Скачать или смотреть Neil Rolnick: Lockdown Fantasies

Geoffrey Burleson, piano; Neil Rolnick, computer
Presented by the Tribeca New Music Festival at Nancy Nanocherian's Cell Theater, New York City, Dec. 4, 2021. Fantasy 1 - 00:19; Fantasy 2 - 08:08; Fantasy 3 - 15:55; Fantasy 4 - 24:24; Fantasy 5 - 33:10

NOTES FROM THE COMPOSER:
When the Covid lockdown began I had just arrived home from Havana, after a brief concert tour. And I was at the very beginning of a new relationship, which became my Covid “bubble”.

Although my concerts for the rest of the year were cancelled, I was able to teach on-line, and still had compositional commitments, one of which evolved into the Lockdown Fantasies.

These Fantasies are not dominated by the fear, loss and isolation which resulted from Covid and from the restrictions we all endured. There are passages of frightening complexity, dizzying transitions, and lyrical passages both sad and sweet. But there are also moments of exuberance, of rhythmic groove, of peace, and of rest.

I experienced the same fear and loss as everyone else. But what I wanted to represent musically was how life went on in all its complexity, despite the lockdown. I found support in my new relationship, maneuvered around the City on a bicycle, got out of town to explore parks and beaches and hiking trails, away from the contagion.

I think of the 5 brief phrases that begin the 1st Fantasy as representing Covid. Each phrase is looped, and brought back in the Fantasies which follow. They interrupt the flow of the pianist’s progress. In successive Fantasies the pianist takes ever more active roles in playing with and against the loops. After the groove-oriented 2nd Fantasy and the quiet lyricism of the 4th, the final Fantasy brings us to a quiet, churning but unfinished ending.