11 studies in noise and dialectic, computer-generated soundfile (1999, rev. 2001)

11 studies in noise and dialectic is based on an album of patriotic songs from the People's Republic of China. More than a simple exploitation of exotic kitsch (though I'll admit to that cheerfully), the studies are an excercise in relating text to music. Study titles are taken from the album's song titles. Just as the songs have varying, mostly oblique relationships with reality (socialism is marvelous, but its concretion in the PRC is not), the studies relate to their titles in varying ways, some more simply, some less directly. Political themes arise, among them the seemingly inevitable advancement of democratic ideals along with economic and technological advancement, even as Chinese leaders attempt to move toward the worst of both worlds, authoritarian rule coupled with the economic iniquities of capitalism. The last few studies remember the participants of the Tiananmen Square protests.

Click on the title to hear an MP3 file of each study:

1. Socialism is Marvelous!
2. Commune Members are All Like Sunflowers
3. The Revolution, a Fiery Furnace
4. We Workers Have Strength
5. Happiness Comes, the Cassias Bloom
6. The Working Class is Indomitable
7. Slow Down, My Steed
8. Follow Lei Feng's Fine Example
9. I'll Sing a Song for the Communist Party
10. I Like These Young People
11. We'll Make the Sun and Moon Shine Under New Skies