"Jam Session for Fritz", op. 14#6

is the attempt by René Staar to place his composition method (aided by chord-rows) on a basis of improvisation.

The players can decide for themselves the harmonic material on which they should improvise and approach it in different ways.

First the functions of the ensemble members are determined. There are rhythmical parameters and melody parameters, which will be performed as soloists. Hence "Jam Session" is an ensemble improvisation. The players decide how many of them want to improvise (hopefully all of them), in which order this happens, and how the rhythmic-harmonic parts should be apportioned.

Then different ways will open up:
1) One of the harmonic and formal versions worked out by the composer can be taken and adapted for the chosen cast of players. That means that the players unite only on the division of harmonic structure and the choice of the basic rhythmical structure, and one of the players (perhaps a percussionist or a standing violinist) must give the signal to continue.
2) One chooses the predetermined harmonic structure of the composer (the so-called "basis-part") and he himself composes the form on the basis of the concrete possibilities of the intended performance.
3) One dedicates makes up the rule for himself, obeying that which the composer has foreseen for the basis-part and shaped all of the steps (1) basis-part (2) chorus-rhythmic part (3), choice of rhythmic structure etc.

Thus the player can choose various degrees of freedom, while the composer emerges more or less at the decision of the player.

Each performance is in its particular version really a new creation. Nevertheless as the first performance only the first improvisation on a designated version is foreseen (by either the composer OR the players). Thus can the various version all have things in common (the same parts, the same harmonic development). It is important that the original formal shape have a simultaneously logical-harmonic cenception, so that each improvisational foundation shows an unbroken line from beginning to end.

"Jam Session" was completed by the composer in two versions, a "Linzer" version (UA 6.11.1996) and a "Parisian" (2.12.1996), and dedicated to Friedrich Cerha on his 70th birthday.

So it is clear that "Jam Session" offers the players different degrees of freedom.

For René Staar this piece was an attempt to equalize the possibilities of the freedom to improvise among the members of his Ensemble Wiener Collage, which are not there in other projects such as commisioned works.

"Jam Session" in the "Linzer" version, was first performed be the Ensemble Wiener Collage (with 6 instrumentalists and a vocalist) on 6. November 1996 in the Linzer Brucknerhaus, and last 6 to 12 minuntes.

The "Parisian" version was first performed an 2. December 1996 in the Austrian Cultural Institute with 10 - 18 instrumentalists and a vocalist, lasting between 10 and 18 minutes.

Translation: Michael Ingham