Works

Shout, Murmur, Wheeze (2006) 16′
composed for Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo
premiered 9.3.2006, Helsinki Musica Nova

Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo, alto sax
Mika Kallio, drumset

Shout, Murmur, Wheeze is an experiment in the compositional taming of free jazz. A commission from Finnish saxophone virtuoso Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo, the work explores the tension between the precision of classical saxophone with the unbridled expression of certain improvisatory genres. The drumset part has been meticulously notated in order replicate very specific effects associated with the sound world of drummers like Han Bennink and Rashid Ali. Meterless, fantasy-like sections in the work actually belie techniques such as canonical counterpoint and strict metric modulations. At some point in the work, the texture gradually crystallizes into a Bulgarian romp – which is subsequently and summarily deconstructed.

The piece is included on Olli-Pekka Tuomisalo’s recording SaxCussion