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in memory of james tenney I, II, IV, V
1 in memory of james tenney I (one just
second)
2 in memory of james tenney II (expanding
universe)
audio
sample>>
3 in memory of james tenney IV (reprise)
4 in memory of james tenney
V (when eight is seven)
i never met james tenney personally.
in 2004, the year of his 70th birthday, tenney was invited to cologne
by WDR to honor him. the man held a charming speech and showed an
excerpt of his early electronic piece Collage #1 "blue suede",
based upon elvis presley's version of carl perkins' song blue suede shoes.
afterwards we heard a beautiful performance of forms I - IV, four
pieces for amplified ensemble, each of them dedicated to one of his
teachers.
before and since then i listened to a lot of tenney's music, met and
worked with quite a few students and colleagues of his.
therefore, it almost felt like a personal loss, when tenney died in
2006.
the man's spirit, though, is still around!
2006 i met double bass player hans eberhard maldfeld, when he was
invited by antoine beuger to introduce the tromba marina to me and some
other composers.
the tromba marina is a single stringed instrument played with a bow.
in addition to the open string one can play harmonics up to the 20th
partial and maybe even higher.
the unusual construction of the bridge makes it possible to create
sounds reminiscent of the sound of the trumpet or other brass
instruments.
since 2003 hans eberhard maldfeld is committed to a renaissance of the
instrument.
his explorative drive and his sheer dedication to sound and performance
allow the instrument to reveal hitherto unknown qualities.
this dedication, which also led us to collaborate on a double bass
piece, i find so compelling and inspiring.
andré o. möller, 2015
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