“The piece itself is not a reference to a specific experience; it is, in  itself, an experience open to interpretation.”

Commissioned by the Hashtag Ensemble, this composition is  a single-movement work in which the emphasis is placed primarily on the rich timbral palette of microtonal harmony. Rhythm, as  a parameter, is relegated to the background here, whilst the pace  of changes is dictated by the performers’ capabilities. Consequently, the performance of the work compels the ensemble to  listen deeply to one another and to respect each other’s boundaries, thereby striving for unity. Despite the use of a solo voice,  the composition remains in the spirit of nonhierarchy, without  a commonly used leading voice.

The piece is inspired by the phenomenon of light split by a prism.  Light, which possesses a dual wave-particle nature, much like  sound, is defined by its frequency. During the creative process,  I endeavoured to keep concepts such as interference, reflection and transmission in mind, using them as signposts to guide  me. The harmonic material of the composition is based on the extended 11-limit Just Intonation scale, utilising harmonic and subharmonic series. The work will be performed using quadraphonic  sound with elements of live electronics. 

Oskar Tomala