in stereo, the speaker system may be extended to a quad, 5.1, or even greater system. The speaker system should surround the audience, giving them the impression that they are being submerged in the water sounds. The volume should be set so the electro-acoustic sounds balance equally with the live ensemble, except in the penultimate, climactic section, when the water sounds should rise above the ensemble.
The lap top part has numbers and letters, which correspond to the top rows of keys on the computer keyboard. Press a number once – it turns the corresponding water sound on, press it again – it turns it off. There is therefore some expressive freedom for the computer performer as that part lines up these start and stops precisely with events occurring in the wind ensemble.
AGUA – Performance notes and electronics explanation
Agua is a relatively short (c.8 mins.) composition for wind ensemble and computer interaction.
The computer part – the top stave in the score – is “performed” in sync on a lap top computer (preferably MAC) using a program that comes with the score on a single, all-inclusive CD. This simple program, created in MAX/msp, merely turns on and off several samples of water sounds as indicated in the score, thus accompanying the ensemble. The lap top audio out is connected to a loudspeaker system in the performance hall. Although the sounds are in stereo, the speaker system may be extended to a quad, 5.1, or even greater system. The speaker system should surround the audience, giving them the impression that they are being submerged in the water sounds. The volume should be set so the electro-acoustic sounds balance equally with the live ensemble, except in the penultimate, climactic section, when the water sounds should rise above the ensemble.
The lap top part has numbers and letters, which correspond to the top rows of keys on the computer keyboard. Press a number once – it turns the corresponding water sound on, press it again – it turns it off. There is therefore some expressive freedom for the computer performer as that part lines up these start and stops precisely with events occurring in the wind ensemble.
The Pomona Wind Ensemble in Bridges Hall at Pomona College
Composer Tom Flaherty introducing AGUA during the 2012 Ussachevsky Festival
Composer Tom Flaherty introducing AGUA during the 2012 Ussachevsky Festival