The Mechanics of Creation - J.W. Nelleke (piano)

Piano sound possesses a dual nature. On one side, there is the living voice—its song, its soul, its musical tone. On the other, there is the dead, percussive truth of its mechanism: the felt striking the string, the dampers falling, the quiet groan of wood and pedal. Usually, we train our ears to ignore the latter, focusing entirely on the former. This composition, however, seeks to give the always present background sounds a voice well.

The piece begins almost purely visual—soft, mechanical noices that gradually stir the strings into resonance, coaxing pitch from pulse. As the strings awaken, so too does the work itself. Simple elements begin to transform: notes gather into chords, repetitions bloom into flowering garlands, etc. A musical yourney unfolds and demonstrates a paradox—that opposites must unite. Living voice and dead mechanics. Inspiration and procedure.

Together, they give birth to The Mechanics of Creation.

Duration: 12'30

Publisher: Nutscale Music NM-2516