Petrichor: Installation Version (2007)

Premiere: Belfast, 1/17/08

Petrichor is a term coined by researchers I.J. Bear and R.G. Thomas that describes the pleasant fragrance of rain. The fragrance is actually a combination of various chemical compounds collected on rocks and soil, so the term combines the Greek words "petros" (stone) and "ichor" (the blood of the gods in Greek mythology). This installation is a second version of my 7-minute work Petrichor for clarinet and tape. Using the sounds from that work as well as "leftovers" from the composition process, I created this extended installation version. There is about 100 minutes of unique material, which may be presented via Max/MSP patch or via two CD players on random shuffle. Thus, there will be a continually changing and evolving soundscape that is similar in tone to the original, but much more relaxed and introspective in pace.

Excerpt

This version may be presented in stereo, but is perhaps more appropriate in a quadraphonic context. It may also be presented in conjunction with a small group of improvisers reacting to and supplementing the texture. If you are interested in presenting this work, please contact me and I will send you the necessary materials.

Excerpt - with improvisers