November 19, 2009

Terry Riley: PIPE DREAMS @ the BAM/PFA


Terry Riley in concert at the BAM
photo by Styrous®

Earlier this month I was invited to photograph Terry Riley's PIPE DREAMS concert at the Berkeley Art Museum. It was a pipe dream come true for me since he has been one of my inspirations in my sound designs ever since I first heard his album, A Rainbow in Curved Air, in the late 60's. The complete Rainbow track can be heard on YouTube.

Riley has worked with many of the best-known electronic composers: Morton Subotnick, Steve Reich and Pauline Oliveros, to name just a few. For more information see: 20,000 Vinyl LPs 9: Terry Riley - A Rainbow In Curved Air.

The gallery partitions on the main floor that had been put in place many years ago were removed restoring the museum, designed by San Francisco architect, Mario Ciampi, to its original, wide-open configuration; so, the resulting acoustics were sensational. it was not only a grand event but a spacious one!


photo by Styrous®


The concert drew over 600 people to the show. The crowd sat on blankets, sleeping bags, bean bags, pillows or just sat on the floor. It was an style be-in.
photo by Styrous®

Terry Riley concert audience at the BAM
photo by Styrous®


Riley played solo piano but was accompanied by his son, Gyan Riley, playing guitar on several selections until midnight with only one short break. What a fantastic evening.




Terry Riley

photo by Styrous®



Terry Riley in concert at the BAM
photo by Styrous®


photo by Styrous®


Terry Riley
photo by Styrous®




Terry Riley

photo by Styrous®


Styrous® ~ November, 2009




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November 5, 2009

VISUAL CONCERT by Strings


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Strings is a house concert. The Wednesday evening performances are supported by the members of the Society for the Advancement of Acoustic Music Appreciation. The all-volunteer staff and the Strings' community have made these concerts possible for over eleven years. The philosophy of Strings is to provide a space that brings together outstanding musicians and artists with appreciative and respectful audiences.

Once a year Strings hosts a "Visual Concert", an evening of photography to the accompaniment of live music. "Visual Concert" is a multi-media event linking visual and musical talents. This year six photographers were invited to show their work and each chose a theme. It was my pleasure and honor to have been one of the photographers invited to participate in this year's concert and I chose "Performance" as my theme.

Photographers, their themes and the musicians:

Susan Fan-Brown, "Bel Marin" with Helen Holt, clarinet & Jim Passard, guitar

Suzon Murray, "Animals" with Molly Axtmann, Piano

Toni Ichelson, "New York City" with Joey Lent, Guitar

Charlie Lucke, "Alaska" with Nicole Milner, Piano

John Pearson chose three themes. "Everybody Knows" with Caren Armstrong, guitar & vocal. "Painting with Light" with Joey Lent, Guitar. "Water" with Molly Axtmann, Piano.

Styrous®, "Performance" with Katrina Wreede, viola



Megan Kincaid was scheduled to show her Peru and Bolivia images with Blair Kilpatrick, accordion & Steve Tabak, violin but technical difficulties prevented that from happening.

All in all, it was a fun, pleasant and memorable event.