Notes
from the Composer for Bennachíe
Bennachíe (Gaelic,
pronounced Ben-ahee,) is a mountain range in the northeast of Scotland
where I hiked it's most prominent peak Mither Tap with my close
friend Pete Stollery. On that same trip, I climbed Ben Nevis (the
highest point in the UK). Traveling through the highlands of Scotland
reminded me of the alpine tundra I've spent considerable time on
in the Colorado Rockies.
Bennachíe is about both of these places, Scotland and the
Rockies, and the freedom I feel when toiling up mountains and at
high elevations. The vistas on top of a summit are always similar:
wide open 360 degree views that both remind how big the world is,
and at the same time, how small (and isolated in short time spans)
we are as humans. There are significant differences in vegetation
and the individuality of each mountain-there is always something
special to bring home from each in terms of memories and sensations.
I've tried to capture those sensations here, both from the mountains
themselves and from the exhilaration of climbing out of trees and
onto the tundra. |
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Paul Rudy (1962)
is a composer, writer, teacher and life-long student and lecturer.
His music, performed around the world, encompasses sounds from the
cactus of the desert, the kitchen, inside, outback and to the chamber
and orchestral stage. A fascination with sound has led from radio
programs in London and Aspen, Colorado, to orchestral and chamber
concert works to interactive, installation, and cinematic works, with,
and without visuals.
In addition
to being recognized by his close friends and family, Rudy has received
awards from the Fulbright and Wurlitzer Foundations, Sounds Electric
'07 Competition (1st Prize), Bourges Electroacoustic Music Competition,
EMS (Sweden), SEAMUS, Meet the Composer, the American Composer's Forum,
SCI, National Music Teacher's Association and the Missouri Music Teacher's
Association.
He has
done a lot of work to promote the music of living composers including
curating concerts throughout South American and Europe. He lectures
widely on sound in film and timbral practice in music.
He teaches
at the University of Missouri at Kansas City and has an avid interest
in
bicycling, hiking, camping, and mountaineering. In 1994 he completed
the Colorado
Grand Slam after climbing all 54 of Colorado's 14,000 ft peaks and
still hopes some day to go above 20,000 ft.
Please
see www.paulrudy.com for more information.
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