Jon Rose: The Hyperstring Project. The New Dynamic of Rogue Counterpoint (review)

This collection of works by Jon Rose represents his thorough research into the development of electronic performance and composition with the violin. The software used for the Hyperstring Project was developed in collaboration with the Studio for Electro-Instrumental Music (STEIM) in Amsterdam. At the beginning of the liner notes Mr. Rose states: "There are 3 primary controllers . . . a sensor mounted on the violin bow which measures the bow pressure; an accelerometer mounted on the bowing arm, measuring bowing arm movement (and more importantly) speed of movement; and foot pedals which are played independently by both feet." From this technical description of his "extended" instrument, Mr. Rose has created a lucid and effective performance system.

This compact disc seems to be divided into three sections divided by two moments of silence on tracks 10 and 15. Mr. Rose's compositional style in these sets of pieces focuses on expanding the violin within its idiomatic frame. He explores elements of counterpoint and polyrhythmic figures, which are manipulated by means of the different controllers. I think this is an interesting part of Mr. Rose's system because he is very conscious of the sound of the violin, and keeps the aural presence of it throughout these pieces. The titles of the tracks on the CD are engaging too, including Siren, Broken Bones, Schoenberg's Bow, Reversed Spam, Whipped Cream, and Spaghetti Machine.

Mr. Rose's compositions on this disc show his virtuosic technique using his violin and performance system. With long, droning textures and varied ostinati, he moves through many ethnic styles. These range from the whistling sound of a Bulgarian kaval to the shimmering strings of the Indian sitar to the poly-rhythmic dance styles of the British Isles. The compositions seem like large broken machines which rotate and move in unpredictable and interesting ways—washing machines, electric hand drills, industrial-sized food mixers—all controlled by Mr. Rose's subtle movements and skilled performance style.