Practical Mechanics

Practical Mechanics a 5-part composition for chamber ensemble by Chris Perren. It is an ode to technological optimism, inspired by the tattered pages of vintage issues of Practical Mechanics Magazine, a home science and technology magazine published between 1933 and 1963. The music combines mathematically generated patterns and mechanical repetition with the warmth of folk harmony and melody, exploring a musical allegory for the threshold where grand laws of science collide with the grounded reality of day-to-day human life. 

Movement I - The Great Awakening

Movement II - Constructional Details of a Novel and Fascinating Machine

Movement III - Hovercraft: Transport of the Future

Nonsemble is a chamber group which draws on eclectic musical influences to fill a space somewhere between the conservatoire and the underground. It tips its hat equally to Mogwai and Ligeti; Autechre and Philip Glass.

Formed in 2012 by composer Chris Perren (of Mr. Maps, lofly/hangar), Nonsemble features some of Brisbane’s most talented young players, including Hik Sugimoto (Deep Blue) on percussion, Sam Mitchell (Brisbane Chamber Choir, NYCA), on piano, Flora Wong (AYO, Sydney Sinfonia) and Sam Andrews (QYS) on violin, Kieran Welch (QYS) on viola, and Briony Luttrell (Tara Simmons, Mr. Maps) on Cello.

In the short time since their inception the ensemble have performed at Restrung Festival at Brisbane Powerhouse with some of Australia’s top classical and new music ensembles, and were selected to play at Harvest Festival 2012 alongside acts such as Beck, Sigur Ros and Grizzly Bear.

Practical Mechanics is an ode to technological optimism, and playfully explores the belief that science can solve all human problems. The titles and text excerpts are taken from the tattered pages of vintage issues of Practical Mechanics Magazine, a home science and technology magazine published between 1933 and 1963.

The collision of hard scientific law with domestic human life, is reflected by the juxtaposition of mathematical and rule-based compositional approaches and the ineffably chaotic nature of human musical intuition. Practical Mechanics employs various rational and rule-based pattern- making techniques, including Schillingerian methods, list structures, additive and constructive techniques and others devised by the composer. This machine-like nature is especially prominent within the rhythm of the piece, and imbues the work with a complex yet controlled sense of mechanical determinacy. The harmony on the other hand is immediate and expressive, referring more to popular and folk music and reflecting the human needs central to the development and use of technology.

Recorded at The Nickson Room, UQ by Briony Luttrell and Chris Perren.
Produced, mixed and mastered by Chris Perren.

More info about:
Nonsemble: http://nonsemble.com.au
Chris Perren: http://chrisperrencv.tumblr.com

Practical Mechanics

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