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Armageddon Row

from Arco 71 by Aaron Kerr

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about

This song uses a compositional device called a "tone row," which is basically a series of notes that are repeated in different ways. The idea started in the early 20th century and was a way to formalize the use of atonality (music without a tonal center). There were a few rules you had to follow if you wanted to really make it sound atonal, such as never repeating a note until the row was done. You could also reverse the notes, invert the notes, start on different parts of the row, or use a combination of those things. Frankly, I always thought most tone row, or "serial," music was frustrating to listen to. Strict adherence to anything can be pretty limiting, and constant atonality can be downright annoying. My approach here was to create a row that had some tonality built into it so it would be easier to work with. Life is generally complicated, so I'm always pleased when I can do something simple and have it work out. In this case, I added some harmony, repeated the row at different tempos, and added some improvisation. This piece, by the way, is the oldest composition on Arco 71. Its first performance was in 1998 at a concert with the Anahadanada Trio at the Landmark Center in St. Paul.

credits

from Arco 71, released August 7, 2013
Aaron Kerr--cello

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Emperor Penguin Records Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Emperor Penguin Records began in 2003 in St. Paul, MN and later moved to Milwaukee, WI in 2015. The label is run by musician/producer Tyson Allison. EPR enlists and caters to singer/songwriters, introverts, experimental weirdos, bookish people, and crafters that paint pictures with words and toy with your emotions on a well-placed chord. Thank you for your interest! ... more

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