‘Piece of Four’

Press, 5 June 1982, Page 6

‘Piece of Four’

“Piece of Four,” composed by Kit Powell. Performed at the Robert McDougal) Art Gallery, June 4. Reviewed by Heath Lees. >

On the ticket. Kit Powell describes this performance as “ah experimental musicdrama work,” thus leaving nothing to chance. At least one of the words is bound to fit. - ?*'

The problem of description is a very real one. 'Much of the music’is improvised, but in the light of one governing idea.. , •■'■., In the 16 sections, the four performers explore and relate ;to sounds-and . move-. ment. all of them dictated by; various aspects of tne figure . 4,V-fe • '

Steel plates, rubber, tyres, plastic containers, and vocal sounds (to-name but four)

combiner , with. ambitious technology which includes synthesisers' and tape loops. It is the task of the performers to adjust to the various patterns,. .most of which they themselves generate. Like all performers, they have to initiate and to respond. ' What kind of musicaltheatrical experience does this four-play provide? In my view, the performance was both rich and disappointing. Rich, , because of the sense of spontaneity and surprise, arid the' sense of suspended lime , (which is the . fourth .dimension). Above all, there was the combining of con-, ventionally simple, even primitive sounds, with the carefully controlled, electronic elements which ebbed and . flowed'round the square. :

But it disappointed, too. because the performers seemed restricted in the repertoire of sounds that were used,, and in the types of personal interaction they employed. Too often they settled for mere imitation or too obvious contrast. It was difficult to see any real subtlety of emerging pattern between these two extremes. For that reason the audience often .felt left out — looking in from a distance rather than being, drawn into the centre. Nonetheless,' the work was rewarding and often' very powerful., Further performances may .encourage the . participants to take a few more risks with the given materials,' and thus reveal a little more of the- potential magic, .