Enough of the windmachines at RVW?
Let's talk here about our favorite anvil, metal block, whip, géophone, Bronté and other Chapeau chinois!
Anything goes : from metal castanets to the violoncello (viola) da spalla.!
(http://bp3.blogger.com/_M50fGcm07CM/R6sz5ebd5LI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/iHh2Nkqrpas/s200/violoncello+da+spalla+bach+suites+cd+%281%29.jpg)
Sigiswald Kuyken and his violoncello da spalla.
Back in my days as a music therapist I would use a Flexitone on occasion.
Guaranteed to put a smile on everyone's face!
(http://ngfl.northumberland.gov.uk/music/orchestra/images/percussion/flexitone.jpg)
;D
Probably the ondes Martenot.
(http://i188.photobucket.com/albums/z245/tapiola/ondes_Martenot.jpg)
And, being a former 'prog' fan, I still have a soft spot for the mighty Mellotron.
(http://www.shannonmusic.net/site/c/i/525/mellotron-1.jpg)
Aye.
The Saw.
And some spoons.
My entire kit for my own wee Symphony Orchestra. :-[
Well, that is admittedly a lovely picture, but it is hard to figure out how the music making is happening. :-\ I'll watch for a while and see though... ;)
For me, favorite unusual instrument is the glass harmonica. I have a bit of recorded music for it and find the sound quite bewitching. :)
8)
----------------
Listening to:
La Petite Bande / Kuijken - Haydn - Hob 01 53 Symphony in D 1st mvmt - Largo maestoso - Vivace
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on September 08, 2008, 03:50:07 PM
Well, that is admittedly a lovely picture, but it is hard to figure out how the music making is happening. :-\
Pitch and volume of the theremin are controlled by the proximity of the performer's - usually, but not in all cases, as we can see here -
hands to the antennas. But other body parts can of course be used as well.
Here is an explantion of how it works: The Theremin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin#Operating_principles).
Accordig to this article, Lenin liked the instrument and even took lessons to play it...Nevertheless, he was one of many who were vicitimized by the Soviet system later and he spent almost a decade in a research camp in the gulag. He also invented an ingenius spying device called The Thing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thing_(listening_device)). He actually lived until 1993. Check out his very interesting life story on wikipedia.
Quote from: M forever on September 08, 2008, 04:04:34 PM
Pitch and volume of the theremin are controlled by the proximity of the performer's - usually, but not in all cases, as we can see here - hands to the antennas. But other body parts can of course be used as well.
Here is an explantion of how it works: The Theremin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin#Operating_principles).
Accordig to this article, Lenin liked the instrument and even took lessons to play it...Nevertheless, he was one of many who were vicitimized by the Soviet system later and he spent almost a decade in a research camp in the gulag. He also invented an ingenius spying device called The Thing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thing_(listening_device)). He actually lived until 1993. Check out his very interesting life story on wikipedia.
Fascinating read. After which I realize that I am quite familiar with the sound of it, although not knowing what it was at the time. Thanks for that... :)
8)
----------------
Listening to:
La Petite Bande / Kuijken - Haydn - Hob 01 53 Symphony in D 4th mvmt - Finale: Capriccio - Moderato
I wonder how she's controlling the volume?
/theremin geek
(http://www.bbc.co.uk/blast/showcase/submitted/images/gallery/116187810620867211551_1.jpg)
Le marteau sans maître? ;)
M - has mentioned a fascinating electronic instrument, i.e. the Theremin - my in-laws owned and had this instrument restored years ago - not even sure that it is even operable - but when my wife & I were first married (early '70s), the machine was still playable - of course, this machine was used in some of the Sci-Fi films of the era (and other flicks)!
If you're really interested in this 'invention', check out the DVD below: Theremin - An Electronic Odyssey - excellent overview! :D
(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51KO4nM77OL._SL500_AA240_.jpg)
(http://chercheursdesons.hautetfort.com/images/medium_gemign_vinc_modernpop_101b.2.jpg)
this ( an 1970) Lp cover ,showing Vincent Géminiani with a "Bronté" , a percussion instrument he invented .
