09.38
DGM HQ.
Another grey day in the Chalke Valley.
The Fifth Day: Soundscapes from the Tartu Jaani Kirik are playing to my left. I’m not sure they are going anywhere; I am sure they are holding their moment. This suggests to me that the dominant musical culture of my early life – the European tonal-harmonic metric tradition - has an ongoing currency: part of me expects that, music “goes somewhere”. An older player, I am happy that music does go somewhere, and happier that this is only one strategy music adopts. Some music goes nowhere: it is where it is, and has no imperative to move from there. In which case, the aim is to hold the place & the moment open for others to enter.
It is very hard for me listening to Tartu, this morning, to believe this is improvised music. It seems so… intentional & considered. Probably this suggests to me that I do not look on improvised music in the same way as I view composed music. There is no right nor wrong here: it simply gives me an opportunity to examine established views & assumptions.
But is spontaneous composition any different from “formal” composition?
First thought, best thought: so, how is it spontaneous composition recorded or “written down”? If we are using a pencil, probably very quickly. In live performance, perhaps by recording (although this changes the situation in various ways) and “mistakes” are promptings to move in another direction. With spontaneous composition, there is necessarily a greater focus & level of attention required: there is only one take. If we are developing variations with a pencil in hand, computer or sequencer, we have more time & multiple takes. Live, it’s now and never.
My memories of the Tartu performance is of a very difficult evening’s performance: nothing came of itself, all was work. That is, the playing was intentional & considered – because it had to be! Listening now well after the event, with personal details & assumptions & memories & professional listening out of the way – the music remains, and is waiting.
17.56 Lunch with Sister and old Wimborne & Dorchester pals…
Returning to DGM HQ, en route a visit to Evershot to return the village history, written by the Women’s Institute.
http://www.evershot.demon.co.uk/everframes/history.htm
http://www.imagesofdorset.org.uk/Dorset/093/intro.htm
Continuing Driving-around-Dorset music: Gurdjieff’’s Oriental Suite
Hugh the Fierce of the DGM Art Department is off to his first gig of two this weekend. I am loading the car & off to Brighton.
21.14 Hotel Acceptable, Brighton.
Driving up, heard on BBC2 news that Ahmet Ertegun has died.
"Gradual transitions take place suddenly."
