David Eagle

Professor, Composition and Electroacoustic Music
Department of Music, Faculty of Fine Arts, University of Calgary

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION

David Eagle composes chamber, orchestral and electroacoustic music, and in recent years, has explored computer applications in composition, improvisation, multimedia and sound spatialization. His latest kinetic music compositions use the movement of sound to fundamentally transform the listening experience. A Professor at the University of Calgary, he teaches composition and electroacoustic music and is director of the Sonic Arts Lab and coordinator of the Happening New Music Festival.  Previously, he studied music at McGill University, at the Institut für Neue Musik, Staatliche Hochschule fuer Musik, Freiburg, Germany, and at the University of California, Berkeley (PhD 1992).

Performances in Canada and abroad include Sound Travels, New Music Concerts & Arraymusic (Toronto), New Works Calgary, Calgary Philharmonic, University of Alberta, Vancouver New Music, Windsor Symphony, Canadian Electroacoustic Community 'Perspectives' (Montréal), International Accordion Festival (France), Computer Music 90 (Tokyo), Glenn Gould Conference (Toronto), Tuning of the World (Banff), Calgary International Organ Festival, International Computer Music Conferences 95 & 96, and International Society for Electronic Arts 95, World Saxophone Congress 2000, Mexico-Canada Music Festival, Escuela Nacional de Música, Mexico City, 2001, Open Ears Festival 2003 in Kitchener-Waterloo, World Bass Clarinet Convention in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, North American Saxophone Alliance Conference in Iowa, and Musicacoustica 2006 in Beijing, China.

David Eagle performs the aXiO, a new digital instrument designed to allow greater expression in interactive electroacoustic music. A major project was one thousand curves, ten thousand colours, a collaborative multimedia concert with composer Hope Lee and Ensemble Resonance, integrating live acoustic and electroacoustic music with computer-generated images. In August 2001, Ensemble Resonance performed the work again, this time with choreography at the Cantai Festival in Taipei, Taiwan. He has also been composer/performer in residence with Toronto's New Adventures in Sound Art at the summer Sound Travels Festivals on Toronto Island and has performed at electroacoustic festivals in Denmark (MIX.01 International Festival for Electronic Music, Dansk Institut for Elektroakustisk Musik, Musikhuset Aarhus) and Rome (Musica Scienza 2001, Centro Ricerche Musicali).

Other recent activities & performances:  invited visiting composer at the Wuhan Conservatory of Music, China (Nov 2004), première of Soundplay1, performances of Breath for string quartet, Paths, and Flutebook; Resound for saxophone premièred in Happening Festival January 2005 and Soundplay2 in Contrasts Festival, June, Calgary; Crossing Currents for orchestra was premièred at the Banff Summer Festival in July, 2005; Bass Impact premièred Soundplay4 for bass clarinet duo at the World Bass Clarinet Convention in Rotterdam in September; New Works Calgary Ensemble Resonance premièred Soundplay3 in Edmonton and Calgary in 2005; Soundplay2 for violin and computer performed at the ISCM World Music Days in Hong Kong in November 2007.

Eagle's work can be heard on New Concert Discs, Clef, UNICAL, isidorart recording, ARKTOS Recordings and MAPL labels.

U of C Faculty of Fine Arts webpage

Back to top

COMPOSITIONS

That Line of Winged Dots (2007) for violin, cello and piano 12’

Up Down Central  (2006) for variable instrumentation 4’

Resound (Soundplay5) – version for alto saxophone and computer (2006) 6’

Soundplay4 (2005) for bass clarinet duo 7’

Soundplay3 (2005) for soprano, violin, bass clarinet, piano and computer; also version for vln, cls & pno 15’

Soundplay2 (2005) for violin and computer 12’

Soundplay1 (2004) octophonic electroacoustic music 14’ - 20’

Resound (2004) for alto saxophone 5’

Upon Reflection for piano (2003)

Paths - octophonic electroacoustic music, concert version and installation (2001-2002)

