Output details

Duel : [for Piano and Sound Projection]

Duel was commissioned by the world-leading exponent of contemporary piano performance Philip Mead with an ACE award in 2007. An early version was performed by Mead and Godman at West Road Concert Hall, Cambridge. Duel underwent significant revisions related to the works structure and technology, enhancing audience perception of 'liveness'. This version was due to be premiered by Mead at the ICMC in 2008, Belfast. Being indisposed due to an arm injury, the internationally acclaimed pianist and recording artist Xenia Pestova performed the work. She presented it at Bangor New Music Festival in 2009.

Duel is innovative with regards to its treatment of communication issues that arise from working with acoustic and electroacoustic instruments. The 'network' is used as a metaphor for communication between performers, technology and audience. The word 'duel' (and the related misspelling 'dual') are used in a playful fashion with the pianist having significant real-time control of the sound projection and the sound projectionist having much live performance input throughout (approaching an equal partnership). The piano writing makes extensive use of the composer's research into English Change Ringing patterns (Assigning English Change Ringing Patterns [permutation] in Acoustic and EA music; FIMPaC, Leeds College of Music, February 2009 and elsewhere). These algorithmic devices can be found in a variety of guises throughout Duel. As a fundamental research question, the work explores the perceptual issues relating to interactivity and 'liveness' where technology is a mediating factor.

Godman worked collaboratively with the commissioner on technical aspects and rewriting of the piano part. He wrote the score and the custom built software and designed an audio-diffusion system that would easily translate to different concert environments. In addition, he formed a long-term working partnership with Mead working as his sound projectionist performing compositions by composers such as Harvey, Vaggione and Emmerson.