Bellow
ISMN : 979-0-2325-6181-3
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Bellow (2021) for accordion and electronics. Duration 9:25 minutes
Bellow was completed in Spring 2021 and commissioned by Ensemble Klangforum Wien’s accordionist, Krassimir Sterev. At its heart, the composition explores themes of mental imagery, sound transformation, and transcontextuality. The accordion, in combination with electronics, transforms into an array of evocative soundscapes. These include the resonant echoes of Leslie train horns, the low rumble of cow bellows, the sharp impact of kickboxing punches, the flutter of flapping wings, the rhythmic clatter of a manual typewriter, and the majestic organ sonorities reminiscent of Messiaen’s Livre du Saint Sacrement.
The electronics extend the traditional sonic boundaries of the accordion, merging the acoustic and electronic realms into a unified sonic environment. The piece is meticulously crafted to allow the performer to interact seamlessly with the electronics, creating an organic blend where the distinctions between the two dissolve. Rather than relying on a click track, the piece invites performers to immerse themselves fully in the sound world, fostering a dynamic and interactive performance experience akin to a concerto, where the soloist and the orchestra become one.
Several artistic influences converge within Bellow, including a fascination with animal vocalizations, field recordings, and timbral transformation. The piece draws inspiration from the interplay of the accordion’s bellows and the bellow of a cow, weaving these sounds into a rich tapestry of mimicry, timbral manipulation, spatialization, juxtaposition, repetition, and variation.
Composed for Krassimir Sterev, Bellow was premiered by Czech accordionist Jiří Lukeš and is published by BabelScores. Bellow received an Honorable Mention at the Musica Nova 2023 International Electroacoustic Music Competition in Czech Republic/ Prague.
Accordion
Studio edited mix © Panayiotis Kokoras
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