Rhythmology

rhythmology - aka Malcolm Rycraft - is a composer of rhythmic, keyboard-based, electronic music. The music is full of rhythms which are combined, contrasted and generally used as building blocks, hence the name rhythmology, but there is also a strong element of lyricism and harmony. The music is rooted in the tradition of minimalism and can thus be described as post-minimalist, but it blurs musical styles and sometimes has the terms electronica, contemporary classical and ambient applied to it, with an eclectic range of influences including Steve Reich, Depeche Mode, Philip Glass, Graham Fitkin and Orbital.
His first works were composed for contemporary dance groups Écoutez and 4té, with performances at venues such as Chisenhale Dance Space and Jackson's Lane. Intended to be performed as a sequence of 'tableaux' to reflect the choreographic narrative, his music tends to be composed in shorter 'chunks', but because of their 'building block' construction they can be flexible in length.
Malcolm Rycraft studied piano at the Royal College of Music where he first discovered minimalist music, performing several minimalist works as both solo and ensemble pianist, and winning a prize for his thesis on The Music of Steve Reich. Here, under the tutelage of distinguished pianist Yonty Solomon, he also gave the world premiere of a work by Sorabji. He continued his studies at Goldsmiths College, gaining an MMus (Hons) in performance, and went on to give performances including an ensemble work by Louis Andriessen under Odaline de la Martinez at the Cardiff Contemporary Music Festival (also broadcast on the BBC) and all four of Graham Fitkin's works for 2 pianos/4 pianists alongside the composer himself at the Greenwich and Docklands Festival. Currently his main focus is composition.
rhythmology should not be confused with Active Rhythmology which has been the trading name of Steve Parker since 2002. Active Rhythmology provide facilitated rhythm activities where there is no audience and everyone participates to create improvised music using drums, percussion instruments, Boomwhackers, body percussion and vocals. All kinds of gatherings are rhythmologised, including settings such as corporate team building, school workshops and community groups. This kind of event is often referred to as a drum circle or drumming workshop.

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