Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
- File Type
Articles 1 - 27 of 27
Full-Text Articles in Arts and Humanities
Two Soundpieces (Score), Gary Smart
Two Soundpieces (Score), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
I was a student at Indiana University when I wrote Two Soundpieces (1969). The piece was originally written for a friend, tenor saxophonist, Robert Hores, who asked for a piece that used the tenor’s idiomatic “illegitimate” sounds. It was soon picked up by avant garde saxophonist Ken Dorn who performed the piece several times in various new music venues. I moved to Germany in 1970 and soon after lost much of my personal music library, including this piece, in a Cologne warehouse fire. At the time I had just a few copies of most of my works….and suddenly they were …
Two Soundpieces - Soundpiece I: Tripartite (Recording), Gary Smart, Michael Bovenzi
Two Soundpieces - Soundpiece I: Tripartite (Recording), Gary Smart, Michael Bovenzi
Gary Smart
I was a student at Indiana University when I wrote Two Soundpieces (1969). The piece was originally written for a friend, tenor saxophonist, Robert Hores, who asked for a piece that used the tenor’s idiomatic “illegitimate” sounds. It was soon picked up by avant garde saxophonist Ken Dorn who performed the piece several times in various new music venues. I moved to Germany in 1970 and soon after lost much of my personal music library, including this piece, in a Cologne warehouse fire. At the time I had just a few copies of most of my works….and suddenly they were …
Two Soundpieces - Soundpiece Ii: Rag-Cadenza (Recording), Gary Smart, Michael Bovenzi
Two Soundpieces - Soundpiece Ii: Rag-Cadenza (Recording), Gary Smart, Michael Bovenzi
Gary Smart
I was a student at Indiana University when I wrote Two Soundpieces (1969). The piece was originally written for a friend, tenor saxophonist, Robert Hores, who asked for a piece that used the tenor’s idiomatic “illegitimate” sounds. It was soon picked up by avant garde saxophonist Ken Dorn who performed the piece several times in various new music venues. I moved to Germany in 1970 and soon after lost much of my personal music library, including this piece, in a Cologne warehouse fire. At the time I had just a few copies of most of my works….and suddenly they were …
Piano Sonata (Score), Gary Smart
Piano Sonata (Score), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
My Piano Sonata consists of four large contrasting movements. Each movement bows to tradition and convention in many ways. Yet each also aims to creates something new. I utilize diverse materials in my music, materials from Americana, jazz and world musics As well as the Western European tradition. Pluralism has become a major force for me. I find the 21st century to be strikingly different than the time in which I studied and came of age. Technology has brought us all into very close contact. Today the alien does not remain alien for long; it is soon incorporated. The world …
Piano Sonata Iii. Turtle Dreams Of Flight (Recording), Gary Smart, Yukino Miyake
Piano Sonata Iii. Turtle Dreams Of Flight (Recording), Gary Smart, Yukino Miyake
Gary Smart
This slow movement was directly inspired by a dream. I enter the mind of the turtle. I dream my turtle self into other dimensions, where I think and feel without the use of language. This pseudo-waltz scherzo moves more than once from very slow to very fast, from low to high register, from simple to complex with an urgent, yet disguised purpose. Like my dream, this is a mysterious drama indeed, as is life itself. In the end one is still left with a question, perhaps Ives’ Unanswered Question. For me this piece is symbolic of an inexorable desire for …
Piano Sonata Iv. Chez Garuda (Recording), Gary Smart, Yukino Miyake
Piano Sonata Iv. Chez Garuda (Recording), Gary Smart, Yukino Miyake
Gary Smart
Garuda is a mythical bird-god. His statue in Sanjusangendo is fierce and menacing. The figure seemed almost comical in its ferocity. The Garuda I saw was a crazed Hellboy musician stamping out a beat, playing wild licks on his flute. But it seemed he might also be capable of the most inspired lyricism. If so, his would be formidable music-making, no doubt. This movement is my reaction to that image. Here my jazz background becomes apparent. Bebop, boogie-woogie, Bill Evans lyricism…all this and more is mixed together in a swirling cartoon world of expression. The movement is loosely cast in …
