Digital Soundscapes

Barry Truax - Digital Soundscapes

The Blind Man (1979), for two-channel tape based on a poem and reading by Norbert Ruebsaat

Aerial (1979), music for solo amplified horn and four computer-synthesized soundtracks; Steven Field - horn

Wave Edge (1983), for four computer-synthesized soundtracks

Solar Ellipse (1984-85), for four computer-synthesized soundtracks

Riverrun (1986), for four computer-synthesized soundtracks

From the liner notes:

All of the works on this recording have been composed with reference to environmental sound, whether as actual source material, as in "The Blind Man", or as metaphor, as in the computer-synthesized pieces. I find it significant that as computers are increasingly involved in music that I and other composers should look to the richness of environmental sound and its spatial characteristics for acoustic models and sound symbolism. This development occurs ironically at a time when noise as a byproduct of the same technology continues to be a major environmental problem. It is my hope that the musical vision of these works may encourage in the listener a greater soundscape awareness and sensitivity. (Barry Truax)

Tracklisting:

1. The Blind Man {16:00}

2. Aerial {9:32}

3. Wave Edge {9:38}

4. Solar Ellipse {11:14}

5. Riverrun {19:44}

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For anyone interested in the book, Handbook for Acoustic Ecology, look in the comments.