Zand / Sand (2004)

for viola, trombone, contrabass flute and one magic lantern (*)

commissioned by Stichting Kous

The inspiration for this piece came from the observation of a photograph of “von Karman Vortex Street” where, under certain circumstances, a complex spiral drawing turns into  a fluid stream.

The idea of this twisted pattern changing in time, both in length and in its internal speed, could be translated into musical terms under different perspectives. From this physic phenomenon , I took the idea of this always-expanding movement in a three-dimensional space (the air) and the complex spiral pattern structure.

Physics, like music, consists  of rules but mainly exceptions. It is in between these ideal conditions and real possibilities where questions arise.

How to translate a pattern from Physics into Music? Good question!

back

(*) This piece can be also played without the magic lanterns.

N.McGowan (cb fl), M. Visscher (vla), A. Shappert (tb); Ida Lohman (live magic lantern).

Ostadetheater Amsterdam - September 2004