Audio Selections
This curated collection of original recordings offers a glimpse into the conversations that shaped Listening to Eternity. References to relevant pages in the book are included for further reading. As is natural in a work developed from interviews and conversations, the final published text does not correspond word for word to the original recordings.
On Composition
In this brief selection Tommie discusses his aim to “shake” the listener with his musical works, and the change he is experiencing at the time that he’s sharing these thoughts with Aram. (For this subject, see page 220 of Listening to Eternity.)
Eric Fenby
Aram asks Tommie about how it was that he came to connect with Eric Fenby (who is referred to in the book as Frederick Delius’ “amanuensis”). (For this subject, see page 61-62 of Listening to Eternity.)
The Harrier Factory
A short telling of Tommie’s incognito trip to a fighter jet manufacturing plant. (For this subject, see page 39-40 of Listening to Eternity.)
On Improvisation
Tommie discusses the role of improvisation in his compositions. (For this subject, see page 196 of Listening to Eternity.)
Schumann
Tommie briefly shares the opinions of listeners at a Haglund Festival. (This passage does not appear in the book.)
Radio Static
As a child, Tommie spent a year-and-a-half, from age seven to eight-and-a-half, in a hospital. Radio static was an unexpected refuge for him during that time.
What interested me was the channels between. There was a noise. So I pretended I was traveling in space, guided by the noise…
(For this subject, see pages 8-9 of Listening to Eternity.)