Piano Sonata I. Kimnara’S Blessing (Recording), Gary Smart, Yukino Miyake
Piano Sonata I. Kimnara’S Blessing (Recording), Gary Smart, Yukino Miyake
Gary Smart
The first and last movements here are named after deities in the Japanese Buddist-Hindu canon. I was inspired by a visit to the Sanjusangendo shrine in Kyoto, where 1000 exquisite ancient wood statues have stood for many centuries. There I saw Kimnara, a winged female spirit, a gentle celestial musician. My evocation of her music is ritualistic. The piece begins and ends with an “a-men” and features an abundance of thematic material which includes lyrical expression, as well as harp-like flourishes and most notably, exuberant sections based on the ringing metallic sounds and rhythmic gestures of the Balinese gamelan orchestra. …
Piano Sonata Ii. Moonspinner (Recording), Gary Smart, Yukino Miyake
Piano Sonata Ii. Moonspinner (Recording), Gary Smart, Yukino Miyake
Gary Smart
This playful, virtuosic movement is evocative of American folk music, particularly Appalachian fiddle music and song. The fiddle music is abstracted, certainly, yet the figurations are idiomatic. The folk song, which interrupts the “instrumental” music twice, is original. A hint of it appears in the “working out’ at the center of the form and also in the high register at the very close of the movement. The title, “Moonspinner” is named after an old-fashioned hand made wooden toy I once saw in North Carolina. I always promised myself I would write a piece with this title.
Singing The Blues (Recording), Gary Smart
Singing The Blues (Recording), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
The pop song “Singing the Blues” was written in 1920 by a team of composers (Robinson-Conrad-Lewis-Young) and was recorded that year by both the Original Dixieland Jass Band and singer Aileen Stanley. Both recordings were on the Victor label. But the inspiration for my improvisation here is the famous 1927 recording on the Okeh label by Bix Beiderbecke and his group. Bix’s jazz is not as brilliant as that of Louis Armstrong, nor is it as dramatic. But it is wonderful stuff, more sophisticated harmonically and more purely melodic. It is serene and musical. I have long loved this style. …
Beatbox (Score), Gary Smart
Beatbox (Score), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
This group of short pieces for two pianists playing one piano was composed for a tour of central Japan in the summer of 2006. At a concert in Kyoto I premiered this collection, as secundo pianist, with six of my former Japanese piano students, each playing one movement with me. Each movement is dedicated to that individual and I like to think that these movements reflect, to some extent, each pianists’ personality.The title “Beatbox” refers to the repetitive rhythmic motives which serve as the basis for each movement. This music features energetic ostinati, and thick, bopish textures. Movement five is …
Beatbox 4 (Recording), Gary Smart, Tomoko Hoshiyama
Beatbox 4 (Recording), Gary Smart, Tomoko Hoshiyama
Gary Smart
This group of short pieces for two pianists playing one piano was composed for a tour of central Japan in the summer of 2006. At a concert in Kyoto I premiered this collection, as secundo pianist, with six of my former Japanese piano students, each playing one movement with me. Each movement is dedicated to that individual and I like to think that these movements reflect, to some extent, each pianists’ personality.The title “Beatbox” refers to the repetitive rhythmic motives which serve as the basis for each movement. This music features energetic ostinati, and thick, bopish textures. Movement five is …
Beatbox 1 (Recording), Gary Smart, Yoshiki Hagihara
Beatbox 1 (Recording), Gary Smart, Yoshiki Hagihara
Gary Smart
This group of short pieces for two pianists playing one piano was composed for a tour of central Japan in the summer of 2006. At a concert in Kyoto I premiered this collection, as secundo pianist, with six of my former Japanese piano students, each playing one movement with me. Each movement is dedicated to that individual and I like to think that these movements reflect, to some extent, each pianists’ personality.The title “Beatbox” refers to the repetitive rhythmic motives which serve as the basis for each movement. This music features energetic ostinati, and thick, bopish textures. Movement five is …
