Program

Retrace our Steps , paul bailey

2004

(commissioned by the cerritos center for the performing arts, world premier)

is a four act vocal/instrumental spectacle based on texts by gertrude stein, guy debord and jenny bitner. the work explores the relationships between youthful idealism, alienation, and consumerism.

act 1, act 2, act 3, act 4, (libretto)

Music from Summerland, paul bailey 2002

explores the juxtoposition of pop song forms and harmonies through post-modern and minimalist gestures. summerland refers to a mythical-emotional place where we escape daily routine by making music; composing, rehearsing and performing. this music lies somewhere between art music (music meant to be contemplated) and pop music (music meant for mass consumption).

overcoming tourism

the palimpsest

boundary violations

tong aesthetics

obsessive love

the obelisk

summerland

Chopping Tool, sean ferguson 2000/2003

is the second piece by Sean R. Ferguson in his "Chopping" trilogy. This piece was originally written for String Sextet with Piano Four Hands and was later re-orchestrated for the Paul Bailey Ensemble at the suggestion of the director.  Chopping Tool reconstitutes the harmonies of Chopin's Prelude in C# minor for piano (Op. 28, no. 10) through an "agro-minimalist" machine, unfolding in a way that attempts to graple with the balance of meditation in a post-industrial age.

chopping tool