New Paltz, NY – Composer, pianist, and electronic musician Robert Gluck will perform newly commissioned work by noted composer Neil Rolnick as well as Richard Teitelbaum’s Seq Transit Parammers, and other compositions on Tuesday, February 10 at 8:00 p.m. in McKenna Theatre at the State University of New York at New Paltz.
The featured composition titled Faith for piano and computer (2008) by Rolnick is a stylistically eclectic romp through an amalgam of styles, from lyrical to abstract to barrel house, and provides a dizzy interplay between acoustic piano, digital processing and pre-recorded material. Faith is truly a tour de force for the performer who navigates a mix of through-composed and improvisational sections. Gluck describes the work as “challenging to play and fun to listen to.”
Also on the program is a unique work for two computer-assisted pianos, Seq Transit Parammers (1998), by Richard Teitelbaum, This composition places the performer at the center of a magical musical environment. The ten fingers of the pianist are transformed by the computer system into twenty or more, spread across two pianos. Music played on a single piano is embellished and transformed by the computer into a panoply of sound, at times dramatic or subtle, and often surprising.
Other compositions include Gluck’s adaptation of Herbie Hancock’s instrumental suite revised for piano and computer, Waking the Sleeping Giant (1971/2008); a structured improvisation, What Is It Today? (2008) for piano and computer interface; and a work for acoustic piano – Alireza Mashayekhi’s Short Stories, Opus 106 (1993).
The concert is presented as part of Gluck’s continuing exploration of interactive performance using traditional acoustic instruments. The performance software he designs and works with draws upon digital technologies to extend the resources of instruments, at times providing the pianist additional virtual “hands” with which to perform. Gluck explores the interplay between human-machine dialog and musical creativity, improvisation and a balance between tradition and change.
Robert Gluck is credited with championing works for piano and live-electronic performance systems. He studied piano at the Julliard, Manhattan and Crane schools of music, at SUNY Albany, and completed his MFA degree in Electronic Arts at Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Gluck’s recent recitals of works for piano, computer-assisted piano and electronics include Ottawa, Prague, New York City, San Diego and Keele (UK). His recording of music for piano and electronics, Electric Brew (2007) features works by Benjamin Broening, Shlomo Dubnov, Tzvi Avni, Ofer Ben-Amots and Robert Gluck. His 2008 recording Sideways on the British jazz label FMR features bassist Michael Bisio and drummer Dean Sharp. Gluck is currently the associate director of the Electronic Music Foundation and an associate professor of music at the State University of New York at Albany.
Tickets for Electric Brew are $10 general admission, $8 seniors/staff, $3 students –available at the door (McKenna Theatre) one half hour prior to performance. For additional information call 845-257-3872.
