Composer - John Starosta
Double Bass - George Kokkinaris
Record - Mix - Mastering by Christos Brito - AUX Studio

Situs Inversus = inverted position of the internal organ
---------------------
Situs Inversus Improvisatore is a body of work that contains structured composition paired
with improvisational content for the solo musician.
The musical content shall emulate the condition of situs inversus. The composer's intention is for
the listener to imagine how inverted organs might operate in contrast to a normal arrangement of
organs, known as situs solitus.
-----------------------
Notes by George Kokkinaris
This composition is based on a very unique style which rarely can be found in double bass composition. We had been working with John for 7-8 months about his piece and especially how we could engage and combine composition with improvisation. I think John Starosta made a major work opening a path for this combination which is demanding from the musician as it has based on subtle noises and on pauses. Pause is music! I would like to thank John for his work and his collaboration
--------
Notes by John Starosta
Composing in this style has been building in my mind for some time. The yearning for longer pauses from sustained sound is a strategy I will continue to explore. I am happy to have collaborated with George Kokkinaris on this project. Aside from him being an accomplished contemporary musician, he is also a very thoughtful colleague to work with. I very much appreciate and enjoyed his contribution to this project and hope to continue our musicianship in the future.

Situs Inversus Improvisatore I

"T1-Series of Lyrical Treatments" composed for mechanical piano solo
T1 - duration: 2'39"
Composed and programmed by J. Starosta
Performed on Steinway model 601514

This is the 1st installment of this series.


T1 - Series of Lyrical Treatments - for mechanical piano

"T4 - Series of Lyrical Treatments" composed for mechanical piano solo
T4 - duration: 1'17"
Composed by John Starosta
Programmed by Anatoly Larkin
Performed on Steinway model 601514

This is the 4th installment of this series.

T4 - Series of Lyrical Treatments - for mechanical piano solo

"T5 - Series of Lyrical Treatments" composed for mechanical piano solo
Duration: 1'50"
Composed by John Starosta
Programmed by Anatoly Larkin
Performed on Steinway model 601514

This is the 5th installment of this series.

T5 - Series of Lyrical Treatments - for mechanical piano solo

"T6a - Series of Lyrical Treatments" composed for mechanical piano solo
Duration: 2'48"
Composed by John Starosta
Programmed by Anatoly Larkin
Performed on Steinway model 601514

This is the 6th (in 2 parts) installment of this series.

T6a - Series of Lyrical Treatments - for mechanical piano solo

"T6b - Series of Lyrical Treatments" composed for mechanical piano solo
Duration: 1'50"
Composed by John Starosta
Programmed by Anatoly Larkin
Performed on Steinway model 601514

This is the 6th (in 2 parts) installment of this series.

T6b - Series of Lyrical Treatments - for mechanical piano solo

Composer - John Starosta
Piano - Anatoly Larkin
Live Performance - November 27th 2022 University of Michigan, Stamps Auditorium

Situs Inversus = inverted position of the internal organ
---------------------
Situs Inversus Improvisatore is a body of work that contains structured composition paired
with improvisational content for the solo musician.
The musical content shall emulate the condition of situs inversus. The composer's intention is for
the listener to imagine how inverted organs might operate in contrast to a normal arrangement of
organs, known as situs solitus.
-----------------------
Notes by John Starosta
Situs Inversus via Anatoly Larkin is quite a unique experience. A seasoned improvisational player and contemporary musician with a charismatic stage presence, always in search of the ultimate artistic result. Since our first meeting in Minneapolis, Minnesota, we have had many collaborations and it is always a great pleasure working with him.

Situs Inversus Improvisatore II

"T7 - Series of Lyrical Treatments" composed for mechanical piano solo
Duration: 0'38"
Composed by John Starosta
Programmed by Anatoly Larkin
Performed on Steinway model 601514

This is the 7th installment of this series.

T7 - Series of Lyrical Treatments - for mechanical piano solo

"(T8) Series of Lyrical Treatments {sketch and fugue I}" composed for mechanical piano solo.
T8 duration: 2'17"
Composed by John Starosta
Programmed by Anatoly Larkin 
Performed on Steinway model 601514

This is the 8th installment to this series.

