University of Otago Music Department's Showcase concerts on Wednesday lunchtimes in Marama Hall cover many different genres and performers.
This week, Subject2Change, an ensemble well known and respected for its jazz and Latin repertoire, took centre stage with its unique style of contemporary music.
Performing were Trevor Coleman (keyboards and trumpet), Nick Cornish (alto and soprano saxophones), David Harrison (guitar), Rob Burns (basses) and Paul McLennan-Kissel (drums).
Apart from one colourful piece Blue in Green, a composition by Miles Davis and Bill Evans and featuring Ian Chapman on "Hang" drum, the entire recital was a showcase of "comprovisation" - that's the in-word for unrehearsed composition and improvisation on site.
The other four "original" pieces (contemporary in the fullest sense) just sort of evolved with suggestions of harmonic and structural conceptsemerging, as the very talented performers explored unusual and innovative ways toexpress their thoughts and moods of the moment through the various instruments.
Their music ebbed and flowed in a sea of acoustically echoing sound-scapes, with fade-out, glissandos, and countless kaleidoscopic special effects from the keyboard.
Strong melodic woodwind segments ranged from raw strangulated timbre to gloriously resonant, and serious reverb from all was a constant overriding effect.
Although ingenious with rhythmic ideas, the drummer was rather submissive throughout, clearly not feeling moved to conquer with any outbursts of ravaging percussion on this occasion.
Programme notes stated: "For members of this group, live performance venue and the recording studio have all become contexts for experimentation and discovery."
I actually found their recital not too loud, surprisingly restful and musically contemplative.
Lunchtime concert
Marama Hall
Wednesday, April 4
- Written by Elizabeth Bouman.
