composer / performer / Educator
Photo @carltremblay.com
Private Instruction in George Russell’s Lydian Chromatic Concept
and Applied Modal Analysis with Ben Schwendener
George Russell’s Lydian Chromatic Concept (the LCC) is a pioneering theoretical work that offers musicians of any style a new perspective into the creative resources available for improvisation, composition, analysis and progressive ear training.
I have been teaching this theory for 30+ years at the New England Conservatory, Longy School of Music of Bard College, and around the world. I am now offering private, personalized instruction in this often misunderstood theory in person at my studio in Boston, or via Zoom.
Realizing the absence of credible resources available for people to understand this theory, I have adapted and expanded the pedagogy of the LCC, and of my subsequent work, Applied Modal Analysis, to make it easily accessible to the musical community.
The principles of this theoretical perspective will greatly expand and add to your creativity.
To schedule a free 20 minute introductory session please contact me at:
FUGUE
Modal Realizations for Jazz Trio
Ben Schwendener, piano
with
Domenico Botelho, bass
Henry Godfrey, drums
“The pandemic offered me much time for deep creative research and introspection. Now, I am excited to share a new body of work live with the public. These pieces are the result of years of my own work interpreting and analyzing Bach. In addition to these performances, my work with Bach’s fugues have developed into new classes at New England Conservatory and Longy and in my forthcoming book “Applied Modal Analysis”. My musical perspective identifies universal modal elements which can be applied to any music style; this viewpoint has provided a wealth of creative resources which I am eager to share.”
APPLIED MODAL ANALYSIS
with BEN SCHWENDENER
Jazz musicians improvise on chords.
George Russell‘s Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization illuminated the perspective of chords actually representing modes. This was the basis for the modal period of jazz that began in the late 50’s. Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue release put this way of thinking on the map for large audiences.
Ben Schwendener expands on the idea with Applied Modal Analysis, a new course he designed now being offered at the New England Conservatory and Longy School of Music of Bard College in Boston.
The idea is simple and straightforward. Based on a circle of Lydian, not major scale keys, every chord is first recognized as having a parent scale and vertical organization. With this understanding, it can be logically realized how major and minor chords, and others, occur often not only within their parent scales but within many other Lydian based keys as well. Context is the key: resolution and harmonic rhythm is understood in the larger context of chords occurring within specific Lydian-based environments, illuminated by this circle of Lydian keys.
Beginning with Bach Chorales, students learn to navigate improvisationally through important classical works as jazz musicians, or actually as improvising musicians in any style.
Harmony presented in this new perspective offers extremely useful and expensive possibilities which students can apply not only to improvising through classical music but to the jazz repertoire as well. This is presented in these workshops as well.
Applied Modal Analysis compliments the wealth of information provided by traditional jazz pedagogy, offering an expansive new perspective.
Offered as a multi-day residency with master classes and real time student participation and application on their instruments. Private instruction via Zoom available.
The Bach TRIO
Ben Schwendener - piano
Domenico Botelho - bass
Henry Godfrey - drums
Monday, January 31 2022 7:30p
NEC Jazz Faculty Spotlight Concert
Jordan Hall
New England Conservatory of Music
2290 Huntington Ave, Boston
Free
about The Bach Project
A modal analysis of J.S. Bach’s Chorales, Cantatas, and Fugues from the perspective of the Lydian Chromatic Concept provides a rich collection of natural elements perfect for improvisational navigation. These ingredients make up and are available to all in the creation of musical languages.
Schwendener recently published 'Organic Music Theory', a modal perspective based on understanding universal musical elements.This analytical perspective is applicable to all genres and styles of music.
" … my own realization of Bach’s modal elements, of his amazing relationship with music and nature: the ingredients he laid out are told through my own life-journey."
Organic Music Theory
Organic Music Theory provides a radical perspective on creative production. Given elements supplied by nature and history, creativity is simply a matter of choice; anyone who has ever made a choice is 'creative.' However, instead of relying on recipes created by individuals of the past, OMT facilitates each of us to compose languages of the future, making creative choices directly from naturally occurring--organic--and self-organized universal elements.
Based on theory that began in the modal period in jazz, Ben Schwendener clearly explains and then expands this perspective into a broad range of applications. This important work is intended not only for musicians, but for anyone sensing the existence of a larger realm of creative choice.
