After Resonance Blues
for piano (2005); duration: 10′ 53″; publisher: Wirripang
score available from
Wirripang Pty Ltd
program note
After Resonance Blues explores the Korean idea of aftertone via interval-colour resonances and string after tones (partial un-dampening, prepared bass strings) as well as a Japanese intensification structure. Both of these relate to the idea of timbre grittiness and chordal intensification structure of the twelve-bar structure/grittiness in the blues. A spacious fourth resonance, very slow, at the very opening eventually opens out into a frenetic paced fifths sequence using blues riff patterns but intermingled with an interval-colour richness at the end-time climax. An after resonance string stimulation returns at the end to mirror the beginning prepared notes. The work contains transformed elements of Korean Ritual music; the mood is tinged with lyric sadness (“blue”) in that it reflects an inner emotion over the death of a Korean friend’s father prior to embarking on the work.
article
available on writings page (see CAESS)
Bruce Crossman 