Music Compositions of Philip Goddard — www.philipgoddard-music.co.uk

Nature-Symphony 19
— Crazy sad dance — Jeoffry the cat's seven last meows at the foot of a moonlit cross

Opus 51 (2023) — Timing: 42'
derived from a field recording of 2 metal wind chimes, and another of 2 medium bamboo chimes


Listen on YouTube…

Basic details


A later recording in the same session taking place
A slightly later recording taking place at the same spot as the original metal chimes recording for this work.
The bamboo chimes recording for this work taking place
The original bamboo chimes recording for this work taking place.

  • Instrumentation —  Metal wind chimes duo plus a much more recent bamboo chime duo (in 3 layers) to produce final mix.

  • Original field recording locations / dates — Metal chimes recording: at Sharp Tor, by the Hunter's Path high up on north side of Teign Gorge, Drewsteignton, Devon, UK, on 6 November 2012. Bamboo chime recording made on 22 November 2023 in edge of open copse on Piddledown, a little above the Hunter's Path a little north-east of Sharp Tor.
    Listen to the original metal chimes recording to appreciate the subsequent transformation.

  • Processing — Four layers were used: one for the metal chimes (half-speed), and three for the bamboo chimes recording. In this case layers 1 and 2 were at half-speed and thus an octave lower than the originals, layers 3 and 4 were respectively an octave+fifth and two octaves+a fifth below original. I give some more specifics about the chimes used, and the subsequent processing, and notes on the inspiration for the work and its surely unique title, on my Freesound page for the work.

  • Primary distinguishing features — The intensely sad sound of the processed combination of the two metal chimes forms an almost icy moonlight backdrop as the bamboo chimes' wild rhythmic clusters and scampers dance whither and thither, like a cat chasing real or imaginary flies, spiders, mices and birdies or indeed a proffered wiggled bootlace! The tone of these bamboo chimes seems sad too, thanks to some notes that are 'flat' in relation to normal equal temperament tuning, so the dancing has a strong emotional ambivalence.

    The overall tone of the bamboo contingent becomes progressively darker as the emphasis gradually changes from the top bamboo layer to the bottom, with its deep bass and not so buoyant dancing and scampering, and eventually we're left with the icy light of the seemingly very sad moon to end the work.