Clyne, Anna: A Wonderful Day (2013) 5'
for amplified ensemble and pre-recorded audio
Scoring
bcl-vib-pft-egtr-vlc.db.
Abbreviations (PDF).
World Premiere
3/14/2013
Merkin Concert Hall, New York, NY
Bang on a Can All-Stars
Composer's Notes
On a chilly autumn evening, I was walking down Chicago's Magnificent Mile. In front of me, an elderly man was slowly strolling; his walking-cane tapping on the concrete with each step. He was singing with a raw, slow voice which had an immediate sense of both joy and struggle. I scurried up, and asked if he'd mind me recording him. He said yes, and we continued to walk southward as he sang. Then he stopped and we chatted a little. I asked him his name and whether he'd mind me setting his voice to music. Wooly Barbee's face lit up with the idea.
A Wonderful Day sets Wooly's voice—spoken and sung—with the instruments of the Bang on a Can All-Stars who provide a gentle bed of sound. My editing of the original recordings is minimal so as to preserve the directness of Wooly's voice and the surrounding sounds of traffic, people chatting and the tapping of his cane.
A Wonderful Day is the first in a collection of short electro-acoustic works titled Chicago Street Portraits, which combine recordings of local street musicians with live instrumental ensembles.
— Anna Clyne
Reproduction Rights:
This program note may be reproduced free of charge in concert programs with a credit to the composer.
for amplified ensemble and pre-recorded audio
Scoring
bcl-vib-pft-egtr-vlc.db.
Abbreviations (PDF).
World Premiere
3/14/2013
Merkin Concert Hall, New York, NY
Bang on a Can All-Stars
Composer's Notes
On a chilly autumn evening, I was walking down Chicago's Magnificent Mile. In front of me, an elderly man was slowly strolling; his walking-cane tapping on the concrete with each step. He was singing with a raw, slow voice which had an immediate sense of both joy and struggle. I scurried up, and asked if he'd mind me recording him. He said yes, and we continued to walk southward as he sang. Then he stopped and we chatted a little. I asked him his name and whether he'd mind me setting his voice to music. Wooly Barbee's face lit up with the idea.
A Wonderful Day sets Wooly's voice—spoken and sung—with the instruments of the Bang on a Can All-Stars who provide a gentle bed of sound. My editing of the original recordings is minimal so as to preserve the directness of Wooly's voice and the surrounding sounds of traffic, people chatting and the tapping of his cane.
A Wonderful Day is the first in a collection of short electro-acoustic works titled Chicago Street Portraits, which combine recordings of local street musicians with live instrumental ensembles.
— Anna Clyne
Reproduction Rights:
This program note may be reproduced free of charge in concert programs with a credit to the composer.
Mailing List
Sign up for news updates and offers via email
SIGN UP
Featured Publication
Britten: War Requiem
Britten's pacifist masterwork, combining war poetry by Wilfred Owen with the Latin Requiem Mass, is included in the Masterworks Library of full scores, ideal for conductors, students and music lovers.
READ MORE