Label: Sofa

面白コンセプトの実験作！！主に激シブなインプロヴィゼーション録音を手掛けるノルウェーSofaの出版物。このレーベルが積極的にサポートしている作曲家Jan Martin Smørdalの2022年新作。ピアノと弦楽器の為に書かれた曲ですが、そのコンセプトが非常に興味深く、なんと送電線のハム音の周波数を音楽的に解釈したというもの。周波数の不安定性に基づき50Hz前後を微妙に変動する奏法が行われており、その絶妙に不穏なサウンドが完全に玄人好み。ジャケットデザインはStephen O Malleyが担当。



Lovely design by Stephen O Malley and art work by p.a.i.e.n.

SOFA MUSIC continues to release the work of the extraordinary Norwegian composer Jan Martin Smørdal. Recently he was awarded the prestigious Arne Nordheim Composers Prize for his creative work. Kraftbalanse is a a composition for piano, alternating current and strings, written by Smørdal in collaboration with artist Øystein Wyller Odden. The piece is based on Wyller Oddens prior investigations on the sound of the electrical grid and was part of Oslobiennalen First Edition.
The liner-note explains:
“Kraftbalanse” (Power Balance) is a musical translation of the hum from the mains, i.e., the frequency of the alternating current. The piece is based on the instability of the frequency, it fluctuates subtly around 50 Hz because of supply and demand in the power market.
The composition consists of a self-resonating piano that is tuned to resonate at 50 Hz. The piano is fitted with vibration-elements; transducers, plugged directly into the electrical grid, causing the resonance and timbre of the piano to change with the fluctuations on the power market.
The piano is accompanied by a string octet. The musicians are equipped with voltmeters that measure the frequency of the current in real time, as well as a score of instructions on how to respond to changes in this frequency.
Kraftbalanse was recorded in Oslo City Hall and with the kind support from Oslobiennalen First Edition, Arts Council Norway and Statnett.
SOFA MUSIC is proud to be able to present this intriguing work by Smørdal and Wyller Odden which has a particular relevance today as the crisis in the energy market in the world is increasing. The instability in today’s power market would maybe have influenced the fluctuation of the frequencies drastically, and thus changing the musical result of this composition. However, the version recorded on Kraftbalanse is beautiful documentation of the fluctuation of the current in Oslo on the 1st of June 2019.
The album is available on CD and LP, designed by Stephen O’Malley.