Johnny Chang, violinist-composer

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 17:06:00 +0000

The Katzenjammer Kids @ Sowieso Neukölln

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Thu, 15 Oct 2009 08:19:00 +0000

29.10.09, 21h

LA-based Guitarist Jeremy Drake arrives in Bogtown Berlin.

The Katzenjammer Kids are Jeremy Drake and Johnny Chang (violin/things)

Additional set by Alexander Frangenheim (double bass) & Michael Griener (percussion)

Sowieso NK
Weisestrasse 24
12049 Berlin

VIOLINALE Berlin - Festival of Experimental Music for Violin(s)

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Mon, 28 Sep 2009 16:28:00 +0000

08 - 12. 10. 09
VIOLINALE Berlin

I will be joining Violinale on the nights of 8th and 11th, others include Malcolm Goldstein, Marc Sabat, Ernesto Rodrigues. On the evening of the 11th, I will play a version of my TOPOGRAPHY: Violin.

Venues:
exploratorium berlin
Mehringdamm 55
Hofgebäude 3.Etage
10961 Berlin

Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche
Zossener Str. 65
10961 Berlin

Music for violin and clarinet by Swiss composer, Jürg Frey

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Munn) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:16:00 +0000

27. 09.09, 18.00

Music for violin and clarinet

More or less normal (2005 / 2007) (vn,cl)

WEN 3 (1999) vn

Sächelchen(1989) cl
WEN 55 (2007) cl

Petit fragment de paysage (2009) (vn,cl)

Johnny Chang, Violin
Jürg Frey, Clarinet

Complice

Bänschstraße 20

10247 Berlin

Mondmessages with Kirsten Reese

noreply@blogger.com (Luke Munn) — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 10:14:00 +0000

25. & 26. 09.09, 20.00
(Duration: 1 hour)
Kirsten Reese - Mondmessages, ein begehbares Musik|Theater für fünf Musiker, viele Lautsprecher und andere Medien. If you are interested in analog/object sounds/visuals, wandering through localised sound installations or watching musicians wandering around sound installations, come along!

KlangKunstBühne UdK
Hardenbergstrasse 35
10623 Berlin
(Alte TU Mensa)

Pauline Oliveros Worldwide Tuning Meditation (Malibu)

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Sun, 07 Dec 2008 21:58:00 +0000

In August 2007, I took part in Pauline Oliveros' Worldwide Tuning Meditation, which was organized by friends Jessica and Jeremy, and took place in an abandoned water tower out at Malibu. The recording from this event is posted here. (At about the 54 minute mark, I felt like certain individuals started to overtake the process, and appropriate the opportunity for their own creative outlet. To some there might not be any difference, but there is to me. I cut the recording at this point. Perhaps some of you listening might have done so earlier than the 54 minute mark... ?) The Meditation piece in its entirety lasted roughly 75 minutes.

Cover Musics Update

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 08:26:00 +0000

Cover Musics is an ongoing series of compositions for stringed instruments. The series is essentially a collection of experimental/pop/rock music covers, exploring the alternative potential of the materials through the apparatus of experimental practices on stringed instruments.

The two movements so far are now titled:

1. For Marc Sabat
2. Islington-Kreuzberg Transit

I kind of see this as a nature extension of my Transcriptions series, but a more blatant referencing of materials.

Tutorial Diversions

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Tue, 25 Nov 2008 22:15:00 +0000

presents Home Setup

RIGHT Speaker North East Wall (with window)

Length of Wall: 3.15 m

Height of Wall: 2.45m

Left Side to Center of Speaker: 1.125m

LEFT Speaker North West Wall

Length of Wall: 4m

Height of Wall: 2.45m

RIGHT Side to Center of Speaker: 1.33m

AMPLIFIER

50cm from the corner (the meeting place of Northwest & Northeast wall)
77cm above the floor

2 Room Test Pattern 1st Generation

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Sat, 22 Nov 2008 02:07:00 +0000

AIRPORT SOCIETY
(Johnny Chang in flux)

December 4, 8pm
Wine Cellar,
St Kevin's Arcade, K'rd
AUCKLAND
entry $5

I am moving to Europe for one year and as a sort of going away party, I am organizing a concert at the Wine Cellar on December 4 (8pm) - there will be music by Christian Wolff (For, 1, 2 or 3 people") , Michael Pisaro (violin and __ materials) and myself, as well as selections from George Brecht's "Water Yam" and our own realizations from this Flux kit of events scores.

On this occasion, I will be joined by some local talents - John Bell, Jim Gardner, Kevin Keys, Luke Munn, Chris O'Connor and Charlotte Rose.

