1. Ambient Odyssey
- Author
-
Rice, Carter John
- Subjects
- Music, music, electroacoustic, chamber, vocal, instrumental, ambient, textural
- Abstract
Ambient Odyssey is twelve minute, single movement work for mezzo-soprano, flute, piano, mandolin, electric bass, percussion, and electronics. Ambient Odyssey's formal structure is cast in three parts, each corresponding to one of the three particular soundworlds: A, B, and C. Each examines a distinctive character: the natural world, an assembly-like machine, and a cosmic wormhole. Transitions between soundworlds are integral to the composition, and vary greatly in character. Texturally, the piece is guided by pitch densities that increase and decrease over time. Soundworld A begins with the full pitch compliment and gradually diminishes to a single pitch class. Inversely, Soundworld B begins with a single pitch class and progressively reintroduces pitches. Soundworld C initially uses a fully chromatic set before decreasing to a set of four pitches that can be reduced to the prime form: [0123]. Rhythmic and melodic material is derived from three primary gestures: a downward glissando; a downward grace note and the re-articulation of a single pitch; and a single pitch that is re-articulated while accelerating and decelerating.The musicians are accompanied by four-channel fixed media. Processed sounds of birds, wind, rain, thunder, fire, and insects contribute to a sonic landscape in soundworld A; machines, engines, cars, and crowds of human voices enhance soundworld B; and synthesized sounds provide an ambient backdrop in soundworld C. Spacialization of the fixed media also plays a role in the composition's structure. Soundworld A projects sound from all directions, soundworld B focuses sound from behind the performing ensemble, and soundworld C rapidly diffuses sound around a quadraphonic space.
- Published
- 2013