Flute Book (2001)

Encounters for flute (2001)

Duo Concertante for violin and piano with ensemble of ten instruments (2001) 10'

Intonare II for saxophone, percussion and piano (2000) 9'30"

Prelude for solo aXiO (1999-2001).12'

Moraine (1998) for saxophone quartet. 9'30"

Breath (1998) for string quartet & soundfiles.12'

Chambers(1997) for aXiO with projected animated images. 4'30"

one thousand curves, ten thousand colours I(1996-97) for soprano, violin, bass clarinet, piano & aXiO with projected animated images. 20'

Lu - Dream of Light (1995-96) for bass clarinet & tape, with projected animated images. 9'

New Work (1995,99) for flute & piano, 7'

Unravelling the DNA - Stretching to Eternity (1994), soundfile, 2'

Gene Replication (1994), soundfile,4'

Deepening through the silent spheres (1994) for clarinet & computer, 12'

...heaven over heaven rose the night (1994) for violin & aXiO with computer, synthesizer, organ & digital effects, 14'

Mobile #1 - Arpeggio (1994), soundfile, 4'

Mobile #2 - Timeflow (1994), soundfile, 7'

Intonare (1993) for soprano saxophone with optional digital effects. 6-9'

Music for aXiO (1993). 9' [aXiO - 'alternative eXpressive input Object' - a new MIDI instrument]

Sounding After Time (1993) for violin, cello, piano & computer. 14'

Nohocki (1993) for flute & cello. 3'

Hsuan (1992) for guzheng (Chinese zither) & tape. 14'

Crossing Currents (1991) for orchestra. ca. 20'

Traces (1991) for flute & computer, interactive. 10'

Solitudes (1990, rev.1992) for Disklavier piano. ca. 20'

Polaris (1989) for piano and tape. 10'

Dance Suite (1989) for piano solo. 7'

Trillium Wind (1989) for accordion, cello & percussion. 15'

Precipice (1988) for orchestra. 4'

Luminous Voices (1987-88) for early music ensemble & tape. 18'

Distant Ring (1987) for guitar and synthesizer. 15'

Waves Echo Upon Stone (1987) chamber orchestra. 10'

Toccare (1986) for harpsichord. 12'

Bellwind (1985) for free-bass accordion. 9'

Renew'd at Ev'ry Glance (1985) variable instrumentation. 17'

Back to top

RECENT PERFORMANCES

That Line of Winged Dots, Trio Fibonacci, New Works Calgary, Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Oct 30, 2007

Up Down Central for variable instrumentation, Land’s End Chamber Ensemble with Jeremy Brown and Edmond Agopian, ‘RESOUND – The University of Calgary 40th Anniversary ProgressiveConcert’, Art Central, Calgary, Nov 27, 2006

Resound (Soundplay5) for saxophone and computer, Jeremy Brown, saxophone, David Eagle, computer, ‘RESOUND – The University of Calgary 40th Anniversary Progressive Concert’, Art Central, Calgary

Resound (Soundplay5) for saxophone and computer, Jeremy Brown, saxophone with Bryan Vance,computer, North American Saxophone Alliance Conference, University of Iowa, Feb 18, 2006

Soundplay2 for violin and computer, Musicacoustica 2006 Festival and Conference, Gala Concert, Multimedia and Electroacoustic Music Concert, Central Conservatory of Music, Beijing, China

Soundplay4 for bass clarinet duo, Bass Impact: Kathryn Ladano & Tilly Kooyman, bass clarinets, World Bass Clarinet Convention, Rotterdam, the Netherlands, Oct 23, 2005.

Soundplay3 - version for violin, clarinet / bass clarinet and piano, Ensemble Resonance, University of Alberta Convocation Hall, New Music Alberta, ECCS, Edmonton, Oct 30, 2005.

Soundplay3 for soprano, violin, bass clarinet / clarinet, piano and computer, Ensemble Resonance; David Eagle, computer, Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, New Works Calgary, Calgary, November 11, 2005.

