I am reminded of Philip Glass
I like your idea of the ballet, but listening to this piece gave me another idea which is similar to yours but would move it in an entirely different direction

How about having it as a very long piece - maybe 15 or 20 mins long. Let the music morph its sound set very slowly over this period of time so what you start off hearing at the beginning is different to what you are hearing at the end. Have it on a perpetual loop. Maybe even layer 2-3 versions over the top of each each other, starting them at different times so there is a constantly evolving soundscape that may never be exactly the same for the listener depending upon which time they tune in to the loop.

I could envisage this being used in an art installation of some kind or streamed over the internet as part of an online art installation.

Dont know if I explained this very well but if you are interested I would be happy to discuss it more

b

[ Reply to This ]

I hear what you say and I've dropped you a lengthy reply in your inbox.

Your observations are correct about the Philip Glass sound. I had been reading about serialism and atonalism and minimalism and was playing around with some soft synths and algorithmic programming when this idea came to me.

We'll see what happens over the next few weeks.

Thanks for listening and leaving your cracking good suggestions.

Take care.

Paul

[ Reply to This ]

I know virtually nothing about atonal music, Philip Glass, etc. I do know that, like everything you write, the sound is unique and eminently interesting. I am not much for endless loops (as I've said before), so the idea of a 20 minute loop is a bit much. But if this GOES somewhere as the dancers assemble, then I am onboard. At this point, the characters are "milling"... Maybe they will "converse" a bit in a minute ... and then, maybe, they will devise "a plan." It's at that point when the real ballet begins. On the other hand, maybe you are thinking of this as the "exposition." If so, it doesn't suggest to me a place where this will "go." All of that blather notwithstanding, I still find myself initially "engaged" and looking forward to what you will do in developing this.
Peace.
Paul

[ Reply to This ]

I too know relatively little about this form of music. It intrigues me and I am (temporarily) focused there so I'll pursue where I'm led.

I will drop you a note as to any developments that I plan or have had already with any arrangements I have put together.

I agree that the repetitiveness?? of this mode of music can be either boring or daunting but I hope to, with orchestral and choral colours, relieve the monotony for more than 30 seconds (or this will be the last of my experiments with this type of sound)!!

Take care.

Paul

[ Reply to This ]

It is very intriguing! There are various things you could do with this: Push it into the background and make it the tonal/rhythmic backdrop for something in the foreground. Or (as has been said) a Glass/Riley type loop with contrapuntal layering working it's way in. Perhaps harmonize the loop or bring it back in different key signature. Or you could add a percussive element (see Glass' work with Uakti). Curious to see what you do!

[ Reply to This ]

As I said to Paul, I'll drop you my notes on the music so far and then you'll have a better idea of where I think the piece can or cannot go.

At the end of the day I'm using this and other pieces to learn musical structure and tonal colour and interaction of orchestral instruments and voice/s.

Take care.

Paul

[ Reply to This ]

I have a high tolerance for repetitiveness in music but I didn't find this boring instead rather found in it a joyful spontaneity. Interesting that in your description you list non-flowing movement. Maybe your concept of how the dancers would perform is non-flowing but the music if not overtly flowing certainly has musical grace.
Take care Paul,
Charlie



[ Reply to This ]

The non-flowing is from the point of view of this being almost synchronous as opposed to asynchronous in form. There is no varied phrasing and it's almost 'to the beat' rhythm make (to me) for strictness and no relaxing/flowing 'joined notes' theme.

I hope that I make sense. I hadn't thought this deeply about the mechanism but just took to it intuitively. To me it's almost abstract music but with a rigid form.

I always appreciate your views on my work.

Take care.

Paul

[ Reply to This ]

Instantly captivating. There's something about the pentatonic mode that seems to capture our interest no matter how the notes are combined. This also has a rhythmic propulsion that pushes it forward, and the sounds you use are also attractive. Interesting to see where you'll take this! A fine beginning for sure.

[ Reply to This ]

I really appreciate your taking time to listen and add your kind and encouraging words.

Your ideas about the piece and how it seems to you could be useful for me in the bigger picture. I will investigate this type of effect/ambience as I put the varied themes together and hopefully that way I'll enhance the overall soundscape.

Take care.

Paul

[ Reply to This ]

this is really rhythmic and a great new direction for you. i too see the Philip Glass comparison and I think that Bryn's idea is awesome for this. If you could write software, you could have it be a music generator that gets loaded on someones computer and they could play with it and create their own versions. very nice work.

[ Reply to This ]

I did some of this programming work as part of my dissertation work in algorithmic musical form based on genetic algorithms, but with respect to rhythms, not melody. That is a whole new and very, very complex ball game. Rhythms are easier to put together because they have a generally fixed pattern with very few changes whereas melody is almost non-predictable, especially if you want something to sound human and not robot-music.

Well see what transpires. I'll go with the flow more or less wherever it should take me or any collaborators.

Take care.

Paul



[ Reply to This ]

I think this sounds beautiful really melodic I am not an expert but I can't wait to hear the rest if this is the start. Because it sounds really majestic

Thank you and I will download, to listen whle I enjoy a nice cup of tea
often .

Peace Dee.

[ Reply to This ]

I hope that you enjoyed your cup of tea!! We can't have my musical efforts spoiling one of the best moments of anyone's day.

Thanks for your kind and encouraging words.

Take care.

Paul

[ Reply to This ]