Spottings on Safari

Make Music NY 2013 set the scene for the debut of my composition “Spottings on Safari” for two to an infinite number of toy pianos and 1 CD player.

Inspired by the chance operations and indeterminacy of the works of John Cage, Spottings on Safari is created with the intention of providing children and adults with the opportunity to perform together while opening their horizons to the available composition techniques and performance choices outside the conventional parameters of concert music. Toy musical instruments can be more than just toys and radios can be more than just appliances lacking the potential for informed musical thought. They sport their own collection of idiosyncrasies and uniquely valid soundscapes, which Alexa Dexa seeks to explore and exercise in Spottings on Safari. The outcome is a subtle irony between the maturity of the compositional technique and its innate childish affability.

Watch here.

The debut took place in Sakura Park.
Toy Pianists:
Allison Tartalia, Graham Wolff, Hyeree Cha, Kyle Maxwell-Doherty, Masaya Ozaki, Megan Hofreiter, and Tristan McKay.
CD Player:
Alexa Dexa

Sponsored by Schoenhut Piano Company.