DESCRIPTION:
TANOX by Mark Oliveiro, for Alto Saxophone, Harp, and Fixed Media

Jeffery Kyle Hutchins, alto saxophone
Ann McLaughlin, harp
Mark Oliveiro, 2-channel fixed media

Tanox is a new work for an unlikely multimedia ensemble, Alto Saxophone, Harp and fixed media with stereo output. Functioning as a cycle of eight (8) short movements that follows a narrative that is based on a true story. Solo, polyphonic and homophonic instrumental textures weave in and around the set electronic accompaniment. The spoken text, derived from a nostalgic interview from the storyteller and protagonist, is central to the development of each fixed-media segment. Manipulated and live Harp and Saxophone ornamentation contributes to the many textures and aesthetics of the work. Granular synthesis, phase-vocoding and other algorithmic processes contribute to the textures that produce the sometimes meandering, potentially ambient and frequently rhythmically charged attacks that constitute the form of the work.

In homage to the many great stories to come from the generations above, this work for Alto Saxophone, Harp and fixed media tells the story of my grandfathers 'near-death experience' during the Japanese occupation of Singapore (WWII). An organized physical confrontation that spirals out of control, TANOX retells the story of a 15 year old boy's sparring encounter with a Japanese military officer. Composed in eight separate tape tracks, the two instruments speak as the two separate central characters: Vivien ('Tano') and the Japanese Solider. Each miniature progresses through the various blocks of the story, following the pride and fall of a confident, young professional boxer. The spoken text, derived from a nostalgic interview from the storyteller and protagonist, is central to the development of each fixed-media segment. Manipulated and live Harp and Saxophone ornamentation contributes to the many textures and aesthetics of the work. Listen intently to the text and sound world of the fixed-media and instruments as you are transported to a volatile time and place in history.

www.markoliveiro.com.au
www.jefferykylehutchins.com