SCALING (2011) is a song cycle for two performers, piano, and newbit (a circuit-bended keyboard made by Gelsey Bell and Aliza Simons). It explores the relationship between performer and piano by playing the piano in unusual ways. For instance, with ones knees, elbows, or fists; from on top of the piano, turning away from the keyboard, or huddled underneath the keyboard. The piano is a metaphor, as breath is a story.
It was first performed by Gelsey Bell and Paul Pinto at Roulette in Brooklyn, NY, on November 5, 2011 as part of the Vital Vox festival.
SCALING live at Roulette, includes selections from the premiere and is available as a digital album on bandcamp.
Video of the Clarendon Hill Church performance in Somerville MA, on Jan 12, 2012, is available here: Part One, Part Two, and Part Three.
For more info, also check out Daniel J. Kushner’s preview of the premiere in the Huffington Post, and Chris McGovern’s review in Sequenza 21 and subsequent profile in The Glass following the performance.
