CounterBlast is a composition that draws its title from the Marshall McLuhan book of the same name. My intention was to set out and then transform sounds into larger sonic/perceptual experiences similar to the way McLuhan’s words would come out at me from the page. CounterBlast consists of three movements, all are very dense and employ extreme dynamic range. The use of dynamic range is analogous to McLuhan’s use of bold text fonts enhancing the meaning of key words. The piece draws for its sound sources from concrete and synthesized sounds. These two different sound sources are intended to be perceived in such a way that they ‘counter’ one another as if each is attempting to prevail over the other.

CounterBlast was realized at the composer’s studio in 1990 and premiered on December 4, 1990 at Concordia University in Montréal.

Premiere

• December 4, 1990, ÉuCuE IX: Concert 6, Salle de concert — Campus Loyola — Université Concordia, Montréal (Québec)