2019

Material Affordance

For Mixed Choir / Musarc

Score,

Composition

Affordance II - 2024 in progress
Hidden Affordance for mixed choir and (free) instruments

Material Affordance I — 2019 — is a piece for mixed choir with a focus on microscopic listening, acting and concentration. But the use of the recorder by every choir-member and the moving of the group as a group (using Pina Bausch- dancers and marching bands as an inspiration) is what comes in mind after listening/watching.

The piece starts with a very slow unison melody. It is sung while blowing half into the recorder with the purpose to motivate the flute producing high sounds which changes the colour of the melody and creates an extra layer. The slowness of the melody in combination with the flute sounds gives a textural impression which transforms and becomes a real texture, using a lot of different techniques with voice and recorder (exploring the ‘material affordances’ ). Background and foreground change continuously.

The last part forms a big contrast in tempo, energy and character. All subtleness is gone and the whole choir starts walking/shuffling in a very strict tempo. With a clear mission.

Material Affordance was written for Musarc and has had it’s première 5 july 2019 in The Whitechapel Foundry in London, the place where the Big Benn and Liberty Bell were cast. Later tat year it was picked up to be performed at the London Contemporary Music festival.

It’s a piece about the perception of the function of an object. About a hidden utility, about changing the natural way to use things: stairs are to walk on, a coffee to drink, a book to read, a foundry to cast bells, a voice to sing and a recorder to blow on.

In Material Affordance the recorder produces sounds in alternative ways. Actively or in a more passive way. Less natural than we have learnt. The same with certain voice techniques used.