Telling Tales

Norman, Katharine

1994

Contemporary Music Review 10(2): 103-109.

Language: English

In this article, taking models offered by the aural tradition as a central focus, the author explores an analogy between the intentions of storytelling and the performing activity of tape music composers who use ‘realworld' sounds - that is, candid recordings of everyday life - as a means to reflect on human experience. By inviting a restructuring of both ordinary and more traditional ‘musical' listening stances, this ‘realworld music' reveals an approach to composition primarily concerned with the dynamic, experiential, contributions of both listener and composer.