Track from the forthcoming CD and download of Marc Yeats' 'the shape distance' pieces for ensemble' recorded by Chamber Cartel. 

Studio recording from Chamber Cartel. This iteration 'the shape distance [11] for harp and piano' features Chamber Cartel members Connor Way [harp] and Amy O'Dell [piano]. Engineered by Thomas Avery at 800 East, Atlanta US, December 2013.

'the shape distance [11] for harp and piano' extends the recent set of unsynchronised works 'the shape distance', originally a series of seven pieces constructed somewhat akin to ‘Russian Dolls’ in that each contains the same or similar core material that is ‘enclosed’ by other layers of material. 

notes:
The musicians play independently of each other. Music is cued to begin only, with no ‘fixed’ synchronisation between the players. The pianist is instructed to begin approximately one minute after the notation for the harp begins. Whilst the relationship of each instrument is flexibly placed against its neighbour, care has been taken to calculate potential outcomes of coincidence and variability. To this end it is vital that metronome markings are adhered to as accurately as possible although the composer appreciates that it is the various interpretations and practicalities inherent in the realisation of tempi that contribute to the richly unique nature and interplay of each performance.

There is only one instructions to the players; to begin where indicated and play until their material is finished. This recording represents an iteration of the music; one possible outcome of many.

The score and parts
I have not produced a score for this piece as difficulties and variables associated with displaying the musical material in vertical alignment as represented in real time are considerable. Each performance will yield different results, interplays, gestural and harmonic references and outcomes. As a result, the material contained within the piece can only be read via the two piano parts. Consequently there is no ‘definitive’ performance of this music – each performance will be unique.

The Shape Distance [11] for Harp and Piano

Marc Yeats is an internationally renowned composer and visual artist whose compositions have been performed by the most noted of orchestras and ensembles across the globe. These include UK companies such as The London Sinfonietta and The Scottish Chamber Orchestra, the BBC Philharmonic and the Halle Orchestra and Chorus. Further afield, Marc’s work has also been performed by the Tokyo City Philharmonic, the Atlanta based, Chamber Cartel, and many others. His compositions have gained great acclaim through many radio broadcasts for the BBC and also been broadcast in many other countries including the US, Germany and New Zealand.

Marc’s relationship with the BBC is both strong and enduring, starting with a BBC Scotland performance by the Edinburgh String Quartet more than 20 years ago. His first orchestral work – I See Blue – conducted by Martyn Brabbins, received much acclaim when first performed around the same time. This led to specific BBC commissions, including a piano concerto to open Piano 2000 in Manchester, with Kathryn Stott as soloist, and a solo harpsichord piece ‘Rhema’, performed by Mahan Esfahani and broadcast in 2010 by BBC Radio 3 from the Clothworkers’ Centenary Concert Hall in Leeds.

Selection as one of just 10 to attend the legendary Hoy Summer School in 1994 brought Marc into contact with the late Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. At the completion of the course, Max was keen to support and promote Marc’s work, and conducted his first commission with the Scottish Chamber Orchestra at the St. Magnus Festival in 1997. He and Marc continued to share ideas, and Max took a great interest in Marc’s visual art and compositional work with mobile technologies and a range of asynchronous structural approaches to composition.

Marc is excited to have recently been appointed composer-in-residence to Yeovil District and Dorchester County Hospitals, a position he has also held with other UK and US organisations. Work such as My Blood Is As Red As Yours’ (an orchestral and choral piece commissioned by the Halle to celebrate World Aids Day in 2008 and performed at the Bridgewater Hall) and recent work, such as ‘shapeshifter’ and ‘the observation quartets’ continues to enhance his reputation as a leading contemporary composer.

Tyson Gholston Davis (b.2000) is an American composer studying at The Juilliard School where is a recipient of the Jerome L. Greene Fellowship. Davis began composing at the age of eight years old and entered the University North Carolina School of the Arts (UNCSA) as a high school freshman, studying with Lawrence Dillon. In the summer of 2019, Davis worked with the National Youth Orchestra of the United States of America (NYO-USA) and Antonio Pappano to premiere his work, Delicate Tension, a piece that was commissioned by the American Embassy in Berlin for the 30th Anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall. The work was performed in Berlin, Edinburgh, and Hamburg. 

Since then, Davis has been a leading desired composer to be performed and commissioned by leading ensembles. He has been the recipient of more than 22 commissions by organizations such as; The Juilliard String Quartet, the Albany Symphony, The Saint Paul Chamber Orchestra, Eighth Blackbird, WQXR (New York Public Radio), New York New Music Ensemble, Metropolis Ensemble, and various other groups and soloist. 

His recently finished work, Amorphous Figures (String Quartet No. 2) was commissioned by Da Camera Society of Houston, The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, and Chamber Music Cincinnati for the Juilliard String Quartet. The work will be premiered in April of 2023. Currently, Davis is backed up with commissions until mid-2024 with works for soprano saxophone and piano (for Robert Young), wind quintet (for Zephyros winds), solo piano (Jonathan Biss), and several others. 

Tyson’s favorite classical composers include Beethoven, Elliott Carter, Henri Dutilleux, Unsuk Chin, and Jacob Druckman. He also loves the pop music of Marvin Gaye, John Denver, Simon and Garfunkel, and many others. He lives in Washington Heights, NYC, and enjoys frequent walks in Fort Tryon Park.

Kihwa  she started harp at age 11. It wasn't until her early 20’s when she started to appreciate Jazz Harp. A tremendous impact had inspired this young harpist at the 4th World Harp Congress, held in Paris. Kihwa moved to pursuit further study at Manhattan School of Music for Master’s program. She studied with Sarah Bullen, Park Stickney and a jazz pianist Magali Souriau. Her reminiscence of musical experience in New York includes from playing her harp on the street of the Chelsea market to performing for a play, "Midsummer Night's Dream,” a dance production with Martha Grahm Dance Company, and a peace concert at the Cathedral of St. John the Divine. 
Kihwa has performed in collaboration with various global artists: dancers, painters and musicians including experimental and electronics. She also recorded ringtones for Samsung Galaxy Phone. Currently she is a leader of harp duo 'Lah' and an art director at her Art Space 'Banjul,' in Seoul, Korea. She released her album ‘Letter from her,' all composed and arranged by herself. Each track carries mystic and unique atmosphere Kihwa portraits in this album. Kihwa will invite you all to this unique journey of her imagination. www.kihwalee.com

Composer, Producer and Director working in opera

Martin is a music composer available on commission.
EMAIL: martin@martinslidel.com
www.martinslidel.com