Monthly Archives: November 2016

Pauline Oliveros’s Imaginary Meditations

I. Can you imagine your own resonance? II. Can you imagine listening beyond the edge of your own imagination? III. Can you imagine that every cell in your entire body is vibrating all the time? IV. Can you imagine the tuning of the universe? V. Can you imagine the echoes of all the footsteps youContinue reading “Pauline Oliveros’s Imaginary Meditations”

Ensemble Lux at ACFNY

Ensemble Lux Austrian Cultural Forum New York November 17, 2016 NEW YORK – Austrian Cultural Forum New York makes part of its mission supporting chamber musicians from Austria, bringing them to the United States for concerts. One of the best of these concerts I have attended was this past Thursday’s New York debut of EnsembleContinue reading “Ensemble Lux at ACFNY”

RIP Pauline Oliveros (1932-2016)

Note: There have been several passings of note in recent months. 2016 has been an unkind year for musicians: hence the number of obituaries on the blog.  I am saddened to learn of Pauline Oliveros’s passing. I use her book Deep Listening: A Composer’s Sound Practice in my teaching: it has opened many students’ minds. I didn’t knowContinue reading “RIP Pauline Oliveros (1932-2016)”

Happy Birthday Meredith Monk!

Meredith Monk turns 74 today. An early birthday present came from ECM Records on November 4th: a recording of Monk’s On Behalf of Nature project. We do not have the benefit of language: the “text” consists of songs, chants, and syllabification in unknown tongues. And there is no narrative per se, but there are clues present in the piece’sContinue reading “Happy Birthday Meredith Monk!”

RIP Sharon Jones (1956-2016)

After a period of inspiring dignity and courage while she sought treatment for pancreatic cancer, Sharon Jones has passed away, aged sixty. Jones continued to record and tour while being treated for her illness. Throughout her career, she served as an uplifting figure to so many people. This past year, while being treated for metastatic melanoma, IContinue reading “RIP Sharon Jones (1956-2016)”

RIP Mose Allison (1927-2016)

Mose Allison, one of the great blues singer-songwriters, and a superlative piano player, has died. Allison mixed Beatnik wordplay, boogie-woogie, bebop, and a sardonic sense of current events to craft an amalgamated, distinctive style. His songs were covered often and were durable enough to withstand a variety of approaches. I saw him play at the IronContinue reading “RIP Mose Allison (1927-2016)”

Emptyset and Radian via Thrill Jockey (YouTube)

Two exemplars of heavy electronica have new records coming out. Borders is out Jan. 27, 2016 via Thrill Jockey Records. Out this past week on TJ, Radian’s On Dark Silent Off.  EU residents should consider checking out their tour (remaining dates below). Radian tour dates: Nov. 24 – Paris, France – Instants Chavires Nov. 25 – London, UK –Continue reading “Emptyset and Radian via Thrill Jockey (YouTube)”

RIP Leonard Cohen (1934-2016)

  Singer, songwriter, poet, and mystic Leonard Cohen has died. He was 82. His last recording, You Want it Darker, was released on October 21st. “There is a crack in everything. That’s how the light gets in.” – Selected Poems, Leonard Cohen.