WGXC-90.7 FM

From the New American Radio Archive: "Resonance" (1995) by Sam Auinger and Bruce Odland, "Windows" (1989) by John Rieger, "The Things One Has to Listen to... " (1990) by John J.H. Phillips

Sep 30, 2025: 10am - 11am
WGXC 90.7-FM: Radio for Open Ears

90.7-FM in NY's Upper Hudson Valley and wgxc.org/listen everywhere
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New American Radio was organized by Helen Thorington, Executive Producer and Regine Beyer, Associate Producer.

"Resonance" (1995) by Sam Auinger and Bruce Odland
A fascinating series of short sonic compositions that make the hidden hearable. Works include: (1) Rome: Traffic Mantra—"In an installation in the Trajan Forum, three Roman amphorae were used as resonators to transform the sounds of passing cars, busses, trucks, and motorcycles into melodic pools of harmonics. A microphone inside sent the real-time sound to a solar powered planet speaker placed in the archway over an old Roman road." And, (2) Yampa—"On a rafting trip down the Yampa River in Colorado we collected oar strokes, and many types of wind, through the interface of a small wind harp." (the artists) Uniquely expressive sound-music, with commentary by Bruce Odland, edited and produced by Regine Beyer.

"Windows" (1989) by John Rieger
On one level this is a work about the pure joy of opening windows and listening to what's out there. On another level, it investigates the question: What is the content of a sound recording? and finds that there is much more objective information in it than is usually thought.

"The Things One Has to Listen to... " (1990) by John J.H. Phillips
In his novel The Unnamable, Samuel Beckett's characters hear many intriguing sounds in the bleak landscape: "the sound of pierced air," and "a little cry like a wounded wistiti," to name just two. Occasionally he even describes the placement of sounds in space. Composed of acoustic and synthesized sounds etched into a background ambiance, The Things One Has to Listen to... is a tribute to Beckett's vision in a world too busy to listen. Commissioned by New American Radio.

In its ten years as a weekly national series, 1987-1998, New American Radio (NAR) commissioned and distributed over 300 original works: conceptual new drama, associational documentary, language explorations, sonic meditations, environmental compositions, musical explorations and works that pioneer new dimensions in acoustic space. Wave Farm is thrilled to be partnering with New American Radio to ensure these works remain available to listeners today and into the future.

New American Radio was organized by Helen Thorington, Executive Producer and Regine Beyer, Associate Producer. A special thanks to both Helen Thorington and Jo-Anne Green for their generous support and collaboration of this partnership, and their contribution to the field at large!

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