It is a composition for a 24-part mixed choir, inspired by the abstract paintings of Gerhard Richter. The piece consists of fourteen sections, each of which interprets a different painting, transferring the palette of painterly textures and colours into a variety of sound textures and timbres. Instead of traditional semantics, the piece explores abstract means of vocal expression, thus forming abstract soundscapes. It is not a way of scanning what is visible to the eye, nor an attempt to tell a story about the paintings. It is rather a musical exploration, a situation in which musical form is filled with specific sounds that would not have come into being, had it not been for the desire to follow the intensity and dynamics of Gerhard Richter’s painting work. Thus, the invitation to encounter Abstract Paintings involves encouraging the listeners to immerse themselves in both the sonic and visual (painted) reality.

Agata Zubel