Jeff Morris

Ancient Chinese Secret for three to eight Sudoku and bell players is a sonic performance piece that exploits the inflated mystery of unseen goings-on. In live performance, the details on the paper cannot be seen by the audience, and the sounds produced are only indirectly related to the main task of the performers. In recorded or radio performance, the mystery is heightened because the performers cannot be seen, making the sound seem even more ancient, Chinese, and secret (although they may not be any of these things).

Ancient Chinese Secret score and notes (PDF)

Recorded performance at OurMedia.org (MP3)

Two different musical voices makes their way through the ensemble, manifest in different ways, making for a stream-of-consciousness musical discourse. Extreme ranges are avoided or accompanied by alternative notes, if needed. For string orchestra, quintet, or quartet.

View and buy the score at SibeliusMusic (plug-in required).

In this quintet, three-voice groups argue out their differences in a rhythmic style inspired by funk. It lays down a unique 3/4 groove that you can pat your foot to, but keeps you guessing. Each instrument has a fun, interesting and challenging part, either working independently, or as a part of an intense rhythmic groove, or in unusual timbral groupings. The first movement (of three) will also be available alone, but works best when played with the others. The second movement interrupts the first with a free “Dream sequence,” and the finale picks up where the first movement left off to take it all home.

View and buy the score at SibeliusMusic (plug-in required).

Despite the classical-sounding title, the surface level of this work imitates the ‘cool’ jazz style of the early 1950’s. Meanwhile, the underlying structure is based on rather rigorous serial techniques, which has surprised every listener so far. This light, rhythmic movement may be played alone or with the rest of the Concerto. There are plenty of chances to improvise in this non-tonal context (but written solos are provided for the faint-of-heart).

View and buy the score at SibeliusMusic (plug-in required): 1st movement, 2nd-5th movements.

peja’chuqegh is a performance work that mocks everything about the stereotype of the classical string quartet, including its use in society, system of tonailty, form, instrumentation, and the foreign languages in which they always write the directions.  This performance is by faculty and students at the Florida State Unviersity (including Butch Rovan).

Recorded performance of movements I, III, and II (in that order) at OurMedia.org (MP3)