Rosco White with a Half-Wax Blend is a slow plotting quintet of sine wave-based software instruments. It concludes a trilogy of compositions that have thought about work and labor within a musical context. Each was scored for traditional instruments and then manipulated, collaged, and recombined. This score was for a brass ensemble, but its final instrumentation features resonant pure tones, with hits of the piano, base, or trombone folded into the waveform. In my mind, the resonance, and complexity of the tones equate to the perceived aftermath of work left in a room, both the immediate and long-lasting. For example, the odor of paint, hint of cleanser in the air, along with how a fresh coat of paint can change the very nature of a room.

If you haven’t already, make sure you check out….
Part 1: 085: A Durable Object
Part 2: 086: T.M.O.

stopGOstop is produced by John Wanzel.

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The episode begins with low-slow-open synth sounds that form a disjointed, yet repetitive theme. Sonically the first section features two synths, both rich in delay and field manipulation. The second section expands on the themes, slowly at first, then accelerated, repeating with slight variations. It’s voiced by midi piano with a modest amount of synth within the reverberations. The third section partially incorporates these two modes, jumping from the singsong-wide synth sounds, to the rhythmic rolling piano pattern, beeping and repeating high notes, and ending with slow somber tones.

I have been thinking of the first section as morning lauds: a cup of coffee, a run in the park, a walk to the train, or any momentary reflection before the workday. The second section takes its pace and interruptions from repetitive tasks, sometimes sounding like a dance, or at other times, a chaotic ball rolling down a hill. The third part, is a uneven combination of the first two, the bit of work that stays in your head all the way until you fall asleep.

T.M.O. is a direct follow up to episode 85, A Durable Object. The conclusion of this trilogy, Rosco White with a Half-Wax Blend, will be released as episode 86 of the podcast.

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A new composition featuring a software orchestra, computer-controlled synthesizers, and processed field recordings. The piece fully embraces traditional scoring techniques, tonality, and meter. Sonically the midi-controlled flutes, English horn, violin etc. are paired with FM synthesis to create the instrumentation. This joins and coordinates the electronic and orchestral sounds (even though they are both manifestations of software).  When composing I was thinking about the pace and regularity of the workday. The repetition of the musical themes with only slight variations; the strong half-note cascades; the low grumble of a time-stretched boat motor: all become stand-ins for the physical and temporal aspects of work. In many ways, A Durable Object is a followup to Towards and The Falls, approaching work from a durational aspect.

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