Processed, time-compressed improvisations (Reaktor, flute, ARP 2600), modulated by sine-wave oscillators.

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Premiered 04.18.2008 at Mills College, Oakland, Ca. as part of Vox Novus’ 2007-8 60×60 Pacific Rim mix.

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Released as part of Vox Novus’ 2006-7 60×60 CD compilation.

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Program Notes

Travis Johns is currently of the inclination that his life can best be described as a continual western progression on a spherical plane, leaving him approximately 2954 miles from his initial point of origin. For some reason he seems to make various experimentally-derived sounds during this circumnavigation, but has also been known to bake cheesecakes when the money gets tight. He generally tends to have asymmetric hair, possesses a degree or two from various musical institutions and professes to know a thing or two about and Appalachian mountain dulcimer. However, if you actually met said individual, you’d probably not believe any of this ilk…

A Persimmon is any number of species of trees of the genus Diospyros, and the edible fruit borne by them. It has absolutely nothing to do with the nature of this composition. However, to title a piece “Reduction of late-night improvisation in resonant stairwell in Oakland, California, feat. ARP synthesizer, home-built electronics, analog delay boxes and flute, further processed via intuitive aesthetics on digital recording software sounds a little droll, now doesn’t it?

Performance History

• 04.18.2008 – Mills College Ensemble Room, Mills College, Oakland, Ca.
• 09.10.2008 – Happy, Wellington, New Zealand.