If aliens came to earth having heard this record, I’d like them to recognize the creatures who created it. This record would serve to introduce and to orient, much like the verbal descriptions that allowed blind people to recognize the elephant’s trunk when they first touched one.
This is a recording of night sounds from the Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, Japan (currently the most populated city). You will hear people chatting, glimpses of ambient music from surrounding stores, and traffic.
Waves crashing on a beach, and some sea birds.
A contemporary piece for 8 a capella voices, male and female, including speaking, diverse harmony and rhythm, and extended vocal technique from many musical traditions.
The Tokyo soundscape is from a densely human place; if they hear it, they’ll know they’ve found us. I wanted to let them know not to look for us in the ocean, hence wave sounds– if they hear waves crashing on shore, they’re on the right side of the water for a human encounter. I chose Partita for 8 Voices because I think it showcases the full range of the human voice, many musical styles, and our tendency to make beautiful things together; in short, our best qualities. If they enjoy the music enough to look for us, I think we’ll get along.