Australian Music Centre | Breaking sound barriers

Work Overview

'Switchboard' refers to an electronic or other communication exchange. Beyond the communicative nature of ensemble music making in general, there are various references to communication, such as morse code, static and verbal in the form of 'hidden beings' that are 'contacted' through the performers' instruments. The piece presents an integrated acoustic and electronic soundworld with the two electronic performers as much a part of the live performance as any other player in the ensemble. There are four solos during the course of the work: the first on the Moog Sub 37, the second on the cello, the third from the percussionist and lastly on the bass clarinet.

Work Details

Year: 2016

Instrumentation: Bass flute, clarinet (dbl. bass cl.), cello, percussion (bass drum, 4 gongs/cymbals), electronics 1 (analog synthesizer), electronics 2 (sound processing); for sound processing: [6 loudspeakers, 3 contact microphones, 2 dynamic microphones, 2 midi controllers]; amplification required for all acoustic instruments.

Duration: 43 min.

Difficulty: Advanced — some advanced instrumental parts; parts requiring advanced interpretation; technical complexity on the part of the electronics

To be performed in: TURA New Music Scale Variable series, early 2018; proposed for Perth Institute of Contemporary Art