Harmonic Space Orchestra

Members of Harmonic Space Orchestra present a program of works in just intonation exploring precisely tuned harmony as an object of speculation. In recognition of James Tenney’s concept of harmonic space, the ensemble celebrates the late American composer’s 90th birthday with a rendering of one of his Postal Pieces from 1971.

Additionally, the ensemble reflects on the work of under-recognized Australian composer Elsie Hamilton, who led the earliest known collective practice of just intonation performance and composition in the 20th century. As early as 1916, Hamilton dedicated her work to a system of subharmonic modes conceived by musical archaeologist and close collaborator Kathleen Schlesinger, speculating their existence in relation to the modes and planetary cycle of Ancient Greece.

Contemporary perspectives on just intonation composed specifically for the group in 2023 by members Ellen Arkbro and Thomas Nicholson complete the program, investigating group-based resonance through harmonic fusion and roughness.

Program:

Elsie Hamilton (arr. Rebecca Lane and Thomas Nicholson), Poor little human being. Little child of Time! (from Sensa) (1917)

James Tenney (interp. by HSO), For Percussion Perhaps, Or…(night) (from Postal Pieces) (1971)

Ellen Arkbro, Night and Day (2023)

Thomas Nicholson, Minimal surface (2023)

Harmonic Space Orchestra: M.O. Abbott (bass trombone), Ellen Arkbro (trumpet), Judith Hamann (cello), Jonathan Heilbron (contrabass), Rebecca Lane (quarter-tone flutes), Thomas Nicholson (viola), Michiko Ogawa (bass clarinet), Lucy Railton (cello)