Sensual Musicology (italian version) Boleros and the Typephase series pieces are, among other things, attempts to reclaim Musicology to the realm of the senses, and of the Arts. For many years the analysis of music, especially Classical western compositions, has required technical expertise and vast musical culture in order to be practiced. Yet Science has one of its roots (and an essential tool) in the Observation of Phenomena, often peculiar ones. Both pieces aim in this direction: first hand experience (one could say acoustic, sensorial observation) of peculiar sonic events, such as several versions of Ravel's Bolero played simultaneously, or nine overlapping but shifted (by 3/8ths) piano performances of Händel's La Réjouissance. The effect on the audience varies according both to the relationship they have with the original piece and to their personal musical background (but lack of both still produces effects). The sonic result is not only agreeable (a factor often overlooked in conceptual sound compositions), but new music is produced in the process (the sum is greater than the parts, just quantitatively of course), and it elicits musicological sensations in the audience; among the best comments I've heard about Boleros there are: "It becomes Stravinski" and "Sounds like Gil Evans". It's a kind of musical Wunderkammer, a perceptual musicology for the masses that does not replace the Science (and sometimes Art) of music analysis; it tackles the subject using a different part of the brain, producing different results. Just another brick in the endlessly fabulous Art/Science castle. Sergio Messina may 2009 This statement refers to these musical projects (there's audio on each page): Boleros Typephase Live version There are two possible live presentations of Sensual Musicology. The program (approx. 40 minutes long) is the same; what changes is the number of speakers used, 4 or 8: 4 speakers 8 speakers in the first case the technical raider is: 4 adequate speakers, 2 stereo amplifiers, 1 mixer with at least 8 channels and 4 sub groups, 8 1/4 inch jacks. In the second case the raider is: 8 adequate speakers, 4 stereo amplifiers, 1 mixer with at least 16 channels and 8 sub groups, 16 1/4 inch jacks. GO BACK TO TEXT