Gasparatos Stavros

"Expanded Piano” is a recording of a live performance by Stavros Gasparatos, commissioned for the EMPAC (the art venue of the Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute of Troy, NY). It was recorded during a unique live show on November 27th 2014, with Stavros Gasparatos alone on stage. The 24 channel original recording was mixed to stereo for this album, though a surround sound version is available for download.

Compared to Stavros Gasparatos's previous album on Ad Noiseam ("Seven”, 2013), "Expanded Piano” revolves around an aesthetic concept rather than a narrative and was made to be played by one musician only. In this work, Stavros Gasparatos first extends the piano as an instrument beyond its accepted use: by hitting its wooden body, by hammering or caressing the strings, he creates uncommon sounds which are themselves digitally re-processed live. The second part of this performance (and arguably the most difficult one to render on an album) consists in morphing the piano itself into the venue: 24 microphones were placed in the room, linked to as many loudspeakers, enabling the audience to experience the sounds as if sitting inside the piano.

"Expanded Piano” also goes beyond its rules and technology, as Stavros Gasparatos does not only execute a concept, but creates a touching and highly evocative art piece. From the opening "Vincent” to the building energy of the closing "Scrape”, the album finds its place in today's emotional piano-based music and seduces its listener as much with its beauty as with its abstractions.

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Premiered at EMPAC and recorded there for this album, "Expanded Piano” is however not made to be a one-off concert. Stavros Gasparatos is bringing this concept and this music to other venues, such as the equally prestigious Megaron Hall in Athens during the 2015 edition of the Epidaurus Festival.