Beatbox 2 (Recording), Gary Smart, Yukari Yano
Beatbox 2 (Recording), Gary Smart, Yukari Yano
Gary Smart
This group of short pieces for two pianists playing one piano was composed for a tour of central Japan in the summer of 2006. At a concert in Kyoto I premiered this collection, as secundo pianist, with six of my former Japanese piano students, each playing one movement with me. Each movement is dedicated to that individual and I like to think that these movements reflect, to some extent, each pianists’ personality.The title “Beatbox” refers to the repetitive rhythmic motives which serve as the basis for each movement. This music features energetic ostinati, and thick, bopish textures. Movement five is …
Beatbox 5 (Recording), Gary Smart, Chizu Hamano
Beatbox 5 (Recording), Gary Smart, Chizu Hamano
Gary Smart
This group of short pieces for two pianists playing one piano was composed for a tour of central Japan in the summer of 2006. At a concert in Kyoto I premiered this collection, as secundo pianist, with six of my former Japanese piano students, each playing one movement with me. Each movement is dedicated to that individual and I like to think that these movements reflect, to some extent, each pianists’ personality.The title “Beatbox” refers to the repetitive rhythmic motives which serve as the basis for each movement. This music features energetic ostinati, and thick, bopish textures. Movement five is …
Beatbox 6 (Recording), Gary Smart, Toshie Matsui
Beatbox 6 (Recording), Gary Smart, Toshie Matsui
Gary Smart
This group of short pieces for two pianists playing one piano was composed for a tour of central Japan in the summer of 2006. At a concert in Kyoto I premiered this collection, as secundo pianist, with six of my former Japanese piano students, each playing one movement with me. Each movement is dedicated to that individual and I like to think that these movements reflect, to some extent, each pianists’ personality.The title “Beatbox” refers to the repetitive rhythmic motives which serve as the basis for each movement. This music features energetic ostinati, and thick, bopish textures. Movement five is …
Beatbox 3 (Recording), Gary Smart, Naoko Kadota
Beatbox 3 (Recording), Gary Smart, Naoko Kadota
Gary Smart
This group of short pieces for two pianists playing one piano was composed for a tour of central Japan in the summer of 2006. At a concert in Kyoto I premiered this collection, as secundo pianist, with six of my former Japanese piano students, each playing one movement with me. Each movement is dedicated to that individual and I like to think that these movements reflect, to some extent, each pianists’ personality.The title “Beatbox” refers to the repetitive rhythmic motives which serve as the basis for each movement. This music features energetic ostinati, and thick, bopish textures. Movement five is …
Bye-Bye (Score), Gary Smart
Bye-Bye (Score), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
“Bye-bye” for mixed sextet of instruments was written specifically for the 2010 Finale Composers’ Competition. It was finished in August 2010. It is a kind of abstract toccata which relies on rhythmic gestures as a primary unifying device. “Bye-bye” is Ivesian in it’s overall American character and in it’s use of materials from diverse musical genres (vaudeville, ragtime, waltz, early jazz, swing, etc.).Only five minutes in length, this piece is written to serve as a brilliant, eccentric showpiece encore. Fans of the “Great American songbook” will recognize this music to be a free fantasy on the old sing-a-long favorite – …
Bye-Bye (Recording), Gary Smart
Bye-Bye (Recording), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
“Bye-bye” for mixed sextet of instruments was written specifically for the 2010 Finale Composers’ Competition. It was finished in August 2010. It is a kind of abstract toccata which relies on rhythmic gestures as a primary unifying device. “Bye-bye” is Ivesian in it’s overall American character and in it’s use of materials from diverse musical genres (vaudeville, ragtime, waltz, early jazz, swing, etc.).Only five minutes in length, this piece is written to serve as a brilliant, eccentric showpiece encore. Fans of the “Great American songbook” will recognize this music to be a free fantasy on the old sing-a-long favorite – …
Song Of The Holy Ground (Score), Gary Smart
Song Of The Holy Ground (Score), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
