Alex Garde, percussion

PROGRAM NOTE
Ramification is the final panel of my Triptych, coming after Negative Capability, for electric guitar, and Whispering lunar incantations, for prepared harp. All three pieces focus on the creation of an idiosyncratic, (relatively) unpitched sound world and emphasize gesture within a developing and evolving structure. Ramification is most concerned with different types of surfaces and branching paths/connections (ramifications) between them. Sometimes materials develop linearly along these paths, while jumping suddenly from one to the next at other times. My hope is that listening occurs on multiple levels of detail for both the performer and audience. Similar types of gestures (dragging vs scratching vs striking) occur on vastly different surfaces (gongs vs floor tom vs wood plank vs guiro vs chimes) with different implements (mallet vs superball vs mallet shaft vs brush vs nails), resulting in a range of drastically different sound qualities that seek to unify themselves, but may not always do so.
Ramification was composed for percussionist, Alex Garde, as part of the 2021 Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice. — HAB

Ramification (2021)

A stressful, tumultuous time, the Piano Quintet reflects the anxious sentiments of the COVID-19 pandemic that I believe I shared with the wider world. In my own life, I encountered disconnection from the broader world, high anxiety, family struggles, and a sense of relief when the pandemic finally ended.

I believe that this piece summarizes the pandemic musically. The first movement is quite technical and generally moves at fast tempi, evoking senses of anxiety, dread, and hope. The second movement is quite sad, reflecting the quite numerous catastrophes and heartbreaks encountered during the pandemic. The third movement begins with the frustration of the first, abruptly moving towards a more hopeful, placid, and joyous conclusion.

The Piano Quintet reflects the pandemic because it was written over its entire course, and the sentiments stated above are reflected in its movements. The first movement was written during the pandemic's outset and reflects several stresses upon my life as a result; the second movement was written during its mid-stages; the third movement was written during its conclusion in 2022 and is more hopeful. Hopefully, you may find a sense of connection and comfort through a full listening of the piece.

As a final note, the pandemic (and other factors) caused me to be unable to find musicians willing to perform the entire piece live. Thus, the piece is presented entirely in its MIDI version.

Enjoy!

Piano Quintet Mvmt 3

First test of a system of completely algorithmic chord progression and music composition.  

HARMONY TEST 5

A sacred congregation, an alchemical union of the opposites, a marriage of two poles. Unification of male with the female, Light with Darkness, a mystical conjunction between the forces of the Universe... A wonderful and great merging of the gods themselves.

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Hierosgamos

Sketch 1

Sketch 2

Notion (2016)

Music Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WL_cuUj_Pd0
Spotify: coming soon

produced by EDEN

Piano Quintet Mvmt 3

Alex Tschetter

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