CHRIS O'CONNOR: Exploring Steve Reich's Clapping Music

Описание: Four humble dessert spoons meet Steve Reich's seminal rhythm study Clapping Music in Chris O’Connor’s Exploring Steve Reich's Clapping Music. Chris takes up the story of how he came to master this work, not, in this case for two musicians, but for one:

“Many years ago I met a drummer backstage at a festival. I can't even remember who it was! They were warming up with a pair of sticks and a practice pad, playing Steve Reich's Clapping Music between both hands. I was well impressed, and said to myself one day I'll get to that. Years later, I finally got around to writing out the variations on a small piece of paper and slipping it under my clear cell phone case, and proceeded to practice practice practice. "A little bit a lot" is my practice method, so I worked on these rhythms in small bursts all through the days - making toast, boiling the jug, waiting in lines and traffic lights. It's been a beautiful and challenging journey, and having attained some facility with these rhythms, can now see further peaks to ascend. It's always like this with music!

One of the things that appeals to me about this piece is how each new displacement of the rhythm represents a simple change of perspective, revealing new personalities and qualities. This is an example of how powerful changing one's perspective, even just a little, can be. It can completely transform one's experience! This is a transferable skill, applicable in many spheres of life, and just one of many lessons music has taught me over the decades.”

A mesmerised audience at the Raye Freedman Centre witnessed Chris’s performance, as depicted in this SOUNZ Film from October 2024, part of the Auckland Chamber Orchestra’s Diversions concert.

Audio by Tim Dodd and Adrian Hollay for RNZ Concert.
Filmed by Chris Watson for SOUNZ.
Film funded by NZ On Air.

Further information about the composer biographies associated with these films can be discovered at www.sounz.org.nz

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