lucidity

large scale composition / audio-visual work
for ensemble, electronics and video projections.

/ audio

spectra

01 – spectra / 4:31

senn

02 – senn / 4:58

developed, composed and realised 2010
performed by leviathan ensemble

/ performances

– 13/10/2010 / Music Auditorium, WAAPA / Bachelor of Music (Honours) recital

– 24/01/2011 / The Bakery, Perth / in support of The Thing! (Norway/Sweden) / presented by Tura New Music

// description

Composed during 2010 as the practical component to a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts, but has since been performed outside of study. The composition process involved a year long study of exemplary electroacoustic works, definition of techniques to combine electronic and acoustic sound sources, and multiple workshop and development periods with the ensemble.

All scores are timed and read from synchronised computer displays, these involve the use of computer graphics, parameter graphs and randomised notation for the performers to interpret. The two computer performer parts each utilise synthesis, playback and live processing of the acoustic instruments. The notation and format of the work developed through working closely with the ensemble members and developing a language that allowed the performers limits of control within an improvised context, as well as finding methods of synthetically combining acoustic and electronic sound into a cohesive whole.

Some of the keys to this work : use of pre-recorded, real-time and manipulated sound synthesis and sampling; scoring for acoustic instruments and electronics using similar techniques and methods; spreading frequencies and textures across the entirety of the frequency spectrum, use of spectral, overtone series based frequency selection; and combining elements of institutional electroacoustic music, modern electronica / microsound and modern experimental band formats (jazz and post-rock).

leviathan ensemble (2010) :
Ben Hamblin – clarinet
Lindsay Vickery – bass clarinet
Tristen Parr – cello
Lyndon Blue – double bass
Chris De Groot – prepared rhodes piano/organ
Callum Moncreiff – vibraphone/drum kit
James Paul – computer
Kynan Tan – computer

// examples

/ video

quasi (excerpt) from lucidity from Kynan Tan on Vimeo.

/ image

/ score