(Thanks Luke for the flyer design...)

Microscore Project @ The Wulf

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Tue, 18 Nov 2008 16:41:00 +0000

Finally I am getting around to posting the recordings from the Microscore Project show at The Wulf. back in September. Thank you to all the composers who have ever contributed to the project !

Enjoy !

Part 1

Part 2

(both files are zipped aif files)

Program/Set List here

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 07:23:00 +0000

Scenes from the Microscore Project show @ The Wulf

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Tue, 02 Sep 2008 21:37:00 +0000

Opening of the Second Half

Johnny Chang Documentation (3) : 30 seconds of ...
[also]
Chiyoko Szlavnics Not having moved at all - a nonmovement
Shawn Onsgard Gloves from the Seque Series

Vinny Golia 2v2
Rich West halfaminuteman
Leticia Castaneda Volcano

Microscore Project @ The Wulf (Los Angeles)

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 01:23:00 +0000

SEPTEMBER 1, 8pm
drinks from 7.30pm
Microscore Project
(jessica catron & johnny chang)

The Microscore Project presents new 30--second music and microscores from around the world, as well as some old favourites from their collection of around 300 compositions including works by james tenney, pauline oliveros, peter ablinger, chiyoko szlavnics, bill dietz, sabine vogel, david kendall, ezra buchla, philip brownlee, jessie rothwell, robbie ellis, andrew mcmillan, sean clute, raven chacon ....... (oh gosh , so much great music)

See the program here.

This will be our tune-up for next week's appearance at the ARTSaha! Festival.

The Wulf.
1026 s Santa fe ave,
LA, ca90021

***Please note. The space is located at 1026 south santa fe avenue #203, los angeles, ca 90021 (southeast downtown close to where the 10 meets the 5). to enter, dial 203 at the door (labeled michael winter or eric clark on the sacremento side of the building) and you will be buzzed in (you can buzz even if you come late and it will not disrupt anything).

The Wulf is a new space so please bring cushions/stools if you want to relax on the concrete floor... :)

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Fri, 15 Aug 2008 00:03:00 +0000

The Wulf.

august 22 - INAUGURAL CONCERT at The Wulf. (in memoriam harris wulfson)
music by alison knowles & harris wulfson

wulfson: durations, 3 bagatelles
knowles: Unfurl
"Bring things to unroll/unfold. Do so as slowly and gently as possible until the space is covered."

performers: johnny chang/eric km clark (violins) , cat lamb (viola), lewis keller (melodica), tashi wada (harmonium)

august 23
solo concert, with music by douglas G barrett, johnny chang, michael pisaro.

barrett: a few silence
chang: wendel
pisaro: violin and ___ materials

Both concerts - 8pm @ The Wulf.
1026 s Santa Fe Ave,
LA, ca90021

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 22:44:00 +0000

The Ribbon, with special guest Johnny Chang
The Wine Cellar,
St Kevins Arcade, K Road,
Auckland

Friday April 11th, 2008
9:30pm

This coming Friday, I will be playing a short set* at the Wine Cellar, in support of The Ribbon and their CD release.

.... from Luke Munn of The Ribbon:

"Quick note to let you know my band is playing this Friday at the Wine Cellar. It will be a focused evening, beginning with a short set from experimental composer/violinist Johnny Chang, and followed shortly by a 45 minute set of new material from The Ribbon. The gold coin entry fee will get you a complimentary copy of "Fifty" a rough demo limited to 50 copies, recorded, packaged, and distributed by the band. Love to see you all there."

*For this short set, I thought I'd try something a little different. Rather than show up and do what I've been doing on the violin now for a little while (in the noise improv sense), I will try to incorporate fragments from folk ditties I have been listening to for a while. Some inspirations I am drawing from ... the music of Brazilian composer/performers, Chico Mello and Ferenanda Farah, both I met in Berlin last year. Also Christian Wolff and Antoine Beuger. It will all be in there somewhere, and hopefully I will be able to produce something worth listening to.*

Live @ WINDOW today !

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Thu, 21 Feb 2008 21:23:00 +0000

(original poster here)

Today (3pm, 2/28) i will be doing the last performance at WINDOW. You can watch live webcam shots at the Window website, with the sound to follow at a later date.... In the meantime, feel free to indulge in your voyeuristic tendencies.