“Song of the Holy Ground” for piano and string quartet was written in reaction to an Apache chant recorded in 1953 by musicologist John Donald Robb. The original recording, sung by a young girl, is clear, delicate and charming at first hearing. The text itself is unknown to me, beyond the fact that this is a song of consecration, a blessing. But the music of the chant is enchanting, with its uniquely expressive melodic shapes and its asymmetrical rhythms.In approaching this material I first made a detailed transcription of the chant and became fascinated with the intricacy of the motivic …
Song Of The Holy Ground (Recording), Gary Smart
Song Of The Holy Ground (Recording), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
“Song of the Holy Ground” for piano and string quartet was written in reaction to an Apache chant recorded in 1953 by musicologist John Donald Robb. The original recording, sung by a young girl, is clear, delicate and charming at first hearing. The text itself is unknown to me, beyond the fact that this is a song of consecration, a blessing. But the music of the chant is enchanting, with its uniquely expressive melodic shapes and its asymmetrical rhythms.In approaching this material I first made a detailed transcription of the chant and became fascinated with the intricacy of the motivic …
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Recording), Gary Smart
A Mighty Fortress Is Our God (Recording), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
"A Mighty Fortress is Our God" is from a private release CD, "Bright Morning Stars are Rising", made as a fundraiser for the Unitarian-Universalist Society. It features hymns from diverse religions and traditions around the world and reflects my interest in a diversity of musical styles including Americana, jazz and world musics.
Lover (Recording), Gary Smart
Lover (Recording), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
"Lover" (Richard Rodgers) is from The Elevox Open Jazz Competition Grand Prize Album. This recording is in the grand old two-fisted (stride) jazz piano style of Art Tatum and my teacher, Oscar Peterson. Notice the musical quotes, a part of this tradition: at the opening, "Oh, Sweet Mystery of Life, at Last I've Found Thee!" and at the very end, the Mendelssohn "Wedding March".
Nowhere Man (Recording), Gary Smart
Nowhere Man (Recording), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
"Nowhere Man" is an interpretation of the Lennon-McCartney classic performed on piano. It is from "Beatle Jazz," released by Mastersound Recordings in 1998.
Shortening Bread (Recording), Gary Smart
Shortening Bread (Recording), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
"Shortening Bread" is from the forthcoming release "Blossoms", coming soon from Albany Records. It features twenty-five tracks of abstract improvisations.
Beatbox (Score), Gary Smart
Beatbox (Score), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
This group of short pieces for two pianists playing one piano was composed for a tour of central Japan in the summer of 2006. At a concert in Kyoto I premiered this collection, as secundo pianist, with six of my former Japanese piano students, each playing one movement with me. Each movement is dedicated to that individual and I like to think that these movements reflect, to some extent, each pianists’ personality.The title “Beatbox” refers to the repetitive rhythmic motives which serve as the basis for each movement. This music features energetic ostinati, and thick, bopish textures. Movement five is …
Bye-Bye (Score), Gary Smart
Bye-Bye (Score), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
“Bye-bye” for mixed sextet of instruments was written specifically for the 2010 Finale Composers’ Competition. It was finished in August 2010. It is a kind of abstract toccata which relies on rhythmic gestures as a primary unifying device. “Bye-bye” is Ivesian in it’s overall American character and in it’s use of materials from diverse musical genres (vaudeville, ragtime, waltz, early jazz, swing, etc.).Only five minutes in length, this piece is written to serve as a brilliant, eccentric showpiece encore. Fans of the “Great American songbook” will recognize this music to be a free fantasy on the old sing-a-long favorite – …
Kiku Preludes (Score), Gary Smart
Kiku Preludes (Score), Gary Smart
Gary Smart
A collection of Japanese inspired piano preludes.