(http://www.trautonium.de/images/t2000_4.jpg) Oskar Sala's Trautonium
(http://bp1.blogger.com/_9exXZZOTgag/RersFVwAQjI/AAAAAAAAAWM/nxhkk9R-ft4/s320/2+Baschet.jpg)
Some of the "structures sonores" of the Baschet brothers
Baschet Brothers, Francois and Bernard, a sculptor and an engineer, respectively, collaborate on creating sound sculptures and inventing instruments. Beginning in 1952 the Baschets started research into all existing musical instruments and put this knowledge to work in creating dozens of "structures sonores" ('sonorous sculptures'). Their visually striking instruments are crafted out of steel and aluminum and amplified by large curved conical sheets of metal ; some small, some over 20 feet high and incorporating glass rods, metal cones, wires', plastic inflatable resonators, and many other devices, these fascinating structures are not only cosmetically entracing, but produce an incredible range of sounds and varied sonic textures.. One example of this is the Hemisfair Musical Fountain, which consists of an array of posts at the top of which are groups of conical sound diffusers, and above them circles of metal prongs. These are played by jets of water aimed by observers.
Some, such as the recent 'Cristal' have evolved into extremely sophisticated fully chromatic musical instruments that are just as practical to use as their traditional counterparts, and are regularly used for performances of anything from Bach to Jazz, and a massive range of contemporary music.
http://martian-shaker.blogspot.com/2007_03_01_archive.html
Many of Uncle Harry's inventions are fascinating instruments! I can't list them all or find photos of them. But I have the LP version of Delusion of the Fury featuring dozens of instruments that I have never heard of or heard or seen before (or since).
PS: Uncle Harry refers not to our Harry, but to Harry Partch.
;D ...and not all Thereministes were breastbaring, slightly overweight exhibitionists...( a good bra would work miracles).
(http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/11.02.95/gifs/theremin1.GIF) Clara Rockmore ca 1920
Quote from: springrite on September 10, 2008, 04:48:04 AM
Many of Uncle Harry's inventions are fascinating instruments! I can't list them all or find photos of them. But I have the LP version of Delusion of the Fury featuring dozens of instruments that I have never heard of or heard or seen before (or since).
PS: Uncle Harry refers not to our Harry, but to Harry Partch.
(http://briancarnold.files.wordpress.com/2008/05/partch1.jpg)
More Harry Partch
(http://www.raisethehammer.org/images/harry_partch.jpg)
and check Logos foundation in Ghent http://www.logosfoundation.org/ where (http://www.logosfoundation.org/portret/godfried-willem_raes.jpg) Godfried Willem Raes is a musicalinstruments inventor "par excellence".
Quote from: M forever on September 08, 2008, 04:04:34 PM
Pitch and volume of the theremin are controlled by the proximity of the performer's - usually, but not in all cases, as we can see here - hands to the antennas. But other body parts can of course be used as well.
Here is an explantion of how it works: The Theremin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theremin#Operating_principles).
Accordig to this article, Lenin liked the instrument and even took lessons to play it...Nevertheless, he was one of many who were vicitimized by the Soviet system later and he spent almost a decade in a research camp in the gulag. He also invented an ingenius spying device called The Thing (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thing_(listening_device)). He actually lived until 1993. Check out his very interesting life story on wikipedia.
I have been known to use my "thing" to control the pitch and volume of the Theremin.
Quote from: pjme on September 10, 2008, 05:32:46 AM
;D ...and not all Thereministes were breastbaring, slightly overweight exhibitionists...( a good bra would work miracles).
(http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/11.02.95/gifs/theremin1.GIF) Clara Rockmore ca 1920
CBC radio used to have a weekly feature called Cage Match, that would pit pieces of music against each other who shared a common theme. One of the more imaginative contests involved two performances of Rachmaninov's
Vocalise, one by Rockmore on theremin, the other by a different musician on a bowed saw. The similarity in tone between the two "intruments" was quite remarkable, and I was impressed by the accuracy of pitch Rockmore was able to achieve. IIRC, however, the saw won.
Quote from: M forever on September 08, 2008, 03:08:35 PM
The theremin
Okay, I have to ask: Do you know who the lovely theremin player is, and where she was when this pic was taken? :)
OK - let's introduce another instrument, the Didgeridoo, a natural wooden aerophone (MORE INFO HERE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didgeridoo)) - one of my first exposures to this instrument was the Australian group Outback in the album below (which I still own!) - fascinating sound!
