Extremes, by Jason Treuting

Performed by Sandbox Percussion
Ian Rosenbaum, Jonny Allen, Terry Sweeney, Victor Caccese

Vic Firth Mallets: M134 - M140

ABOUT THE PIECE:
Extremes was composed by Jason Treuting, member of So Percussion, and is part of a larger, evening length work called Imaginary City. Jason is fascinated with patterns that are found in language, and the usage of words as a platform for form and rhythmic structure. For example, certain rhythmic values may be assigned to consonants and vowels to form different grooves. In the case of Extremes, a series of cities in the United States are used to compose the form and rhythmic structure. These cities are grouped together in different ways to create a four-part canon. This canon results in a highly intricate composite groove within the ensemble.

As in much of Jason's music, there is limited conventional notation, but rather a series of processes to be followed. These processes can be used as a tool for understanding how the piece was conceived as well as how each performer can add his or her own ideas and variations.

Though understanding how the rhythms are composed is rather simple, how they are organized to create the form is very complex. Sandbox Percussion member, Victor Caccese spent a great deal of time working with Jason to compile a complete score for Extremes. This score utilizes both conventional notation as well as a thorough explanation of Jason's unique compositional process. This will help the performer fully understand how the piece is played and how new interesting ideas can arise from Jason's original intention. Victor's score for Extremes is available for purchase at www.goodchildmusic.com

ABOUT THE COMPOSER:
Jason Treuting has performed and recorded in venues as diverse as the Brooklyn Academy of Music, the Walker Art Center, the Knitting Factory, the Andy Warhol Museum, Zankel Hall, Lincoln Center, DOM (Moscow) and Le National (Montreal). As a member of So Percussion, he has collaborated with artists and composers including Steve Reich, David Lang, John Zorn, Dan Trueman, tabla master Zakir Hussain, the electronic music duo Matmos and choreographer Eliot Feld. In addition to his work with So, Jason performs improvised music with Simpl, a group with laptop artist/composer Cenk Ergun; Alligator Eats Fish with guitarist Grey McMurray; Little Farm, with guitarist/composer Steve Mackey; QQQ (a quartet consisting of hardinger fiddle, viola, guitar and drums); and Big Farm (a foursome led by Rinde Eckert and Steve Mackey).

Full Bio Here: http://vicfirth.com/artists/sandbox_p...

ABOUT THE PERFORMERS:
Brought together by their love of chamber music and the simple joy of playing together, Sandbox Percussion captivates audiences with performances that are both visually and aurally stunning. Through compelling collaborations with composers and performers, Jonathan Allen, Victor Caccese, Ian Rosenbaum and Terry Sweeney seek to engage a wider audience for classical music.

Sandbox made their New York debut in 2012 on the Concerts on the Slope series in Brooklyn. Following that performance, they accepted an invitation to become artists-in-residence of the series and have returned in each subsequent season. Later that year, Sandbox worked closely with composer James Wood on his masterpiece Village Burial with Fire at the Norfolk Chamber Music Festival. While at Norfolk, Sandbox played alongside the great Hungarian percussion quartet Amadinda - Aurél Holló, a member of Amadinda, later said about Sandbox: "With an array of skills, talent and freshness, these young artists seem to be pushing their limits up in the skies, as I realized listening to them at the Yale Summer School of Music. Sandbox Percussion is the promising group of the near future, battering right on your door."

Full Bio Here: http://vicfirth.com/artists/sandbox_p...