The ambitious, cutting-edge ensemble, Guy & the Graphics, is dedicated to the unusual practice of interpreting and performing graphic scores — the representation of music through the use of visual symbols outside the realm of traditional music notation — as well as other forms of unconventional representations of music. Discovering the strange, rare, and often overlooked repertoire of 20th century masters, in addition to welcoming new works from living composers, the ensemble recognizes the vital importance of exploring and promoting this unaccustomed music, taking audiences on an unexpected adventure of visuals and sound.
History
Conceived by Guy Barash, who Time Out New York calls “a fascinating composer,” Guy & the Graphics was first formed to appear as part of the John Cage centennial celebrations held on September 1, 2012 at The Stone, John Zorn’s famed NYC venue for experimental music. The ensemble was at that time comprised of Erin Heisel (soprano), Nadav Lev (guitar), Sean Statser (percussion), Salvatore Macchia (bass), Josh Henderson (violin), and Guy Barash (live electronics), and they performed graphic scores by John Cage, Earle Brown, and Miguel Frasconi.Performances
Barash reassembled the group for more performances, most recently for a memorable concert at Spectrum in NYC on October 18, 2015 where they played graphic scores by John Cage, Earle Brown, and 6 movements from the iconic collection of poems/meditations on sound and its production, From the Seven Days, by Karlheinz Stockhausen. The ensemble now features Barash’s live electronics alongside Ronen Shai (keyboards), Nadav Lev (guitar), Tal Gur (saxophone & percussion), and Noa Fort (voice).Guy & the Graphics Media
Listen to it here:
On January 22, 2017 Barash presented a solo version of Guy & the Graphics at Sound Departure, La MaMa E.T.C. with video score by Ronen Shai and Lorna Mills, and lead a jam to Earle Brown‘s iconic December 1952.
Watch it here:
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