Tools
Ned McGowan
About this work: “Brutal and humorous,” GeNeCo
"Tools is also packed with discreet acoustic rooms, some more resonant than others, but all proving that, when operating heavy machinery, subtlety pays off.”
- Guy Livingston for Paris Transatlantic, 2006
Written for Hexnut
Winner Henriette Bosmans Prize, 2003, Netherlands
First Performance: Schönberg Hall, The Hague, March 21st, 2003
Movements:
Hexnut
Dual Track Grinder
Wire Mesh
Hole Punch
Pneumatic Screed
Pneumatic Screed Extension Handle
Pneumatic Screed Extension Handle Cover
Telescopic Ladder
Stripped Hexnut
Program Notes:
Not too long ago I found myself sitting next to a composer after a concert with a work of his for string quartet. His piece had made statements, then have silences, then other statements would come. The choice of musical material, the pacing of the development and the timing of the silences were combined in a brilliant way to keep one guessing what would happen next. This all in an expressive and beautiful piece of music.
At the table he spoke to me about how silences can be very effective to give space for the listener to understand the music. But the timing and the length of the silences are crucial aspects to its effectiveness. They must be carefully planned. His generosity to simply talk about these things when we didn’t know each other struck me greatly. That composer was Paul Termos.
In Tools, a group of 9 pieces, I have taken his suggestions about silience to heart. My intention was to present short bursts of music which are highly energetic, detailed and sometimes complex. Other qualities intended are virtuosic, fun, intense, rhythmic, quirky and surprising.
Other strong influences on Tools are the Torture Garden works by John Zorn and Naked City and also the Swedish metal band, Meshuggah.
Available on:
Tools (Karnatic Lab Records 011)
Version: (A) mixed quartet
Year composed: 2003
Duration: 00:09:00
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Other Combinations, 2-5 players
Instrumentation: 1 Flute, 1 Trumpet, 1 Piano, 1 Other Wind Instrument(s)
Instrumentation notes: One player on: sopranino, tenor and bass recorders