Scott Deal

Big Robot recently traveled to China to perform as guests of the Musicacoustica Festival (pictured above). While there, we also presented workshops on computer-acoustic music in several universities in the Beijing area. A great time was had by all….can’t wait for the return trip!

I am so excited about the newest piece created as a result of a long-standing collaboration with Big Robot bandmate Michael Drews titled Surveillance. I have been working with a bicycle wheel for several years now, exploring my own take on this unique transportation implement turned percussion instrument. And Michael, who composed Surveillance, discovered that bicycle moving parts, with their intricate, modulating sounds; are superb match for computer-acoustic interactivity.  Bicycles as musical instruments have appeared in new and experimental music concerts for many years (for example, check out this fabulous video of Frank Zappa performing on a bicycle in 1963). » Read the rest of this entry «

I experienced some fantastic moments in a simultaneous performance involving three of John Cage’s “number” instrumental solos: 31’57.9864” For a Pianist, performed by Steffen Schleiermacher, 26’1.1499” for a String Player, performed by Karinna Fox, and 27’10.544” for A Percussionist, performed by me; on an evening concert at the New England Conservatory Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice in June.  These works are part of a collection of indeterminate works collectively known as Ten Thousand Things. For an interesting read on this collection of works composed using chance operations, visit James Pritchett’s website. To view the performance, click here.

The New England Conservatory Summer Institute for Contemporary Performance Practice, also known to its participants as “Sick Puppy” was held at New England Conservatory in Boston June 15-23. An 8-day immersion into new and experimental music for advanced and professional musicians, SICPP began in the 1990’s when noted pianist and Artistic Director Stephen Drury began a contemporary music performance seminar for his students. Eventually Drury began to add composers, percussionists, vocalists and instrumentalists until it reached its present form, a new music institute that includes an Ensemble Program, an Electronic Music Workshop, and the New Works Program, which is a workshop for composers who have the opportunity to study with the Composer-in-Residence. » Read the rest of this entry «

Big Robot recently returned from concerts and presentations in Oklahoma, performing material from their upcoming DVD at the Cameron University New Music Festival, and at Oklahoma State University. Click here to view a performance of Jack Walk, taken during the trip.

New Yorker Magazine has listed the recording of Four Thousand Holes, composed by John Luther Adams, on its Top Ten Classical CD Picks for 2011 list. The work, which can be found on the Cold Blue Records CD of the same title, is a 33-minute tour de force scored for percussionist, pianist and electronics. Deal recorded the piece last year in Boston with his frequent collaborator, noted pianist Stephen Drury. » Read the rest of this entry «

Internet2, the nation’s most advanced networking consortium, presented the Internet2 Driving Exemplary Applications (IDEA) award  to Matthew Burtner of the University of Virginia and myself for the creation of the telematic and media-enriched opera, Auksalaq.
» Read the rest of this entry «

I just returned from two weeks on the road with the Boston-based new music group Callithumpian Consort, directed by Stephen Drury. Great fun and a busy time performing concerts and giving presentations. The group performed Steve Reich’s Sextet, Tristan Murail’s Le Lac, Sonata for Two Pianos and Percussion by Bela Bartok, and The Credo in Us by John Cage. Audiences were great, the group rocked, and as usual, there was never a dull moment with Drury and Company. Click here to visit the website for the Idaho concert.

“Those I Fight I Do Not Hate” is a work by my friend and Big Robot co-conspirator Jordan Munson, composed for bodhrán, electronics, and video.  Both of us made the trek across the pond to the UK in early August for two performances of the piece (me-bodhrán; Jordan-video and electronics) at the 2011 International Computer Music Conference.  » Read the rest of this entry «