Organic Music Theory PDF ($35)
To order contact: info@benschwendener.com
LYRIC
Collaboration with Carley DeFranco
The formidable opera singer Carley DeFranco and Ben Schwendener have joined forces in a ground-breaking duo. Lyrical improvisations based on natural geometric design, contemporary poetry, Bach, and deep ambient, emotion-rich cinematic groove are some elements serving their new language.
After two years of exploration, with brief appearances at Jordan Hall and The Democracy Center, Ben and Carley performed their first two-set concert in the Arnold Arboretum, Sunday October 14,2020 4 & 5pm. This special performance was made possible in part by a generous grant from the Emerald Necklace Conservancy in commemoration of its 20th anniversary at Fog x Hill, Arnold Arboretum.
NO PLAN B
Performances with international artists in collaboration with Angelo Dello Iacono, ADN Dialect and Gravity Arts.
On hold till the pandemic lifts…
NIGHTSONG
“A Modal Improvisation Laboratory”
Now in its 12th year, Daryl Bichel’s creation based on the liturgical Compline continues to bring together ancient chant and contemporary modal improvisation with Ben Schwendener on piano.
Sundays 7:30 - 8:15, First Church Cambridge
Free and open to the public - donations (offerings) welcome
Elodi Rose Schwendener - Dancer
Ben Schwendener - Piano
Join the
Organic Ensemble
(Organic Innovation Ensemble)
“Unlock your creative potential through music and apply it everywhere... Learn how to perform in the moment and how to improvise. Learn to trust your team, heighten your awareness of group dynamics, and increase your leadership capacities.” — Ben Schwendener, creator and director
“The feeling of getting the chance to do something you’ve always wished you could is finally realized. The thrill of making music is made even sweeter by the new dynamic of this strong group that you become a part of in every sense of the word.” — David Vos, Television producer/director and former OIE participant
What is it?
The Organic Innovation Ensemble (OIE) brings people together to create powerful performances. Immersion in the performing arts infuses creative energy, innovation, and original thinking into corporate cultures. The OIE is designed to improve collaborative skills through the organic process of creating high quality original musical performances.
How does it work?
First, musical skills of any level are identified among the participants. Anyone who plays an instrument or sings can utilize their existing skills. Non-musicians may participate through elements of spoken
word, dance, visual arts, or another form of artistic expression. The staff then selects, composes,
and arranges music customized for the unique orchestration of the group.
Who is it for?
Anyone. Our ‘begin anywhere’ process makes it possible for anyone to explore their innate creativity regardless of prior experience. OIE’s workshops are for those who want to understand and experience how the creative process leads to greater openness and original thinking in business, technology, products, and services.
Where does it take place?
We’ll spend 11 hours together, at Longy School of Music of Bard College in Cambridge, Massachusetts. We meet for 90-minutes weekly. A final concert is the culmination of an OIE project and is open to anyone.
Why should someone do this?
Having a flexible, creative mindset allows one to evaluate ideas on a higher level and consider new possibilities. Creating and delivering delightful products to customers is experientially the same as creating performances that delight audiences. It is a clear path to revealing original products, services, and new ways of doing business.
Ben Schwendener has teamed up with Gravity Arts and Longy School of Music of Bard College to present this new program. Please check out the Organic Innovation Ensemble website HERE for more details and to register.
Meet Ben
Composer / pianist Ben Schwendener sustains a unique voice in contemporary creative music and is a leading authority on George Russell's Lydian Chromatic Concept of Tonal Organization, which he assisted Russell in teaching at the New England Conservatory from 1986 to 2004.
Schwendener’s latest book Organic Music Theory (Pumping Station, 2017, Heights Music International, 2020) presents a new direction in natural pedagogy and dialogue-based arts education, establishing Organic Music Theory and Universal Musical Elements as primary creative sources. He has given lectures, workshops and seminars at Universities and institutions around the world. Schwendener has been on the faculty at the New England Conservatory and Longy School of Music of Bard College for over 30 years. He has also designed classes for non-musicians, based on the inter-discipline correspondences of Organic Music Theory for the Creative and Critical Thinking Department in the Graduate College of Education at UMass Boston.
As a touring performance artist, his groups include FUGUE, with Domenico Botelho and Henry Godfrey, the Mobile Trio with drummer Kenwood Dennard and bassist Marc Friedman, LYRIC with singer Carley DeFranco, as well as collaborations with international musicians and dancers.
Ben lives in Boston with his wife Shari and three children Elodi, Uli and Blue.
Photo of Ben by Carl Tremblay
