An all new compact disc featuring original music by John McGann
Polyrhythms, Polytonality, for the Adventurous Listener. Music inspired by Igor Stravinsky, Frank Zappa, Conlon Nancarrow, Leo Rowsome, Paul Hindemith, and Life in America 2001.
Orchestral instruments include (in various combinations) Flute, Clarinet, Oboe, English horn, French Horn, Bassoon, Tuba, Trombone, Trumpet, String Quartet, Piano, Organ, Drum Set, Percussion and much more.
1. Welcome to the Parallel Universe (5:18) free .pdf score (option/click to download)
2. Woodwind Quintet (0:55)
3. Parallel Universe Suite (6:05)
4. Duo for Electric and Acoustic Basses (1:14)
5. The Mescalito Polka (4:21)
6. Interlude For Four Horns and Bass (0:55)
7.Dance of the Bushmen (5:19) FREE MP3!!!!
8. Slip Jig (1:02)
9. After Hours (1:29)
10. Study for String Quartet and Percussion (1:27)
11. Interlude for Four Horns (0:57)
12. Bells (0:29)
13. Probably Not (3:54)
All compositions © 2001 John McGann/Arbor Vitae (ASCAP)
Free sample: Track 7, Dance of the Bushmen.mp3 (4.8 mb) (44.1 khz;128 kbps stereo)
CD available for $10 US postpaid ($12.50 Canada, $15 elsewhere airmail postpaid)
John McGann
PO Box 688
Jamaica Plain, MA 02130 USA
for information on study scores, email john@johnmcgann.com
composer's notes:
This music was concieved on a Macintosh 7500/100 (with a G3/366 card, 176 MB) using Coda Finale notation software. The files were imported into Cubase 5.0 and mixed using a combination of T.C. Electronics plugins and Steinberg's Reverb 32.
Each piece is written in a single tempo, with polyrhythmic combinations used to achieve tempo shift effects.
Yes, while it would have been wonderful to have "real instruments", not having the "real money" to pay for rehearsal time puts that idea out of the running. The upside is that one can write impossible things, like xylophone with nine malletts-what the hell, it's all the same to the dutiful, uncomplaining computer, who is also not hitting on the bridesmaids or getting too drunk to play.
It is an interesting time to be alive; to be able to sit down, compose and hear a multi-timbred composition instantly, even if it's not the Duke Ellington Orchestra (or even the Springfield Community Players), is just great. And no piano rolls to punch!