New York, NY (Top40 Charts) Composer and Guitarist, Lawrence Blatt,
Crosses Boundaries of Science and
Music to Release 'Emergence'
The 12 track CD is an eclectic mix of musical compositions created using the scientific 'emergence theory'. Combining his love of music and science, Blatt has proved that by adhering to musical rules of chord progression and scale theory, something unexpected and wonderful can emerge.
Blatt says of the process, "Scientists who study these natural phenomenon have begun to understand the concept that diverse patterns can be devised from simple rules, which often lead to unexpected outcomes."
Guitar parts were written to exact musical rules of chord progression while the solo performers on the album were given no written music but instead were instructed on "allowable" movement based on musical theory. The transformation of integrative levels of governed sound have delivered for Blatt a triumph within both music and science sectors. The 'Emergence' CD is both exact and stunningly beautiful, heralding a new approach to the exploration of creativity, secured within a process without free rein, yet yielding extraordinary music.
Blatt said, "At first I was reluctant to take this sort of approach to music but after using this methodology on a few tracks I was amazed at the results. Although there were rules, the music that resulted was spontaneous and alive."
The album, produced by Will Ackerman, features an array of solo instrumentalists including Charlie Bisharat and Lila Sklar on violin, cello player Eugene Frieson, Gus Sebring on French horn, Jill Haley on the English horn and the late Jim Rothermel who played penny whistle on the composition 'Passing up Bridges'. The title track 'Emergence' featuring violin player Charlie was completed in a single take and the process used enhanced natural progression towards completion.
"It had the feel of a jam session with great outcomes that just happened to be recorded." said Blatt.
Growing up in the San Fernando Valley, Blatt was initially drawn to the violin. A move to Indianapolis, where he was exposed to a vast array of musical styles, shifted his focus to acoustic music and the guitar. But it was a subsequent move to Bolder, Colorado to work for a Biotechnology Company that fused together an unshakeable love of science and music. Under the tutelage of renowned finger-style guitarists, Laurence Juber and Brian Gore, Blatt embraced a playing style of open tunings and bare fingertips.
After five years of research and writing, Blatt has released 'Emergence' - a fusion of outstanding musical and scientific excellence. 'Emergence' stands as a sonic testimony to the theory that order emerges in complex systems of nature.
"There's a fine line when dealing with an artist's musical evolution. You want to hear growth and want to experience the joy of an artist finding new challenges and mastering them, but you also want to hear the intact musical voice of the artist who's work you've come to love. Lawrence Blatt's newest release, EMERGENCE, offers the perfect balance of these worlds."
