this is a demo version of the piece which received a premiere performance by its commissioner Marc André Hamelin on October 16th 2022

Tip (2020-21) composed by John Oswald
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Why Tip?
A short title for a brief piece. But that little word packs a myriad of associations. Some tip-ical phrases are:

Tip of the iceberg…

In the ocean of music this iceberg is composed of my condensation of the most familiar music in the pianistic repertoire. What you hear in Tip is the ten percent that rises above the surface of that ocean. The ninety percent below the surface contains the many other possible quotations not chosen from the nearly 400 scores and performance transcriptions investigated. Perhaps while listening to Tip you will sense some aspects of what lies below the surface— the unheard but easily recalled continuations of phrases unfinished; the layers of possibility in polyphonies of superimposition; a great submerged consciousness of musical memory.

On the Tip of the tongue…
The reader will notice that we are not citing sources here; therein lies the fun. At times the quotes come so fast and furious your ears might tingle on the verge of recognition. Other times up to four quotations occur simultaneously (a momentary quodlibet). A familiar pop tune weaves into the key and melody of an equally familiar classical fragment. Diverse quotes can pivot on a common note or chord. A medley on steroids?

Are there any tips for listening to Tip?
Marc André writes: “I’ve always been fascinated by how completely unrelated but familiar snippets of music can influence each other when juxtaposed — and here John Oswald put pedal to metal, going as far as superimposing material, so that the final result is a delightful challenge for the listener in untangling this multitude of strands of musical thought. And it’s no less of a challenge for the pianist!”
When my long suffering copyist John Abram warned me, and Marc André subsequently confirmed, that two measures of the score were possibly impossible to play, i was only too happy to give Marc André a free hand to adjust, rearrange or recompose that passage. You, the listener, may recognize it, especially if the names Linus and Ludwig ring any bells.

Tip-ping over (and not over-tipping!)
I have a predilection for phrases and quotations left incomplete. The listener can imagine what comes next as several familiar phrases tip over into each other, much like this facetious mixed metaphor: “If we hit that bullseye, the rest of the dominoes will fall like a house of cards.” Here the string of clichés has an illogical synergy, tumbling through familiar territory in a novel navigation.

Tip off…
There are approximately forty scores quoted.

A tip of the hat…
To Eve Egoyan for test-running Tip as a composition-in-progress, and for her encouraging thoughts; and to Holly Small for her sharp ears, eyes and pencil.