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Mosaic (1962)
Leta E. Miller:
"Mosaic was written for John Perras of the Dorian Quintet ... The virtuoso score opens with timbral modulation and then calls for numerous extended techniques: the pianist uses knuckles on the keys and plays glissandi on the strings; a buzzing timbre is created by placing paper inside the instrument; the flutist performs key slaps, harmonics, and whistle tones. The dramatic duet builds to a climactic set of cadenzas, then falls back to a quiet conclusion."
Roger Reynolds:
"Mosaic is subdivided into twelve sections ... Here, a new level of attention is paid to instrumental 'color' and the shaping influence of texture. There are ... twelve categories of musical articulation specified in the sketches, ranging from trills and repeated notes, to pitch glissandi and percussive sounds such as key clicks ... So the identity of each section is now supported by a specific musical texture ... and expressive intention."
Roger Reynolds' (b. 1934) compositional output ranges from instrumental and vocal music to multimedia works integrating computers, video, dance, and theater. His music is influenced by American experimental composers Charles Ives, Edgard Varèse, and John Cage, the music of the Second Viennese School, and a wide variety of literature and art. Spatial elements play a significant role in Reynolds' compositions, from works written for specific buildings such as Kenzo Tange's Olympic Gymnasium in Tokyo, Japan to those featuring computer sound spatialization such as WATERSHED, a 1998 DVD recording which explores the possibilities of Dolby Digital 5.1-channel sound.
A native of Detroit, Michigan, Reynolds studied with Kenneth Aiken at Wayne State University and Ross Lee Finney, Roberto Gerhard, and Paul Cooper at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor, where he obtained degrees in engineering and music. He was a co-founder of the ONCE Festivals in Ann Arbor in 1961 and the Cross Talk Concert Series and Intermedia Festival in Tokyo in 1967-1969, during which time he was a fellow at the Institute of Current World Affairs. Since then Reynolds has taught at the University of California, San Diego, where he founded the Center for Music Experiment in 1972. He has also worked extensively at Stanford University's CCRMA (Center for Computer Research in Music and Acoustics). Visiting professorships include the University of Illinois, Yale University, Amherst College, and City University of New York.
Reynolds' music has been performed by ensembles and at festivals worldwide. Recipient in 1989 of the Pulitzer Prize for his work for string orchestra Whispers Out of Time (1988), he has received commissions from the Ford, Fromm, Koussevitzky, and Suntory Hall Foundations, the Los Angeles and Philadelphia Orchestras, Library of Congress, Lincoln Center, BBC, British Arts Council, Radio France, and IRCAM. He has written four books, the most recent of which is Form and Method: Composing Music (2002), a detailed treatment of his compositional approach. Reynolds' music is recorded on the Auvidis/Montaigne, Bridge, CRI, GM, Gramavision, Lovely Music, Mode, Neuma, New World, and Wergo labels.
related websites
http://www.rogerreynolds.com
Karen (Hill) Reynolds studied at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor and University of California, San Diego. Her principal teacher was Marcel Moyse; she also studied in Paris with Michel Debost on a Fulbright scholarship. Reynolds has been active in the planning, performance, and production of music festivals including Séances de travail in Paris, Cross Talk Concert Series and Intermedia Festival in Tokyo, and the Center for Music Experiment and Pacific Rim Festival at the University of California, San Diego. Reynolds has also taught flute at San Diego State University.
Bob James has worked in a range of styles and genres as a pianist, keyboard player, composer, arranger, and producer. He studied composition and piano at the University of Michigan in Ann Arbor from 1957 to 1962 and for a year at the Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts. In Ann Arbor he led a jazz trio at local clubs and performed at the ONCE Festivals of contemporary music. Later in New York City James served as music director for jazz singer Sarah Vaughan and composed, produced, and performed on records for the label CTI with artists including Ron Carter, Roberta Flack, Eric Gale, Freddie Hubbard, Quincy Jones, Dionne Warwick, and Grover Washington, Jr. At CBS Records he also worked with Blood Sweat & Tears, Neil Diamond, Kenny Loggins, and Paul Simon. James has also written music for film and television; his song "Angela" was used as theme to the television series Taxi. Since the 1990's he has performed as a member of the crossover group Fourplay. He received two Grammy Awards for his collaborations with Earl Klugh and David Sanborn. James can be heard on his own label Tappan Zee Records as well as Castle, Columbia, ESP-Disk, Mercury, and Warner Brothers.
related websites
http://www.bobjames.com
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