Soundplay1 for computer (octophonic), Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Happening New Music Festival, University of Calgary, Jan 2005.

Resound for alto saxophone, Jeremy Brown, saxophone, Eckhardt-Gramatté Hall, Happening New Music Festival, University of Calgary, Jan 2005.

Crossing Currents for orchestra - 2nd part (1991), Banff Summer Arts Festival Orchestra, Rolston

Recital Hall, Banff Centre for the Arts, Banff, July 12, 2005

Soundplay2 for violin and computer, Edmond Agopian, violin; David Eagle, computer, Eckhardt-

Gramatté Hall, Contrasts Chamber Music Festival, University of Calgary, June 19, 2007

Paths – octophonic electroacoustic music, Open Ears Festival, Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario, May 11, 2003.

deepening for clarinet, Guido Arbonlli, New Works Calgary, Engineered Air, EPCOR Centre, March 5, 2003.

Duo Concertante for violin, piano and orchestra, Duo Solista Olga Kotova - violin and Dmitry Nesterov - piano,UofC Orchestra, Edmond Agopian - conductor, Music of Our Time, UofC New Music Festival, Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, Calgary, January 22, 2003.

Paths (concert version) Sound Travels Festival, 2002, New Adventures in Sound Art, Gibraltar Point Art Centre, Toronto, August 17, 2002.

Paths (sound installation), Sign Waves, Interactive Media Installations, New Adventures in Sound Art, Art System, Toronto June 28- July 6, 2002.

Flute Book and Encounters for flute, Ingrid Crozman, flute, SOCAN Foundation New Works Reading Program, Irene Bessie Steinway Concert Hall, Calgary, May 25, 2002.

Polaris for piano and tape Sylvia Shadick-Taylor, ‘Maid in Alberta’ concert presented by CMC, Roubakine Recital Hall, University of Calgary, May 4, 2002.

Polaris for piano and tape, Sylvia Shadick-Taylor, The Edmonton Composers Concert Society, Convocation Hall, University of Alberta, Edmonton, April 27, 2002.

Prelude for aXiO David Eagle - aXiO Music for Instruments and Computers, Univ of Alberta, November 22, 2001.

Polaris for piano and tape, Colleen Athparia - piano, Mexico-Canada Music Festival, Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, Calgary, November 18, 2001.

Polaris for piano and tape,Colleen Athparia - piano, Mexico-Canada Music Festival, Escuela Nacional de Música, UNAM, Mexico City, November 9, 2001.

one thousand curves ten thousand colours for ensemble, electronics and projected images, with dance, (with Hope Lee), Ensemble Resonance, Cantai Summer Music-Dance Festival, Taipei, Taiwan, two performances, August 26, 2001.

Duo Concertante for Violin, Piano and Ensemble Duo Solista Olga Kotova - violin and Dmitry Nesterov - piano, Banff Centre Ensemble, David Hoyt - conductor, The BanffCentre for the Arts, July 19, 2001.

Prelude for aXiO D. Eagle - aXiO, Musica Scienza 2001 Centro Ricerche Musicali, Museo di Roma in Trastevere, Rome, Italy, June 21, 2001.

Chambers for aXiO with projected images, D. Eagle - aXiO, and Lu - Dream of Light for bass clarinet, soundfile and projected images, Stan Climie - bass clarinet,Paradigms Lost and Paradigms Gained: Negotiating Interdisciplinarity in the 21st Centry, Inter-Resonance Concert, Nickle Arts Museum, University of Calgary, May 11, 2001.

Renew’d at ev’ry glance , ensemble, Thierry Pecou - conductor Marseilles, France, May 2001.

Intonare II, Lu - Dream of Light, Chambers - Celebrity Series, E-G Hall, U. Calgary Dec 16, 2000.

Prelude for aXiO and AudioBox, Sound Travels, Toronto, June 24, 2000.

Prelude (tape version) Bremen Hochschule fur Kunste, July 15, 2000.

Prelude (tape version) Bremen Hochschule fur Kunste, July 15, 2000.

