David Tudor - Sliding Pitches In The Rainforest In The Field : Version IV (1973)

Sliding Pitches in the Rainforest in the Field: Rainforest Version IV (1973) (44:20):

• Description: This track is a montage of recordings, primarily provided by John Driscoll, from performances of Rainforest IV, an electroacoustic environment developed in 1973. Unlike Version I, this iteration uses larger, suspended objects (up to 40 in some performances) as resonant loudspeakers, with each participant in the Composers Inside Electronics group designing and programming their own sculptures. The recording captures the spatial and immersive quality of the installation, with sounds ranging from metallic clangs to glassy splinters, filtered through layers of reverberation.

• Sonic Characteristics: The soundscape is expansive and dreamlike, described as an “ocean mass of sound” with elements that evoke “unglimpsed sea creatures” or a dense rainforest ecosystem. The recording is noted for being less balanced than Version I, with some sounds foregrounded and others recessive, creating a floating, ambient quality. Its extended duration and collaborative nature result in a more complex, less controlled texture compared to Version I.

• Context: Recorded in various settings, possibly including a performance at the Institute of Contemporary Arts (ICA) in London, this track reflects the collaborative and indeterminate ethos of Rainforest IV. It showcases the work’s evolution into a large-scale installation, where audience movement and object resonance create a dynamic, ever-changing experience.