T8 - Series of Lyrical Treatments {sketch and fugue I} - for mechanical piano solo

"(T9) Series of Lyrical Treatments {sketch and fugue II}" composed for mechanical piano solo.
T9 duration: 1'52"
Composed by John Starosta
Programmed by Anatoly Larkin 
Performed on Steinway model 601514

This is the 9th installment to this series.

T9 - Series of Lyrical Treatments {sketch and fugue II} - for mechanical piano solo

"(T10) Series of Lyrical Treatments {sketch and fugue III}" composed for mechanical piano solo.
T10 duration: 1'15"
Composed by John Starosta
Programmed by Anatoly Larkin 
Performed on Steinway model 601514

This is the 10th installment to this series.

T10 - Series of Lyrical Treatments {sketch and fugue III} - for mechanical piano solo

Pianist - Anatoly Larkin
Composer - John Starosta
Live performance in Osaka, Japan August 14, 2023

"West. Love. Bug." - Live - Osaka, Japan 2023/08/14

Performers - John Starosta and Anatoly Larkin
Composers - Starosta / Larkin
Instruments - Bösendorfer 42251 and Steinway D-519960
Artwork - Michael Prim
Studio - Greywalls Hall, Raleigh, NC
Recorded by Android

The Improv Concoctions No.6 "Formations" - Duet for 2 pianos

On May 14, 2015, Anatoly Larkin presented his arrangement of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring (for two pianos, with an optional third piano) and "Sectors," a symphonic work for 3 pianos by composer John Starosta. The 3 pianos are all capable of high-fidelity performance reproduction, via dedicated hardware that can move keys and pedals just like a human player.

Piano 1: Yamaha Disklavier Pro (reproducing technology by Yamaha Japan engineers)
Piano 2: Steinway (Hamburg) SE2 (reproducing technology by Richard Shepherd)
Piano 3: Bösendorfer Imperial SE (reproducing technology by Wayne Stahnke)

Performance data for the pianos was programmed by A. Larkin. In the case of Sectors, translation algorithms were used to convert the MIDI-based performance score into usable key and pedal data.
The 3 pianos were tuned and voiced by piano technician Marc Wienert and the performances were also recorded by Marc. Greywalls Studio Hall in Raleigh, NC. 

'Sectors I' - Symphony for 3 Pianos

On May 14, 2015, Anatoly Larkin presented his arrangement of Stravinsky's Rite of Spring (for two pianos, with an optional third piano) and "Sectors," a symphonic work for 3 pianos by composer John Starosta. The 3 pianos are all capable of high-fidelity performance reproduction, via dedicated hardware that can move keys and pedals just like a human player.

Piano 1: Yamaha Disklavier Pro (reproducing technology by Yamaha Japan engineers)
Piano 2: Steinway (Hamburg) SE2 (reproducing technology by Richard Shepherd)
Piano 3: Bösendorfer Imperial SE (reproducing technology by Wayne Stahnke)

Performance data for the pianos was programmed by A. Larkin. In the case of Sectors, translation algorithms were used to convert the MIDI-based performance score into usable key and pedal data.
The 3 pianos were tuned and voiced by piano technician Marc Wienert and the performances were also recorded by Marc. Greywalls Studio Hall in Raleigh, NC.

'Sectors II' - Symphony for 3 Pianos

A composer of contemporary classical music and piano pedagogue with compositional emphasis on serial and twelve tone techniques and pedagogical literature based on the Renaissance thru 20th century genres.

Earlier studies include industrial electricity, applied voice, drama and music theater, subsequently, leading to extensive study in ballet and modern dance.

Starosta's compositions have been shaped and influenced by blues, heavy metal, and classical music. Drawing from the rich tones and simplistic characteristics of early American blues, industrial timbres and tribal rhythms of heavy metal music, while combining facets of these genres with classical techniques has allowed Starosta to develop a voice that is unique in modern expression.

John Starosta

Popular tracks