Hearing America in Matchsticks, Police Whistles, and Clanking Coins
‘How Do We Hear America?’ Concludes Zócalo’s 2023 Public Programs Season on a High Note
“American Ledger no. 1” sounds different each time.
That’s by design, MacArthur fellow Raven Chacon told Zócalo before a performance of his ambitious sound and visual retelling of the nation was staged at the ASU California Center in downtown Los Angeles. The event concluded Zócalo’s 2023 public programs season.
Aside from the abstract shapes that appear on the score and the notes Chacon provides to the conductor and musicians, the musical expression is left up to interpretation. Some sounds and actions occur regularly: throwing coins when a bunch of dots show up. …
