Sound Shadows (2003) 11'24
Sound Shadows (2003) is my most ‘sound object’ orientated composition to date, a kind of ‘homage’ to the traditions of music concrete and acousmatic music of France and Quebec, and uses source recordings of polystyrene, footsteps, kettles, stones in caves, helicopters, gates and boat engines. The interplay between ‘meanings’ associated with these sounds and ‘abstracted’ sound objects in themselves, is integral to the structure and development of the piece. The boundaries of what is known and what is not known become blurred and invite concentration on micro-structures and on relationships between individual sound objects which gradually unfold over time.
Sound Shadows rediscovers sound memories from early childhood, and plays with the patterns of shadow behaviour. Shadows’ appearances alter depending on light, motion and space and, even when not visible, are always present. A sound shadow behaves in a similar way in that it may be more prevalent in certain spaces or circumstances, but is always present. This piece explores the nature of ‘shadowing’ and plays with the placement of sounds and their ‘shadows’ or ‘reflections’ in different spaces, some with predictable behaviours, some unpredictable.