Dog Star 2021
In a large, open space
James Tenney
A performance by the Dog Star Orchestra at the Gamble House in Pasadena, CA on June 27, 2021.
The performance was created during the height of the Covid 19 pandemic and the festival was looking for ways to safely gather together and create a collective listening and performance event. The event was hosted on the grounds of the historic Gamble House–an historic Craftsman home in Pasadena, California.
James Tenney’s 'In a large, open space' is an exploration of the natural phenomenon of the harmonic series. This performance marked the first time that the experimental orchestra had performed together since June of 2019.
Program Note
James Tenney’s In a Large Open Space is an exploration of the natural phenomenon of the harmonic series. In this performance, the audience is surrounded by the musicians, immersed in the sound of sublime harmonies resonating through the expansive outdoor space of the Gamble House in order to draw attention to the work on the outside of the house and its surrounding grounds. This installation-style of music event invites the listener to pause and look at one specific feature of the outdoor space or listen to a specific combination of sounds before moving on to the next. This is a reflection on how nature and natural phenomena have inspired architects and composers alike in their artistic output.