
Vanishing Points / A Cappella Vinyl
Only 12 left in stock.
In his "Pulse Music" compositions of the mid-1970s, composer John McGuire forged a unique interpretation of European serialism. A student of Karlheinz Stockhausen, Krzysztof Penderecki and Gottfried Michael Koenig, McGuire moved to Cologne, Germany in 1970, where he become associated with the world-leading Studio for Electronic Music at Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) in Cologne. Like Stockhausen, McGuire found his musical imagination both constrained and inspired by the technology that was available to him. A conversation with sculptor Hans Karl Burgeff led McGuire to think beyond the horizon and into limitless space. For "Vanishing Points" (1985-1988), McGuire used an entirely digital set-up for the first time: a digital sequencer, eight Yamaha DX-7 synthesizers and a Studer 24-track digital tape recorder. The piece was conceived as a "sequel" to the Pulse Music series, but also a step forward from it. Whereas the Pulse Music pieces had employed steady streams of pulses, with Vanishing Points McGuire employed pulse layers that accelerate or decelerate against one another, vastly increasing the resulting rhythmic complexity. McGuire's exploration of music technology continued in "A Cappella" (1990-1997), written for his wife, the soprano Beth Griffith, known for her recording of Morton Feldman's "Three Voices" made in 1983. Using samples, he created a four-voice choir of voice samples and arranged them into interacting parts. The composition faced challenges due to the organic nature of the human voice compared to the precision of synthesized sounds. This process involved extensive editing and a negotiation between the "material" and the "original conception". This sort of negotiation applies as much to the composition of a single piece as it does to the work of two decades.
TRACKLIST
Iβve placed my order, when will I receive it?
In the US, 97% of orders are delivered within 2-5 business days, although it can take longer.
International delivery normally takes around 2 weeks, although it can take up to 21 business days depending on location and domestic carriers.
When you place an order, you receive a confirmation email with the tracking information to make sure you know where your package is at all times.
I received the wrong record. What do I do?
In very rare instances you may receive the wrong record, please donβt stress! Send an email to support@vinyl.com with a photo of the record and we will be in contact with the next steps.
What do I do if my order arrives damaged?
If the products in your order are damaged, contact us immediately at support@vinyl.com.
Please include all the information regarding the problem, and photos of the damage, and we will be in contact with the next steps.
What's your refund and return policy?
On the very small chance youβre not satisfied with your purchase i.e. you receive damaged, defective, or incorrect item(s) from Vinyl.com, you may return the product(s) within 30 days of delivery. When we receive the item(s) and verify the return of product(s), we will send you a replacement(s) or issue a full refund for the item
What is Shipping Protection?
Shipping Protection is our commitment to ensuring your package arrives safely at its destination.
If your shipment encounters any issuesβsuch as being lost, damaged, or stolenβwe will take prompt action to resolve the problem.
By opting for Shipping Protection, you gain peace of mind knowing you're protected against unforeseen shipping complications.
Note that Shipping Protection is non-refundable.

Vanishing Points / A Cappella Vinyl
Only 12 left in stock.
In his "Pulse Music" compositions of the mid-1970s, composer John McGuire forged a unique interpretation of European serialism. A student of Karlheinz Stockhausen, Krzysztof Penderecki and Gottfried Michael Koenig, McGuire moved to Cologne, Germany in 1970, where he become associated with the world-leading Studio for Electronic Music at Westdeutscher Rundfunk (WDR) in Cologne. Like Stockhausen, McGuire found his musical imagination both constrained and inspired by the technology that was available to him. A conversation with sculptor Hans Karl Burgeff led McGuire to think beyond the horizon and into limitless space. For "Vanishing Points" (1985-1988), McGuire used an entirely digital set-up for the first time: a digital sequencer, eight Yamaha DX-7 synthesizers and a Studer 24-track digital tape recorder. The piece was conceived as a "sequel" to the Pulse Music series, but also a step forward from it. Whereas the Pulse Music pieces had employed steady streams of pulses, with Vanishing Points McGuire employed pulse layers that accelerate or decelerate against one another, vastly increasing the resulting rhythmic complexity. McGuire's exploration of music technology continued in "A Cappella" (1990-1997), written for his wife, the soprano Beth Griffith, known for her recording of Morton Feldman's "Three Voices" made in 1983. Using samples, he created a four-voice choir of voice samples and arranged them into interacting parts. The composition faced challenges due to the organic nature of the human voice compared to the precision of synthesized sounds. This process involved extensive editing and a negotiation between the "material" and the "original conception". This sort of negotiation applies as much to the composition of a single piece as it does to the work of two decades.
TRACKLIST
Iβve placed my order, when will I receive it?
In the US, 97% of orders are delivered within 2-5 business days, although it can take longer.
International delivery normally takes around 2 weeks, although it can take up to 21 business days depending on location and domestic carriers.
When you place an order, you receive a confirmation email with the tracking information to make sure you know where your package is at all times.
I received the wrong record. What do I do?
In very rare instances you may receive the wrong record, please donβt stress! Send an email to support@vinyl.com with a photo of the record and we will be in contact with the next steps.
What do I do if my order arrives damaged?
If the products in your order are damaged, contact us immediately at support@vinyl.com.
Please include all the information regarding the problem, and photos of the damage, and we will be in contact with the next steps.
What's your refund and return policy?
On the very small chance youβre not satisfied with your purchase i.e. you receive damaged, defective, or incorrect item(s) from Vinyl.com, you may return the product(s) within 30 days of delivery. When we receive the item(s) and verify the return of product(s), we will send you a replacement(s) or issue a full refund for the item
What is Shipping Protection?
Shipping Protection is our commitment to ensuring your package arrives safely at its destination.
If your shipment encounters any issuesβsuch as being lost, damaged, or stolenβwe will take prompt action to resolve the problem.
By opting for Shipping Protection, you gain peace of mind knowing you're protected against unforeseen shipping complications.
Note that Shipping Protection is non-refundable.