“Unremixed“ performed by Alarm Will Sound

“Unremixed“ was written for Alarm Will Sound’s debut at the Lincoln Center Festival in 2005. The work was created as a finale for the concert, which was the complete presentation of “Acoustica,“ Alarm Will Sound’s album of arrangements of Aphex Twin’s electronica. The work integrates several ideas from Aphex Twin’s music as well as instrumental techniques used in Acoustica arrangements to imitate electronic sounds. “Unremixed“ is divided into four sections. The first features the descent from “Gwely Mernans“ presented in various ratios against a consistent quarter note pulse divided into sixteenths. A lick similar to the pentatonic figures found in “Cliffs“ emerges, played in different meters against the pulse. A bombastic percussion solo leads to the second section, which places a firm 5/4 pulse against a tune formed from two phrases of 10/16 that change their division of the meter. Though not directly taken from the music of Aphex Twin, the tune is reminiscent of many modal funky grooves found in electronic dance music. Eventually it is placed against the descent from the previous section. The third section imitates the industrial sound of electronica. The tune from “Meltphace 6“ emerges over a 7/8 groove whose working title was “Sick Machine.” Various layers are added to the texture to grow towards a giant climax. The final section is a simple dance party featuring techno drum tracks that grow increasingly complex and a sped up presentation of the mixed meter dance tune from the second section. The performers are encouraged to get a little rowdy towards the end. Composed by Stefan Freund Performed by Alarm Will Sound Shot by Four/Ten Media Alarm Will Sound: Erin Lesser, flute Christa Robinson, oboe Bill Kalinkos, clarinet and saxophone Elisabeth Stimpert, clarinet Michael Harley, bassoon Matt Marks, horn Tim Leopold, trumpet Michael Clayville, trombone Chris Thompson, percussion Matt Smallcomb, percussion John Orfe, piano Courtney Orlando, violin Caleb Burhans, violin Stefan Freund, cello Miles Brown, bass Alan Pierson, conductor and Artistic Director Daniel Neumann, Audio Engineer Gavin Chuck, Managing Director Nigel Maister, Theatrical Director Jason Varvaro, Production Manager Peter Ferry, Production Assistant Chihiro Shibayama, Librarian Tracy Mendez, Development Manager Special thanks to these musicians for their contribution to the video: Andrew Nogal (oboe), Megan Arns (percussion), Ben Russell (violin), Karin Brown (viola) Special thanks to these musicians who performed on the recording: Jason Price (trumpet), Nadia Sirota (viola), Chihiro Shibayama (percussion), Julia Gaines (percussion) Filmed at Spectrum Studios during an Alarm Will Sound residency at the University of Missouri sponsored by the Sinquefield Charitable Foundation. Funding for the video shoot came from the MU Research Council.