(http://www.dragonflyrhythms.com/Lindseys%20uploads/pictures/didgeridoos4-07.jpg) (http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B00000061T.01.LZZZZZZZ.jpg)
Quote from: jochanaan on September 10, 2008, 04:20:37 PM
Okay, I have to ask: Do you know who the lovely theremin player is, and where she was when this pic was taken? :)
Yes, she is my neighbor, and the pic was taken at a BBQ party in her garden.
Quote from: SonicMan on September 10, 2008, 05:03:08 PM
OK - let's introduce another instrument, the Didgeridoo, a natural wooden aerophone (MORE INFO HERE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didgeridoo)) - one of my first exposures to this instrument was the Australian group Outback in the album below (which I still own!) - fascinating sound!
Oh, I LOVE the didgeridoo! As long as it's a didge like the ones you've pictured, and not a mere length of PVC pipe! ::) That's more like a didgeri-don't. ;D
A didgeridoo was responsible for one of the most unusual sensations I've ever felt. Once on the Pearl Street Mall in Boulder, Colorado, a woman didgeridoo player offered to give me a massage via didge. Curious, I followed her instructions and sat down in front of her; she moved the "bell" around my back while playing. The vibration on my back really was like a massage, and did seem to reduce tension. :D 8)
Quote from: M forever on September 10, 2008, 05:29:22 PM
Yes, she is my neighbor, and the pic was taken at a BBQ party in her garden.
:D ;D
If I were to give a truthful answer, my favourite instrument is the Clarinet...viva Henning!
Quote from: pjme on September 10, 2008, 05:32:46 AM
(http://www.metroactive.com/papers/metro/11.02.95/gifs/theremin1.GIF) Clara Rockmore ca 1920
Very stylish.
Quote from: SonicMan on September 10, 2008, 05:03:08 PM
OK - let's introduce another instrument, the Didgeridoo, a natural wooden aerophone (MORE INFO HERE (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Didgeridoo)) - one of my first exposures to this instrument was the Australian group Outback in the album below (which I still own!) - fascinating sound!
If you lived in Australia the novelty would soon wear off - trust me. ;)
Quote from: eyeresist on September 14, 2008, 03:31:06 PM
If you lived in Australia the novelty would soon wear off - trust me. ;)
Hello - don't need to trust you - all of these unusual instruments (i.e. weird types) can 'grate' on the ears after shot listening - just have a few CDs of the instrument in question, but I can imagine that hours of straight listening can bring one to the point of using 'ear plugs' - ;) ;) ;D
I'd have to chose between Professor Waffel's W2 or Professor Waffel's Infernal Machine:
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2160/2346941908_ac8ba10173_m.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2211/2346107965_ba1ef9420d_m.jpg)
My new favorite unusual instrument is the bull-roarer, after hearing it in Antill's Corroboree, although a close runner-up would be the bass trumpet, which I saw for the first time last night and which was awesome.
Quote from: Ugh! on October 05, 2008, 08:33:12 AM
I'd have to chose between Professor Waffel's W2 or Professor Waffel's Infernal Machine:
What is that?
How about nyckelharpa:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs3aUCM8BX8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs3aUCM8BX8)
I don't know what the HELL it consisted of, but Tom Waits around the time of the album Bone Machine created some bizarre percussion instrument. The only reason i know it is bc what he named it was so fuckin' cool:
"The Conundrum".
Quote from: Ciel_Rouge on October 06, 2008, 03:32:49 AM
How about nyckelharpa:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs3aUCM8BX8 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zs3aUCM8BX8)
Wow! What a sound! :o
I want one!
Wow, Eugene, that's some good times there!
Here's a video for you, M Forever:
http://www.hemmeligtempo.no/ (http://www.hemmeligtempo.no/)
arrived at by typing waffel w2 in the google prompt. ;)
And this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of_rAhmWtQk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of_rAhmWtQk)
Both clips are way too short, especially the first one, but it's enough to show that the kids in Norway are just as cool as their fathers and grandfathers were (electronic/electroacoustic music being 60 years old, after all).
Quote from: Gurn Blanston on September 08, 2008, 03:50:07 PM
Well, that is admittedly a lovely picture, but it is hard to figure out how the music making is happening. :-\ I'll watch for a while and see though... ;)
I think its from the sucking sounds made by the guys watching her. ;D ::)
And don't forget the stylophone:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaXFsygp93Q (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaXFsygp93Q)
(http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/t047/T047776A.jpg)
I guess I'd have to take the Hammered Duclimer and its relatives the Cimbalom and Santur, but that's what I play.
