December 12, 2012

Do you like music? Then check out this hour-long retrospective radio program of music and words by Finnish composer Juhani Nuorvala. I have listened to this program at least four times now, and I can tell you, the music is wonderful, and I want you to hear it. And, act fast, because this link will expire on Dec 25: http://areena.yle.fi/radio/1695941

Details for the musical excerpts are:

• Pinta ja säe 1991 (orchestra, 12EDO), at 0'00" and 5'00" (there are spectralist passages in this work, with quartertones, but not in this excerpt)
• Kellarisinfonia ('Garage Symphony', 1995, ensemble, 12EDO), at 11'40"
• Arias from 'Flash Flash', an opera about Andy Warhol, 2005/2009 (11-limit JI), at 25'25"
• Madrigal for Choir 2007 (11-limit JI), at 35'55"
• Tune for Kantele 2010 (7EDO), at 42'40"
• Boost, 2009 (cello and analogue synth, 11-limit JI; new studio recording), at 47'55"

A list of the musicians is available TBX1 units were used to help train singers to internalize special tunings. I'm honored that something I made has contributed to this innovative creative work. While the performance of Boost on this program uses a Moog synthesizer with built-in microtuning, a previous performance of that piece used a TBX1 with a Dave Smith Instruments MoPho, and I have some pictures from that earlier performance in 2009.

Listening to Nuorvala's music, I have the feeling that it is saying something very important. Not surprisingly, others have been making similar observations. Take a moment to read some good words about Nuorvala's music by fellow composer Matthew Whittall.

Last, please also enjoy Prélude non retouché by Nuorvala, an organ piece which was written using microsynth with an organ soundfont, tuned in meantone, with a midi keyboard controller and Finale:

Music by Nuorvala can be found on soundcloud here. Enjoy!