3pm, 2/28: New Zealand Time
6pm, 2/27: Los Angeles
9pm, 2/27: NYC
3am, 2/28: Berlin

From "Window":

"Experimental violinist and composer Johnny Chang will be performing a short selection of pieces from his London and Los Angeles compositions in conjunction with a field recording work via radios by Sonya Lacey

The event kicks off a three-day stint for Johnny at Window, as he'll be conducting less formal performances from 3 - 5pm on Wednesday and Thursday, activating the space with a range of sounds, from delicate amplified paper and dried vegetation to pure tones and field recordings."

Window, is curated by a trio of current (and former) art students from Elam School of Fine Art in Auckland. It is an alcove located in the foyer of the Auckland University Main Library. Their group blog, Window Scene focuses on happenings in electronic art, new media, and digital culture in New Zealand.

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 22:39:00 +0000

MICROSCORE PROJECT @ Wine Cellar

1 violinist - 32 composers

australia, canada, croatia, finland, england, italy, new zealand, u.s.a.

[new 30-second music & microscores]

february 20, 7pm
wine cellar
(st kevin's arcade, k'rd)

auckland, new zealand

exit (or entry) by koha

pre-show listening : live show from the cellar, vancouver
(march 2006, music on main series)

part 1
part 2

UPDATE ! Microscore Project Call for Submissions !!

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 04:58:00 +0000

This is the final update related to the Submission call for microscores ; two solos (for violin & cello, or two performers) which can be performed together also. Since the passing of the dealine, I have had many requests for scores submissions, I feel I should extend the submission period to next week (January 28- Fenruary 3), to accomodate all you enthusiastic people, and to account for delay through the postal system etc.

Thanks again for keeping at least half an ear open !

=====================================================

This may turn out to be slightly crazy, but in the spirit of the Microscore Project I think I'll just go for it. First if you don't know about the project, please have a listen to some microscores first. As you are listening attempt to imagine a performance of 40 to 60 (or more) compositions, ideas, concepts, all coming together to create a kaleidoscope of sonic-visual tapestry.

From our Vancouver concert of March 2007 (see pdf for program)

Part 1
Part 2

And now if you are still interested, read on !

_______________________________________________________________________________________
INVITING Listeners, Writers/Musicians/Artist, Performers, Instrumentalists, Listeners

Seeking 30-second compositions that can be either performed as solo AND duo - instrumentation: violin or cello, or for one or two performers. Just to clarify, the composition has to function both as a solo and when performed by the duo. The first show will be of the SOLO Violin versions.

For the moment, the show is scheduled for February 20, 2008 at the Wine Cellar (Auckland) - the submission period is January 13 - 19.

______________________________________________________________________________________________

Some guidelines for Scores submissions.

1. Scores sent in PDF format should be set in A4 or 8.5'x11' format.
2. If you are sending hard copies instead, please make sure to have 3 copies of the score.
Most times it should not be necessary to send individual parts as the compositions are so short. Please give this some thought.
3. Attach a very brief micro-bio of yourself, maximum 30 words.

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 01:12:00 +0000

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:21:00 +0000

I am holding in my hand Michael Pisaro's new release on Edition Wandelweiser which I played on - Harmony Series 11-16 [EWR 0710]. Others on the disc are James Orsher harmonium, Kathryn Pisaro oboe/english horn, Michael Pisaro guitar / sine tones, Marc Sabat violin, Mark So piano and Greg Stuart percussion (also offering some insights into the Harmony Series.

any tone, any tuning [Greg Stuart]

The world of Michael Pisaro's Harmony Series revolves around the process of translation. In this collection of thirty-four pieces (nine of which are presented here) the composer translates a wide variety of poems into text scores. The first step is to literally trace each poem, as if one were making a stencil. A five-line poem might become a five-minute piece through this procedure. This kind of action is direct and purposely simple and it will provide a stable space from which each piece will develop. Call this architecture.

In the second step the composer seeks out the internal forces of the text. For example, a text suggesting proliferation is read as a shift from a barely to a clearly audible, multi-faceted sound. As the poem is already in motion, the composer seeks to harness energy rather than block flow. Evocative readings are eschewed in favor of direct transmutation. Asymptotes are drawn to the poem, resulting is an extremely fine mist of possibilities for the performers to tune (and detune) in performance. Call this material.

A piece is set in motion when the mist is sprayed - always lightly - through the stencil (think pathway, pinprick, or filter). This action creates a dynamic situation. As performers our ears focus as a version begins to take shape - it is unmistakable when this happens. A small flutter appears in the fabric of the piece. We notice sounds that cannot be traced back to any of the individual performers. Drawn in by the fluttering, one starts to know (or sense) what sounds are correct to play, even when there are no explicit rules for how they are to be chosen. The piece is thinking. Call this the point of contact.

