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Blackbox #009: It’s OK if it’s rhythmic!

In this episode I would like to continue where I finished last time (have a look at: Blackbox #008) and focus on another element which is quite different in contemporary music compared to other types of music: Rhythm.

In this episode I am going to show you that dissonances are actually as such not the reason why some of us find contemporary music uncomfortable. You will see that when we are provided with a steady beat, and a clear rhythmic structure, we can take even the most unbearable dissonances.

Enjoy!
–Seda

PS: next time when you listen to a popular song by Björk or Röyksopp try to imagine the music without the beat. Then you will also see how dissonant some of the most popular songs actually are. If you want to try this out just click on the links below:

Röyksopp: A Higher Place
Björk: Possibly Maybe

Blackbox 005: Fuchs vs. Brahms – 1 : 1

Robert Fuchs and Johannes Brahms
Robert Fuchs and Johannes Brahms

As you all know in this podcast series I usually talk about contemporary music, but this time I would like to focus on music that is new not in the sense that it was composed recently, but that is new because it is still undiscovered for the wider public: the piano sonata op. 88 in g-minor by Robert Fuchs.

Fuchs was a contemporary of Brahms and in today’s episode I compare two pieces by these two composers.

Please leave me a comment if you like the podcast!

Best wishes,
– Seda

The next episode of Blackbox…

… will be about Hans Tutschku’s Zellen-Linien which is a piece for piano and live-electronics. You can listen to my live recording of Zellen-Linien at the New York City Electroacoustic Music Festival here.

<a href="http://music.sedaroeder.com/track/hans-tutschku-zellen-linien">Hans Tutschku &#8211; Zellen Linien by Seda Röder</a>

If you have any particular questions about this piece, please post them here by using the comments field below, or email me directly at seda@sedaroeder.com, and I will then try to address your questions in my upcoming podcast.

I am looking forward to your input:-)
- Seda

Blackbox #003: How Méandres meanders

Seda Röder and Bert van HerckThe third episode of Blackbox is on Bert van Herck’s piano piece Méandres. The main focus of this episode lies on the question of how the composer transforms a musical idea that seems secondary at first into an important supporting pillar of his work. Of course, you will also find out how all of this relates to the title of Bert’s piece (and of this episode).

As always the podcast contains many musical examples as well as a full recording of my performance of the piece.

I am looking forward to receiving any feedback or questions from you. Please post your comments below or email me directly at seda@sedaroeder.com

Have fun!

– Seda

[Click Here to Download a Transcript of this Episode - PDF]

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Blackbox #002: Listening to Stockhausen’s Klavierstück IX

In the second episode of Blackbox, I will show you the six building blocks that make up Stockhausen’s famous piano piece No. 9. Recognizing these formal elements will help you find a way into this complex composition and hopefully increase your enjoyment of this fabulous piece!

Karlheinz StockhausenHere are some interesting links that might help you while digging deeper into the material:

What is … ?

I hope you like this episode. As always, please feel free to post any comments or questions you might have, either below in the comment field or via email to seda@sedaroeder.com.

Have fun!

– Seda

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