CAVERNS OF DARKNESS, RINGS OF LIGHT
Priscilla McLean
About this work:
Commissioned by James Gourlay, world-renowned tubist from the U.K., CAVERNS OF DARKNESS, RINGS OF LIGHT is the second work by Priscilla McLean for tuba soloist and recorded sounds, the first being for tuba and recorded whale sounds (BENEATH THE HORIZON). CAVERNS.. features all tuba, as recorded sounds and videotaped images (Gourlay). Two versions stand: one for tuba and CD, and one for tuba and DVD which includes an art video of the tuba created also by Priscilla McLean. The music is the same for each.
The video images inspired the title, as the viewer travels through the tuba bell to its cavernous interior, and later, the tuba mouthpiece is featured as rings around a tubist sitting in the middle of the bell. The video is surrealistic and colorful, and gives the instrument a cathedral-like appearance. The musical structure is basically traditional, but with surprise elements, and the tuba range is extended through vocal sounds and recorded samples. As with all of McLean's work, musical textures are all-important, as is the dramatic power of the tuba with its accompanying choir of dynamic recorded tubas.
Version: for Tuba, Recorded Sound (CD) or Video (DVD)
Year composed: 2007
Duration: 00:12:53
Ensemble type: Solo instrument, non-keyboard:Tuba
Instrumentation:
Instrumentation notes: Tuba performs with recorded tuba sounds or/and video of images of the tuba and performer