Grey Ghost

Abstract

Grey Ghost is a meditation in piano and electronics drawing on the ancient song of the once prolific North Island Kōkako. This bird's distinctive call closely resembles that of its possibly extinct South Island cousin, known as 'The Grey Ghost', last officially recorded at Mount Aspiring National Park, 1967. Loudspeakers should be used to play back the accompanying soundtrack of transformed birdsong. In addition, audience members can stream the soundtrack from their smartphones during concert performance, by following the downbeat of pianist to press 'play'. Recordings of North Island Kōkako were supplied by the New Zealand Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Other bird sounds record..