The Science Behind Max Cooper & Bruce Brubaker's "Glassforms" – We are Europe Meets #7

Our relationship to time and its perception is subject to many variations. Some can be caused by complex phenomenons, such as relativity, others can be experienced everyday - think of dozing off while relaxing at home or losing the track of time due to concentration. However, some are unique ripples, crafted by the unique composition of musical pieces, transporting listeners and performers alike in a space removed from the regular flow of time.

Attendees of Nuits Sonores Brussels opening night in Bozar's Henry Leboeuf hall could attest of such a feeling. That night, sonic scientist Max Cooper and Bruce Brubaker presented “Glassforms”, a node between electronic music and contemporary classical music.

From “Mad Rush” to “Metamorphosis 2”, this performance features improvisational lyricisim extended from original compositions taken in acclaimed composer Phillip Glass' repertoire. To do so, Cooper uses a unique tool that coats the melody with electronic elements born out of the smallest of movement generated by Brubaker's fingers on the grand piano keys. The project, released in 2020 on InFiné, was commisioned by La Philarmonie de Paris in 2019 and polished during the first lockdown.

In this exchange conducted by David Bola, the two performers reflect on Philip Glass' impact on modern culture, the necessity to study the relationship between art and science (voiding the precepts separating them), and the creative process behind “Glassforms”.

Interview by David Bola
Camera by Peter Vercammen
Editing by Peter Vercammen & David Bola
Motion graphics by Mário Meira
Sound design by Fabien Abadie
Music by Bruce Brubaker & Max Cooper – "Metamorphosis", "Two Pages", "The Poet Acts", "Mad Rush"

Captured during the Nuits sonores Brussels 2021 at Bozar.

#weareeurope​​

More stories from all over Europe on https://weare-europe.eu​​

Join our community 🌍
Facebook   / weare.europe.eu  
Twitter   / weare_europe​​  
Instagram   / weare.europe  

#MaxCooper #BruceBrubaker #Glassforms #PhilipGlass