Major League Geometry (2014)

Duration: 5:00
Instrumentation: Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone, Video, Tape
Premiered by: Caleb Colledge, Tracie Comber, and Alex Bull at Sonic State: Indieclassical concert, MetroArts, June 11 2016
Additional Performances:Three piano version performed by Sean Foran, Samuel Mitchell and Cara Tran at “Trichotomy & Nonsemble” concert, Cupo, Brisbane, 2 September 2016
Awards:MTAQ Awards - Winner, Audiovisual category; Winner, AMC award

Program Notes

Major League Geometry is an audiovisual work for Xylophone, Marimba, Vibraphone, Video and Tape. It is part of an ongoing exploration in my work to elucidate and expose polyrhythmic structures using moving images.The rhythms are all based on 3:4:5 ratios. The layered ostinatos differ in length but share a common pulse, which causes them to drift out of alignment. Though this process is completely deterministic, chaotic and unpredictable rhythms emerge along its lengthy journey toward resolution.The movements on screen precisely reflect these complex rhythms. Each instrument and sound is represented by an iteration of the swinging batter, which gives a hypnotic exposure to the geometrical rhythmic techniques. Rhythms which might seem purely random to the ears alone are revealed by the eyes to be elegant and complex.The work received first prize in the AV Section at the MTAQ Composers' Competition 2014, as well as the Australian Music Centre Prize for an Ensemble work.