Michael Cooke

The art of multiphonics on the bassoon has always captivated me. This technique allows for the simultaneous production of multiple pitches, creating an array of sounds from harmonious chords to dissonant echoes. Achieving such a rich auditory landscape requires unconventional fingerings and precise control over the embouchure, significantly broadening the expressive capabilities of the bassoon in avant-garde music.
This fascination led to an unexpected opportunity with the SFCCO. In May 2019, when a performer unexpectedly dropped out of a concert, I seized the chance to step in. The original piece was set for oboe and electronics, and I envisioned replacing it with a piece centered on bassoon multiphonics, believing it explore new sonic territories.
I approached another “Michael” in the orchestra, Michael Cox — a fellow Texas school alumnus known for his adventurous spirit in music — to see if he was interested in a duet. We quickly formulated a plan where, initially, I would create a foundational layer of multiphonic textures for Michael to play over. This collaborative effort evolved into what we now know as Impromptu M/M, a testament to the creative synergy and spontaneity that defines improvised music.

Tags: bassoon, multiphonics

This entry was posted on Sunday, June 2nd, 2019 at 4:15 pm and is filed under Composition, Guided Improvisation. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.