The album Convergence by the duo Strike featuring pianist Jeff Meyer and percussionist Paul Vaillancourt includes new music by composers Chen Yi, Brooke Joyce, Marc Mellits, Daniel Koontz and James David.
| Chen Yi | China West Suite (2007) | |
| For marimba and piano | ||
| I | Introduction | |
| II | Meng Songs | |
| III | Zang Songs | |
| IV | Miao Dances | |
| Brooke Joyce | Sacred Trees (2007) | |
| I | Aspen Grove | |
| II | Hackberry | |
| III | Chinquapin Oak | |
| IV | Red Oak | |
| V | Blue Beech | |
| VI | Elm | |
| Marc Mellits | Tight Sweater Remix (2005/2009) | |
| I | Exposed Zipper | |
| II | Trans Fatty Acid’s Rein | |
| III | Mechanically Separated Chicken Parts | |
| Daniel Koontz | Soft Stillness and the Night (2007) | |
| In 6 movements | ||
| James M. David | Duo Toccata (2008) | |
| I | Campanello d’allarme | |
| II | Aula di tribunale | |
This album represents the culmination of a nearly five-year collaboration between Strike and five exceptional composers. We have been playing and working together in one format or another since 1996, when we met as graduate students at SUNY, Stony Brook, NY. Our passion and interest in new music sparked a vibrant friendship and spirit of collaboration, and finally, among many various ensembles and projects, a duo was born. The piano and percussion duo does not have a tremendously developed repertoire, and we quickly determined that we would love to have new works to perform. We approached some of our most respected composer friends and deeply valued colleagues and asked them if they would be willing to write or arrange something for this project, putting our trust in their compositional process.
We could not have been more inspired by the creations; the results are diverse in style and character, each with a unique sense of place, time and space, all demanding great creativity on the part of the performers and offering the listener a wide spectrum of experience. We have ended up with five distinct and vibrant works from the early 21st century; the convergence of multiple and varied streams of the contemporary compositional and cultural landscape. We believe these works represent important new additions to the repertoire, demonstrating the kind of compositional craft and musical integrity that will guarantee their lasting value and relevance.
Jeff Meyer and Paul Vaillancourt