1980
In the June 25 – July 1, 1980 issue of the Village Voice, the influential composer and critic Tom Johnson published the article "New Music America Takes Over a Town".
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The article reviews the New Music America festival held in Minneapolis/St. Paul, which Johnson describes as the "largest festival of experimental music ever held in the United States". While covering numerous avant-garde artists, Johnson highlights a specific installation by Max Neuhaus that marks a departure from his previous works:
Editions 75
The Como Park Conservatory Project: Johnson focuses on Neuhaus’s installation in a large domed greenhouse in St. Paul.
A Shift in Sound Palette: Contrast is drawn between this work and Neuhaus’s Times Square installation. Johnson admits he was "particularly disappointed" in the "low machine-like pitches" of the Times Square work, which he felt often got lost in the urban noise.
In contrast, the Minneapolis work utilized 64 small black loudspeakers running around the dome, emitting intermittent, computer-driven "birdlike bleeps" on four precise pitches.
Johnson praises the work for its "lovely" effect and the way it forces the listener to appreciate the directionality of sound as they move through the space.
Editions 75