Composer

:

Alvin Lucier

Genre

:

Chamber

Compose Date

:

1989

Average_duration

:

19:21

'Carbon Copies' is a composition by Alvin Lucier, an American composer known for his experimental and minimalist works. The piece was composed in 1989 and premiered the same year at the Festival d'Automne in Paris. The composition consists of three movements, each exploring the sonic properties of carbon paper. In the first movement, titled "Carbon Copy," Lucier uses a carbon paper sheet to create a feedback loop with a microphone and speaker. The sound of the carbon paper rubbing against itself creates a rhythmic pattern that is amplified and fed back into the carbon paper, creating a complex and evolving texture. The second movement, "Carbon Copies," features a similar setup but with multiple carbon paper sheets layered on top of each other. The resulting sound is a dense and chaotic texture of rubbing and scratching sounds. The final movement, "Carbon Copy Reversed," is a reversal of the first movement. The feedback loop is created with a speaker and microphone, but this time the carbon paper is placed between them. The resulting sound is a series of clicks and pops as the carbon paper vibrates against itself. Overall, 'Carbon Copies' is a unique and innovative composition that explores the sonic properties of a mundane object. Lucier's use of feedback loops and layering creates complex and evolving textures that are both mesmerizing and challenging to listen to. The piece is a testament to Lucier's experimental approach to composition and his ability to find beauty in unexpected places.

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