Today’s track premiere features Transient Canvas (Amy Advocat, bass clarinet; Matt Sharrock, marimba) performing composer Emily Koh’s \very/ specifically vague from the Boston-based duo’s forthcoming album, Right now, in a second.
Right now, in a second marks Transient Canvas’ third album as they celebrate their tenth anniversary season. \very/ specifically vague is one of seven commissioned works on the album, which also includes world premiere recordings of music by Barbara White, Jonathan Bailey Holland, Clifton Ingram, Crystal Pascucci, Stefanie Lubkowski, and Keith Kirchoff.
Here’s what Emily Koh had to say about \very/ specifically vague:
In Singapore, we speak Singlish. Those who don’t know it think it is English with a Singaporean accent, but it is not. The syntax and pacing of Singlish is different, but perhaps the most confusing thing about it to English speakers is that we often describe things using context-driven specifically vague descriptors. This piece tries to imitate such a conversation between the bass clarinetist and marimbist, and specifically puts Transient Canvas on the spot!
Right now, in a second is out this Friday, October 16, 2020 on New Focus Recordings, but you can pre-order the album here.
About Transient Canvas
Boston-based contemporary duo Transient Canvas is on a mission to revolutionize the modern concert experience. Since 2011, their innovative performances have been praised as “superb” by the Boston Globe and “disarming” by Cleveland Classical, with the San Francisco Chronicle lauding “the versatile imagination they both display and inspire in others.” Bass clarinetist Amy Advocat and marimbist Matt Sharrock relish the creative potential of working with living composers, having amassed a varied repertoire of over 80 commissioned works in addition to working with hundreds of student composers from all over the world. They maintain an active touring schedule with recent performances at the Charlotte New Music Festival, Red Note Festival, Music on the Edge, Ethos New Music Society, People Inside Electronics, Music at the Forefront, and New Music Gathering, among others. They have two albums, Sift and Wired, both released on New Focus Recordings. Transient Canvas proudly endorses Henri Selmer Paris, Conn-Selmer, and Marimba One.
About Emily Koh
Emily Koh (b.1986) is a Singaporean composer based in Atlanta, whose music is characterized by inventive explorations of the smallest details of sound. In addition to writing acoustic and electronic concert music, she enjoys collaborating with other creatives in projects where sound plays an important role in the creative process. Emily is currently Assistant Professor of Composition at the University of Georgia’s Hugh Hodgson School of Music.
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