The work was inspired by a recent trip to the Basilica de Sagrada Familia and the Fundacio Miro gallery in Barcelona.
As you enter the Basilica your eyes are drawn upwards following the columns of stone as they branch out (literally) and form a forest canopy . (Sometimes described as a ‘Mystic Forest’). The large windows representing dawn (mostly blues and greens) on one side, matched by the reds of the sunset on the other side of the transept fill the space with colour. Antoni Gaudi’s creation is truly awe inspiring and lifts your spirits and reminds us that God can talk to us through nature and in our contemplation of it.
The day before we visited the Fundacio Juan Miro and I was absorbed by the colourful non-objective painting on show. A particular painting,inspired by Miro, by the American artist Perle Fine caught my eye. In ‘Polyphonic’ juxtaposed ideas in primary colours in a black space and are drawn together by a single thin line.
My work seeks to bring these 2 experiences together in sound. The continuous‘ cello line highlights the piano’s textured and coloured music. The only melody used is part of the Latin hymn ‘Veni creator spiritus’ which is represented in the choir railings in the basilica.
The music hopefully gives a feeling of space by using careful piano pedalling and slow movements in the instruments. The score (no bars or strict meter) allows the performers to define time between the instruments with synchronous movements only occasionally required. The ‘space’ created by the performers is further enhanced by a recording I made in the Basilica which drifts in and out during the performance of the score. The sound is EQ’d to take out or highlight frequencies within, adding to the perception of the acoustic environment.
In a world currently ravaged by war and destruction, it is moving to witness amazing human achievement now, in our time in the building of this magnificent cathedral.