Date: 2000. Length: 10:00

Driving Through Turbulence is a soundscape interpretation of a scene from the novel The Sound of One Hand Clapping by the Australian writer Richard Flanagan. This interpretation does not use any spoken word whatsoever and departs from a literal description of events for a more emotional and musical treatment of the material.

The key event in the scene is a journey through a terrific rainstorm in a beat up old sports car made by an aging Australian immigrant from Slovenia. The power of the storm causes the bursting of a hydroelectric dam and other damage to the mountainside. The main character's passage through this turbulent atmosphere metaphorically intensifies and resolves a personal crisis that plagued most of his life. Unknowingly this was perhaps the purpose of the journey, which serves to remind one that some of the most intense and frightening experiences bring the deepest peace and resolve.

Special thanks to everyone at La Muse en Circuit in Paris for their assistance, hospitality, and understanding during the creation of this work. And also, to Johannes Wallmann and friends of the Kryptonale Festival for their unique Wasserspeicher in Berlin, which determined in many ways the subject and contents of this work. Travel to these destinations was made possible with financial assistance from the Music Section of the Canada Council.

© 2000, Darren Copeland