Beyond Ephemeral Lands

Rich Bitting

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Japanese Ghost Stories - Seven Ambient Soundtracks After Lafcadio Hearn

Rich Bitting

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The seed for this project was planted many years ago by Owen Findsen, retired art critic for the Cincinnati Enquirer. He suggested that I might enjoy the writings of Lafcadio Hearn. Hearn worked as a journalist in the United States, primarily in Cincinnati, Ohio, and New Orleans, Louisiana, before moving to Japan and becoming a Japanese citizen.

The seed for this project was planted many years ago by Owen Findsen, retired art critic for the Cincinnati Enquirer. He suggested that I might enjoy the writings of Lafcadio Hearn. Hearn worked as a journalist in the United States, primarily in Cincinnati, Ohio, and New Orleans, Louisiana, before moving to Japan and becoming a Japanese citizen.

It was not until this past year (2022) while viewing the "Yōkai: Ghosts & Demons of Japan" exhibition at the Museum of International Folk Art in Santa Fe, New Mexico, that I remembered Lafcadio Hearn and Owen's suggestion that I read his work.

These seven ambient soundtracks are inspired by folk tales and ghost stories by Lafcadio Hearn. They are collected in his 1904 book "Kwaidan: Stories and Studies of Strange Things" which can be found in your local library or on the web. I chose seven particular tales as the basis for this work.

It is advisable to read the story and then listen to the soundtrack. To hear the immersive audio, these compositions are best auditioned through headphones or with quality stereo speakers.

Thank you to Owen Findsen for the suggestion to read the writings of Lafcadio Hearn; to Michael Scott for a sojourn in New Mexico in November 2022; and to Diane K. Smith for the five-pitch set derived from her first name and for modeling for the cover.

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A Liminal Stillness

Rich Bitting

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I had the opportunity recently to spend an extended time in New Mexico. I spent my time hiking, photographing the landscape, and recording the soundscape. Since it was November, I noticed the soundscape and its quiet stillness. When I was away from the sound of traffic and airplanes, the quietness of the soundscape moved me. I found it easy to

I had the opportunity recently to spend an extended time in New Mexico. I spent my time hiking, photographing the landscape, and recording the soundscape. Since it was November, I noticed the soundscape and its quiet stillness. When I was away from the sound of traffic and airplanes, the quietness of the soundscape moved me. I found it easy to become absorbed in this quiet ambiance.


A liminal stillness implies a stillness that is not fully realized. It's a middle stage to the inner state of calm where the external world fades, and one becomes wholly absorbed in the inner world. This audio CD was recorded in immersive 3D audio. Listen to these tracks at a moderate volume over good headphones for the best results.

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A Thin Distant Sound

Rich Bitting

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"A Thin Distant Sound", is an exploration of the boundary between perception and imagination. You may ask yourself, “am I perceiving a sound, or am I imagining a it?” My use of space is an element in these compositions that sometimes obscures and sometimes highlights these questions.

For best results, this album is best auditioned over quality

"A Thin Distant Sound", is an exploration of the boundary between perception and imagination. You may ask yourself, “am I perceiving a sound, or am I imagining a it?” My use of space is an element in these compositions that sometimes obscures and sometimes highlights these questions.

For best results, this album is best auditioned over quality headphones at a modest volume.

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Preternatural

Rich Bitting

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Soundtrack by Rich Bitting for the Exhibition of Paintings by Michael Scott

NB This music is best experienced at a moderate level over good speakers or with good headphones.

A downloadable album is available as a complete 73' without track breaks. Please inquire if you are interested.

Please note CD price does not include a $5 S&H.

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    Air 12:53
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    Fire 10:25
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    Water 10:40
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    Earth 14:34
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A Thousand Words Unspoken

Rich Bitting

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"In the secrecy of a moonlit night the katydids are telling stories of your childhood."

NB This music is best experienced at a moderate level over good speakers or with good headphones.

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The Earth Dreams in Sound

Rich Bitting

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Quantum physics suggests that reality is in the eye of the beholder, perhaps then reality is a dream we all inhabit? The Earth Dreams in Sound is a collection of compositions composed of fragments, dreams, field recordings, and ideas that are meaningful to me. Among these collected verberations maybe you’ll find some moments that hold meaning for

Quantum physics suggests that reality is in the eye of the beholder, perhaps then reality is a dream we all inhabit? The Earth Dreams in Sound is a collection of compositions composed of fragments, dreams, field recordings, and ideas that are meaningful to me. Among these collected verberations maybe you’ll find some moments that hold meaning for you as well.

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Wolf Run at Minnich's Hit

Rich Bitting

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This is a field recording of the headwaters of Wolf Run at Minnich's Hit. Located in the Haldeman Tract of the Weiser State Forest in Dauphin County, Pennsylvania. This was recorded on the afternoon of August 1, 2021.

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Other Musics

Rich Bitting

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"Other Musics" is a collection of six new audio works exploring anthrophony and its pervasiveness in our lives. Bits and pieces of soundscapes, dreams, conversations, thoughts, and readings have made their way into this work looking for meaning.

NB This music is best experienced at a moderate level over good speakers or with good headphones.

"Other Musics" is a collection of six new audio works exploring anthrophony and its pervasiveness in our lives. Bits and pieces of soundscapes, dreams, conversations, thoughts, and readings have made their way into this work looking for meaning.

NB This music is best experienced at a moderate level over good speakers or with good headphones.

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Autumn

Rich Bitting

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As the pandemic ravages our lives, we find ourselves valuing simple pleasures. The ambient compositions in this album are a personal reflection of this time.

NB This music is best experienced at a moderate level over good speakers or with headphones.

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