To the performers the distance between score and realization will often seem impossibly large. To travel this distance is the defining experience of this music. Along the way, each realization establishes its own kind of weather system wherein complex relationships are created not only between (and within) the sounds but also the performers. On the other side of the stencil we are in unknown world - sun-distant, alive - immersed in a gently spinning mixture of tone, noise and silence, the radio having been tuned to a previously unheard channel. Call this harmony.

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Wed, 05 Dec 2007 16:32:00 +0000

STRING UTOPIA ?
(same old string music ?)

On December 16, 2007 (7pm), I will be presenting some not-often-enough-heard music by Pauline Oliveros, James Tenney, Peter Ablinger as well as premiering some music of Auckland composer Samuel Holloway. Also two violin duets by Swiss composer Jürg Frey and Serge Prokofiev. The evening will end with a trio improv of violin & two laptops improv with Jim Gardner (175 East) and Charlotte Rose (The Committee)

Cross Street Studios
Upstairs, 27 Cross Street,
Newton, Auckland 1010

Entry by Koha

_______________________________________________________________

SOLO
Hans W. Koch Cut-Off Frequencies

Samuel Holloway Dualities 1

Peter Ablinger Violin and Noise "Veronica"

Pauline Oliveros String-Utopia (violin & guitar)

(pause)

DUO

Pauline Oliveros String-Utopia (2 violins)

Serge Prokofiev Sonata for two violins

[Pauline Oliveros String-Utopia]

Jürg Frey Untitled" for two violins

(pause)

Pauline Oliveros String-Utopia (2 laptops)

James Tenney KOAN for solo violin

Pauline Oliveros String-Utopia (2 laptops)

(pause)

TRIO
Chang - Gardner - Rose

Update: 175 East @ Wine Cellar (17 November)

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 09:10:00 +0000

On November 17, I will be joining 175 East for their 10th anniversary concert, also guest appearing will be John Bell on vibraphone, Paul Buckton on guitar.

175 East consists of
Ingrid Culliford, flute
Tim Sutton, bass trombone
Gretchen Dunsmore, clarinets
Katherine Hebley, cello
Dan Stabler, double bass
Andrew Uren, bass clarinet

The concert will be hosted by the Wine Cellar (St Kevin's Arcade, K'Road) at their cosy perfomance space out the back. If you come you can expect to hear at least some of the following music ...

John Cage: Five

Elliott Carter: Canon for 4 "Homage to William"

Lyell Cresswell: Of Whirlwind Underground

Morton Feldman: Durations IV

James Gardner: Knot

Ross Harris: Music for Trombone

James Saunders: 511 Possible Mosaics

Christian Wolff: Edges

November 17, 2008, 8pm

Wine Cellar in St Kevin's Arcade
Karangahape Road
Auckland

Entry by gold coin donation

Wandelweiser Sommerakademie

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Sun, 11 Nov 2007 18:55:00 +0000

Earlier this year I attended the Wandelweiser Sommerakademie, hosted by Antoine Beuger at the Kunstraum Düsseldorf (11-17 July, 2008). Among many premiere performances I was involved in were three string quartets by Thomas Stiegler, Dante Oei and Samuel Vriezen, with some wonderul players, violinist Marc Sabat, violist Julia Eckhardt and cellist Stefan Thut.

This is a recording of Vriezen's Between Chords, which the composer describes as "a string quartet of chords that are never quite there."

Little Karaka Bay

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 09:57:00 +0000

When I was in Wellington for the Stroma concert, I stayed at the family home of my amazing cello-ist friend, Miranda Wilson. The beautiful Wellington bay view from almost anywhere along the water front was perfect for me to continue collecting sound - and video- field recordings. It also reminded me of being in San Francisco. Violent winds creating some seriously schizophrenic windage. At times almost as many Asians, meandering narrow roads and steep hills, on which houses perch dangerously. (Of course, with less of a snobby attitude and no crappy baseball teams.)

You can see the video I took here, which was actually taken from Maida Vale Road, higher up in the hills above Oriental Bay.

noreply@blogger.com (Johnny Chang) — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 09:46:00 +0000

Cover Musics + Randy Newman + Dodger Stadium in Berlin's Engelbrot Theater

The title is itself entertaining enough, but there is more wackiness to this post. I got invited to the Los Angeles-Berlin Sister City Love Jam (haha), and believe it or not I was there as a Los Angeles artist and this means I had to do something of mine, which ended up being Cover Musics on violin and field recordings from a Dodger game I attended played back in the theater. Comments/abuses/suggestions relating to the music welcome... ;)