Audio Sample
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Performance by Paul Cutlan, Richard Maegraith, Tim Clarkson, Nick Bowd, Stephen Morley from the CD Selected Works by AMC Represented Artists, vol. 28. |
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CD
Selected Works by AMC Represented Artists, vol. 28.
Library shelf no. CD 2420 [Available for loan]
Display all products featuring this work (1 more) 
Work Overview
The work resulted from a desire to experiment with odd time signatures within a jazz-swing idiom. The results had an awkward, jolting effect which could be exploited to suggest humour and confusion. The stumbling rhythms and disorienting texture resulting from phased rhythms suggested parallels with the well-documented characteristics of past U.S. president George W. Bush. The composition developed into the idea of a parody country blues, with variations representing various character traits, figures of speech and movements of the president in a light-hearted satire.
The political theme is developed further with the eventual introduction of a contrasting melody evoking the optimism inspired by the incoming president, Barack Obama, using the contrasting archetypical treatment of a gospel-choir setting. This theme is derived from the same material as the country blues, pointing perhaps to a certain irony inherent in the political process.
Work Details
Year: 2009
Instrumentation: Saxophone Quartet - soprano, alto, tenor and baritone saxes.
Duration: 8 min.
Difficulty: Advanced — Rhythmic: changing time-signatures and polyrhythms.
First performance: by Paul Cutlan, Richard Maegraith, Tim Clarkson, Nick Bowd, Stephen Morley — 7 Dec 11. Sydney
The composer notes the following styles/influences on this work:
jazz, improvised, political themes, swing, clusters, humour, Cowboy music, blues, Gospel music, distortion, looping, metrical modulation, parody
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