"Sound Morphology" (Bil Smith Composer): July 2024

Wednesday, July 31, 2024

"Bizzarrini" for Euphonium

"Bizzarrini"

for Euphonium

Bil Smith Composer

2024

30" X 30"

Linke to Full Score (Hi-Res)

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HnRVvzussVz3nRquXg_rB8VzhOXEYu47/view?usp=sharing

The score for "Bizzarrini" is designed to represent a dynamic field of three-dimensional neometrical structures, where linear induction plays a pivotal role. This induction mechanism allows facets within the score to open and close, akin to a breathing organism that responds to the stimuli of musical interpretation. As these facets shift, they mold the framework of the composition, crafting a tapestry of perspectives that blur the lines between the spatial continuities of inside and outside.

One of the key aspects of the "Bizzarrini" score is its use of visual notational vectors. These vectors are not merely ornamental but serve as metaphors that guide the interpretation of the music. They elaborate the principal themes of the composition less like a mathematical proof and more like a gravitational center, exerting a centripetal force that draws all elements toward a cohesive auditory experience.

Paying homage to the concept of hypothetical modularity, "Bizzarrini" embraces a structure that allows for varying interpretations and performances. This modularity is not just a feature of the music's construction but also a reflection of the compositional philosophy behind it.

The concept of "hypothetical modularity" refers to a theoretical framework or approach where systems, designs, or structures are conceived as being modular, but such modularity isn't physically instantiated in a fixed manner. Instead, it remains a conceptual tool used to explore and manipulate the flexibility and potential configurations of a system.

"Boxcar Full Of Air" The Full Score (PDF)

"Boxcar Full Of Air"

For C Trumpet and Piano

Bil Smith Composer

The Full Score (PDF)

A Commission from Navistar

https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5lqYq0XwE76LVFKSUROOC1qcTQ/view?usp=sharing

"Nabokov's Wearisome Cleverness" for C Trumpet. A Fanfare

Monday, July 29, 2024

Reductive Scores: Subtracted Music Notation

In the realm of artistic creation, there exists a peculiar fascination with the act of subtraction, the deliberate elimination of materials and elements. This enigmatic concept, unveils a profound interplay of masking and revealing, drawing the performers into a world of hidden meanings and unexpected revelations.

Reductive music notation is a compositional approach that embraces subtraction and elimination as fundamental techniques for creating nuanced notations. Reductive notation allows for heightened interpretive possibilities and depth of expression exploring the merits of exponential layering and surface depth as transformative tools

This deliberate act of voiding not only brings clarity to the composition but also invites the performer to engage in a deeper dialogue with the music. By reducing musical elements to their bare essentials, composers create a framework where each layer interacts and resonates with others.

Reductive notation fosters surface depth, where seemingly sparse musical gestures harbor hidden meanings and latent potential. Through careful placement and deliberate absence, I unlock layers of significance that might otherwise remain concealed.

Within the realm of visual arts, the concept of subtraction finds expression in various forms. Artists engage in a transformative dance of removing layers, scraping away pigments, or chiseling away at a block of stone. Through this act of elimination, the artwork undergoes a metamorphosis, shedding its superfluous layers to expose a hidden essence. Like a magician's sleight of hand, the artist manipulates space and form, coaxing the viewer to look beyond the obvious and embrace the mysterious allure of the absent.

In music, the notion of subtraction manifests in the delicate interplay of notes and silences, of sounds and pauses. The composer weaves a sonic tapestry, carefully choosing which elements to include and which to omit. Through the strategic removal of certain musical elements, a composition assumes new dimensions, its essence resonating in the spaces between the sounds. The act of subtraction becomes an act of revelation, an invitation for the listener to explore the uncharted territories of sonic imagination.

But what lies beneath the surface of this compositional alchemy? How do the masked and revealed elements intertwine to create a profound aesthetic experience? The key to unraveling this mystery lies in the duality of presence and absence, in the dance between what is seen and what is left unsaid.

The act of subtraction transcends the physicality of the score revealing the composers innermost intentions and aspirations. Through this process, the score becomes an embodiment of intricate narratives, a visual puzzle awaiting the performer's interpretation.