Little known in much of the musical world, Larry Peyton King stands out amongst many of his modern contemporaries. Thanks to his unique compositional voice King is slowly becoming one of the most performed sacred choral and organ composers in America. King’s popularity has been enhanced by his students and former pupils who have now become organists and choirmasters, inside some of the most prominent churches in the United States and England.

While serving for nearly 21 years as organist and music director at Trinity Episcopal Church, Wall Street in New York, King’s reputation as a composer became synonymous with an experimental, electronic music scene that became popular in New York during the 1970’s and 1980’s (a period in music that often involved the cohabitation of both acoustic and electronic instruments). Seemingly paradoxical, his compositions are almost exclusively written for liturgical use; including fanfares, service music and anthems for choir, organ, accompanied many times by synthesizer, prepared tape as well as colorful orchestrations of brass and bells.  The affect of these techniques juxtaposed, evoke rich, spiritual and atmospheric textures. King’s mission was not only to convey the transcendent text of the apostles, but to uplift his congregation and provide them with a spiritual environment to be touched by the ‘holy spirit’.

I’ve recently rediscovered the music of John Luther Adams (not the same guy). His music is really such a treat. His concept of composing within ones geography is something he displays so well in his music. Adams, who composes in a cabin-studio outside of Fairbanks, Alaska, is heavily influenced by his surroundings. His music - from orchestral, to percussion - conveys a sense of light, space and color. One can almost vision the broad white plains or the animated aurora borealis which fills the nights sky. In his book ‘Winter Music’ (Wesleyan University Press), he writes:

The places we live in resonate within us. The sounds around us - the songs of birds, the cries of animals, the rhythms of the seasons and the reverberations of the elements - all echo in the music of place.

I think that pretty much sums it up.

A recent book I’ve been reading has been Bernie Krause’s ‘The Great Animal Orchestra’. What a great read so far. I’m not done, but what I’m thrilled by is his organic connection to animals and humans - how we’ve coexisted in what he calls “biophonies” for thousands of years - and how humans have translated this not only in our music, but also in our everyday lives.

After listening to Dr. Krause’s interview on WNYC’s Soundcheck and reading a few chapters of his book, I’ve already become much more sensitive to the sounds in my own environment. One might think that Jersey’s sound scape isn’t very broad, however, when you take walk into some of the beautiful forests and gardens you experience nature communicating. It can be truly breathtaking.

It’s interesting how one can be so used to their native sound scape. When I travel to more rural places - especially down south during the summer months - I notice the cicada’s just resonate as day’s heat bears down on the land. The birds in the morning share a conversation throughout the area as singing back and forth. I miss being around more vast nature. Perhaps I can take a nice vacation at some point this summer. Now, that’d be nice! Then maybe I can find some more inspiration in my own sound scape.