I have a zither that I bought a few years ago, though I'm not sure I even know where it is now. All the strings were out of tune and I had no idea how to tune it, either. Oh well. I don't think it was supposed to be chromatic... any instrument that isn't chromatic is useless to me (besides the obvious, percussion).
Quote from: jowcol on October 08, 2008, 12:08:23 PM
(http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/t047/T047776A.jpg)
I guess I'd have to take the Hammered Duclimer and its relatives the Cimbalom and Santur, but that's what I play.
Well, in my 'neck of the woods' (i.e. Piedmont/Moutain North Carolina), the 'hammered dulcimer' would not be considered an 'unusual instrument' - plenty of music here & in adjacent mountain states in which this instrument is intergral to much music making - but, for those who do not know this instrument, consider an emergent introduction! ;D
Quote from: GGGGRRREEG on October 09, 2008, 03:00:57 PM
I have a zither that I bought a few years ago, though I'm not sure I even know where it is now. All the strings were out of tune and I had no idea how to tune it, either. Oh well. I don't think it was supposed to be chromatic... any instrument that isn't chromatic is useless to me (besides the obvious, percussion).
Chromatic hammered dulcimers are avaialable-- mine has a three octave range, but the placement of some of the strings is very funky, so one tends to use them for accidentals, but cannot shift key as freely.
I'm also fond of the Indian Tambura-- the one I have is pretty tempramental. It only has 4 strings, and you don't fret it, but play a 1-5-5-1' drone. The magic is in the threads you place under the strings in a "sweet spot" on the bridge that makes the eerie buzz people associate with Indian music.
(http://www.carnatica.net/sangeet/tambura.jpg)
Quote from: jowcol on October 10, 2008, 04:19:08 AM
Chromatic hammered dulcimers are avaialable-- mine has a three octave range, but the placement of some of the strings is very funky, so one tends to use them for accidentals, but cannot shift key as freely.
interesting. I did a search.
http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/bRwaVanPTDE
http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/s9HnRZlMiKQ
What a beautiful sound...... Imagine an orchestra where the strings are replaced by nyckelharpas and the harps are replaced by hammered dulcimers.
Check out this video. Simply incredible!
http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/09vfa4vuHFY&feature=related
The koto has a nice sound, but it's too big!
http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/75uAD-XYs6U
Enough with the usual instruments already!
Let's get back to the gravikords, the whirlies, the pyrophones. Let's talk about orbitones and spoon harps and bellowphones fer cryin' out loud!!
But enough about me. My favorite unusual instrument is probably the turntable. And the more usual that one gets, as an instrument, the happier I'll be.
Ruined pianos are nice, too.
Ok, these aren't so unusual that you'd see a picture of a hillbilly chick playing them with her breasts, but for my money, you don't hear enough of these wonderful instruments in classical music:
alto flute:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/27/Alto_flute_006.jpg/200px-Alto_flute_006.jpg)
bass flute:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/19/Bass_Flute.JPG)
Why stop there, Grazioso?
(http://www.contraflute.com/img/3flutes.jpg)
which, from right to left, are a contrabass flute, a sub contrabass flute, and a double contrabass flute.
Or this, a hyperbass flute (an octave below the double contrabass flute).
(http://www.robertofabbriciani.it/foto_modificate/foto_verticali/flauto%20iperbasso.JPG)
Sadly, I could only find this one crappy picture of one little part of that instrument. (There's only one of that instrument; you'd think they could take a picture of the whole thing!)
And here is what it sounds like - absolutely amazing:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r1fffxjO2o8
And how about Japanese koto:
(http://reikoobata.com/images/koto.gif)
And Vivaldi's Four Seasons played on the koto (it has wonderful bass sound as well):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tbNFirBhAxc
This is a typical spanish instrument. It has not a lot of possibilities on harmony, but on the other hand it is a very easy instrument to play.
This post is obviously a joke, but the instrument is real in many villages of Spain. Playing with enough ability, his possibilities can surprise.
Quote from: Grazioso on October 12, 2008, 04:26:59 AM
alto flute:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/thumb/2/27/Alto_flute_006.jpg/200px-Alto_flute_006.jpg)
That looks more like a bass flute... ??? Altos come either straight or with a tighter curve. (I played a straight one once, and I wish I could afford to buy one.)
