This piece's suggestive sound world supposes the unyielding majesty of the ocean. Though undoubtedly one of the most absurd combinations in this collection, these three disparate tapestries of noise blend together to evoke an underwater sonic palette. A programmatic lens may even suggest a whale singing beneath the surface of the ocean. The splendor of the sea is almost pictorial with the sparkling impressions from Ravel adorning the deep glacial changes in the slow motion Imogen Heap. When the Swedish Chef begins striking the pots and pans (around 2:20) we are introduced to a distorted unsettling macro rhythm. The piano textures emerge then fade into the soundscape, capturing a sense of movement and current.

 

This piece is perhaps the most programmatic in this series, and as a result, this particular combination has been the springboard for 52 Hz., a project about the 52 Hz Whale with photography by Jasmine Carey and Libretto by Erin Hagood. Live performance details are at the bottom of this page.

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Curated Listen Time: As long as you'd like to hold your breath underwater