Search - Gavin Bryars :: Gavin Bryars: A Man in a Room, Gambling

Gavin Bryars' numerous recordings have been among the best-selling CDs by any contemporary composer. Two of his albums, 'The Sinking of the Titanic' and 'Jesus' Blood Never Failed Me Yet,' have sold more than 250,000 copies. This highly original composition project resulted from a mutual friends' suggestion that Bryars collaborate with sculptor Juan Munoz, who was interested in working on a sound project for possible radio broadcast. Munoz wrote ten texts, each describing the manipulation of playing cards. His recorded voice was then manipulated to fit certain musical patterns that, in addition to the original music, include a quotation at the end of the Fifth Symphony of Sibelius. Juan Munoz died suddenly in August of 2001, aged 49, cutting short further planned collaborations with Gavin Bryars. This was recorded in London in 1992.