Daniel Koppelman, piano
Maggie Parkins, cello
Tamara Matthews, soprano
Matt Olson, saxophone
Christopher Dobrian, electric guitar
©2020 Christopher Dobrian
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Stratagems — Christopher Dobrian
Each of these works employs unique custom software that interacts with the live performers, either by modifying the live sound in real time, by contributing its own synthesized sounds, or—in the case of Gestural and Upon Reflection—by playing notes on the Yamaha Disklavier, a computer-controllable piano, timed to be in rhythmic accord with the pianist.
1. Gestural 13:21
Daniel Koppelman, piano
In this freely improvised performance, the computer has no prior knowledge of what the pianist will play, nor does the pianist know how the program works. The program captures and characterizes the phrasing of the pianist, and uses that information to improvise appropriate responses and accompaniments.
2. Point of No Arrival 10:43
Maggie Parkins, cello
The cellist begins with short, dissonant, non-melodic gestures, which the computer captures, responding with digitally altered reinterpretations of the musical material. The sonic texture created by the computer's recomposition eventually serves as accompaniment, while the cello's music becomes less fragmented and more melodic.
3. Cycles Interrupted 14:22
Tamara Matthews, soprano
Matt Olson, tenor saxophone
Daniel Koppelman, piano
The repetitive nature of the music evokes the intransigence of water in its many forms in nature—waves, streams, waterfalls, storms, etc. The computer captures the live sound, looping segments of specific lengths to form polyrhythmic textures under the music, and also provides synthesized interludes between sections.
4. Trans 11:54
Christopher Dobrian, electric guitar
This piece uses the computer technique of cross-synthesis (the superposition of one sound's frequency spectrum upon another) to create a blend of the sound of the electric lead guitar and the sound of traditional Korean instrumental solo music (sanjo).The melodic material points to similarities between blues/rock and typical sanjo motives.
5. Upon Reflection 13:27
Daniel Koppelman, piano
This piece was originally composed for piano four hands, and was subsequently adapted for solo performance by programming interactive software that would play one part in synchrony with the live performer playing the other part.
Cycles Interrupted edited by Ian Hattwick
recording assistance by Samuel Hunter
synthesis assistance by Huijae Chung
Cover: Chorro El Macho, monotype by Amy Dobrian
Flyleaf: Crimson-backed Tanager (detail), monotype by Amy Dobrian
Photo: Steve Zylius
Graphic design: Kourosh Beigpour
This page was last modified October 3, 2020.
Christopher Dobrian
dobrian@uci.edu