Two leaders from very different musical worlds, the innovative pianist Bruce Brubaker and scientist-now-electronic-artist Max Cooper collaborate to create this latest expression of music by Philip Glass and tell a story of diversity and vulnerability. Commissioned by and introduced at the Paris Philharmonie in 2019, Glassforms melds the acoustic concert grand piano with synths and cutting edge electronic production techniques to create a compelling album and a dynamic live experience. Uniting an audience of club goers, post-classical aficionados, and seasoned piano music lovers with shows at Cité de la Musique in Paris, London’s Barbican, and Sonar festival in Barcelona, Glassforms received high praise.
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To connect the composed pieces by Glass, Max, and Bruce improvise transitions, called “Preludes,” extending a long tradition of keyboard performers improvising introductions and transitions. Think Bach, Beethoven, or Franz Liszt. As a result of the technology the musical content of each show varies greatly, a controlled improvisation with Max managing the chaos of real time information generated in response to Bruce’s live playing, blending computer-aided expression with acoustic piano sounds to make musical poetry.
Max Cooper: “It’s a balance between order and chaos, which for me, is where the most beautiful music emerges.”