Quote from: some guy on October 12, 2008, 10:21:05 AM
(http://www.contraflute.com/img/3flutes.jpg)
which, from right to left, are a contrabass flute, a sub contrabass flute, and a double contrabass flute.
Or this, a hyperbass flute (an octave below the double contrabass flute).
(http://www.robertofabbriciani.it/foto_modificate/foto_verticali/flauto%20iperbasso.JPG)
How much AIR do those things take? *gasp* I'd think you'd need lungs the size of a cathedral sanctuary! ;D
I have heard a contrabass flute on recordings.
Quote from: jochanaan on October 12, 2008, 07:32:10 PM
How much AIR do those things take? *gasp*
A lot. I've read that those huge flutes take more AIR than any other instrument around. Do a few months training in the Andes, you'll be good to go!
Quote from: some guy on October 12, 2008, 10:21:05 AM
Why stop there, Grazioso?
Well, I figure the alto and bass flutes can actually be played, whereas the others look like they need an entire team of musicians and a moving van :)
Quote from: jowcol on October 08, 2008, 12:08:23 PM
(http://images.encarta.msn.com/xrefmedia/sharemed/targets/images/pho/t047/T047776A.jpg)
I guess I'd have to take the Hammered Duclimer and its relatives the Cimbalom and Santur ...
...or the Greek σαντούρι. One of my favourites, as well.
(http://www.mousikoergastiri.gr/sant.jpg)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTlAJn_0j6A&feature=related (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lTlAJn_0j6A&feature=related)
Also, the κανονάκι:
(http://www.mousikoergastiri.gr/kanon.jpg) (http://www.mousikoergastiri.gr/kan-san.htm)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLcq1ROvM0E (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jLcq1ROvM0E)
Quote from: some guy on October 12, 2008, 07:46:17 PM
A lot. I've read that those huge flutes take more AIR than any other instrument around. Do a few months training in the Andes, you'll be good to go!
I suspect I could manage the contrabass, maybe even the sub-contrabass, but that hyperbass--well, I might manage about a second and a half of tone... :o As for the Andes, I'm halfway there, living in or near the Mile High City for a quarter-century. 8)
What about the brown noise generator?
Anyone wanna give it a shot?
http://www.youtube.com/watch/v/hc2DbWGZmN0
It's verymelodic. Here, being performed, is the first prelude from Bach's Well Tempered Clavier.
Enjoy! 8)
(and bring some toilet paper)
It is not an instrument. And it is not funny. Posting potentially harmful material without warning does not make me think very well about you. Furthermore, using sound as a weapon by the law enforcement organizations and potentially causing permanent damage to the ears of an innocent person who might happen to be a classical music fan is just appalling and plainly inhumane and just... wrong.
Quote from: Ciel_Rouge on October 14, 2008, 01:55:58 PM
It is not an instrument. And it is not funny. Posting potentially harmful material without warning does not make me think very well about you. Furthermore, using sound as a weapon by the law enforcement organizations and potentially causing permanent damage to the ears of an innocent person who might happen to be a classical music fan is just appalling and plainly inhumane and just... wrong.
lol! I didn't listen to it myself. I'm too chicken.
Some people said it had no effect on them, but the majority said it made their stomach rumble and ache- a lot of them farted, and well.... too many other side effects to list, most probably made up.
Sure, but what does it have to do with unusual musical instruments? And why do you want to humiliate classical fans all over the world? Did you consider that someone might see it at work? So again: not funny at all and it should be removed by the almighty board administrators!
Quote from: Ciel_Rouge on October 15, 2008, 03:39:57 AM
Sure, but what does it have to do with unusual musical instruments? And why do you want to humiliate classical fans all over the world? Did you consider that someone might see it at work? So again: not funny at all and it should be removed by the almighty board administrators!
Oh come on, there's no proof that it's anything more than a ru—oh god! Uh... I'vegotsomethingshereigottagobye!
Quote from: some guy on October 06, 2008, 10:40:41 PM
Wow, Eugene, that's some good times there!
Here's a video for you, M Forever:
http://www.hemmeligtempo.no/ (http://www.hemmeligtempo.no/)
arrived at by typing waffel w2 in the google prompt. ;)
And this:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of_rAhmWtQk (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Of_rAhmWtQk)
Both clips are way too short, especially the first one, but it's enough to show that the kids in Norway are just as cool as their fathers and grandfathers were (electronic/electroacoustic music being 60 years old, after all).
