Ensemble Signal play Jonny Greenwood's music at NPR's Tiny Desk

NPR have published a Tiny Desk Concert of Jonny Greenwood's music, played by the New York group Ensemble Signal without the composer, who was nowhere near Washington, D.C. when it was recorded. Lisa Moore, the ensemble's pianist, plays “88 (No.1)”, a solo piece after Glenn Gould that Greenwood published in 2018 as sheet music and nothing else.

The ensemble also give the first hearing of “Three Miniatures From Water”, which Greenwood began in 2014 on a commission from the Australian Chamber Orchestra. He says both pieces are inspired by Olivier Messiaen and written in the French composer's modal system.

Greenwood wrote a note to go with the session. And I still find it bizarre that you can put a musical idea on paper and have it reproduced at such a distance – and with such added life.¹