The world premiere of the Percussion Chess Set was the third piece performed at the New Interfaces for Musical Expression concert at Tonic on July 9, 2003, the first night of the ITP Spring Show. Shawn Van Every and I performed a mostly-improvised piece structured around seven basic movements:

• Setting up the board;
• Percussive riff on the clock;
• Opening moves (with improvised, alternating clock rhythms);
• Forced checkmate;
• Removal of most of the pieces;
• Waltz of the knights;
• Removal of the rest of the pieces.

The place was tiny and jam-packed with ITP students -- what a blast. Unfortunately it was really dark so most of the photos didn't work. And it all went so fast I can barely remember performing at all.

» Check out Elisa Karp's review at TangyBunnys.com (scroll down)

The board projected on the back of the stage (me at right).

Brief introduction from yours truly (Shawn seated at right).

First moves.

Projected board.

Much clearer photos of the stage (taken by Josh Nimoy).

Viva le flash! (also Josh Nimoy).

From the camera of the lovely Elisa Karp.