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Long ago
words were not written
only the sound of voices
remembered
Year after year passed into memory
but the sounds lingered
I first learned of the orb
in an early manuscript
grey and dim was the writing
but clearer in moonlight.
Solid lapis, it was
the color of midnight
and pulsing dimly with the echo of voices...
"The Chronicle Orb" is a multimedia work for soprano, 4-channel electronic sound, and computer generated projected video. The music includes processed violin and percussion instruments as well as several synthesizers and computers. Sound sources range from sampled voices and turntable to analog synthesized sounds and acoustic instruments.
The work is an extended song cycle of twelve songs. The original texts were written to resemble medieval poetry. After writing the texts, they were input into a computer program written by the composer to modify and restructure the original lines. The computer program interjects a contemporary, technological element into the texts so that all parts of the work are a stylistic juxtaposition of early music and new technology.
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