Program

When a sound is produced, the specific outcome is dependent on the harmonic spectrum; that is, sounds do not emit a single wave, but several waves (although our ears are not generally able to hear them all). However, through the branch of physics known as acoustics, the complexities of specific sounds can be studied by spatialising them, for instance by means of spectroscope analyses.Ligeti bases his work on ‘harmonic crystallisation’, a process of intervalled harmonic thought that differs from traditional harmony. Through intervalled labyrinthine textures, Ligeti creates a complex polyphonic sound network, ‘what is in the score is polyphony, but what is heard is harmony’, he explains.

Kraft also deals with sounds and space: the compositional work tries to account for the “force” (as the title presents), the “power of sound”, without paying attention to the specific timbre of each instrument or to the sound mass. In addition, he proposes to play with the linear listening suggested by the construction of the auditoriums. To this end, the soloists are amplified, and their sound is spread throughout the room. Likewise, diverse instrumental groups are distributed in different places of the space.