"Four Songs Lost in a Wall" (1995) by Rinde Eckert is An elaborate multi-vocal and instrumental piece based on the story of the famous eighteenth century castrate Carlo Broschi Farinelli. In 1737 Farinelli was commissioned by King Philip V of Spain to sing the same four songs every night. Philip reigned nine years thereafter! "Four Songs Lost in a Wall" evolves around the repetition and evolution of those songs, ranging from the sentimental ballad to aria to contrapuntal choral arrangements to processed voice overlays. The piece focuses on Eckert's own exquisite falsetto voice, which over the years has become a major aspect of his musical life. 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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