[NewMusic] Book Review

[David Slusser]

I heard the author on public radio (yes, I'm in that demographic)
and  the book sounded a bit introductory for the hardcore
intellectuals on the list.  Still, I'm going to look for it as a cure
for my insomnia.  He didn't seem patronizing, and It may fill
some of the gaps in my knowledge.

The Klingon playing the Theremin was awful once he started
singing.  Of note, though, was the coiled pitch antenna.  This
guy didn't do much with pitch, but I have experimented with
this on one of mine.  I use malleable copper wire, and have
configured a couple sharp curves.  Moving the hand vertically
gives you a fixed pitch set (because of the varying distances).
Horizontal proximity modulates this pitch set higher and lower.
"Normal" play is still possible by staying in one vertical position.


On Nov 2, 2007, at 7:36 AM, Matthew Goodheart wrote:

> Salon.com has a review of a new book by Alex Ross about "contemporary
> composers" called "The Rest Is Noise."  Has anyone read the book?
>
> http://www.salon.com/books/feature/2007/11/02/alex_ross/
>
> I perused through the letters, which are generally what one would
> expect.  One sentence I was rather fond of:
>
> ". . . it's hardly the kind of music you want to have playing in the
> background while you're doing the dishes -- though I encourage you to
> try it anyway, because it will really change the way you feel about
> dishes."
>
> Also of note was a letter from Rupert C. who posted a link to what is
> apparently a Klingon playing a Theramin
>
> http://youtube.com/watch?v=y1WlvegSSPQ
>
> mg
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