Triptych from EAM by Barry Schrader

"Triptych was awarded first prize for computer music composition by the YAMAHA-URBAN 15 computer music competition in 1987. “Triptych” is a rather personal composition since it springs primarily from my own past work rather than external sources. “Triptych” continues my interest in the use of compositional gestalts, as well as the development and transformation of timbres. This can be heard especially in the outer two of the work's three movements. In the first, groups of changing timbres overlap each other, creating transitions through spectral relationships. The third section deals with musical contradictions: the material is simultaneously changing and unchanging, predictable and unpredictable, static and developing. Almost everything that happens here is a function of the construction and interaction of the electronic "instruments" which are actually sixteen variants of the same timbral design. The middle movement presents a variety of percussive sounds, alternating between sustained and non-sustained qualities. Although “Triptych” is in three clearly delineated sections, dealing firstly with pitch, then rhythm in the second section, and finally timbre in the third part, the work is continuous and without silences.

Schrader's compositions for electronics, dance, film, video, mixed media, live/electro-acoustic music combinations, and real-time computer performance have been presented throughout the world. In 2014, he was given the SEAMUS Lifetime Achievement Award. He was a member of the Composition Faculty of the CalArts School of Music from 1971 to 2016. His web site is <barryschrader.com>.

barryschrader.com