Microtonal recordings of frozen waterfalls, truffle mycelia, fruiting trees in Umbria, ephemeral spring wildflowers in Canada: join us on a journey across a rich tapestry of music for piano and electronics by Ed Bennett, Alvin Lucier and Gayle Young. Lucier’s classic “Music for Piano with Slow Sweep Pure Wave Oscillators” will “tune” our ears, teaching us to discern minute variations of microtonal beating as we liberate the piano from familiar restrictions of equal temperament. Bennett’s premieres of a set of striking miniatures will explore spectral relationships and establish a lively and striking dialogue between the piano and electronic sound, while Young’s poetic musings on environmental themes will soothe and provoke, massaging our ears and waking up multi-sensory associations.

This concert also celebrates the launch of “As Trees Grow”, a new portrait disc of music for piano, live electronics and field recording by Gayle Young released on Ars Subtilior / Farpoint Recordings.

Pre-concert talk (5:30pm):

Local wild food foraging expert Clare McQuillan (Feasting on Weeds) will join Bangor-based pianist Xenia Pestova Bennett and Canadian composer, instrument designer and sound artist Gayle Young in conversation about edible plants and our relationship with the environment.

Concert Programme (6pm):

Alvin Lucier (1931 – 2021): Music for Piano with Slow Sweep Pure Wave Oscillators (1992), piano and fixed media
Ed Bennett (b. 1975): New Work (2022, world premiere), piano and fixed media
Gayle Young (b. 1950): As Trees Grow (2014, Irish premiere), piano and live electronics
Forest Ephemerals (2004, selections), piano solo
Ice Creek (2018, Irish and UK premiere), piano and field recordings