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The Squid's Ear Magazine

Brown, Chris
Retrospectacles [2 CDs]

Brown, Chris: Retrospectacles [2 CDs] (fo'c'sle)

A fascinating 2-CD retrospective of the solo piano and computer work from 1990 to 2016 of San Francisco Bay Area experimental composer Chris Brown, whose work focuses on evolving paradigms of human-machine interaction through live signal processing, generative polyrhythmic textures, and a cohabitation of both formal control and indeterminacy.
 

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product information:

Personnel:



Chris Brown-piano, computer


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UPC: 843563108123

Label: fo'c'sle
Catalog ID: FSCL-002
Squidco Product Code: 29726

Format: 2 CDs
Condition: New
Released: 2018
Country: USA
Packaging: Cardboard Gatefold 3 Panels
Disc 1: "Retrospectacles" and "Shuffle" recorded live at Roulette, in New York City, in December 2005, by Jim Staley. "Imaginary Birds" recorded at Mills College, in Oakland, California, on June 11th, 2015, by Jesse Austin. "Matrix" recorded at Whitney Studios in Oakland, California, on February 4th, 2012, by Chris Brown.

Disc 2: "Branches" recorded at Mills College in Oakland, California, on August 13th, 2016, by Philip Perkins. "Invention #4" recorded in Emeryville, California, in December, 2004. "Obelisk" recorded at Whitney Studios, on June 11th, 2015 by Chris Brown. "Sparks II" recorded at Roulette Intermedium, in New York City, on December 12, 1997, by Jim Staley.

Descriptions, Reviews, &c.

"Retrospectacles is a double-CD retrospective of works for piano and interactive computer composed, programmed and performed by the Bay Area experimentalist composer Chris Brown. It showcases recordings made between the 1990's to 2016 of compositions that explore evolving paradigms of human-machine interaction through live signal processing, generative polyrhythmic textures, and a cohabitation of both formal control and indeterminacy.

Retrospectacles is one of four premiere releases on fo'c'sle, a newly founded label for experimental music based in the Bay Area."-fo'c'sle



"Chris Brown, composer, pianist, and electronic musician, creates music for acoustic instruments with interactive electronics, for computer networks, and for improvising ensembles. Collaboration and improvisation are consistent themes in his work, along with the invention and performance of new electronic instruments and software. He is a founding member of The HUB, the pioneering network music ensemble, and has composed many interactive works for the percussionist William Winant (Iconicities, New World Records.) His trio with Winant and saxophonist Frank Gratkowski were featured on the 2009 Donaueschingen Musiktage. His most recent music explores microtonal tunings, including 6Primes, for piano in 13-limit just intonation, "Arcade" for string quartet, and Ragamala Chiaroscuro, for wind trio. Recordings are available on New World, Tzadik, Pogus, Intakt, Rastascan, Ecstatic Peace, Red Toucan, SIRR, Leo, and Artifact labels. He is currently a Professor of Music at Mills College and Co-Director of the Center for Contemporary Music (CCM)."-Chris Brown website


Artist Biographies

"Chris Brown, composer, pianist, and electronic musician, creates music for acoustic instruments with interactive electronics, for computer networks, and for improvising ensembles. Collaboration and improvisation are consistent themes in his work, along with the invention and performance of new electronic instruments and software. He is a founding member of The HUB, the pioneering network music ensemble, and has composed many interactive works for the percussionist William Winant (Iconicities, New World Records.) His trio with Winant and saxophonist Frank Gratkowski were featured on the 2009 Donaueschingen Musiktage. His most recent music explores microtonal tunings, including 6Primes, for piano in 13-limit just intonation, Arcade for string quartet, and Ragamala Chiaroscuro, for wind trio. Recordings are available on New World, Tzadik, Pogus, Intakt, Rastascan, Ecstatic Peace, Red Toucan, SIRR, Leo, and Artifact labels. He is currently a Professor of Music at Mills College and Co-Director of the Center for Contemporary Music (CCM)."

-Chris Brown Website (http://cbmuse.com/biography)
11/20/2024

Have a better biography or biography source? Please Contact Us so that we can update this biography.


Track Listing:



CD1



1. Retrospectacles 30:55

2. Shuffle 09:29

3. Imaginary Birds 19:10

4. Matrix 11:36

CD2



1. Branches 37:20

2. Invention #4 10:57

3. Obelisk 07:54

4. Sparks II 05:06

Related Categories of Interest:


Improvised Music
Compositional Forms
Electro-Acoustic
Electro-Acoustic Improv
Piano & Keyboards
NY Downtown & Metropolitan Jazz/Improv
Solo Artist Recordings
Staff Picks & Recommended Items
New in Experimental & Electronic Music
New in Compositional Music

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fo'c'sle.

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The Squid's Ear Magazine

The Squid's Ear Magazine

© 2002-, Squidco LLC

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