Sonicpalooza was a 10 hour music marathon of live contemporary music held by Georgia Tech's Sonic Generator. It was held on June 25, 2010 at Woodruff Arts Center Galleria and was a complete display of what the creativity and expression of music is and can be. Abstract art being applied to a blank pallette and Sonic Generator performing the abstract. Unique, to say the least, but compelling on many levels. Where does music begin? Where does it end? What is right music? What is wrong? Along with the age old question what is good music and what is bad? Soncic Generator challenges the answers with what is creativity, sound, and application of the three mean to the listener and creator.
The piano was invented in 1720 by Bartolomeo Cristofori of Padua, Italy. W.A. Mozart began composing piano concertos in 1782 this was a mere 62 years after the invention of the piano itself in1720 by Bartolomeo Cristofori of Padua, Italy. This is an example of how musical technology not only was applied to an open forum, but also accepted and appreciated in that same forum. Sonic Generator continues this school of thinking by studying the present evolution of music and technology and propegating the forum for such. Sonicpalooza challeneged the listener to open their minds to what music to where music can go. Overwhelming especially when one truly appreciates music for what it is.
We arrived at the Woodruff Arts Center some 5 hours into the set not knowing what to expect. To see a multitude of instruments that a rather large ensemble obviously has and would play. A tall slender man with what seemed to be some reservations was playing a baritone solo, eloquently and patiently. The Galleria was so quiet and so pure its awe was palpable, not a sound made except the resonating reverberation of music throuought the hall. Still yet it's truth was so quiet posing the thought how could so much sound be so quiet. This takes you deeper into the thought of music's definition on how it is not only based on the presence of sound, but also the absence of sound. Although there was what seemed to be constant sound in that moment.
After the baritone solo the same musician played a drum/percussion solo with a recorded hip-hop beat with some varient repetions of dialogue being spoke over the beat track. The drums not neccessarily following the beat but filling in as a display as a creative component in relationship to the track. Quirky and contemporary to say the least.
Then next was flute solo which was sweet and beautiful as a bird's song upon the wind leading to the ambient duet of vibraphones. Louder and quicker than expected, yet with the nature of the quickness of their playing, the notes were long and droning but the slow melody had wonderful form and warmth eliciting the desire for this music to never end.
... and then the large ensemble came. Two percussionists, two vibraphone players a pianist, and a vocalist. This ensemble delivers the full on definition of what is contemporary. It was founded in pieces inspired by the Appalachian trail. No true order is found in these pieces except for that found in the vocalists solo. The rest seems to be representaions of the sound and general spirit of the trail. Playing piano strings with bows to playing rainsticks quietly. A picturesque journey of where music can go and how music can place you in the picture.
The experience of SonicPalooza offers a true soundscape of where creativity can be based, with music and sound in a very pure form. This marathon paints a wonderous mural of how music inspires, influences, and just exists through us. For this, SonicGenerator is applauded for painting such a palete and giving the community a chance to hear see and feel what music truly can be.