He he, glad you liked it.
Here's our more recent installation featuring a rather unusual band with unusual instruments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD6j6dxS2mM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD6j6dxS2mM)
Daxophone!
if you ask me again in 10 years from now, then I would still say the Daxophone. It deserves a unique and common place in the traditional symphony orchestra.
Quote from: mikkeljs on October 19, 2008, 12:10:35 PM
Daxophone!
if you ask me again in 10 years from now, then I would still say the Daxophone. It deserves a unique and common place in the traditional symphony orchestra.
I've heard the Hans Reichel albums using the daxophone. It's not a very pretty sound, but would be interesting to hear in orchestral music (though I don't think I would want to hear it very often). Can anyone other than Reichel play it?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=07qrTfgeYWo
:D
interesting and diverse.......
(http://www.siriogatle.no/atle/atlebilder/capstan%20IV%20a.jpg)
(http://www.siriogatle.no/atle/atlebilder/capstan%20III%20a.jpg)
(http://www.siriogatle.no/atle/atlebilder/escaping%20the%20loop%2002.jpg)
(http://www.siriogatle.no/atle/atlebilder/drypp03.jpg)
(http://www.siriogatle.no/atle/atlebilder/dykk%2002.jpg)
Some of my friend Atle Selnes Nielsen's wonderful machines and kinetic sculptures are clearly among the most interesting unusual instruments out there...
http://www.siriogatle.no/atles%20startside.htm (http://www.siriogatle.no/atles%20startside.htm)
Eugene, this is in the Contemporary Art Centre in Vilnius. I didn't see a name on it, but it looks like one of your friend Nielsen's works, doesn't it?
(I hope the "Attach" function works. I've never used that before, and I can't see the image on "Preview." Let's just see....)
Quote from: some guy on October 26, 2008, 01:35:11 AM
Eugene, this is in the Contemporary Art Centre in Vilnius. I didn't see a name on it, but it looks like one of your friend Nielsen's works, doesn't it?
(I hope the "Attach" function works. I've never used that before, and I can't see the image on "Preview." Let's just see....)
It does resemble Atle's works, at least aesthetically, but according to the CAC website, the audiovisual installations there are:
CASPER CORDES & THOMAS LINDVIG (ISCM / DENMARK): Fuerteventura2007 (CAC basement lobby)
AD VAN BUUREN (ISCM / THE NETHERLANDS): Spiral Dance (CAC 2nd floor lobby)
ERIK BÜNGER (ISCM / SWEDEN): Dark Was The Night Cold Was The Ground (CAC southern hall)
DAVID BRYNJAR FRANZSON (ISCM / ICELAND): S-Be2 (CAC 1st floor lobby)
how did it sound?
Yes, I found the tiny card on the wall yesterday. It's the David Brynjar Franzson one. S-Be2.
And it sounds lovely. Clicking from the light balls and jangling from the springs.
When I have a minute, I'll upload the mp3 I took of it and link to that from here." I should say if I have a minute.
Percy Grainger's Free Music Machine deserves a place in this thread, don't you think?
(http://www.rainerlinz.net/NMA/articles/resources/DCP_00.JPG)(http://www.abc.net.au/arts/adlib/img/artist_pics/percy_grainger2.jpg)
http://www.rainerlinz.net/NMA/articles/FreeMusic.html (http://www.rainerlinz.net/NMA/articles/FreeMusic.html)
A small sound sample is available at :
http://www.abc.net.au/arts/adlib/stories/s880987.htm (http://www.abc.net.au/arts/adlib/stories/s880987.htm)
How about a... "Squarepent - Homemade Tuba (Serpent)":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SccBcjTja1c
I read that serpents come from the renaissance period... Can they be heard in any HIP recordings?
Quote from: Ugh! on October 17, 2008, 10:29:37 PM
Here's our more recent installation featuring a rather unusual band with unusual instruments:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD6j6dxS2mM (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bD6j6dxS2mM)
Hear, hear, Doktor Døv, hopefully not an otologist.
My favorite unusual instrument is the Nyckelharpe.
