The Temporal Nature of Stability (TNOS)
Donation protected
The Temporal Nature of Stability (TNOS) is a Minimalist symphony depicting the Chernobyl Disaster. Using modified electric guitars, acoustic instruments, and organs, the music will illustrate the inclination toward patchwork solutions oft applied to problems created with technological advancements.
TNOS consists of 3 movements with emphasis on 8 modified electric guitars that oddly mimic a large string ensemble, all played by musicians generally unlearned in the reading of traditional music notation. For these musicians, I am currently devising alphanumeric tablatures combined with traditional dynamic cues. After finalizing the composition of the piece this summer, I will begin duplicating the manuscripts. All duplications will be completed by November 2014.
TNOS is slow, brooding, and delicately heavy, reflecting the insidious contamination of the area while citizens slept unaware and unwarned. A lack of tempo and oddly resounding guitars depict the weary, inexperienced nature of the plant's engineers. TNOS is all encompassing and emotive and unconventionally intertwines minimalism and pop melodies. The guitarists will be playing modified, "corse"-tuned instruments (the guitars are tuned to a single note in three octaves). This creates a shimmering, jangly, and cascading effect when strummed in concert.
Three performances will be scheduled to familiarize the guitarists with their newly modified instruments. These guitar-only performances will also serve as fundraisers for the premier and will take place in January and February of 2015. In May and June, sectional rehearsals will focus on solidifying acoustic passages written in traditional music notation, while integrating the organs, synthesizers, percussion, guitars, and basses.
TNOS will be performed by the Sulphuric Symphonette, conducted by me, in September of 2015 at Washington Hall in Seattle. Two recorded dress rehearsals will take place in the days preceding the premier.
In the intervening months, I will be doing the administrative work needed, including but not limited to graphic design, reproduction, distribution, hall rentals, scheduling, promotions, and manuscript corrections. Your donations here on GoFundMe will help with these crucial and costly elements of the procedure.
AN IMPACT RANT:
Similar to my previous "symphonettes", TNOS is experimental. Aside from intended tonalities and melodies presented in the work samples, its results remain largely indeterminate, the desired overall effect. Designed to create a disconcerting yet pleasing encounter, TNOS will leave a lasting, meaningful imprint. It is intended to impress upon its listeners an awareness of our synthetic biologic imprint for succeeding generations. The Cherynobyl disaster, like all byproducts of industrial economies, technological advancements, and unbridled profiteering, does not loom large enough on our minds, but still wavers somewhere in our collective unconscious. This basic uncertainty is suggested by removing the meter from the music and using modified guitars, an unfamiliar tool. TNOS can also serve as a mnemonic of imprudent solutions, rather than ones that arise from a more thorough understanding of potential consequences. An open, constructive dialog would be the ideal result of TNOS's message.
Plus, who doesn't want to hear 8 amazing guitarists, or 24 musicians total, playing at once?! Sonic meltdown!
TNOS consists of 3 movements with emphasis on 8 modified electric guitars that oddly mimic a large string ensemble, all played by musicians generally unlearned in the reading of traditional music notation. For these musicians, I am currently devising alphanumeric tablatures combined with traditional dynamic cues. After finalizing the composition of the piece this summer, I will begin duplicating the manuscripts. All duplications will be completed by November 2014.
TNOS is slow, brooding, and delicately heavy, reflecting the insidious contamination of the area while citizens slept unaware and unwarned. A lack of tempo and oddly resounding guitars depict the weary, inexperienced nature of the plant's engineers. TNOS is all encompassing and emotive and unconventionally intertwines minimalism and pop melodies. The guitarists will be playing modified, "corse"-tuned instruments (the guitars are tuned to a single note in three octaves). This creates a shimmering, jangly, and cascading effect when strummed in concert.
Three performances will be scheduled to familiarize the guitarists with their newly modified instruments. These guitar-only performances will also serve as fundraisers for the premier and will take place in January and February of 2015. In May and June, sectional rehearsals will focus on solidifying acoustic passages written in traditional music notation, while integrating the organs, synthesizers, percussion, guitars, and basses.
TNOS will be performed by the Sulphuric Symphonette, conducted by me, in September of 2015 at Washington Hall in Seattle. Two recorded dress rehearsals will take place in the days preceding the premier.
In the intervening months, I will be doing the administrative work needed, including but not limited to graphic design, reproduction, distribution, hall rentals, scheduling, promotions, and manuscript corrections. Your donations here on GoFundMe will help with these crucial and costly elements of the procedure.
AN IMPACT RANT:
Similar to my previous "symphonettes", TNOS is experimental. Aside from intended tonalities and melodies presented in the work samples, its results remain largely indeterminate, the desired overall effect. Designed to create a disconcerting yet pleasing encounter, TNOS will leave a lasting, meaningful imprint. It is intended to impress upon its listeners an awareness of our synthetic biologic imprint for succeeding generations. The Cherynobyl disaster, like all byproducts of industrial economies, technological advancements, and unbridled profiteering, does not loom large enough on our minds, but still wavers somewhere in our collective unconscious. This basic uncertainty is suggested by removing the meter from the music and using modified guitars, an unfamiliar tool. TNOS can also serve as a mnemonic of imprudent solutions, rather than ones that arise from a more thorough understanding of potential consequences. An open, constructive dialog would be the ideal result of TNOS's message.
Plus, who doesn't want to hear 8 amazing guitarists, or 24 musicians total, playing at once?! Sonic meltdown!
Organizer
Don McGreevy
Organizer
Seattle, WA
