Foundations, by Thom Blum

Foundations

by Thom Blum

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1.	Rotochrosite 06:59	info	buy track
2.	Phthong 11:20	info	buy track
3.	Three Studies for Pedal Steel 09:09	info	buy track
4.	To My Son Parker, Asleep in the Next Room 09:34	info	buy track
5.	Four Poems Somewhat 12:03	info	buy track

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Collections: Music by Thom Blum
Foundations (1972 – 2000)

These are early and foundational pieces. From the earliest piece (1972) to the latest (2000) my focus, purpose, and taste formed the musical course that I then pursued over the next two decades.

I decided after some early attempts that I was not excited by composing for traditional instruments, especially after experiencing various analog synthesizers in the mid-1970s – Arp, Buchla, and Moog – as well as a standalone minicomputer (Data General). Even then this battery of equipment was becoming more affordable, and because electronics were ready and able to produce sounds and “rehearse” whenever I was, versus human musicians, it seemed a better approach to making music, especially in post-university life where access to musicians might be limited. My decision to turn away from traditional instruments was impetuous, like a couple other decisions I made at that age, but it more or less stuck. I have rarely regretted it.

This Foundations collection does include two samples – the most developed – of my early instrumental ensemble compositions: "Rotochrosite" (1972), for small ensemble, and "Phthong" (1978), for 10 vocalists and percussion. Neither has been “released” as a recording before now, so they are the oldest of my pieces, yet they are having their world premieres, if you will, right here in this collection. (Scores for both pieces available upon request.)

On the other end of the early-works spectrum is a later piece, "Four Poems Somewhat" (2000). Here the introduction of new software, designed specifically for the manipulation and synthesis of audio spectra, created unusual musical sandboxes which in turn opened doors to new sound worlds; worlds that were responsive to the sound I was already seeking and working towards. With the ability to create and orchestrate along a continuum of concrete sounds, granular, and spectral synthesized/processed sounds, my means of expression expanded. Years after composing "Four Poems Somewhat" some of my pieces continued to explore the worlds first brought to light by these technological boosts.

Rotochrosite (1972, 7:00)
Phthong (1978, 11:25)
Three Studies for Pedal Steel (1995, 9:05)
To My Son Parker, Asleep in the Next Room (1996, 9:35)
Four Poems Somewhat (2000, 13:45)

©+℗ 2020 Thom Blum (ASCAP)

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released January 2, 2021

artwork: "fr site 20F" © 2016 Tuyen Q. Nguyen | www.odyssey7.zone

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Thom Blum San Francisco, California

Thom Blum has been composing electroacoustic music since 1974.

Recent performances and installations include "[You Are [Here] You [Are] You Here]", a sound installation established in 2022 in the Prelinger Library in San Francisco, and "Telescopic 1 (zoom out)" at the San Francisco Tape Music Festival 2024. ... more

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