Search - The New World Consort of Wesleyan University, Alvin Lucier, Thomas Ridenour :: Crossings

The New World Consort of Wesleyan University, Alvin Lucier, Thomas Ridenour
Crossings
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Jazz, Special Interest, New Age, Classical

Track Listings (3) - Disc #1
1. In Memoriam Jon Higgins, for clarinet in A and slow-sweep pure wave oscillator (19:00)
2. Septet for Three Winds, Four Strings and Pure Wave Oscillator (19:28)
3. Crossings, for small orchestra with slow-sweep pure wave oscillator (16:00)

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CD Details

All Artists: The New World Consort of Wesleyan University, Alvin Lucier, Thomas Ridenour
Title: Crossings
Members Wishing: 2
Total Copies: 0
Label: Lovely Music
Original Release Date: 3/1/1990
Release Date: 3/1/1990
Genres: Dance & Electronic, Jazz, Special Interest, New Age, Classical
Styles: Electronica, Techno, Experimental Music, Chamber Music, Instruments, Electronic, Symphonies
Number of Discs: 1
SwapaCD Credits: 1
UPCs: 745295101826, 723721139421

Synopsis

Album Description

Three works for classical instruments and oscillators, including In Memoriam, Septet and Crossings for small orchestra with slow-sweep pure wave oscillator. Lucier explains the process: The three works on this compact disk explore interference phenomena between sound waves. When two or more closely tuned tones are sounded, their oscillations periodically coincide to produce audible beats of sound. The speed of the beating depends upon the distances between the pitches of the sounds. The further apart, the faster the beating; at unison, no beating occurs. Furthermore, under certain conditions, the beats may be heard to spin around the room..... That process is applied on this CD to clarinet, chamber orchestra, and orchestra. One would never expect to produce such musical results from such a simple idea, but then, that's Lucier's particular genius.

CD Reviews

Powerful sound that enters inside you...

Samuel D. Burns | Charleston, SC United States | 05/29/2001

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a truly amazing electronic work. This is sound at its purist level. This CD will sound different in every acoustical environment it is played into. In Greensboro, my bedroom had a sloped ceiling. I put this album on and went to bed--turning off the lights. The sound of this CD would whirl around the room, enter my left ear, linger inside my brain, then exit through my right ear, and vascillate back again. OK, you think perhaps I was "high", and I was. But just on Lucier's pure sonic creation. Try it!"

Beats, beats, and more beats...

K. Doles | 07/30/2000

(3 out of 5 stars)

"This is a good album, but it certainly isn't for everyone. All three pieces on this recording exploit an interesting sonic phenomena (as described in the editorial review, so I won't repeat it here), albeit in slightly different ways. The differences between these works is so slight (save for instrumentation) that it's frequently hard to tell them apart. There is music here, but the listener is forced to find it between the waves. If you REALLY love slow-sweep pure wave oscillators and controlled acoustic 'beating,' this disk is for you. If not, be warned; this is not an easy listen, even when compared to some of Lucier's other works."