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Denis Smalley gives an illustrated talk in which he discusses some of his own methods of composition, using as a basis the electro-acoustic medium. Examples are included from his recent works and more specifically he refers to "Pentes", which this talk originally preceded.
Programme notes provided by Denis Smalley:
Pentes
The French title (the same in Latin) - slopes, inclines, ascents - was suggested by the outlines of the broad stretches of the piece, which evoke spacious landscapes. Most of the music was created by transforming instrumental sounds. However, the only recognisable sound source is the Northumbrian pipes, whose drone is responsible for the slowly evolving harmonies out of which a haunting traditional melody appears. The piece was commissioned by the Groupe de Recherches Musicales, Paris, and was composed in their studios in 1974. The first performance took place in what is now called the Salle Olivier Messiaen, in the Maison de la Radio, Paris, on March 20th 1975.
The sound examples were first presented for a seminar at the Groupe de Recherches Musicales in Paris on the 17th November 1977.