This piece is an entry into a category of composition referred to as plunderphonics. That is, a composition that “plunders” material from other pieces to create its own. In the case of My Father Knew Roger Waters, the original material is extracted exclusively from tracks by the band Pink Floyd. While much of the sampled material comes from unfamiliar songs and is obscured by substantial processing, certain hallmarks of the band’s output can be immediately identified in the work. The discourse of this piece, then, explores the role that reference plays in electronic composition and creates new meanings through context. 

The title pays homage to not only Pink Floyd – Roger Waters served as the principal songwriter of the band – but also the American composer John Adams, whose title My Father Knew Charles Ives was “plundered” for the purpose of this project. This piece is dedicated to my father, John Allen, to whom I owe my taste in music, and who – regrettably – does not know Roger Waters.

http://johnclayallen.com/my-father-knew-roger-waters.html

My Father Knew Roger Waters

Live recording by the Center for New Music Ensemble at the University of Iowa, April 6th, 2018.

More info: http://johnclayallen.com/light-pillars.html

Light Pillars live at the University of Iowa

Commissioned by the Boulder Altitude Directive, Carter Pann, conductor. Performed at the University of Colorado Boulder on April 4th, 2018. 

For more info: http://johnclayallen.com/hopp.html

Hopp [Live]

Performed at the University of Colorado on October 3rd, 2018 by Claire McCahan, mezzo-soprano, and Barbie Noyes, Piano. Text by Marie Howe, used by permission.

For more information: www.JohnClayAllen.com

Pendulum 10.13.18

Four Howe Songs: 4. Prayer

Four Howe Songs: 3. The Dream

Four Howe Songs: 2. Caring for Each Other

Four Howe Songs: 1. What Belongs to Us

Live performance by Brian Lambert, bari sax, at the University of Colorado Boulder, on October 31st, 2018.

http://johnclayallen.com/stir.html

Stir [Live]

Performed by the Boulder Symphony Orchestra; Devin Hughes, conductor.

January 31st, 2020. First Presbyterian Church, Boulder, CO.

More info: http://johnclayallen.com/and-yet-it-moves.html

And Yet It Moves for orchestra [live]

Lucas Hopkins, bass saxophone. 

Performed March 7, 2020 at the North American Saxophone Alliance Biennial Conference at Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ.

http://johnclayallen.com/turn.html

Turn for bass saxophone and live electronics [Live]

A reworking of David Landon's "To Preserve this It Must Change." http://davidplandon.com/it-must-change

TPTIMC after David Landon

Composer and computer musician.

Soundcloud account for concert works and unreleased recordings.

John Clay Allen

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