Utsyo Chakraborty: Refrain III, for piano and MIDI tape (2024)

Refrain III, the third in my series of 'Refrain' pieces, was composed between 1st and 12th April 2024. The first piece in the installment (composed in 2019) was an interaction between piano and sine wave sounds, the second (from 2021) was an experiment in asynchronicity between two pianos (or four voices).
This work, forty exchanges between the piano and MIDI orchestral sounds, is an investigation in the potency of the 'gesture': how gestures (like the other dimensions of music, namely melody, rhythm, harmony, dynamics etc.) are construed and developed through the journey of a work. The innate focus on gesticulation in this music makes 'Refrain III' more directly physical compared to its predecessors.
The pitch and harmonic materials are derived from a seven-note row (E G# A# C F# G B). I've been a bit tongue-in-cheek in places: at 2:53, the pianist, while strictly adhering to the serial plan of the work, suddenly plays a C-major ditty (a quote from my earlier work, 'Slow Waltz'). This can be seen as an example of 'portmantonality'.
The pianist plays against a (fixed) tape of MIDI orchestral sounds (which has been notated with a fair degree of accuracy). In order to facilitate loose synchronization between the live and fixed media, time brackets have been provided at the end of each system. The pianist may also use a clicktrack (with a reference tempo of quarter note = 40 BPM) for alignment purposes. The tape has been synchronized to the clicktrack (available from the composer).

[@joaoschnier-qi3yd]

Okay, this is superb, really superb!

[@UtsyoChakraborty]

Thank you Joâo!

[@7stringjazz1]

Very cool. Love the sonic pointillism and the interplay with tape.

[@UtsyoChakraborty]

Thank you for listening!

[@stephenjablonsky1941]

I am impressed that this video has garnered more than a thousand views in two weeks.

[@UtsyoChakraborty]

Thank you Professor J!

[@MicoAquinoComposer]

Wow, Utsyo! I was captivated throughout the piece in the best way possible. This composition is absolutely wonderful - the interaction between the piano and the tape is magical. This stands as one of the finest pieces you have ever composed. Bravo!

[@UtsyoChakraborty]

You're very kind, dear Mico. Many many thanks. 🥰

[@CameronWattMusic]

Fascinating work, and a tremendous sense of fun as well!

[@UtsyoChakraborty]

Thank you Cameron!

[@inamoratopiano]

This is the music of my people. Well done, Utsyo!

[@UtsyoChakraborty]

Thank you Daniel!

[@harshgupta2220]

Awesome!

[@UtsyoChakraborty]

Thank you Harsh!!

[@filipgoldanowskicomposer]

'MIDI tape' 🤗
I see the term is catchy!

[@UtsyoChakraborty]

Somebody has been listening to Filip Goldanowski's music! 😉

[@filipgoldanowskicomposer]

@@UtsyoChakraborty 🤠

[@stephenweigel]

Great piece!

[@UtsyoChakraborty]

Thank you for listening!

[@talastra]

"Portmantonality" is cheekier than a C-major self-reference *grin*

[@UtsyoChakraborty]

Of course! ;)

[@talastra]

@@UtsyoChakraborty Check out hyenas "Visions Fugitive" :)

[@Rob-Wright]

good work!

[@UtsyoChakraborty]

Thank you for listening!

[@anandseshadripianist_compo3196]

Well done. (Came here again in the morning :) ). For different perspectives :D

[@benjaminbowlin1028]

A wonderful collection of auditory adventures!

[@tylers9006]

What midi/VST did you use to get the microtonal sounds on say flute or vibraphone?

[@UtsyoChakraborty]

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