Like Buckminster Fuller, reversible sweaters, or Mr. Potato Head, Ensemble Pamplemousse’s BLOCKS are a rearrangeable construction of elements. Prefab modules by the composers are reconfigured into new structures of sonic architecture. As each BLOCK maintains its own internal logic, the listener is pulled forward through the linear unfolding of time. Intertwining patterns of material emerge and dissolve, connect, obstruct, and confer with each other, unveiling new angles of hearing each sonic unit.
A BLOCK consists of 8 short pieces, performed in their original form in the first half of the concert, and recombined at the will of Pamplemousse in the second half. Each piece is pulled apart and reorganized, merging with the other works- for example, the first line of flute material from a trio may be played with the third line of a different composition’s piano part, followed by the last violin bit from another composition layered on top of yet another composition’s electronics.
The intent is to provide an environment where the ensemble executes their compositional and performance wishes continuously and thoroughly throughou the work process. The result is a truly unique performance, containing all the intricacy and possibility of a composition coupled with the spontaneity and excitement of an improvisation.
April 2013 BLOCKS are composed by: Andres Cremisini, Zosha di Castri, Amadeus Regucera, Lily Chen, Dan VanHassel, Bryan Jacobs, Ryan Pratt, and Lu Wang