Roger Reynolds’ Sanctuary for percussion ensemble is conceived to be both visually and sonically dramatic. Composed for a spatially distributed ensemble and live electronics, the work makes spectacular use of DVD’s surround sound capabilities.
Sanctuary is a malleable work intended to evolve with the experience of its creators (composer, performers, and technicians) and conceived so as to adapt to, and capitalise upon, the changing resources and contexts within which it is realised. Sanctuary continued to evolve as new performance spaces were encountered, new performers added their talents, new interpretations emerged, and new technologies were employed to realise and document performances.
To chronicle this evolution, three versions of Sanctuary with full video are presented on this specially priced double DVD set:
1) A complete controlled studio performance which visually focuses on the direct source of the action, allowing the viewer to see details often lost to the audience. Quite different from traditional concert documentation, each camera was given its own staff/score notating the primary concerns of camera angle and proximity. A 100-page, 7-staff (4 percussion, 3 cameras) score was then used as a constant reference during the filming of this unique version. (74:15)
2) A complete live performance from Washington, DC’s National Gallery of Art, with the percussionists spatially distributed through the Gallery’s dramatic interior. (78:33)
3) Excerpts from the outdoor sunset performance at The Salk Institute, La Jolla, Calif. in its architecturally famous courtyard with a view of the sea — interspersed with commentary from the composer. (18:46)
Liner notes by the composer, percussionist Steve Schick and film maker/performer Ross Karre.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
• Includes 5.1 surround mix (DTS and Dolby) and dedicated stereo mix
• Finding Sanctuary: Roger Reynolds Making Modern Music, a documentary on the composer (29:36)
