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Purple and Brown All of the pieces on this CD were originally composed for my pre-MIDI computer music system. Later they were transcribed for my first midi system, and these are the versions which are heard on this recording. Purple and Brown (electric oboes, percussion and ocean waves) will always be a landmark composition for myself. It expands upon the ideas first used in Pink Carnation, and also anticipates my complete immersion into the raga form seven years later. The rhythmic pattern of five beats remains an unusual and fresh polyrhythnic invention, and the through-composed melodic voice soars over the percussion and drone voices. Foreign River (electric pianos and acoustic guitars) is a somber and touching lament. Here I have enhanced the original pre-midi version with a range of instrumental colors designed to illuminate the individual personalities of each part. A Danish Princess (acoustic guitar, electric piano and percussion) is named for a dancer from Denmark who visited my Manhattan studio. John Cage had asked me to arrange a dance performance of my music, and I had posted a notice requesting dancer/choreographers, to which she replied. Regretfully, I was unable to arrange a dance concert, but this work remains a favorite. The rhythmic ostinato was accidentally inspired by watching an old movie set in an exotic Eastern locale. The melodies spring from lovely arpeggiated chords, and there is an overall crescendo and diminuendo shaping the curve of the work. Pony (celestas) is a gentle, melodic fable with a child-like gentleness. It is one of my earliest compositions in this medium. Persia (electric oboe, synthesizer, electric bass and percussion) is energized by a rhythmic figure inspired by music from an action film. It features driving, aggressive melodic voices. Jakaranda (celestas) is named for the lovely purple flowering tress which bloom once a year in Maui. It is constructed with melodic ostinatos of unusual time-lengths, which lead to the entrance of a through-composed melodic voice This is the composition Titus Levi focused on when he wrote about my music in Keyboard, which was my first international press exposure. Oil Drops ( acoustic guitars and harpsichord) builds with intense ostinatos. Here I have colored my original pre-midi piece with acoustic guitars and harpsichord. Above the Door (electric oboes, electric bass and percussion) recounts a dream I had during my second year of college. At the time, I was primarily a saxophonist, and listening continuously to John Coltrane. In this dream, where I was inbetween being conscious and sleeping, my spirit left my body and mixed with the vaporous spirit of Coltrane at the ceiling of my dorm room near the door. White Moon (acoustic guitars) is a gentle, spare distillation of introspective melodies. Dancing Trees (clarinet and celestas) was named for trees blowing in the wind in up country Maui. I have colored the work with clarinet and celesta. - Michael Robinson, Lahaina, December 2000 © 2000 Michael Robinson All rights reserved |