BURST
a 5-seconds-piece by Michael Rook [2000]
duration: 5"
[first performed: University of Washington, Seattle/USA within the scope of Michael's Doctors-Recitals, Brechemin Auditorium, School of Music, nov 24th 2002]
In the summer 2002, we had the idea of a project. It was the question: Is it possible for a composer to express his musical identity convincingly within an extremely limited duration and with an additional instruction from us? All composers were set the task to write a piece of 5 seconds duration (maximum!) and "as cruel as possible, trash, hardcore, punk" for electrified accordion, electric bass and live electronics, with or without voice, composition, conceptual improvisation, performance, CD-playback. At the same time each of the pieces is more than just a statement, a mere musical fingerprint of the composer - each composition develops its completely individual form and is complete in its’ self.
And it works.
Michael unearths rarely heard dark abysses, that are seldomly found even in Gothic or Industrial music.
[translated by Michael Rook]