Mobile II

for viola and electronics

Commissioned by What’s Next Ensemble
Premiered by Jack Stulz, May 28th, 2010, Alfred Newman Hall, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA
Recorded by Alma Fernandez, April 28th, 2012, Beyond Baroque, Los Angeles, CA

Notes

This work features samples from two of the earliest known audio recordings:

1) An excerpt of Handel’s oratorio “Israel in Egypt” performed on June 29, 1888. Recorded from over 100 yards away and subject to over 100 years of decay, the chorus of 4000 voices is almost buried by distance and time.

2) An after dinner toast given by composer Arthur Sullivan on October 5, 1888. Here, Sullivan comments on Thomas Edison’s invention of the phonograph:

“For myself, I can only say that I am astonished and somewhat terrified at the results of this evening’s experiment — astonished at the wonderful power you have developed, and terrified at the thought that so much hideous and bad music may be put on record forever.”

Score

For full score and electronics patch, contact the composer.

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