Unfurl

Piano and computer OR solo piano

duration 9’00”

Unfurl (2023) was composed for pianist Jeri-Mae G. Astofli. The title describes how the music gradually unfolds in several waves over the course of the piece from a single interval in the first measure to grand gestures toward the end. The music is infused with quarter tones throughout, which begin as sparse harmonic embellishments and later build to form dense microtonal sonorities.

Unfurl may be performed in two versions:

  • Piano and computer. This version requires a computer running Max software (Cycling 74). The computer plays the quarter tones via a small speaker placed inside the grand piano and a click track for the pianist. See further information below.

  • Solo piano with no computer quarter tone playback.

Required Equipment/Software:

  • Computer with two discreet stereo outputs via an audio interface or aggregate audio device (Mac).

  • Headphones

  • Small stereo speaker(s) placed inside piano. Speakers must be hard wired to computer/interface via an audio cable. A Bluetooth speaker will not function correctly.

  • Max software by Cycling 74 (available at www. cycling74.com)

  • Unfurl.maxpat computer file (available from the composer)

Technical Information:

  • The pianist plays with a click track.

  • The quarter tones and click track are played from the computer via Max software running the Unfurl.maxpat file.

  • The quarter tones are routed to the speaker – placed inside the piano – through one stereo output. The click track is routed to the headphones through the other stereo output.

  • Care must be taken to balance the quarter tone playback volume and brightness to that of the live piano prior to the performance. Both quarter tone volume and brightness may be adjusted in the computer program.

 
 

Acquire the Score and Performance Materials

Contact the composer at emartin1014@gmail.com to request the performance materials including the score, Max patch, and audio samples.