Yet another helping of Tenney. This programme seems to feature microtones quite a lot. The first piece, Diaphonic Study, employs a piano tuned to a bizarre scale based on harmonics of F. The overall effect is dissonant, bordering on woozy.
The long piece is a sort of tribute to other composers - Partsch, Varèse, Feldman, Xenakis, Ruggles. I guess if I knew their work, this would have been more entertaining: as it was, it was interesting to listen to but ultimately just a composer's game that I was left out of.
The final piece, Koan, is of the drone persuasion. Best listened to with eyes closed: I believe the sight of the performers detract from my experience of this kind of performance. As I listen to it, I'm reminded of Philip Glass in odd moments. The quartet's shifting frequencies occasionally break through to a recognisable chord, and then slowly drift apart only to meet up again later. Outstanding!
I have to say, I've developed a bit of a penchant for James Tenney over the course of the festival: I shall definitely be exploring recordings of his works. I think the mathematical nature of his compositions appeals.
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