In 1998 I started…
by Tim Brady |am_164-0001|
In 1998 I started a collaboration with five fantastic musicians on the
other side of the planet, known collectively as Topology, a group based in
Brisbane, Australia. We have a common passion for the intimacy and immediacy
of small ensemble music, in exploring rhythm and pulse as a primary element
in contemporary chamber composition, and a love for simply getting on stage
and playing like there is no tomorrow.
Of the four pieces on the CD, some were written specifically for the
Topology, and some are arrangements of works originally written for other
ensembles. SCAT (because we all have voices and stories to tell) was
originally a quartet, but was expanded to suit Topology’s
instrumentation and personality, using Kylie and Robert Davison’s
propulsive piano and bass playing to push the piece forward. It was premiered
during Topology’s 2003 Canadian tour. Lightning Field was composed for
our joint 1999 Australian tour. The first section (Darkness) combines sampled
electric guitar sounds with the five instrumentalists, while the second
section (Illumination) becomes a vehicle for the remarkable rhythmic drive of
John Babagge’s saxophone and Christa Powell’s violin.
The slow, ritualistic Dark Matter (Primal Pulse) was written for the
Philadelphia group Relâche in 1998, but this small-scale viola concerto works
equally well with an augmented Topology ensemble, with Bernard Hoey as
soloist. Struck Twice by Lightning takes many of the same samples as
Lightning Field and transforms them into a demonic solo for tape and viola,
putting Bernard back in the driver’s seat for this work.
There is no point in giving the exhaustive list of superlative adjectives
to describe a Topology performance. Listen to the CD - you’ll hear it
instantly, words only get in the way of the kind of subtle, split-second
communication that the group brings to this music. Thanks, mates.
Tim Brady [x-07]
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