Notes for the work,
Water Above, by Rusty Banks
(comments by Rusty
Banks)
Water Above (Cahaba River:Ý May 2004)
Commissioned by the Music Teachers National Convention and the Alabama Music
Teachers Association
Water Above was commissioned by the Music Teachers National Convention and
the Alabama Music Teachers Association.Ý It was presented at the 2004 Alabama
State Conference.Ý Originally, cello played where bassoon does now.Ý The
samples in the electronic parts were recorded on Alabama's last free-flowing
river, the Cahaba River.Ý I spent two days on the Cahaba canoeing and camping
with my father, who I should mentioned, sponsored my travels.Ý The Cahaba
is one of the most biologically diverse streams outside of the tropics.Ý
There are more species of fish in the Cahaba than in the whole state of
California.Ý Many species are endemic.Ý I caught two Alabama spotted bass
that I can be sure come from genetic stocks that easily pre-date european
intrusion.Ý The sounds I collected however, could have been collected anywhere
nearly.Ý The listener may hear barred owls, and will definitely hear bullfrog
screams.Ý
Having done this, I can easily say that if anyone else offers me a grant
to canoe, camp, fish, and gather samples on which to base a piece, I will
gladly accept.Ý Anyone care to have Verdigree Creek near Royal, NE immortalized?Ý Anyone?