The Instrument of Troubled Dreams, 2018, Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller
Currently showing at The Lehmbruck Museum, Duisberg, Germany from 27 March 2022 to 14 August 2022 as part of the major retrospective exhibition "Janet Cardiff and George Bures Miller".
In the High Choir of the Oude Kerk in Amsterdam, viewers are invited to sit at a replica of a 60’s Mellotron Mk II and play the keyboard. Each of the 72 keys has been programmed to playback a different sound effect, vocal track, or musical part; so viewers can compose their own film-like sound track, played back in full spherical surround sound over 28 speakers.
In this clip George sits down late at night in the Oude Kerk and demonstrates some of the possibilities of the piece.
The show is on until April 29th, 2019.
Music Credits for this Video in order of appearance:
00:17 "String Quartet #1”, composed by Da Jeong Choi.
01:46 "Moody Guitar”, composed and performed by Orion Miller.
02:43 “Psalm 138”, 1604, composed by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, Performed by Matthew Baker, Kaspar Kröner, João Moreira and Cressida Sharp.
03:48 "Moody Synth 2”, composed and performed by George Bures Miller.
04:00 "Tango delle Rose”, 1927, composed by Bottero-Schreier, performed by Hélène Cals
04:34 “Guitar Chimes" composed and performed by George Bures Miller.
06:11 "Improvisation on the Transept Organ", composed and performed by Matteo Imbruno.
06:24 "Improvisation on the Vater-Müller Organ", composed and performed by Jacob Lekkerkerker.
Credits for the piece:
“Theme for Troubled Dreams” composed by Til Ritter, recorded and edited by Titus Maderlechner. (Keys 1-7)
“Guitar Chimes" composed and performed by George Bures Miller. (Key 18)
"String Quartet #1”, composed by Da Jeong Choi, recorded and edited by Titus Maderlechner. (Keys 21 & 45)
"Tango delle Rose”, 1927, composed by Bottero-Schreier, performed by Hélène Cals, (Key 29)
"Entrance of the Gladiators”, 1897, composed by Julius Fučík (Key 35)
“Psalm 138”, 1604, composed by Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck, Performed by Matthew Baker, Kaspar Kröner, João Moreira and Cressida Sharp. (Key 39)
"Moody Guitar”, composed and performed by Orion Miller. (Key 43)
Seagulls SFX, recorded by John Leonard. (Key 48)
Traditional Tibetan Prayer, performed by the Nuns from Thrangu Tara Abbey, Kathmandu, Nepal
(Key 49)
Improvisation on the Vater-Müller Organ, composed and performed by Jacob Lekkerkerker. (Key 60)
Lancaster Bomber SFX, recorded by John Leonard. (Key 61)
Improvisation on the Transept Organ, composed and performed by Matteo Imbruno. (Key 62)
"Bowed Metal 1 and 2", composed and performed by George Bures Miller. (Keys 63 and 65)
Steam Engine SFX, recorded by John Leonard. (Key 66)
"Moody Synth 1 and 2”, composed and performed by George Bures Miller. (Keys 68 and 69)
“Scary Theme for Troubled Dreams”, composed by Til Ritter, recorded and edited by Titus Maderlechner. (Keys 70, 71, 72)
Talking Vocal Tracks by Janet Cardiff
All recording, editing and mixing by Cardiff and Miller unless otherwise stated
Additional mixing by Titus Madelechner
Mellotron Replica built by Maryke Simmonds; paint by Cody Clyborn
Production Management by Zev Tiefenbach
Software: Plogue Bidule, Harpex B
Additional thanks to:
Michael Campbell (rowboat)
Glenn C. Newell (Bidule programming assistance)
Bodo Groen (food and acerbic wit)
Pirka Balvers (boat captain on the Markermeer)
Roel Gremmer (windmill keeper near Amsterdam)
Jacqueline Grandjean (patience and belief)
all the installation staff at the Oude Kerk.