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Music

Chicago Reflections

Diversey - source (2003) is a field recording by handheld tape recorder at the Lake Shore Drive/Diversey Harbor underpass in Chicago. The oddly fascinating rushing sounds of cars passing on the concrete and steel roadway above yields a striking aural sidenote, an implied “whistling” sound.

Diversey - excerpt (2003) is a composition for violin with effects, voice, and field recording. The rushing of cars is overlaid with the strummed, delayed chords of the violin. The natural resonances of the concrete retaining walls and roadway above are reinforced with a new whistled passage that emerged from the ambient sound.

Echo, Echo (2003) is a field recording in the resonant space of Chicago’s Union Station. The boy’s delight in discovering the sonic qualities of the magnificently proportioned, high waiting hall “echo, echo echo…” reflects the way people naturally gravitate to exploring their environment (even sonically!) and highlights the engaging qualities of the best public places.