Fortress for 3 musicians
Thomas Gardner · University of the Arts London Research Online (University of the Arts London) · 2018
An outdoor piece for Violin, Cello and ‘Ouija board’ for the Fort Process festival “Fortress for 3 musicians” explores the intersection between the musical territory generated by the score and the physical and political consequences of the fortress. It does this by interchanging the musical procedures of modulation, sequence, repetition with documentary processes of listening and recording, responding to the historical effects of the Fort on the surrounding landscape and observing its varied and often conflicting intensities and rhythms. The piece uses a specially designed mobile performance system which allows us perform in otherwise inaccessible environments. The mobile unit also enables the visual projection of algorithmically generated musical scores. The performance uses a number of new techniques: 1. The outdoor performances use a specially constructed mobile environment designed to function in urban and rural settings. The prototype, influenced by the Talmudic concept of the sukkah, emphasises the transitory nature of the structure, and allows a sympathetic encounter with the themes of the work. It is powered by electric car, and creates an environment which includes 4 loudspeakers, projector, computer and a 20 mtr blue sailcloth awning which shelters the musicians and audience. It can be assembled in any acoustically interesting location within range of a car-accessible track. 2. The projection of algorithmically generated scores for performance by two musicians, mediated by the player of the Ouija board. The scores are derived from the symbolic manipulation of a repertoire of musical gestures selected from the works of Domenico Scarlatti, Purcell, Schubert and Schumann. 3. The Ouija instrument, which uses the shadows of the performers hands to trigger field recordings,, control sound synthesis, and re-process the performances of the acoustic musicians.