Scott Morrison wrote:

>Yes, it is a powerful work.  And as far as I know the only one that uses
>a tire pump (or similar source of hissing air) as a musical instrument.

The instrument is called a "hisser" in the score.  It was a tank of
compressed gas which the percussionist "played" by opening the valve.
The score also calls for a glass harmonica and something called "half
balls".  The PSO performance used a vibraphone in place of these
instruments.  the composer considered them a "feeble substitute."

Richard Todd <[log in to unmask]>