1. artists
  2. music
  3. merch
  4. community

Tessellations 1

by Veryan Weston

supported by
Marc Masters
Marc Masters thumbnail
Lawrence Stanley & Hope Carr
Lawrence Stanley & Hope Carr thumbnail
Eyal Hareuveni
Eyal Hareuveni thumbnail
davidilic
davidilic thumbnail
bean54
bean54 thumbnail
CaB
CaB thumbnail
dan lander
dan lander thumbnail
Jeff Schornack
Jeff Schornack thumbnail
kenken125
kenken125 thumbnail
Kevin McNeilly
Kevin McNeilly thumbnail
danosaurovdoom
danosaurovdoom thumbnail
nickyhamlyn
nickyhamlyn thumbnail
kalmykov0615
kalmykov0615 thumbnail
Holly Moors
Holly Moors thumbnail
tonyclark1
tonyclark1 thumbnail
David Morrissey
David Morrissey thumbnail
Robert Bielecki
Robert Bielecki thumbnail
Martin Reh
Martin Reh thumbnail
/

  • Streaming + Download

    Includes unlimited streaming via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Purchasable with gift card
    Download available in 16-bit/44.1kHz.

      £10 GBP  or more

     

  • Compact Disc (CD) + Digital Album

    Comes in tri-fold digi-sleave

    Includes unlimited streaming of Tessellations 1 via the free Bandcamp app, plus high-quality download in MP3, FLAC and more.
    Download available in 16-bit/44.1kHz.
    ships out within 5 days
    Purchasable with gift card

      £10 GBP or more 

     

1.
Tessellations 1 01:00:06
buy track

about

Composed and performed by Veryan Weston.

Tessellations 1 is an autobiography or a journey that started on an old upright piano in a garage soon after I reached double figures.

In 1975, at the age of 25, I moved with my young family to Hertfordshire after being accepted and given a grandiose title 'Fellow of the Digswell Arts Trust'. I was then able to work on developing some ideas through research.

Much later, in 1999, there was support from the Peter Whittingham Foundation to write a piece of music based on research into pentatonic scales (scales having five different notes) and how certain scales relate to each other.

Tessellations 1 is a continuous longform piece lasting one hour that uses 52 pentatonic scales. Each scale has a defined frame for improvising in the moment. Each scale also moves one note differently from the previous scale in order to create a harmonic link, which changes either seamlessly or more dramatically. It reflects most of the ideas mentioned in the research. Each scale has two pre-established areas which are then developed and explored using improvisation. Because the piece is continuous, the player and listeners take part in a journey that lasts about one hour.

As a teenager, I enjoyed listening to North Indian Classical music. Tessellations 1 is similarly divided into two parts - the first part in 'free time(s)', and the second - 'in time'. It also very roughly follows the four classic elements: the first part air and water and the second part earth and fire.

Two years after the commission, on 24th November 2001, the piece was performed live and recorded in Cheltenham in a big college church on a very nice rebuilt German concert grand piano. The gig was very kindly organised by Chris Cundy and recorded by Chris Trent. Chris placed the microphones inside the piano in order to avoid the lively acoustics of the space which means that the listener also sits in the driver's seat during the journey.

The name 'Tessellations', of which there are now six compositions/improvisations, has been used because they contain structures which have, by coincidence, similarities with some of the principles of geometric tessellations. Visual interlocking symmetries and geometric shapes are transferred to the audible world of pitches, rhythm and counterpoint, with the spirit and energy of jazz, improvisation and folk music always at the heart of the performance.

credits

released August 4, 2026

Recorded at the Chapel, Cheltenham & Gloucester
College of Higher Education, 24th November 2001
by Chris Trent.

Event organised by Chris Cundy.

Sleeve design John Trice.

license

all rights reserved

tags

about

Shrike Records image

Shrike Records London, UK

London based label focused on free improvisation and experimental music.

contact / help

Contact Shrike Records

Streaming and
Download help

Redeem code

Report this album or account

If you like Tessellations 1, you may also like: