Amalgamations

This work for cello is derived from ideas associated with change ringing.

If one has, say, 6 bells, and one wishes to ring them in some sequence, then one has 720 possible sequences ("rows") to choose from.    Performing all the possible "rows" in some sequence constitutes an "extent" or "full peal."  A traditional desire consists of have every two consecutive "rows"  (or "change") in an "extent" differ only by swapping order of two consecutive bells.   So give any particular starting "row" of 6 bells, only 5 "rows" can legally complete the "change." 

That "extents," legal in this sense, even exist follows from non-trivial mathematical constructions, but these constructed extents tend to have a very mechanical character (and advantage for "method ringers").  

I (re?)discovered that one can make new extents from old by exchanging two consecutive segments AND time-reversing just one of them.  Call this a "twist."  "Twisting" one of the mechanical extents 2000 times (for an extent of 720 "rows") seems to produce reasonably random or organic "extents."   Philosophically these "twisted extents" lead double lives, being both highly structured and constrained, but given that, also as capricious as possible.

Four random "extents" govern this work.  Most simply, one "extent" controls the 6 dynamic levels in each row statement, one "extent" controls the 6 durations, and one "extent" controls the sequence within whatever the current collection of pitches.  

The final "extent" gets used go generate the pitch content.  Instead of ordering events, the permutations get used to order  the intervals 2/1, 3/2, 4/3,  5/4, 6/5 and 7/6, thus building up a scale (or perhaps a chord, depending on how you care to think about it).  So unlike actual bells that each carry a fixed pitch and collectively establish a fixed key, here each "row" of the 720 has its own "key."  Thus the music constantly modulates, and since each "change" modestly changes just one note in the scale (because consecutive intervals swap), the music manifests an emergent sort of voice leading, albeit a very distant relative from the voice leading of common practice music.

Simultaneously Follow Four Twisted Paths, for cello

Closed Circuit Television // What are you looking at? // Closed Circuit Television // What are you looking at? // Closed Circuit Television // What are you looking at? // Closed Circuit Television // What are you looking at? // Closed Circuit Television // What are you looking at? // Closed Circuit Television // What are you looking at? // Closed Circuit Television // What are you looking at? // Closed Circuit Television // What are you looking at? // Closed Circuit Television // What are you looking at? // Closed Circuit Television // What are you looking at?

CCTV

Recorded live in Deptford Town Hall
Goldsmiths, University of London
March 2nd, 2022

Fernando Yada Rodrigues, piano
Jay Austin Keys, piano

Julius Eastman - Buddha

Julius Eastman - Buddha

burnt red

Eraserhead (1977), lady in the radiator song <3
Rest in peace, David x

In Heaven (Everything is Fine)

Recorded Circa 2005 for a Fall themed compilation- featurings songs from "This Nation's Saving Grace". I still get asked about it, so here it is.

Richard of Hume - Paintwork

Psychedelic adventures from all over the musical universe.

Nog Zone w/ Anthony Child: 5th August '25

Amalgamations for Organ 24th October 2016

Composer: Sophie Stone
Performer: Lauren Redhead
Concert: Automatronic: Encounters
Location: St Laurence Church, Catford, London

Amalgamations for Organ 19th November 2016

Performer: Ben Scott (http://benjaminscottmusic.uk)
Date: 08/01/2018
Location: Holy Trinity Church, Folkestone

Amalgamations for Organ Movement I

Performer: Ben Scott (benjaminscottmusic.uk)
Date: 15/01/2018
Location: Holy Trinity Church, Folkestone

Amalgamations for Organ 15th January 2018

Performer: Lauren Redhead
Composer: Sophie Stone
Concert: Automatronic, Waves of Sound
Location: Corpus Christi College Chapel, University of Cambridge
Date: 13/10/18

Amalgamations for Organ 13th October 2018

Structured improvisation piece featuring transcribed birdsong from the extinct Kauaʻi ʻōʻō for bass clarinet and flute. 
Performed with Breandán Knowlton

One Left

Amalgamations Nov 17 2020 Mvt 2

composer of experimental music & interdisciplinary artist

Amalgamations Nov 17 2020 Mvt 2

petemaskreplica

Related tracks