iTunes  Amazon  Boomkat  Dome of Doom

Transmogrificantus Octet, existing in both the realms of American Minimalism and Romantic-era composition, is a two movement string octet in memory of jazz pianist Austin Peralta. Beginning with a movement built upon driving and relentless refrains and episodes, it transitions into an introspective, soaring slow movement, one which embraces the classical style which Peralta knew well, and which he had a deferential love for. As composer Gavin Gamboa explains, “I felt that this piece should unfurl in states of gradual as well as sudden transformation, bringing into focus the chaos and tranquility associated with loss. In attempting to express something which was consistent yet evolving, something which tries to inhabit both of these contradictory states simultaneously, I hoped to arrive at the musical equivalent of identity, as it too is something which remains fixed yet undergoes continuous change.” The work’s title is a suggestion of this, as it combines both ‘to transform’ and ‘cantus’, as in the cantus firmus of early polyphonic music such as Gregorian Chant. Hence the solemn connotations of ‘cantus’ (which represent the foundational and interior) become unified with the turbulent frenzies of transformation and transcendence.

Gavin Gamboa
Transmogrificantus Octet (2013)
for five violins, two violas, one violincello

I. Sinfonia
II. Elegy — Fantasie — Coda

In memory of Austin Peralta

Presented by: The Teaching Machine
Performed by: The Anamnesia Octet
Produced by: Ali Helnwein
Recording Engineer: Travis Warner
Mastering: Shaun Michaud at PARMA Recordings
Artwork/Design: Ben Olsen
Distributed by: AlphaPup Records & Dome of Doom
Release Date: July 29th, 2014

Thank You: David Wexler, Gemma Soldati, Kathleen Soldati, Jake Bloch, Ben Olsen, Ian Simon, Jeff LeRoy, Stephen Bruner, Kevin Marques Moo, Matthew David, Wylie Vasquez Cable, Jason & Cassidy Turbin, Mike Harrison, Wayne Behlendorf, Ted Nava, Micah Nelson, Gustavo Aldana, Grace Oh, Theo Jemison, Alex Backman, Irwin Krinsky, Ivan, Carlota, Mom/Dad, Yolanda Kol