About this work:
Dimensions VIII for Piano and Tape (tape part is now an audio file, here seen as an MP3 file). The performer simply sets an overall level, plays the audio file with a stopwatch, and follows the cues on tape. It is rather virtuosic, and was written for the great virtuoso Robert Hamilton, who performed it extensively. The composer also perfored it extensively in the mid 80's in the McLean Mix duo tours. Being dramatic in nature, it finally settles down to a peaceful ending with birds and quiet sounds.
The main synthesizers in the "tape" part composition were the Serge Modular system (mostly for the pedal bass notes) and the Fairlight CMI, upon which I sampled many of the bird sounds and then lowered them, such as a bluejay (heard in the middle climax as a "500-lb canary") chicadee, and robin. The main processing equipment was an Eventide Harmonizer, which gave many of the sounds their characteristic sweeps or bursts, especially at the climax. A digital delay with feedback was also employed extensively. The pulsating drone heard through uses much the same technique as in my Dimensions II for Piano and Tape, with a metal rod inserted between two low piano strings which are very short and unstable and thick, thereby producing many inharmonic (nut nonetheless pleasing) partials. This rod was stroked (producing the pulses) and processed through the harmonizer, graphic equalizer, and delays to broaden the sound. The tape part was composed on a 1-inch 8-track Scully deck at 30 ips using DBX noise reduction.
Premiered with composer as performer at Zagreb International Biennal, 1981. Subsequently over 50 performances with the McLean Mix and also with Robert Hamilton, pianist. A few include: Cleveland State U., Cincinnatti Conservatory, Denison U., Wichita State U. (1985) Bard Col, Phil. Col. of Perf. Arts, Hartt Col., (1984) .Recorded on Opus One Records (#96 LP) with Barton McLean, pianist.
My website (where you can find my email as well)
http://www.fairpoint.net/~rainfor1/McLean_MAXMSP/Main_page.html
Phone: 518 658 3595
YouTube playlist (with 32 videos and counting)
https://www.youtube.com/view_play_list?p=3ACAB7BAD86CE7B4
Also check out my entry in Wikipedia
Although I, Barton McLean, hold the copyright, I nontheless hereby gladly authorize anyone to make copies and perform the work for noncommercial and/or educational purposes providing that my name is reasonably displayed as the composer. I do not under any circumstances authorize selecting portions of the work to appear intact in another person's composition, or to appear under any other composer's name, without my written signed authorization.
Regarding the audio file accompanying this work: I, Barton McLean own the copyright to the composition itself. Being aware that this work has been released on a commercial CD, and that the CD company might possess the copyright to that particular sound recording of the composition, I nonetheless claim copyright to this specific sound recording posted here, because it is not the exact recording released on CD. Rather, it is another mix down and revision of that work which may approximate the commercial CD in most respects but nevertheless is a distinct sound recording of which I claim the copyright.