A blank page with notes explores the Japanese concept of ma, where the space between objects is as significant as the objects themselves. The performer has been presented with a score that shows gestures separated by blank space between them. This space is used to signify the relative space between these gestures, allowing the performer to move between these moments of movement guided by how long they feel each space is in the moment. These moments of pause are also guided by the performance space, with the natural sounds of the environment helping the performer decide when to move out of silence.

Most of these moments of movement within the piece involve allowing the sound of the guitar to decay into silence, taking advantage of the natural shape of the guitar’s sound and letting the listener feel the music blending into the environment that the performance takes part in.

This piece was composed for and is dedicated to Marisa Sardo.

-

Classical Guitar - Marisa Sardo
Recording and mixing - James Brown

A blank page with notes

Composer from Brighouse, West Yorkshire. PhD student at the University of York 

A blank page with notes

Jake Adams