Taylor Brook, Cage Cunningham Studio, New York
Virtutes Occultae
2017 · six physically modelled pianos
Duration: 90'
Electronic, Installation
Virtutes Occultae is an album in eighteen sections for six retuned pianos, each with a unique tuning in an extended 11-limit just intonation.
In writing this music I used a mixture of traditional composition methods of structuring the music with various harmonies and progressions along with more free writing, collage techniques, and algorithmic composition. The tuning of the virtual pianos extends Harry Partch’s conception of the over-tonality. This album also exists as a six-channel surround sound concert/installation format.
The concert version of Virtutes Occultae was commissioned by the Earl Brown Foundation for the Time:Spans festival in New York. Filmed at the Baryshnikov Arts Center in August 2021.
Performed by Laura Barger, Julia Den Boer, Thomas Feng, Isabelle O’Connell, Cory Smythe, and Ning Yu. Audio recorded and mixed by Caley Monahon-Ward.
The original version of Virtutes Occultae album was realized using physically-modeled digital pianos. Composed, produced, and designed by Taylor Brook. Mastered by Christopher Botta.
Virtutes Occultae can be realized as a surround-sound installation with any number of speakers on a 94-minute loop.