Leon Berry's Beast in the Basement is unbeatable:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nel7TqO3g5k (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nel7TqO3g5k)
(http://www.boingboing.net/images/beastbaseeem.jpg)
Quote from: Ugh! on November 26, 2008, 05:03:34 AM
Leon Berry's Beast in the Basement is unbeatable:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nel7TqO3g5k (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nel7TqO3g5k)
(http://www.boingboing.net/images/beastbaseeem.jpg)
The amazing part is how it sounds like he's a whole band playing at once.
Tim Hawkinson's Überorgan at the MASS MOCA:
(http://www.oddmusic.com/gallery/uberorgan2.jpg)
(http://www.oddmusic.com/gallery/uberorgan5.jpg)
Wow, that Überorgan is certainly something
...I wouldn't want to take on the road;)
Here you will find a soundsample from its' past life at the Getty Centre...
http://www.getty.edu/visit/events/hawkinson.html (http://www.getty.edu/visit/events/hawkinson.html)
It reminds me of David Byrne's "Playing the Building" installation at the Battery Maritime Building in NY:
(http://media.npr.org/music/stations/wnyc/soundcheck/byrne_building/byrne_300.jpg)
Still, of all the organs, Leon Berry's basement beast is still unbeatable;)
Well, this thread's been quiet for a couple of weeks, so it won't be hijacking to shift it over to a slightly different interpretation of the topic: "standard" but seldom-used instruments.
I nominate the marimba. There have been a handful of concertos for this mellow-toned mallet instrument over the years, with Milhaud's probably being the most famous, but in the last couple of decades there seems to have been a small explosion of interest in the marimba, with some great concertos by people like Eckhard Kopetzki, David Maslanka, and Miroslav Kokoška (who has three, one of them for marimba, baroque trumpet, and strings!). Alfred Reed wrote a great Concertino for Marimba and Band - the thicker sound of the band is a natural match for the wooden tone of the instrument.
Like a piano or harp, a marimba has a separate vibrating object for each note (a bar rather than a string), so chords are easy, unlike with most instruments (admittedly, string instruments can at least double-stop). And a good player can easily handle four mallets, even six, at once -- not quite ten fingers, but not bad!
Take a listen to the Adagio - Allegro moderato last movement of Kopetzki's concerto (reduced for marimba and piano) here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmMrLDFFhjg (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lmMrLDFFhjg)
-J
--
Jim Moskowitz
The Unknown Composers Page: http://kith.org/jimmosk/TOC.html
My favorite unusual instrument has always been Benjamin Franklin's Glass Armonica.
(http://www.gigmasters.com/armonica/benfranklin.JPG)
(http://www.mmdigest.com/Gallery/Pictures/glasharm.jpg)
I would certainly like to get my hands on a glass armonica, I love the sound. Michel Redolfi has composed pieces for it to be performed underwater, augmenting the characteristic sound.
Another favorite instrument is of course Raymond Scott's Wall of Sound:
(http://raymondscott.com/1946.jpg)
"If you walked behind the wall during the operation the music produced would be all but drowned out by the cacophonous klickety-klack of the relays as they switched positions."
as well as his Electronium:
(http://raymondscott.com/electron.jpg)
It is just amazing to consider just how early Scott was with everything, from bop to synthesizers to ambient music. It is like he timed it all one decade too early for his own good ;)
Well, I know the accordion isn't considered that unusual. But, I've always wondered if there was any classical music composed for the accordion? Any accordion sonatas or concertos out there? ;D :-[
Runs away.....
Quote from: KammerNuss on February 19, 2009, 08:28:59 AM
Well, I know the accordion isn't considered that unusual. But, I've always wondered if there was any classical music composed for the accordion? Any accordion sonatas or concertos out there? ;D :-[
Runs away.....
Ray - LOL! :D I actually played the accordion as a teen and into my early twenties; no longer have one (although I've threatened my wife about buying a new one! ;)) - I remember Myron Floren from the LW Show playing 'adaptations' of some classical music (like the 'William Tell Overture'), but not sure about the 'accordion classical repertoire'? I'm sure there must be something?
What did I play back then (and not too well) - show tunes, Tin Pan Alley, Christmas songs, Italian tunes (for my father), and some of the popular songs of the day, e.g.
