Track 1: City of Vorticity (with soloists): Al Margolis, violin; Alan Zimmerman, percussion, prepared hammer dulcimer; Peter Zummo, trombone, didgeridoo; Tom Hamilton, electronic sound environment.
Track 2: City of Vorticity (electronic sound environment): for listening alone or as an accompaniment.
The Wire has described Hamilton’s music as “colourful and seductive,” and Gramophone has noted that “the results bubble with energy, a veritable counterpoint of indeterminacy.” These brief descriptions are a great entryway into City of Vorticity, as it presents a collection of electronic sound events, all occurring independently, and gradually shifting through kaleidoscopic rearrangement.
This dynamically changing “aural score” can also serve as the foundation for a group of improvising performers. In the first track, we hear one version of this with soloists Al Margolis, Alan Zimmerman, and Peter Zummo. The second track is offered here for listening alone and as a published sound environment for other
musicians wishing to perform this piece.
Tom Hamilton has composed and performed electronic music for over 40 years. His ongoing series of concerts, installations and recordings contrast structure with improvisation and textural electronics with acoustic instruments.
Hamilton makes “aural scores” to connect performers to a changing context of electronic sound. Rather than addressing traditional modes of expression, presentation and observation, Hamilton often explores the interaction of many simultaneous layers of activity, prompting the use of “present-time listening” on the part of both performer and listener.
Hamilton has released 15 CDs of his music; his CD London Fix received an award in the Prix Ars Electronica, and a 2 CD set of his electronic music of the 1970s was named one of The Wire’s Top 50 Reissues of 2010. He is a fellow of
the Civitella Ranieri Foundation.
Since 1990, Hamilton has been a member of the late composer Robert Ashley’s opera ensemble, performing as the company sound designer and mixer.