"Heart and Breath Sextet" is a captivating and innovative composition by Richard Reed Parry, known for his work as a multi-instrumentalist for Arcade Fire and as a composer. The piece was commissioned by the 2011 MusicNOW Festival for yMusic, a chamber ensemble known for their collaborations with various artists.

The concept behind "Heart and Breath Sextet" revolves around using the internal rhythms of the performers' bodies as performance parameters. There is no fixed tempo or meter in the piece, as the breathing rates and heart rates of the musicians determine the pace at which the musical material is played.

The performers, consisting of pianists, violinists, violists, and cellists, wear stethoscopes positioned over their hearts to closely follow their own heart rates. The pianists' heartbeats, with two eighth notes corresponding to the sounds of a single normal heartbeat, set the staccato and irregular rhythm for the piece. The strings, on the other hand, are instructed to "play to breath," allowing the natural cycle of inhalation and exhalation to determine the length of each bar.

The result is a delicate and mesmerizing musical experience, characterized by staggered starts and stops, parts that align and fall out of sync, and the rising and falling of different individuals' pulses. The performers play quietly and delicately to ensure they can hear their heartbeats adequately, creating a unique musical "pointillism" effect.

"Heart and Breath Sextet" is approximately 15 minutes long and is never performed exactly the same way twice, as the performers' internal rhythms vary with each rendition. The piece showcases Parry's pensive and delicate touch as a composer, with moments of subtle outbursts that gracefully recede, leaving a serene and introspective mood.

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"Music in Circles, Part I & II" is a captivating and thought-provoking composition by Andrew Norman, performed by the New York-based ensemble yMusic. This two-part piece showcases the ensemble's virtuosity and their ability to bring Norman's intricate and evocative music to life.

• The first part of "Music in Circles" begins with a mesmerizing and delicate introduction, drawing the listener into a world of intricate musical patterns.
• The musicians of yMusic skillfully navigate the complex rhythmic structures, creating a sense of constant motion and energy.
• Part I features a dynamic interplay between the different instruments, with moments of unity and moments of individual expression.
• The composition explores a wide range of tonal colors and textures, with the ensemble seamlessly transitioning between moments of tranquility and bursts of intensity.

• Part II of "Music in Circles" builds upon the foundation established in the first part, delving deeper into the intricate musical language created by Andrew Norman.
• The musicians of yMusic demonstrate their technical prowess and musical sensitivity as they navigate the complex and demanding passages of Part II.
• This section of the composition showcases the ensemble's ability to create a sense of tension and release, with moments of dissonance giving way to moments of resolution.
• Part II features moments of virtuosic solo passages, highlighting the individual talents of the ensemble members while maintaining a cohesive and unified musical vision.

• "Music in Circles, Part I & II" is a captivating and immersive musical journey that showcases the unique blend of classical and contemporary influences that yMusic is known for.
• Andrew Norman's composition challenges the boundaries of traditional musical structures, inviting the listener to explore new sonic landscapes.
• The performance by yMusic demonstrates their exceptional musicianship and their ability to bring complex and innovative music to life with precision and emotional depth.

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"Bladed Stance" is a captivating and innovative composition performed by the New York-based ensemble yMusic. This live rendition, recorded at Rockefeller Chapel, showcases the ensemble's exceptional musicianship and their ability to create a mesmerizing musical experience. Also, listen this songs on ymusic app with background play feature.

• The performance features the six members of yMusic: Rob Moose (violin), CJ Camerieri (trumpet, horn), Alex Sopp (flutes), Hideaki Aomori (clarinets), Nadia Sirota (viola), and Gabriel Cabezas (cello).
• The instrumentation of "Bladed Stance" includes flute, clarinet, trumpet, violin, viola, and cello, creating a unique and diverse sonic palette.
• Each instrument is skillfully played, showcasing the ensemble's technical prowess and their ability to blend classical and contemporary elements seamlessly.

• "Bladed Stance" is characterized by its exploratory and distinctive compositional style, which is a hallmark of yMusic's repertoire.
• The piece features intricate and complex rhythms, creating a sense of tension and forward momentum.
• The musicians employ extended techniques and unconventional playing methods, resulting in new and colorful sounds.
• The composition exhibits a remarkable continuity through its use of color and rhythm, with each musical idea seamlessly transitioning into the next.
• Notably, the string players incorporate whistling into their performance, adding an unexpected and captivating element to the piece.

• The live performance video of "Bladed Stance" at Rockefeller Chapel provides a visual component to the music, enhancing the overall experience.
• The video captures the musicians' expressive performances, allowing viewers to witness their musical synergy and connection on stage.
• The setting of Rockefeller Chapel adds a sense of grandeur and ambiance to the performance, creating a visually stunning backdrop for the music.

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