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Avant-Garde Artist Blends Electronic and Chamber Music in Psychic Resynthesis
3 Nov
Summary
- Mark Fell's new album Psychic Resynthesis marks a shift, written for chamber ensemble
- Fell's music is known for its formalist, electronic sound sculpted into arrhythmic bursts
- Psychic Resynthesis echoes 20th-century composers like Feldman and Scelsi
In the past two years, experimental composer Mark Fell has explored new musical territory with his latest releases. Fell, a native of Sheffield, has built a career crafting intricate, formalist electronic music, often composed on software platforms like Max/MSP. His pieces are known for their dazzling, arrhythmic bursts of sound, sculpted from shards and fragments of digital elements.
However, Fell's new album Psychic Resynthesis, released just last month, represents a significant shift in his work. The album was written for and performed by the Explore Ensemble, a London-based chamber group. This marks the first time Fell has composed for a traditional ensemble of human musicians, moving away from his signature electronic sound.
Psychic Resynthesis features a recognizably classical style, with tonal qualities that echo the works of 20th-century composers like Morton Feldman and Giacinto Scelsi. The structure of the piece is also rooted in the chance operations pioneered by John Cage. While Fell's music is typically characterized by its inscrutable, mathematical processes, this new release showcases his ability to blend avant-garde and classical elements into a cohesive, compelling whole.
