Anthony Braxton tropes 23C + 40N

Composition 23C

·         provides group consciousness

·         is an additive repetitive structure for extended interpretation that was composed in 1973

·         is an isolated thematic generating structure that utilizes additive repetition as the basis for exploration dynamics

·         is designed to interrupt the normal continuum of the music…and re-establish its own conceptual focus

·         is designed as an extended phrase that is progressively revealed in a series of twenty-one repeats

·         offers an operational criterion that is stated and inflexible

·         is constructed in one movement

·         is to be executed as designed without elaboration

·         is to be performed without any breaks or stops from beginning to end

·         is one long extended line that is executed in unison by the total ensemble with the exception of percussion, which may be openly improvised

·         is designed to continually surprise and enrich its instrumentalist and listener

·         is dedicated to the great athlete Willie Mays

Composition 40N

·         is a drone platform for extended improvisation that was composed in the Black Forest of Western Germany in the spring of 1975

·         is an attempt to continually reconnect with the vibrational dynamics and focus of world creativity

·         is not separate from the functional dictates of both Indian and African creativity

·         is a drone structure that functions in the same sense as Indian Raga music

·         establishes a layered sound space that becomes a sound curtain that defines its own moment dynamics

·         is conceived as a platform to reinvestigate primary sounds

·         is a slow pulse structure that floats in the space of the music into the ‘open’ space

·         is a sensitive music universe that contains smooth phrase exchanges and continuances

·         like a Raga, achieves peace and understanding as a basis to expand from

·         is a sound world that stretches the moment by emphasizing both long sound connections and long silences in between moments

·         is a spiritual and real space in its ultimate sense as well as an isolated and unfeeling space in its non-ultimate sense

·         is a slow pulse structure for extended improvisation that establishes terms for moment creativity

·         is a linear constructed platform consisting of eleven phrase groupings in nine basic sections or components

·         is designed to be as flexible as possible depending on the needs of the moment

·         is a direct statement about serious matters

·         is a response to the music of John Coltrane, Joseph Jarman and Kalaparusha Difta

·         reflects the composer’s awareness of modalism and the power of one note

self portrait as a set of notes lovingly harvested from anthony braxton’s compositions notes

arwulf arwulf September 2012