Rainforest Images
Priscilla McLean
About this work:
"Rainforest Images", a collaboration between Priscilla and Barton McLean, divides loosely into four "movements", although the work is continuous. "Movement" One (sections 1,2,3) introduces the rainforest ambiance through taped Peruvian and Australian bird calls over a steady drone, with string tremolos performed by Barton McLean on the violin. Sections 2-3 introduce the myth, chanted by Priscilla McLean, mixed with music by Australians Kerrie Ryan and Ivana Troselj, voices, and Brendan Dickie on the didgeridoo, a large hollowed-out log with beeswax mouthpiece, made by the Aborigines. "Movement" Two (sections 4-5) is primal and rawly rhythmic, after a meditative bird and violin transition section, improvised by Bart McLean on the soprano recorder with sampled percussion. "Movement" Three (sections 6-7) begins with a soliloquy played by a hybrid instrument used often in McLean Mix performances, a clariflute (clarinet mouthpiece on a recorder body), improvised by Barton McLean. Section 7 is the longest and most rhythmic and wild vocal/didgeridoo section, by the three Australians, and contains the other chanted message of the piece, created by Ivana Troselj, spun in and out of focus:
"Talk, words, sounds. Words, sounds, talk, movement. Words, words from afar, sounds that reach your ears... input from those who don't necessarily want to hear, they say words all the time. People don't want to know what is happening to them (to the earth). They want to listen only to themselves. But sometimes they must listen to others. (They can't remain isolated in their towers of glass and steel, and push their pencils across the table ...) They have to change their words..." "Movement" Four (sections 8-9) begins with a medley of ethereal bird songs, continuing with an interlude of plaintive and poignant calls performed by Priscilla McLean on the recorder, and Bart McLean on the clariflute. "Movement" Five brings back the Wintu myth and closes with singing by Priscilla McLean and chants by Panaiotis, vocalist and sound technician, whose voice has been heard throughout the piece in disguised drones.
Version: CD version
Year composed: 1993
Duration: 00:48:14
Ensemble type: Electronic Instruments and Sound Sources:Prerecorded Sound
Instrumentation: