Choral Listening Series - Recording #3
When the Earth Stands Still - Don MacDonald (performed by the composer)
This is the first example of a multi-tracked recording that we've seen. This method is one of the only ways to make group music in times of social isolation. All four parts here have been recorded by the composer, then mixed together by an audio engineer to create the piece we hear.
This same method of recording is used by a cappella groups all over the world to create such clean, precise, pop music (we'll see this below). This is also how Virtual Choir works. All the singers would record themselves separately and send in the file, where it's expertly mixed to create the right blend. The same method was used to create the virtual recording of Beethoven's Ninth Symphony, which was circling around recently.
I am not overly fond of this method, as it seems to take the creativity and interpersonal collaboration out of the music. I tend to view recordings of this nature more as works of construction rather than art. It's still cool-sounding, and is certainly the best option of making recordings that we have right now.
I have conducted this piece a few times now, and was hoping to get a small group together to record it for you- but sadly, people are staying home right now. I absolutely love this music! The text is also very relevant to this strange time we're in. I encourage you to listen to it with your eyes closed.
