A single, extensive improvised solo piano improvisation by Berkeley based pianist Matthew Goodheart. The performance took place at the Tenri Kulturwerkstatt in Köln, Germany on May 22, 2009. It was the first set of a two set evening, the second half included saxophonist Georg Wissel and Melvyn Poore on tuba.

Release date: September, 2009 Available in physical disc and mp3 format at CDBaby. Digital formats are available on iTunes,and will soon be available at emusic and Amazon and other digital outlets.

Contents

Techniques

The central focus of performance techniques focus on the resonant properties of the piano. These techniques include the use of damper manipulation (both by pedal and after-touch) which isolates small groups of harmonics, masking (covering the attack of one pitch through the louder, shorter attack of a louder pitch or cluster), harmonic shaping of sustained tones through variations in keystroke/hammer attack, the traditional isolation of string harmonics by dampening the struck string at a particular harmonic node, and others. A significant section of the work includes “inside the piano” techniques, primarily using fingernails on the lower, wound copper strings of the instrument, and the plucking of strings in the upper register.

Performance photo showing production harmonics by touching node on string.
Performance photo showing production harmonics by touching node on string.
Performance photo showing use of fingernails on strings.
Performance photo showing use of fingernails on strings.


Structure

Structure, at both the sectional and formal level, is created through the use of juxtaposition or development between resonant techniques. Each section is concentrated on some element of the acoustic model of attack, sustain, and decay. The overall form of the improvisation moves roughly through these three elements.

Concert Production Details

The performance was supported by Tenri Kulturwerkstatt, and funded in part by Stadt Köln, Musikreferat.

Recording Production Details

The performance was recorded by Georg Wissel, and was mastered by Myles Boisen at Headless Buddha Labs in Oakland, CA on July 12, 2009. CD design was by Matthew Goodheart and Marianna Goodheart, with photos by Georg Wissel.

The CD was released in September of 2009, the first release on the new web-based Evolving Door Music label.