Joshua Bornfield Plays "Serenade-Round" by Lou Harrison

EMU guitarist Joshua Bornfield plays the Round from Lou Harrisons's Serenade.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Lou
• Harrison
• Round
• Serenade
• Joshua
• Bornfield
• classical
• guitar
• EMU
• Eastern
• Michigan
• University

[jabornfield]

True just intonation requires moving the frets, and considering that most of the music I play is intended for an instrument of equal temperament, that is just not a great choice for me.

[jabornfield]

Without the extra rhythm being driven by another instrument, I wanted to give the musical priority to the melodic structure; by slowing it down I thought to give the listener a better chance to catch the contour without just shoving all the motion in their face by taking it at the marked speed. As a composer before being a guitarist, I think Harrison would have respected that choice.

[jabornfield]

Thank you all very much for your comments. to gmedina1988 & zapharatu, I can't afford a just-intoned guitar, and gauging out separate strings for a single piece of music seemed impractical for my purposes. If I were to perform the entire suite I would use a second instrument and set it up that way. Also, I chose to take the piece slower that the marked tempo because I'm not using a percussionist.

[zapharatu]

gmedina1988 is actually right. While I don't think there is anything wrong with taking the piece slower (it still sounds good at a slower tempo) the piece is technically supposed to be played on a guitar set up for just intonation. But that is understandably hard to do. The piece still sounds beautiful in equal temperment though. But just intonation does add a lot of subtle beauty. I'm not criticisizing your playing of course, you play the piece very well.

[syr1811]

I second that! Would Love to hear the other movements. This is beautiful. Thanks for sharing.

[gmedina1988]

dude calm down, just trying to give you a little constructive criticism. i was just saying because i heard if from men who knew and studied with lou harrison. No need to get your panties in a bunch.

[plrCounterpoint]

aight chef well if you know everything pick up your guitar and play it.

[gmedina1988]

your playing it too slow, it supposed to be a bit faster. and it sound nicer if you can find guitar that has been tuned and fretted for just intonation

[arash402003]

what a great suite this is...do you have the rest of the mvts?

Thanks!

[cheriemargot]

mmm. love this.