We’ve updated our Terms of Use to reflect our new entity name and address. You can review the changes here.
We’ve updated our Terms of Use. You can review the changes here.

Gretchen

from Superconductor by Kirk O'Riordan

/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card

      $1.50 USD  or more

     

  • Buy the Full Digital Album

about

Gretchen is the oldest of the songs...it was originally composed in 2016 for a concert of electronic music I performed in March, 2017. It was the last piece on the concert, occurring after about 50 minutes of some pretty abstract, improvisation-based electro-acoustic music. It seemed to be a welcome change for some of the students in the audience...

Gretchen has since undergone a significant amount of post-production, including new drum sounds, re-mixing, and editing. At nearly 11 minutes, it is definitely pretty hefty...a large-scale ABA form with a coda, it is the only song on the album that has a recognizable key change.

The text for the song is Goethe's "Gretchen am Spinnrade," the same text used by Schubert when, at the age of 17 (!) he wrote one of the most famous lieder in music history. The text was "read" by a text-to-speech app on my iPad, then heavily processed in Logic.

credits

from Superconductor, released February 10, 2018

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Kirk O'Riordan image

Kirk O'Riordan Easton, Pennsylvania

Kirk O'Riordan’s music has been referred to as “unapologetically beautiful” and is often praised for its uniquely “visual” qualities that depict a wide range of striking moods. Dr. O'Riordan joined the faculty of Lafayette College in 2009, and now serves as Associate Professor of Music and Director of Bands, teaching courses in music theory, and composition. ... more

contact / help

Contact Kirk O'Riordan

Streaming and
Download help

Report this track or account

If you like Kirk O'Riordan, you may also like:

Bandcamp Daily  your guide to the world of Bandcamp

On Bandcamp Radio

Saxophonist Isaiah Collier chats about his new LP and the influence of Pharoah Sanders.
listen now