for any number of vocal performers with glass vessels and recording/playback devices
Written for and dedicated to the Neue Vocalsolisten Stuttgart
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Introduction Der Hauch des Parmenides (The Breath of Parmenides)
Glasses are like small rooms; each shape resonates differently. By singing into them, the performers search for tones that are particularly well reinforced by each individual glass. This tone is recorded onto a simple recording/playback device (such as a dictation machine). The device’s speaker is then placed over the glass, after which the glass—like a new, fragile being—is carried carefully into the world.
Der Hauch des Parmenides is an installation-based performance, a performative work that includes an installative element. In this case, the performance results in an installation, making it particularly suitable as the conclusion of a programme.
Setup and Performance Instructions
At a central location in the performance space, each performer should have at least three glass vessels (the size of drinking glasses) and an equal number of recording/playback devices. The playback devices must be battery-operated and capable of looping.
Each performer selects a glass and sings into it—either directly into the glass or along its rim. Using glissandi on various vowels, they search for the glass’s resonance frequencies. Once a pleasing resonance is found, the tone is recorded onto the playback device. The duration of each recording should vary between 4 and 10 seconds. The recording is then played back on a loop, and the device’s speaker is positioned on the glass using a suitable holder.
The glass, along with the device and speaker, is then carried very carefully through the space, like a burning match that must not be extinguished, and placed in a freely chosen location. This process is repeated as many times as there are glasses available per performer.
For preparation, it is important to select good glasses. This does not necessarily mean the most sonically perfect; a favourite glass may be chosen as well. The piece lives in the performers’ attitude—it is about the process of the action, not theatrical display.
A suitable recording/playback device is the ISD1820 voice recorder, which can be powered with three AA batteries and has a switch to enable or disable the loop function. A small 0.5 W mini speaker is sufficient. In fact, a less powerful speaker can be advantageous, as the effect of the glass’s acoustic amplification becomes more pronounced.
Cyrill Lim, 2019