COMPOSERS INSIDE ELECTRONICS (CIE) is a group of composer/performers dedicated to the composition and live performance of electro-acoustical music using both software and circuitry designed by the individual composers. They also present sound installation works by the composers and the late David Tudor’s Rainforest (see below). Current members include: John Driscoll, Phil Edelstein, You Nakai, Matt Rogalsky and other guests.
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RAINFOREST (1968) is the original version that was commissioned by the Merce Cunningham Dance Company for a work of the same title with a set piece using floating mylar pillows by Andy Warhol. It has received numerous performances as part of the company’s repertoire and was originally performed by David Tudor and Gordon Mumma both for the MCDC and for music concerts without the dance. Composers Inside Electronics started performing the concert version in 2011. CIE is performing the version for dance with the Stephen Petronio Dance Company.
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RAINFOREST IV (1973) is an electro-acoustical environment conceived by David Tudor and realized by the group Composers Inside Electronics for over 37 years. Each composer designs and constructs a set of sculptures which function as instrumental loudspeakers under their control, and each independently produces sound material to display their sculpture’s resonant characteristics. The appreciation of Rainforest IV depends upon individual exploration, and the audience is invited to move freely among the sculptures.
Rainforest IV has been performed world-wide over 150 times in 45 venues to date. (see Chronology)
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RAINFOREST V (2009) is a self-running sound installation conceived by David Tudor and realized by Composers Inside Electronics. This work is derived from Rainforest IV, and an early version has been installed at Laboratorio Arte Alameda (Mexico City) in 2009, and at Ft. Jay on Governors Island (New York) in 2011. In 2015, John Driscoll and Phil Edelstein (with additional sound files by Matt Rogalsky) created a Rainforest V (variation 1) for exhibition at Broadway 1602 in NYC, and created a Rainforest V (variation 2) for exhibition at the E.A.T. exhibition at the Museum der Moderne (Salzburg). Rainforest V (variation 2) has been acquired for the collection of the Museum der Moderne.