Intonare II for saxophone, percussion & piano, World Saxophone Congress, Montreal July 6, 2000.

Prelude for aXiO and AudioBox, Banff Centre (tape) Oct 20, 1999; Nickel Arts Museum, New Works Calgary, Oct 22, 1999.

one thousand curves, ten thousand colours, Calgary Planetarium, New Works Calgary, Nov 9, 1998

Breath for String Quartet with Soundfile, Univ. of Calgary String Quartet, Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, Oct 18, 1998

Moraine for Saxophone Quartet, Swinging Bovines, University of Calgary Saxophone Quartet Festival, Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, Calgary, Oct 8, 1998; subsequent performances on tour in Eastern Canada & US, Nov-Dec, 98.

one thousand curves, ten thousand colours, Pacific Space Centre, Vancouver New Music, April 27, 1998.

Precipice, University of Calgary Orchestra, Eckhardt-Gramatte Hall, March 23, 1998.

Back to top

DISCOGRAPHY

Rollin’ down #1, Land’s End Chamber Music Ensemble, SoundPlay1, David Eagle, computer Dark Matter Productions DMP-0182 (2005).

In the Company of My Soul Jeremy Brown, saxophone & Charles Foreman, piano, Intonare, Arktos Recordings Ltd., ARKTOS 200366

living music 2001 musique vivante 2001, University of Calgary Orchestra, Precipice, Canadian Music Centre Distribution Service, 2001, CMCDS-S2

Sundogs, University of Calgary Orchestra, Precipice for Orchestra, UNICAL, UC CD9901.

the door in the wall...instruments d'illusion, vivie vinçent,Toccare for harpsichord, isidorart, Montreal,1998.

Brief confessions brèves, St. Crispin's Chamber Ensemble, Nohocki for flute and piano, Clef Records, 1997, CR 97002-2.

Polaris, Colleen Athparia, piano Polaris for piano & tape, UNICAL Records, 1996, UC-CD9601.

soundland alberta le pays sonore, Music for aXiO, Clef Records, 1996, CR 96001-2 D.Eagle, aXiO.

emotion, David Eagle & Hope Lee, Acoustic/Electroacoustic Works, New Concert Discs,1994, NCD0294: Solitudes for Disklavier piano - D.Eagle MIDI controller; Traces for flute & computer, D.Eagle flute.

DISCONTACT 6.2 CD, 1992- A compilation of recent Electroacoustic works by CEC members: Hsuan for guzheng & tape [excerpt]..

Back to top

The aXiO

alternative eXpresssive input Object

The aXiO is a new electroacoustic instrument/controller which gives the musician a broad range of expresssion and multi-dimensional control of MIDI synthesizers and samplers. It was designed and built by Brad Cariou at the University of Calgary and conceived to provide digital artists with the intimate control and flexibilty needed to express themselves in various new media. Using a Macintosh computer running the MIDI progam 'Max/MSP', it is completely user-programmable.

The aXiO has a cross-like structure and stands about body height, vaguely resembling a stream-lined robot. It is played with both hands on three distinct playing surfaces: a sophisticated joystick for the left hand, a velocity-sensitive keyboard for the right hand, and, running up the musician's shoulder, is an array of buttons used to change voices or trigger musical sequences, images or video. In performance, the right hand selects and plays the notes or events with aftertouch and pitch bending capabilities while the left hand provides more expression and transformation of the sound. For instance, the left hand joystick could be used to move a sound in space, to change its overall volume, to sustain a sound, to change its colour, and to do it all simultaneously in 'real time'. The aXiO has the potential to transform electroacoustic music from a predominantly studio art to a performance art.

Back to top

Links

HAPPENING University of Calgary New Music Festival
Department of Music
Canadian Music Centre
Canadian Electroacoustic Community - Sonus

Contact Information

Email: eagle@ucalgary.ca

Tel 403 220-4658

Fax 403 284-0973

Back to top

Last Revised: November 13, 2007