Circumfluence by Garlands

The word circumfluence means an encircling flow on all sides. What’s flowing around you in this case is the key of B major, and the sonic textures of the unique set-up that allows my acoustic 12-string guitar to converse with my son Kenji’s modular synth and SuperCollider code. Our recording project Garlands began during Anne Garland’s (my wife and Kenji’s mother) terminal illness in 2019. Our intention was to soothe Anne and ourselves by both centering and expanding our consciousness with music, encouraging us to listen attentively in the ever-changing present moment.

When I was a teenager trying to understand composer Arnold Schoenberg’s innovations, I found his phrase Klangfarbenmelodie, or sound-color-melody. I was intrigued by the idea that texture rather than pitch could become the focus of music. Like flowing water, “Circumfluence” presents a single element (a repeating cycle of pitches) that is constantly changing in detail.

A wonderful aspect of our set-up is that as we make music, our instruments respond with their own contributions and ideas. As we give, we receive, and that forms and informs our process. This recording is being released immediately after being made, in the last days of 2021. Kenji and I wish you the peaceful focus we felt as we made the recording.

—David Garland, December 31, 2021

Tracklist

1.	Garlands - Circumfluence	19:12

Credits

released December 31, 2021
modified 12-string guitar
played by hands and modular synthesizer
performers:
David Garland and Kenji Garland

David also plays clarinets

Produced by Garlands
Recorded Dec. 27—30, 2021

Music copyright © 2022 by David Garland and Kenji Garland
Published by Garland Control Songs ASCAP

Image and design by David Garland

Tall Owl Audio TOA12

License