Dialogue V            

For eight speaking voices.

Recorded in 1989 in the studios of WNYC Radio, New York.


Performed by:

Jill Burton

Brian Charles

Rob Donaldson

Kristen Trephan-Garnier

Karen Goldfeder

Fred Lonberg-Holm

David McGuire

Theresa Reeves



Dialogue II          

For four speaking voices.

Recorded some time in the

mid 1970s in Denton Texas.


Performed by:

David Anderson

Bruce Ballentine

Bunny Hodges

Theresa Reeves



text/sound works


This is a series of pieces that explore the musical potential of spoken word. The Dialogue pieces were fully scored, using a notational system that consisted of written text on something like staff lines with traditional, musical performance indications - dynamics, articulation, etc.


There are four in the series of Dialogue pieces, beginning with # II. There is no Dialogue I. It was supposed to have been for choir. I started it and abandoned it soon thereafter. I can’t find a recording of Dialogue III and have a vague recollection of not liking it very much.


The term text/sound was coined by Richard Kostelanetz, so far as I am aware. His book, Text-Sound Texts is a collection of scores of such pieces and includes an excerpt from the score for Dialogue II.


There have been a number of performances of these pieces, particularly Dialogue II. The group on the recording here was the original and performed Dialogues II & IV enough to have really nailed them.


At the time we were all a part of a group called Sonic Arts Theater, based in Denton, Texas. Myself, David Anderson and Bruce Balentine were the founders, composers, directors. The ensemble included musicians, actors, dancers or whatever was called for.


Dialogue V was premiered on WNYC Radio as a part of an hour long program on my music. More of that program can be found under Electroacoustic.

 

Dialogue IV            

For seven speaking voices.

Recorded some time in the

mid 1970s in Denton Texas.


Performed by:

David Anderson

Bruce Ballentine

Dean Crocker

Bunny Hodges

JoAnn Reeves

Theresa Reeves

Jay Trimble



 

These are very noisy recordings digitized from analog cassettes. As soon as I can get my hands on an analog reel to reel tape deck I’ll make new copies that should be better.

Anybody got one they’d like to lend me?