Norwich University carillon, Adams Tower, Northfield, Vermont

Grand Old Flag

Yankee Doodle Dandy

A requirement for the CAS degree (Certificate of Advanced study) at Wesleyan University, 
Connecticut in 1980 was the presentation of a recital of original works based on the 
candidate's area of study. My recital consisted of three works:

1. The Cloud Journey: A piece for veena and organ

This was a collaborative work with Dr. Karaikudi Subramanian, my instuctor in South Indian 
music. The title suggests Kalidasa's epic, "The Cloud Messengers", and is an interplay of 
Indian and Indian-influenced Western styles.

Dr. Subramanian, veena
George Matthew Jr., organ

Schlicker Organs, Buffalo, NY
Wesleyan University Chapel, Middletown, CT
Recorded March 1980

The Cloud Journey

A requirement for the CAS degree (Certificate of Advanced study) at Wesleyan University, Connecticut in 1980 was the presentation of a recital of original works based on the candidate's area of study. My recital consisted of three works. Changes is the third piece.

3. Changes: A piece for handbell choir and electronic sound

A modal melody suggests harmonies and is modified by change ringing rules. A prerecorded electronic commentary derived from bell sounds modified according to music concrète techniques intrudes from time to time.

The Handbell Choir of First Congregational Church, Portland, CT

Wesleyan University Chapel, Middletown, CT
Recorded March 1980

Changes

A requirement for the CAS degree (Certificate of Advanced study) at Wesleyan University, Connecticut in 1980 was the presentation of a recital of original works based on the candidate's area of study. My recital consisted of three works. The Call is the second piece.

2. The Call: A piece for alto horn and electronic sound

A microphone fed the alto horn signal into a reel-to-reel tape recorder; the tape was then fed into another reel-to-reel playback about six feet away, achieving a ten second delay. The output of the second recorder controlled two pitch-controlled oscillators. The alto horn initially announced a theme, but from then on improvised a dialog with the tape-delayed electronic instrument, frequently introducing new material. The player improvises on the alto horn and controls the electronic instrument.


George Matthew Jr., alto horn

Wesleyan University Chapel, Middletown, CT
Recorded March 1980

The Call

Played on the Charlotte Nichols Greene carillon of Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont. June 22, 2013

Presented in conjunction with the John Cage Centenary, Forum for Contemporary Music Leipzig and played on 50 carillons worldwide. Permission to stream granted by Peters Editions, publisher.

Music of chance and mathematical selection by John Cage in the '50's and '60's.

John Cage Carillon Music #1

John Cage Carillon Music #2

John Cage Carillon Music #3

John Cage Carillon Music #5

Spirals by composer Kathryn Mishell. Performed on the Norwich University Carillon, Northfield, Vermont on June 22, 2013. Permission to stream granted by the composer.

Spirals

Carillonneur, Middlebury College and Norwich University
Organist, St. Stephen's Episcopal Church, Middlebury, Vermont

George Matthew Jr.

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