Form
13/05/10
Today I'm back to square one, editing the first movement. However, the overall form of the work is taking shape. It is still in four movements. Here are my current thoughts on each movement:
(1) The first movement will have traffic sounds, accompanying the orchestra. There will be a general spatialization of the instruments, as I mentioned in an early blog. This is followed by a lyric cello solo, that eventually builds to a high point – accompanied by other instruments – before dying away again to reveal the traffic once more.
(2) The second movement is going to be non-stop action for 8 minutes. Accompanying this will be the sounds of shovels, train sounds and other sounds that one might associate with coal. I have an appointment to record the sound of the Windsor-Hantsport train in a few days, which I'm sure will make it into this soundscape.
(3) The third movement will open with the sound of a rotating wind turbine. Other rotational sounds will make their way into this movement. Water sounds will probably come later as we move from land to sea. However, I haven't made any sketches yet for this so plans are still fluid – pardon the pun! Live processing might be employed during this segment.
(4) The last movement will probably start with the sound of power generators, like the Acadia power plant. I'm envisioning sounds of household objects that use power being a part of this soundscape.
Having titles at a certain stage in the thought process can lead to greater cohesion, and I think I have a semblance of this. Here is a first stab at titles for individual movements: (1) Highways (2) Dis-shovel'd (3) Rotations (4) Crude. I'm still not sure what the overall title will be.
(1) The first movement will have traffic sounds, accompanying the orchestra. There will be a general spatialization of the instruments, as I mentioned in an early blog. This is followed by a lyric cello solo, that eventually builds to a high point – accompanied by other instruments – before dying away again to reveal the traffic once more.
(2) The second movement is going to be non-stop action for 8 minutes. Accompanying this will be the sounds of shovels, train sounds and other sounds that one might associate with coal. I have an appointment to record the sound of the Windsor-Hantsport train in a few days, which I'm sure will make it into this soundscape.
(3) The third movement will open with the sound of a rotating wind turbine. Other rotational sounds will make their way into this movement. Water sounds will probably come later as we move from land to sea. However, I haven't made any sketches yet for this so plans are still fluid – pardon the pun! Live processing might be employed during this segment.
(4) The last movement will probably start with the sound of power generators, like the Acadia power plant. I'm envisioning sounds of household objects that use power being a part of this soundscape.
Having titles at a certain stage in the thought process can lead to greater cohesion, and I think I have a semblance of this. Here is a first stab at titles for individual movements: (1) Highways (2) Dis-shovel'd (3) Rotations (4) Crude. I'm still not sure what the overall title will be.