Photo by Scott Friedlander - full-res version here
THIRD EYE ORCHESTRA
"I have felt that the conditions of spontaneity and mobility of elements which I have been working with create a more urgent and intense “communication” throughout the entire process, from composing to the final realization of a work, I prefer that each “final form,” which each performance necessarily produces, be a collaborative adventure, and that the work and its conditions of human involvement remain a 'living' potential of engagement." (Earle Brown, General Directions For Performance)
Hans Tammen uses Earle Brown's open form composition idea as a starting point to create a large multi-movement piece, thoroughly composed and purely improvised at the same time, inspired by west african roots of Jazz, Miles Davis' Bitches Brew, Steve Coleman, and Stravinsky's layering or Steve Reich's phase techniques. Drawing from a repertoire of numerous pre-conceived musical units, the conductor is free to choose which one to play next, and in which instrumental combination. Merging improvisational aspects with open form composition, the conductor uses the orchestra as an instrument, while each performer shapes the music through virtuosic improvisation and the individual stylization of musical performance.
Tammen gets his thrill out of exploring the world of sounds, by utilizing technology from his hybrid guitar/computer setup to planetarium projectors, guitar robots and disklavier pianos. His Third Eye Orchestra concept was first presented in 2004 on Canada's Sound Symposium Festival, with a take on Miles Davis' Bitches Brew period. From the first original work presented on 2005's "Jazz on the Volga" Festival in Yaroslavl, Russia, numerous works for various kinds of ensembles were presented in the US, Bulgaria, Russia, Ukraine, Mexico and Germany.
Hans Tammen received composer commissions for the Third Eye Orchestra from the American Composers Forum, underwritten by the Jerome Fondation, and the New York State Council On The Arts (NYSCA). The CD was produced with funds from the New York State Music Funds.
The core ensemble in New York City consists of string quartet, wind/brass quartet, two pianos/keyboards, bass, percussion, voice and live sound processing, often enhanced by one or more guests. The ensemble released a CD of a 2006 Roulette performance as "Antecedent / Consequent" on the Innova label. All About Jazz called the music "nothing short of breathtaking", and "a masterpiece of musical evocation".
Link to the CD page: "Third Eye Orchestra", released on Innova in 2008. To purchase, see the Innova site here.
"Everything about Third Eye Orchestra... indicates mastery and control" (Howard Mandel / CD Liner Notes)
2009 Live at Roulette, NYC
ANAGENESIS
Mari Kimura (vio), Jason Hwang (vio), Stephanie Griffin (vla), Tomas Ullrich (cel)
Briggan Kraus (as, bari), Marty Ehrlich (bcl, as, fl), Robert Dick (fl, cbfl), Herb Robertson (tp)
Dafna Naphtali (voice, live sound processing), David Simons (theremin, gongs)
Ursel Schlicht (p), Denman Maroney (p), Stomu Takeishi (b), Satoshi Takeishi (perc)
2009 Live at Galapagos, Brooklyn
GEOSPIZINAE
David Soldier (vio), Mari Kimura (vio), Jason Hwang (vla), Tomas Ullrich (cel)
Briggan Kraus (as, bari), Marty Ehrlich (bcl, as, fl), Robert Dick (fl, cbfl), Chris McIntyre (tb)
Dafna Naphtali (voice, live sound processing)
Ursel Schlicht (p), Denman Maroney (p), Stomu Takeishi (b), Satoshi Takeishi (perc)
"Everything about Third Eye Orchestra... indicates mastery and control" (Howard Mandel / CD Liner Notes)