Under license from G. Schirmer, Inc. and Relix Records, Inc.
Copyright © 1976 & 1987 by G. Schirmer, Inc. Used by Permission. All Rights Reserved. Copyright © 1995 Tom Constanten/Relix Records, Inc.
It started out as a keyboard exploration of the intersection of two musical worlds. There was the relatively orderly harmonic and melodic array handed down through the generations. Then there was the world of "what if?" There's the usual way of going about your business, then there are altered states, where different rules apply.
The opening fanfare, which recurs throughout the piece, suggests a freewheeling ride through the cycle of fifths. Motion by thirds also reveals a harmonic order perpendicular, or at least tangential, to the norm. I was working out these ideas at the keyboard, when things began to congeal. The piece almost wrote itself. I realized I'd better write it down, so I got a pencil and some paper. The pencil wouldn't write, so I scratched the back of my hand with it to test it.
That's when I woke up. It wasn't a pencil. It was my right hand, scratching the back of my left hand. It had been a dream. But the music was still there, so I got pencil and paper...again.
The Haight Street Slither is the first in a suite of pieces called The Syntax Collector. It is published in sheet music form by G. Schirmer. HI.50507860
The Haight Street Slither is available on the Relix CD. Relix Sampler #4 RRCD2049
The Syntax Collector is available in its entirety on Fresh Tracks in Real Time (Cassette only) for $10.00ppd from Tom Constanten, PO Box 20195, Oakland, CA 94620.
The San Andreas Stomp is available on Henry Kaiser Band: Heart's Desire. 1p only. Reckless Records RECKD19
