My iTunes library is a wealth of sound material waiting to be tapped. For attack, I explored the possibilities of using this diverse set of songs as a starting point for a sound composition. Using only a short segment from the very beginning of each song (in other words, the “attack”), I have built a piece that is in no way a derivative and yet is in every way a derivative. This contradiction is at the heart of my concept for this piece.

• Recording in MP3 – 5 min, 47 sec
• Score in PDF – 52 kb

Screenshot from my DAW session for this piece.

This piece continues my exploration of the potential for laptops in chamber music settings.  The piano controls the momentum by choosing from among the musical materials on each page of the score, and in doing so slowly unfolds a harmonic sequence over the piece’s duration.  The laptop is used to capture and extend the acoustic output, producing textures that at first only fill in the silences between notes and eventually compete with the piano for attention.  The tension builds until the harmonic sequence is finally stated in its entirety, after which the piece unwinds to the final coda.  The overall mood is one of reflection, with moments of peace and passion.

• live recording in MP3 – 16 min, 55 sec
• score in PDF – 1.2 MB

page 4 of the score