For electronically prepared piano
Composition commissioned by Judith Wegmann for her programme Le souffle du temps II – Réflexion
The composition is based on the principle of combination tones, known as ‘terzi suoni’. The entire horizontal sequence of the written score develops via the vertical combination possibilities of two tones or intervals, each of which produces the same combination tone. However, there are microtonal deviations of these combination tones from the tuned string of the piano. The string that has the same pitch as the combination tone is therefore set into vibration by means of electronics in such a way that it deviates slightly from the fundamental vibration of the string and plays with this microtonality. The result is something that initially eludes the piano intuitively: fine glissandi or microtonal beats and continuous tones, which then return to their stable state over time. The fragility of the entire system only becomes apparent over long periods of time. Like the shuttle of a loom, the combination tones make their way through the piano's notes and intervals, sometimes swaying back and forth, but always following their predetermined path.
weben Partitur
recording from 12 July 2022 in Biel/Bienne
Cyrill Lim: piano
One movement of weben was released on the album Le Souffle Du Temps II - Réflexion (HatHut records) in 2020.