Four Chained Daisies (1985, '92) for String Quartet (BMI) by Dan Senn
Program Notes
"... Daisies" is written using the Raku Composition Program, compositional software developed by the composer to emulate the "elegant awkwardness" of the raku ceramic process. The RCP, a flexible program capable of producing a variety of musical forms, is used here to create a continuum of driving and kaleidoscopic modalities resting beneath a 5/4 "metrical net" which captures the piece for live performance. Because of this, the perception of the piece often exists apart from its apparent regular structure-- i.e., phrases, which often trigger references to tonal origins, may begin at any point in a measure. In this respect, Anatom... is as a hybrid piece existing somewhere between the influences of modal-western counterpoint and the asymmetry of Zen, Senn and the associated raku ceramic process.
The pitch material for this piece was derived from the "I'm half crazy..." motive of the American tune "Daisies". Rhythmic and pitch data from this motive were used to seed the RCP, as described above., with the output of four program runs chained together to construct the piece.
"... Daisies" has a duration of about eight minutes and twenty seconds.
Score Examples: page 1, page 2, page 3, page 4, page 5, page 6, page 7, page 8, page 9, page 10, page 12, page 13, page 14, page 15, page 16
Rehearsal Notes
This is a difficult piece. For the best of players, it will require several weeks of rehearsal. Concentrate first on note and metrical accuracy while gradually bringing the piece to tempo. Minor fluxuations, away from the given tempos, are acceptable and necessary.
Accidentals hold within the measure given.
©1992 Dan Senn
Score is available from: Newsense Intermedium 990 NW 161st Terrace Beaverton, OR 97006 email: newsense@newsense-intermedium.com
