Malcolm Goldstein

1998 release ** The Seasons: Vermont is a soundscape of Vermont as charted through the changes of its yearly soundings. It is a composition in four parts (Summer, Autumn, Winter, Spring) for magnetic tape collage with an unspecified live instrumental/vocal ensemble. Though the actual composing of the music was completed between 1980 and 1982, it is the realization of a ten-year composition project. Goldstein listened closely and became attuned to what was the particular sound quality of each season in Vermont. He then took the sounds that he had recorded and made a tape collage which, for him, arrived at that particular, essential quality of each season. This recording is the complete, unedited premiere perfomance that took place on Feb. 26 1983 at Real Art Ways in Hartford, CT. The booklet contains examples of the scores as well as excerpts from Goldstein's journals from 1977-1982. "There are recordings of everything here, from birdsongs and gushing brooks, to chainsaws and persnickity car motors: all are used to evoke the seasonal changes one may experience during a typical year in rural Vermont. Along with the literal reproductions of scrunching snow, crickets, and old-fashioned brass bands, we are treated to the largely improvised commentary of a fine array of experimental players."