Moon River was a fav of mine - my mother used to 'drag' me around to social functions & nursing homes to play (luckily not too often) - gave it up by my mid-20s. Dave
(http://wnyaccordions.org/yahoo_site_admin/assets/images/Welk_and_Floren.297162740_std.jpg)
Quote from: SonicMan on February 19, 2009, 09:34:55 AM
Ray - LOL! :D I actually played the accordion as a teen and into my early twenties; no longer have one (although I've threatened my wife about buying a new one! ;)) - I remember Myron Floren from the LW Show playing 'adaptations' of some classical music (like the 'William Tell Overture'), but not sure about the 'accordion classical repertoire'? I'm sure there must be something?
What did I play back then (and not too well) - show tunes, Tin Pan Alley, Christmas songs, Italian tunes (for my father), and some of the popular songs of the day, e.g. Moon River was a fav of mine - my mother used to 'drag' me around to social functions & nursing homes to play (luckily not too often) - gave it up by my mid-20s. Dave
That's awesome, Dave! :) My uncle plays the accordion too, and quite well! I find some classical pieces seem to have been composed where the strings or woodwinds are made to "sound" like the accordion, although I know they probably weren't. I was thinking of this when I was listening to some of Bartok's Hungarian and Roumanian Dances. Another that comes immediately to mind is the Final movement of Mozart's Gran Partita Serenade. :)
On the subject of accordions: I recently had a great musical experience walking across a square in Bergen late one night where a Roma musician was playing accprdion. What was so great that he was playing the popular Lambada tune but on the bass he played an ostinato in a completely different tune, creating a wonderful bitonality.
There are accordions in all manner of classical pieces, contemporary works above all. Gerhard uses one as a substitute for the baroque continuo in La Peste; Berg uses one, for obvious reasons, in the tavern scene of Wozzeck. That's to mention only two, but there are many more. But perhaps the most spectacular, in-your-face example is from an earlier work: the four accordions of Tchaikovsky's orchestral suite no 2 (it's only pro-symphony prejudice that makes these wonderful confections comparatively little known, I'm sure). Sample page below:
(http://www.bibliotecasalaborsa.it/imgeventi/serafin_und_seine_wundermaschine.jpg)
note the accordion in there too ;)
My favorite unusual instruments used in Classical music are:
The Banjo: Gershwin's Porgy and Bess; Thompson's The River and The Plow That Broke the Plains
Taxi Horns: Gershwin's American In Paris
The Mandolin: Mahler's Symphony No. 7
The Cimbalom: many compositions by Kodaly, Bartok and Liszt's orchestal versions of the Hungarian Rhapsodies.
The Zither: Johann Strauss Jr. Tales from the Vienna Woods
Ondes Martenot: Olivier Messiaen's Turangalîla-Symphonie
A Land Rover and Automobile in La Folia de la Spagna
I know these are very mild compared to what have been shown so far on this thread. There are other usually instruments used in Classical music, especially orchestral music sometimes used for shock or novelty.
The harmonica. Listen to Gordon Jacob's divertimento for h.and SQ, James Moody's suite dans le style francais for h.and harp, or his quintet for h.and SQ. Virtuoso Tommy Reilly.
Or the fantastic arrangements of old dear Larry Adler. In particular Enescu's first romanian rhapsody.
Harry Partch's microtonal inventions are always interesting to my ears, especially the Cloud Chamber!
More prosaically, I have always had an ear for lower woodwinds: alto and bass flutes, bass clarinet, and English horn.
I have a recording of the unused score by Bernard Hermann for "Torn Curtain" wherein he uses a choir of 10 flutes. He thought they produced a sound most frightening! :o
the tempatation to say children's toys
the possibilities are there, but i wasn't too impressed by the kronos qrt playing terry riley's latest quartet with wu man.
also, the possibilities of paper, water, rocks in tan dun's ghost opera, though the again the execution left me cold.
but yea, how bout WATER?
Bumping up for Harpo; there is a goodly part early in this thread on the Theremin if you are interested. :)
8)
I really quite like the sound of the Saw/Flexatone! :) - 2 examples of its effective use in my record collection are Khatchaturians Piano Concerto and for non-classical, Mercury Rev's album Deserters Songs.
my favorite aside the daxophone is the bazantar
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crSi9IxPfYA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=crSi9IxPfYA)
another one that i really like is the array mbira
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fAAGheYTFA (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5fAAGheYTFA)
Don't know how unusual it is by today's standards, but I like the cimbalom, which is used in many classical compositions (Liszt, Bartok, Kodaly, Dutilleux):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2LunPxZjlY (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2LunPxZjlY)
My favorite is the humdinger. :D