Untitled (Counterfeit Readymade #1)

About

Untitled (Counterfeit Readymade #1) is derived from baritone sax improvisations by Wellington-based Jeff Henderson. His improvising was recorded and edited into a 6-minute audio document, which was then transcribed. The transcription is a readymade of sorts, as it is taken from an extant object, and a counterfeit in that it points to a performance that never happened. Though not a risk in this instance - given that the piece is a forgery - a transcription should not efface its object but rather serve as a description through which to approach the original. Put another way, the performance of 'Untitled (Counterfeit Readymade #1)' can be located in relation to the original performance, the derived audio document and the transcription, while being none of these. The marimba part provides commentary on this mercurial object, drawing out and setting in relief its harmonic, melodic and rhythmic features, but rarely doubling it literally.