Triple Point – Empac Sessions (New CD)

Triple Point, featuring Pauline Oliveros, Doug Van Nort and Jonas Braasch, was an improvising trio with a core instrumentation of soprano saxophone, greis/electronics, and V-accordion. The name refers to the point of equilibrium on a phase plot, which acts as a metaphor for the group’s improvisational dialogue.

Triple Point’s musical interaction was centered around an interplay between acoustics, physically-modeled acoustics (v-accordion), and electronics. Van Nort captured the sound of the other players on-the-fly, either transforming them in the moment to create blended textures or new sonic gestures or holding them for return in the near future. Oliveros changes between timbres and “bends” the intended factory sound models through her idiosyncratic use of the virtual instrument, while Braasch explores extended techniques, including long circular-breathing tones and multiphonics. This mode of interaction has resulted in situations where acoust