Random Acts

Description:

This was the first concert of Piano Explorations, a program devoted to investigating the use of the piano with computer and human interfaces and other innovations that have extended the piano’s vocabulary.

Christopher Butterfield presented two new works, “DAD,” a performative installation, and “Souvenir” for computer and harpsichord. 

“DAD” was an electroacoustic installation piece based on Schubert’s “Der Erlkonig” (1815). The installation used several raw speakers attached to the wall in a quiet space—listeners had to put their ears close to a speaker to hear. “Souvenir” was based on “Trois morceaux en forme de poire” (1903) by Erik Satie and is a duet for randomly initiated fragments of piano recordings and improvising harpsichord.

Composers David Cronkite and Jean Piché each presented works for the disklavier utilizing MAX computer software and improvisation.

This event was in partnership with the Vancouver New Music Festival.

Video documentation is available upon request.