Photo: Donaueschingen 2002


Polyphtong

is a 4-channel piece for voice and live-electronics.
It was premiered at CCRMA (Stanford University) on March 8, 2012 and subsequently presented in Chicago, Miami,
Den Haag, Amsterdam, Mexico City, Seattle, New York, Toronto and Orono, Maine.

It can be seen as an extension of 'Mundrundum', a quadraphonic piece for solo voice I did at
the Donaueschinger Musiktage in 2002. Here I worked with an array of 6 microphones in order to
pan the stereo possibilities of the mouth along all 4 sides of the room.
The piece was included in a CD compilation of the Festival.

In 'Polyphtong' spatial placement and movement are extended by electronic means.
The phonetic concepts of diphtong and approximant are an important focus in the more meditative sectons of the work.
It also uses the techniques of my cheek synthesizer: many kinds of stereo mouth sounds driven by sheer air,
ranging from very low to extremely high pressures.

The duration of the piece can vary between 30 and 50 minutes.
Technical needs: 2 microphones on stands, 4-channel sound system.