Do not rely on unplanned music; it comes out as though it were planned, but planned by someone you cross the street to avoid.

Ashley was the director. Ashley says in the liner notes to Atalanta that the three works represent "architecture agriculture and genealogy" respectively. He then added "subtle and eerie modulations" to the recording modifying his voice to the point that much of what he read could not be understood.

His notable students include Maggi Payne. Robert Ashley (born March 28 1930) is a contemporary American composer best known for his operas and other theatrical works many of which incorporate electronics and extended techniques. In 1969 he became director of the San Francisco Tape Music Center.