Ferneyhough: Time and Motion Study II (1973-76) [Part 1/3]

Brian Ferneyhough's Time and Motion Study II for solo cello with delay tapes, modulation and extensive amplification.

Ferneyhough writes:

"In the first instance, this work is concerned with memory, with the manner in which memory sieves, colors and re-orders while processing information. A second level concerns itself with the construction of a model designed to demonstrate the fact that memory is discontinuous -- something having a decided effect on perception, on the one hand in the form of over-increasing 'interference' in development, on the other as a necessary precondition for the historical consolidation of the individual. Point of departure for this specific confrontation: a detailed examination of the multifaceted nature of time and the abolition of linear temporal experience in the process of recall."

For more, see: http://books.google.com/books?id=TyquPRg7f34C&pg=PA107&dq=ferneyhough...

The image is an excerpt of the score to this piece (unfortunately, I don't have the whole thing).

Category:

Music

Tags:

• brian
• ferneyhough
• cello
• electronics
• time
• and
• motion
• study
• ii
• british
• english
• new
• complexity
• electroacoustic
• modern
• contemporary
• avant
• garde
• classical
• chamber

[TheScriabin]

Ferneyhough possesses the essential characteristics of any leading artist - he is a mould breaker and a risk taker. That takes tremendous guts and self-belief, and to reduce him to a self-indulgent, creatively vacuous, academic crawler is more than a little close-minded.

[tarantism]

no one should really care about the complexity or how much knowledge the composer has; the sounds speak for themselves. i find it visual and funny. If you heard this going on as you walked into a cave you would be in awe of nature's beauty. But minute there is a frame around it, you say "what is this shit"?

[AEFic]

Love this piece or hate it, in the end even what you consider to be the most contrived example of expression is worth more than a Youtube comment describing it as such. A piece has no objective 'goodness' or 'badness', and whether you love it or hate it speaks only of your relation to it. Whether Ferneyhough put his heart into this can't be known by you or me, and even if he didn't, I love this piece. This is all I have to say on the topic, rants on artistic merits don't benefit anyone here.

[egapnala65]

@AfroDeezeeYak If you like Lutoslawski, check out Leif Segerstam. There's a couple of symphonies on here. Same ideas about controlled chance and all done without a conductor. I'll make an interesting person out of you yet.

[AfroDeezeeYak]

@egapnala65 I find Ferneyhough's music to be interesting, which is why I take the time to look him up and listen to his works. Why anyone would make such efforts without an interest in the first place, is beyond me *ahem

[AfroDeezeeYak]

@egapnala65 What are the 'facts'? I have disclosed nothing about myself over these comments: merely questioned your intent.

I actually don't hold Ferneyhough to high heaven like you make it out to be. Composers like Lutoslawski, Perle, Lindberg, Knussen better suit my fancy.

The joys of assumption and blatant ignorance. 

[egapnala65]

@AfroDeezeeYak Of course, given the facts of the case, you will reach your 40's listening to the same composers you listen to now. You will still be droning on about Ferneyhough and how radical he is and how intellectual he is. The joys of academia.

[AfroDeezeeYak]

@egapnala65 And congratulations: you've amassed a larger collection of music than that of someone who is less than half your age. I've always been skeptical of following my most daring dreams, but clearly, you are an example of such dreams being fulfilled.

[AfroDeezeeYak]

@egapnala65 If I am 'haunting' you, then I couldn't even imagine the word to describe what you are doing to Ferneyhough...

[egapnala65]

@AfroDeezeeYak Yaaaaaawwwwwnnnnn. Come back and haunt me when you have gone through the same number of composers I have.