"Pebbles“ (Oregon meets Beaver&Krause)

[fabiolcati]

Gentlemen,
here's my contribution to the Listening Room Summer Festival: a little one for oboe and organ called "Pebbles".

http://youtu.be/8L6hoBwstT4

It is friendly dedicated to Lynne McGivern:

[…] And now yout try
your handful of notes;
the clear wovels rise like balloons.

-- Sylvia Plath, Morning song.

[rbowser-]

This is really beautiful, Fabio. Its quiet, sophisticated unfolding lines kept me listening intently from start to finish.

That's a nice combination, the oboe and organ - The sounds are so complimentary, and because of the oboe's construction which is a bit like the pipes of an organ, there's a similarity between the instruments which works well, but there's enough distinction to keep the oboe clearly the soloist in this. Loved the sound.

What does Oregon refer to in the sub-title? I live in Oregon, and you have my curiosity up.

Thank you - really nice.

Randy

[Michael A. Wiktor]

"...Wiktor's a Jekyll-Hyde personality..." - Lycos Music
http://www.miserymadebeautiful.com

[fabiolcati]

What does Oregon refer to in the sub-title? I live in Oregon, and you have my curiosity up.

It refers to the group led by Ralph Towner. The playing of Paul McCandless made me discover the beauty of the oboe. Not to mention the touch of the late Colin Walcott.
Beaver&Krause are also there for their By your grace from the album Gandharva, featuring a pipe organ with Gerry Mulligan on baritone sax. And for a Oberheim track I left out of the mix.

Thank you for listening.

[rbowser-]

It refers to the group led by Ralph Towner...

Thanks for the reply, Fabio - You sent me a-Googling, and that led me to something very interesting to me personally.

"Oregon" - I remember this group now that you've brought it up. When I read the Wiki entry on Ralph Towner just now, that led me to reading about Homer Keller, a music professor of Ralph Towner's at The University of Oregon in Eugene.

Finally that name is back in my orbit, Homer Keller. I wouldn't have ever remembered the name on my own. When I was in junior high, around the age of 14, I was in this small group of "gifted children" who had been selected by area music teachers in Eugene where I lived. There were maybe 6 of us in this special class conducted by - Homer Keller!

I remember the first session - He wanted each of us to play one of our compositions on the piano. After I played my piece, he said something like, "Fine, you understand Western music theory. Now, here's what we'll be doing in these classes." He then played one of his pieces. It was Musique Concrete on reel-to-reel tape. It was pieced together by razor blade and splicing tape, source material all being from recordings he'd made from the radio. Bits of sound, music, speech - you know the type of thing - and it was fascinating.

I was a bit disappointed though - I'd hoped that I'd be learning more about traditional theory, expanding what I'd learned and developed on my own.

But it was still an unforgettable experience - I'd just long since forgotten the professor's name. SO- thanks for bringing Homer Keller back into my consciousness!

Randy

[fabiolcati]

But it was still an unforgettable experience - I'd just long since forgotten the professor's name. SO- thanks for bringing Homer Keller back into my consciousness!

This Forum is built up by wonderful people.
You're welcome, Randy. Thank you to you for your efforts here and the support you give us.

[fastlane]

This was very nice.

There is a strangeness but calming effect to this music.

I don't think I've ever heard this instrument combination before.

A wonderful contribution.


Phil

[fabiolcati]

Thank you Phil for your comment.

Alongside Oregon I was also inspired by these works (some are transcriptions from flute and cembalo or oboe and continuo):

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/deta...l/hnum/1811651

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/deta...o/hnum/3597631

Another interesting blend is soprano saxophone + pipe organ.
You can listen to excerpts for a fine italian realization here:

http://www.jpc.de/jpcng/classic/deta...s/hnum/4701787

Needless to say I can't wait to put my hands on JABB to have a personal Wayne Shorter for my music to come.

Regards

[fabiolcati]

Gentlemen,
to celebrate the 2012 Listening Room Summer Festival Pebbles is now available in sight and sound on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/8L6hoBwstT4

OP updated

[rbowser-]

Gentlemen,
to celebrate the 2012 Listening Room Summer Festival Pebbles is now available in sight and sound on YouTube at

http://youtu.be/8L6hoBwstT4

OP updated

(How con I get rid of this italicization?)

What a great idea, Fab, to update your "Pebbles" post - and with such striking images to go with it. Wonderful to hear the music again, this time with your very well done video-- Thank you!

Italics - you need to select the text again, and in the message tool bar, click the "I" again.

Sometimes you need to use your return/enter key to go down below, starting in a new area. Once you're out of the italics, then you can use your backspace bar to bring the disconnected paragraph back up to where it should be.

Randy