Diameter xii, jack gabel | Jack Gabel

DIAMETER XII, performed by Carson Keeble, trombone & Florian Conzetti, percussion DIAMETERS is a set of 12 duets, each for a different orchestral instrument and set of percussion instruments. Each is under five minutes in duration and designed to be programmable in any combination. This video is from the premiere performance of the entire set at the Gerding Theater at the Armory, Portland, Oregon, February 7, 2013 — a rare opportunity to hear the entire set performed (DIAMETER I through XII, back to back). Moreover, the performance was uniquely staged in the Gerding Theater lobby, with percussion instruments spread across the main floor and musicians arrayed around the Mezzanine balcony. Not a typical "concert," as the audience mingled around performers and instruments. Much is written in the early 21st C. about crashing the so-called 'iron curtain' between Western Classical Music (in the concert hall tradition) and Popular Music (in the street or public house tradition). Unfortunately, the discussion is too often over musical language, style, affectation, attitude, etc.. Staging and accessibility are perhaps as important, if not more so. Typically, hybrid or crossover creations are held up as breakthrough successes, but too often leave little substance in their wake. Another option is presenting aesthetically substantial work in unusual contexts. Either as a 'destination' event or a 'discovery', challenging expectations and achieving memorable stature. This performance and post-production is supporter in part by Cascadia Composers, Northwest New Music, Portland Center Stage Gerding Theatre at the Armory, Ronni Lacroute / WillaKenzie Estate, Regional Arts and Culture Council, Oregon Arts Commission, Oregon Music Teachers Association; Anna Laska, Kasia Kosciuszko; Agnieszka Laska Dancers