Three Painters (parts)

by Drake Mabry

Performance Ensemble - Digital Sheet Music

Product Description

Three Painters was a 2008 commission from the Conservatory of Music in Chalons, France. Each of the three movements is inspired by some of my favorite painters, in this case Yves Klein, Zao Wou-ki and Jackson Pollock for the first, second and third movements respectively. I first saw Yves Klein work on a visit to Balbao, Spain during an exhibit of his art at the Guggenheim Museum. There was a kind of giant sandbox filled with his famous blue pigment. The lighting created timbral shadows which varied depending on where the viewer stood. It was difficult to leave. I first saw Zao Wou-ki's paintings during an exhibit in Paris around 2000 I don't remember where. The abstract shape and colors fascinated me and each work seemed to explore a different emotional perspective. And they were simply beautiful. In 1967 I began my music studies in New York and within a few months of arriving went to the Museum of Modern Art at W. 53rd street. On the way there I crossed paths with Moondog on the street near the museum dressed in his Viking outfit. From my first visit, the two artists I remember most vividly were Jackson Pollock and Alexander Calder. Jackson Pollock's art washed over my senses and I stared at One: Number 31 1950 for what seemed to be hours. And Calder's mobiles danced in slow motion and also captivated me. Someday I will write a work to pay homage to him. Three Painters depicts what I see in the works of these artists as sound over time. The first movement (Yves Klein) explores the subtle changing orchestrational timbres on the pitch 'F'. The second movement (Zao Wou-ki) uses the instruments without their reeds and/or mouthpieces resulting in waves of air sounds washing over the senses. The Third movement (Jackson Pollock) is a jazz-like romp which transfers his vibrant visual energy to a full blown "big band" style played by the ensemble. The duration is 12 minutes.

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