Professor Michael Custodis has taken an in-depth look at the inner workings of the musical mind of Dream Theater keyboardist Jordan Rudess. In his latest essay, Custodis goes deep into discussing Rudess' musical path which stretches from classical to rock and looks at the instruments that have been part of the journey. In addition, this offering includes a complete and detailed analyzation of Rudess' Exploration’s For Keyboard And Orchestra.

An excerpt is available below:

"Jordan Rudess’ most celebrated sounds both, live and on studio recordings are dominated by piano and synthesizer. The symbolic dimension of his sounds becomes palpable once set in perspective with his musical socialization which stretches from the classical repertoire (Bach, Mozart, Beethoven, Chopin, Debussy and Rachmaninov) to the sound of synthesizer of his idols Keith Emerson (The Nice and Emerson, Lake and Palmer), Rick Wakeman (Yes) and Richard Wright (Pink Floyd). This interpretation, confirmed by Rudess himself in numerous interviews, reflects his dimensional and emotional thinking in sounds and sonic structures. His play on the piano and his style adaptations are not an integral part of his key musical thinking, even though they are often used to characterize him as a performer. Instead they simply serve the purpose to express already imagined melodies, patterns or sound structures.

This mindset is in sync with a point of view Rudess and other keyboardists are confronted with in the field of rock music: in contrast to a guitarist who may survive with the traditional sound of a Marshall amplifier and a Gibson Les Paul guitar (as long as one draws attention to oneself with an extraordinary technique or some catchy riffs), a keyboardist is expected to create own sounds to be considered a unique musician. In this context the piano acts as a counter-pole even though it was for many years the instrument which influenced Rudess the most. The sound of the piano is
considered as being refined, classically perfected and distinctive so that no sound innovations are expected. The expressive differentiation of the smallest nuances within its sound arch centuries of music history. In contrast, the synthesizer represents the innovative potential of 20th century’s electronic music." 

Go to this location for the complete essay.

In an ongoing series, Dream Theater's John Petrucci and Jordan Rudess discuss The Astonishing’s recurring musical themes and how they are developed compositionally to enhance the dramatic tone of the story. Join John and Jordan in this debut episode as they focus on the “Brother" theme.

Dream Theater have released a video trailer for their fall North American headline tour. The trek, which gets underway October 5th at Bethlehem, PA’s Sands Bethlehem Event Center, will see the pioneering group performing their widely acclaimed double concept album The Astonishing in immersive and interactive settings for a unique and unparalleled live experience.

More shows have been confirmed. See the tour schedule below, and for up-to-the-minute news and ticket information, click here.

Dream Theater Fall North American Tour 2016

October
5 - Bethlehem, PA - Sands Bethlehem Event Center
7 - Wilkes-Barre, PA - F.M. Kirby Center for Performing Arts
8 - Hershey, PA - Hershey Theatre
10 - Concord, NH - Capitol Center For The Arts
19 - Newark, NJ - New Jersey Performing Arts Center
21 - Portland, ME - Merrill Auditorium
22 - Port Chester, NY - The Capitol Theatre - Portchester
28 - Louisville, KY - Palace Theatre
29 - Merrilville, IN - Star Plaza Theare
31 - Indianapolis, IN - Murat Theatre at Old National Centre

November
1 - Milwaukee, WI - Riverside Theater

Photo by Paul Undersinger Photography