GUARDA DO EMBAÚ, SANTA CATARINA – Music lovers are in for a treat as talented pianist Sam Machado releases a stunning new video featuring selections from João MacDowell’s “Preludes and Fugues”. This unique performance was recorded live at Instituto Casa Nobre on March 25th, 2023, and showcases Machado’s exceptional skills in interpreting complex and polyharmonic pieces.
This groundbreaking material was performed for the very first time by Machado during MacDowell’s composition workshop. Each short piece in the selection offers a captivating insight into the intricate world of polyharmony while maintaining a strong connection with the listener. The melodic language used in each piece ensures that the complex structures remain intelligible to all.
The video features five selections, starting with “Prelude 2 Cm”, a study on minor triads connected by mediant root progressions. “Prelude 3 G” follows, which offers a study on major polyharmonic progression based on incremental dissonance and melodic resolution. “Prelude 1 C” showcases a tenuous path from Db to C, while “Prelude 9 E” is a study on chords derived from the contrapuntal movement of the chromatic mediant. The video concludes with “Prelude & Fugue 4 Gm”, which is a study on minor polyharmonic progression based on incremental dissonance and melodic resolution, and “Prelude 6 Dm”, which offers a study on polymodal resolutions with strong centricity based on repetition of a pedal root note.
“I’m thrilled to be able to share these incredible pieces with the world,” says Sam Machado. “João MacDowell’s ‘Preludes and Fugues’ are incredibly complex and challenging, but also deeply rewarding. I hope that this video will offer a glimpse into the intricate world of polyharmony and inspire others to explore this fascinating realm of music.”
Fans of contemporary classical music and piano enthusiasts are sure to be captivated by Sam Machado’s stunning performance. Don’t miss your chance to experience this new video, which is set to touch the hearts of audiences around the world.
Sam Machado plays João MacDowell: Selections from “Preludes and Fugues.”
(A companion to the book “Polyharmony and Consonance – an architectural approach to contemporary large scale composition”)
March 25 2023. Casa Nobre. Guarda do Embaú, Santa Catarina.
This material was performed for the first time by Sam Machado as part of João MacDowell’s composition workshop. The pieces demonstrate concepts of polyharmony while maintaining the connection with the listener, with a melodic language that makes possible the auditory intelligibility of these complex structures.
PREMIERE PROGRAM
Prelude 2 Cm
A study on minor triads connected by mediant root progressions.
Prelude 3 G
A study on Major polyharmonic progression based on incremental dissonance and melodic resolution.
Prelude 1 C
A study on a tenuous path from Db to C.
Prelude 9 E
A study on chords derived from the contrapuntal movement of the chromatic mediant.
Prelude & Fugue 4 Gm
A study on minor polyharmonic progression based on incremental dissonance and melodic resolution.
Prelude 6 Dm
A study on polymodal resolutions with strong centricity based on repetition of a pedal root note.