Prayer 1: a contemplative soul
5.15
Description
The melodic line is constructed of micro samples taken from a low-resolution recording of the spoken source text (below). The recording was, first, slowed down considerably. Then, melodic and non-tonal material was sampled, extracted, edited, reversed, superimposed, and harmonically enhanced, and the whole, finally, looped. Samples of the same recording – either slowed down further or rendered only as harmonics – were overlaid at strategic intervals along the loops' spine. The sea-like sounds are constructed from a recording of white noise taken from the shortwave radio band.
Source Text
You, Lord, have given me a contemplative soul for a reason. Because, to discover you and display your light to others, the only way (I believe) I can do this is to have time to reflect on the mysteries of your being. And, I believe, you want me to do this. I am so joyful in who I am, in how you have created me; and I feel that you have gifted me with a most wonderful being and life. Things that I am unable to appreciate when I am asked to work in such a ruthlessly draining environment – I know you are asking me to have for others more than myself too. But I am unable to do this on the scale that teaching demand: hundreds of students. I feel, Lord, that you are asking me to do this in a more intimate way – more present, fully, to another.
Source Reference
Stephen Chilton [diary] April 17, 2010.
5.15
Description
The melodic line is constructed of micro samples taken from a low-resolution recording of the spoken source text (below). The recording was, first, slowed down considerably. Then, melodic and non-tonal material was sampled, extracted, edited, reversed, superimposed, and harmonically enhanced, and the whole, finally, looped. Samples of the same recording – either slowed down further or rendered only as harmonics – were overlaid at strategic intervals along the loops' spine. The sea-like sounds are constructed from a recording of white noise taken from the shortwave radio band.
Source Text
You, Lord, have given me a contemplative soul for a reason. Because, to discover you and display your light to others, the only way (I believe) I can do this is to have time to reflect on the mysteries of your being. And, I believe, you want me to do this. I am so joyful in who I am, in how you have created me; and I feel that you have gifted me with a most wonderful being and life. Things that I am unable to appreciate when I am asked to work in such a ruthlessly draining environment – I know you are asking me to have for others more than myself too. But I am unable to do this on the scale that teaching demand: hundreds of students. I feel, Lord, that you are asking me to do this in a more intimate way – more present, fully, to another.
Source Reference
Stephen Chilton [diary] April 17, 2010.