Artsource
MUSIC ®
The Music Center’s Study Guide to the Performing Arts
TRANSFORMATION
ENDURING VALUES
ARTISTIC PROCESSES
TRADITIONAL CLASSICAL
1. CREATING (Cr)
CONTEMPORARY
2. PERFORMING, PRESENTING, PRODUCING (Pr)
EXPERIMENTAL
3. RESPONDING (Re)
MULTI-MEDIA
4. CONNECTING (Cn)
FREEDOM & OPPRESSION
THE POWER OF NATURE
THE HUMAN FAMILY
Title of Work:
About the Artwork:
Shapes! (1999) Performed by members of The California
Shapes! is an improvisational piece of music based on graphic notation. This style of writing music uses lines, shapes, letters, words, blotches, or any kind of symbol a composer would like to use in place of standard musical notes. The performer is asked to interpret these symbols as she feels is appropriate. If the image on the page moves upward, the performer might play louder or a higher note. The composer might also include some guidelines on how the music should be played. The main idea is to free the performer and provide an opportunity for him to improvise and use his imagination.
E.A.R. Unit: Erika Duke-Kirkpatrick, Arthur Jarvinen, Amy Knoles, Robin Lorentz, Vicky Ray, James Rohrig, Rand Steiger, Dorothy Stone.
Creator: The California E.A.R. Unit Background Information: The California E.A.R. Unit has been performing, promoting and creating new music since 1981. Performing all around the world, they are recognized as one of America’s finest chamber ensembles. They enjoy the challenges of playing innovative musical pieces and developing new instrumental techniques. Their performances highlight the music of modern composers who create complex works. This demanding written music may also require them to improvise, making up sections of the music. Performing innovative, new music, as well as the more traditional music of composers like Mozart and Rossini, The California E.A.R. Unit has an incredible talent for moving between these two extremes. Their performances include traditional instruments, such as the flute, clarinet, keyboards, percussion, violin and cello, as well as non-traditional ones that include pots and pans, plastic tubes, duck calls, blow dryers and even a cello played with a carrot. The California E.A.R. Unit performers let their personalities shine through the music they play. They also teach how the basic elements of music, which include rhythm, tempo, harmony and melody, are the foundation of many musical styles, whether they be serious or comedic. Part of the mission of The California E.A.R. Unit is to remind us that music is for everyone, and it can have many different faces and sounds.
Creative Process of the Artist or Culture: Music created through graphic notation and improvisation also requires the imagination of the listener. She participates by reacting to the sound of the music in the same way the performer reacts to the written page – freely. The listener can choose to interpret the music literally by giving it a story or meaning, or abstractly, by letting it simply exist as sound. The magic of this music allows everyone in the concert and hall, performers listeners, to experience new and unrehearsed moments. Photo: Richard Hines
“It’s always gratifying to see young people’s faces light up as they listen to music.“ Amy Knoles, percussionist California