During the pandemic, composer Ellen Reid began creating musical works that could accompany people on walks through public parks, with the themes and sounds changing based on their location. The first "Soundwalk," accessed through a GPS-enabled app, launched in New York's Central Park in September 2020, in collaboration with the New York Philharmonic. Soundwalks in Los Angeles, London, Tokyo and other locations around the U.S. and the world followed, with a current total of 17.
Now Reid has brought together many of these soundscapes to create a new album, called "Big Majestic." Released late last month, the album takes the listener on an aural journey through and between these various parks. A Tempo host Rachel Katz chats with Reid about the project, which she said was partly inspired by hearing from people who hadn't been able to visit the individual parks.
This episode also includes an interview with Opera Philadelphia General Director and President Anthony Roth Costanzo about its plan to offer all tickets for the coming season on a "pay what you want" basis, starting at $11.
