Net(work) (2017) | piano trio and electronics

PIERCE GRADONE

N E T ( WO R K ) for piano trio and electronics

JAMESCREST MUSIC

www.piercegradone.com

PIERCE GRADONE

N E T ( WO R K ) for piano trio and electronics JAMESCREST MUSIC

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TECHNICAL REQUIREMENTS 1) Three computers running Max/MSP; 1 computer running master program 2) One MIDI pedal, on/off functionality only required 3) Two microphones for the violin and cello 4) Synthesizer with piano samples or models transposed down one quarter-tone 5) Audio/MIDI interface

COMPUTER 4

AUDIO INTERFACE

COMPUTER 1

COMPUTER 2

COMPUTER 3

PIANO/ SYNTH

VIOLIN

CELLO

PERFORMANCE NOTES INTRODUCTION NET(WORK) is a work of improvisation, with the electronics playing a central role in the formal structure, and an auxiliary aural role. The musical score is composed of a combination of musical notation and shapes (traces) that are to be interpreted by the musicians, with some preliminary guidelines provided by the composer.

Throughout the course of the work, the computer program decides on the formal structure, and the corresponding music is displayed on the screens of the players.

Nearly all the slides of music last for 20 seconds, with a marker providing the players with an idea of the timing. Only the final section provides the players with the opportunity to determine the length of the musical sections.

The figure to the left is an example of one the traces that the musicians will interpret. In the score, the composer has provided suggestions for performance, as well as a collection of pitches from which to choose and embellish.

Below is an example of the accompanying music.

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PERFORMANCE NOTES GUIDELINES 1) Each slide contains three slots in which traces may be present In some cases, one slot may be marked tacet, or an entire page may be marked as such. Players are allowed to play softly or supportingly during “tacet” sections.

2) Performers are not required to play continuously.

3) Ideally, all slides should be played in the course of their display, but the performer is free to repeat a given trace, even to the exclusion of the others.

4) Performers are encouraged to respond to the sounds and music around them.

Strict adherence to the traces is not required, but should be a guide.

5) Technical annotations on the traces are always optional.

6) Roles shift throughout the piece. If an L is above the music on a slide, that performer is to lead the ensemble. Conversely, if an F appears, the performer is advised to follow. The leader is not made known to the other players on the score.

Instead, they should lead musically, moving the music forward.

7) The pitches provided with each trace are important to the harmonic structure of the piece. However, they should be treated as “chord tones,” allowing the performer the freedom to create “neighbor tones,” “passing tones,” and other embellishments. Though the pitches are fixed, octave displacement is allowed.

8) Slides that are marked with UNISON indicate that all players are viewing the same traces. Performers are free to attempt to create a rhythmic or harmonic unison, but they may also use the opportunity to highlight the varities in which the traces may be interpreted.

PERFORMANCE NOTES GUIDELINES, CONT. 9) With the exception of the first and last slides, as well as the performer-determined slides, all slides last approximately 20 second. To provide performers with the opportunity to prepare the next slide, each slide is given a 3-second “preview,” during which time the performer is still playing material from the previous slide, but is viewing the next.

10) Relatedly, bleed-over from one slide to another is allowed and encouraged. Do not feel the need to abruptly end a musical idea of phrase when the slide changes.

Instead, feel free to adapt it or continue it within the confines of the new slide.

11) The piece is divided into two large sections. The first, lasting approximately 5 minutes, should be characterized by energy and movement that gradually dies down. The next section, lasting approximately 3 minutes, should be slower, sustained, and rhythmically free.

12) There are three duets that take place in the course of the piece: violin/piano, cello/piano, and violin/cello. In each case, this duet quality should be brought to the fore, with the third player either tacet or providing sparse or sustained harmonic support.

13) Though many of the shapes resemble glissandi, don’t overuse the technique.

Instead, interpret the sign as an upward or downward motion of any kind.

14) Though a list of performance techniques is listed, performers are free to employ any techniques beyond those included in the score.

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PERFORMANCE NOTES ENSEMBLE AND SPEAKER ARRANGEMENT Due to the amplification of the violin and cello, instruments should be distributed spacially, even throughout the performance space.

One possible arrangement is depicted below.

VL

N

VC

AUDIENCE

PERFORMANCE NOTES NOTATION 20

length of slide (in seconds)

circular bowing

X

untimed slide

steady staccato attacks

S.T.

sul tasto

S.P.

sul ponticello tremolo trill between two or more notes accent (rhythmic or arhythmic) double-stop triple-stop quadruple-stop sustained tone

L F

lead follow

unsteady staccato attacks unsteady fast notes steady fast notes (16ths, 32nds) articulated, arpeggiated upward leap rapid arpeggiation alternate between pitches touch notes, regardless of whether they are harmonics or not natural harmonic legato

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FORMAL STRUCTURE PART I

DURATION: 5’20”

B1

B3

A3

UE

C2

C3

D1

UD

BC

DC

A4

UC

OP.

OP.

UB2 A1

PART II

C1

A2

DURATION: 2.5-3”

F

G

H

I

Conc.

Harmonic structures corresponding to lettered sections

viii TABLE OF CONTENTS (PER PART) 1. Opening 2. A1 3. B1 4. A2 5. B2 6. C1 7. C2 8. BC 9. B3 10. C3 11. DC 12. A4 13. D1 14. A3 15. U-C 16. U-D 17. U-E 18. D 19. G 20. H 21. I 22. Conclusion

for Switch~ Ensemble approximate duration: 8 minutes

PIERCE GRADONE

NET(WORK) VIOLIN FOR PIANO TRIO AND ELECTRONICS

©2017 Jamescrest Music (ASCAP) All Rights Reserved.

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PIERCE GRADONE

NET(WORK) CELLO FOR PIANO TRIO AND ELECTRONICS

©2017 Jamescrest Music (ASCAP) All Rights Reserved.

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PIERCE GRADONE

NET(WORK) PIANO/SYNTHESIZER FOR PIANO TRIO AND ELECTRONICS

©2017 Jamescrest Music (ASCAP)

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