Terry Riley: In C

This recording is an experiment to see how well Ableton Live handles a performance of Terry Riley's "In C". (more inside)

(Get Flash to see the track player.)
posted by NemesisVex (5 comments total)

I programmed all 53 motifs of the score into Session View. I used Reason's solo string samples to create a string quartet (violins, viola, cello). I then performed the entire piece in Session View by arming each clip individually. After I got through the entire piece, I went back and fixed any clips that were truncated or mistimed.

"In C" is intended to be performed, preferably by 35 musicians according to notes in the score. I did it solo, more to see if it could be done.

This file is an edited version, since the limit is 10MB. To hear the complete 26-minute version, I have it on my website.
posted by NemesisVex at 4:20 PM on July 18, 2007

This is an aurally immense and kaleidoscopic piece of work. Obviously electronic/electroacousic, and arranged well enough to exploit that, instead of using the overtone-neutral timbres of computer music to conceal it.

Nice gambit. Well played, sir.
posted by Minus215Cee at 2:19 AM on July 19, 2007

Really? I thought Terry Riley's "In C" was a musical device to drive somebody insane.
posted by tehloki at 3:27 PM on July 28, 2007

Nice arrangement, though. I'm surprised one person could keep all that together live.
posted by tehloki at 3:40 PM on July 28, 2007

Just a quick note to say I redesigned my web site, and the full version of "In C" is no longer available. Sorry.
posted by NemesisVex at 12:22 PM on May 5, 2008