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Dark Matter (1996-2001) |
Soprano, 2 Flutes, 3 Clarinets, Piano, 2 Guitars, 2 Percussion, 2 Violins, Viola, 2 Cellos, Double Bass and multi-channel sound projection. (Doublings include Saxophone, Chamber Organ and Hardanger Fiddle.)
Installation by Per Inge Bjørlo. Commissioned by the Cikada and ELISION ensembles. First performance: 14 March 2003, Berlin, Cikada Ensemble and ELISION Ensemble, Christian Eggen, conductor. Duration: 95’ Not a concert work, or a chamber opera, DARK MATTER is hard to define in terms of existing practice. The composer and artist have conceived the work as one in which the visual, vocal, instrumental and electronic components are presented in a performance space (not the traditional concert hall) that will provide a more intimate and ‘connected’ experience for the audience. The site for the first performance, Berlin, was transformed into multiple architectural/acoustical spaces. The viewers/listeners were invited to form their own imaginary narrative and to create their own pathway through a labyrinth of installations and sound-sources.The various texts, spanning five millennia (in chronological order), are derived from early ancient creation myths, Ancient Greek philosophers and the writings of Lucretius and Samuel Beckett, and end with an incomprehensible invented language.The musical discourse takes the form of three layers:
1. A ‘main sequence’ of ensemble compositions:
The Empire of Lights
(Fl.Cl.Perc.Pno.Hardanger Fiddle.Vn.Va.Vc.Cb)
Khasma
(2Vn.Va.Vc.Cb.Electronics)
De vita coelitis comparanda
(Soprano.3Cl.2Perc.Gtar.3Vc)
Ars magna lucis et umbrae
(Solo CbCl.2Fl.2Cl.Synth.ElecGtar.2Vn.2Vc.Electronics)
Katasterimoi
(Tape)
Sounds
(Soprano.2Cl)
Stirrings
(Fl.Cl.Perc.Pno.2Vn.Va.Vc.Cb)
other times
(Soprano.3Fl.3Cl.2Perc.Pno.ElecGtar.BGtar.2Vn.Va.Vc.Cb.Electronics)
pralaya
(Tape)
2. transmission for electric guitar and live electronics (see above), whose six movements act as links between the components of the main sequence.
3. A series of shorter overlaid interventions making connections between and tangents to the other elements.