PRIMORDIAL for Piano and Diverse Media, Amsterdam Premiere 2022

Описание: PRIMORDIAL for Piano and Diverse Media
A journey through time to the first sign of animal life on earth


Music: Constantine Koukias
Piano: Gabriella Smart
Original Tape Sound Design: Mischa Duncan Te Pas
Outback Australia Recording 2021: Daniel Pitman
Live Sound Operator: Willem van Erven Dorens
Video & Sound Documentation: Eric de Clercq & Ron Ruiten


Commissioned by the Hon. Christopher Schacht & SOUNDSTREAM New
Music


Date: 18th of October 2022
Time: 20:00
Where: Nassaukerk, De Wittenkade 111, 1052 AG Amsterdam
Duration: 50 Minutes


PRIMORDIAL merges science and sound to create a journey through time to the first sign of animal life on earth, with the appearance of the Ediacara fossils. It is a visceral listening experience that re-enacts the shifting of tectonic plates, which formed the inland sea in the Flinders Ranges in central Australia. In this sea, the Ediacara first evolved.

PRIMORDIAL is a long-term project begun in 2019, when Koukias visited the Ediacara Fossil Site in the Southern Desert of Australia with pianist Gabriella Smart.

The intention of the composer and pianist is to layer recordings of performances of this work from the countries around the world where Ediacara fossil sites are found. Thus, PRIMORDIAL is an evolving work whose core incorporates layers of sound unique to the environment of each site. The expanse of 350 million years seen in the layers of sediment that smothered and preserved the Ediacara fossils is the work’s inspiration.


This European premiere is the first layering of the Australian recording of May 2021 onto the original tape.


Composer Constantine Koukias imagines the sound of shifting tectonic plates through manipulated piano preparations and electronics to create cascading waves of sound. The traditional piano has been reinvented, its resonance reflecting a haunting, fragile sound world. Gabriella Smart caresses the piano, cajoling beautiful and extraordinary prepared sounds that reflect Koukias’ score.



Foundation IHOS Amsterdam wishes to thank the Arts Office of South Australia for its financial support of PRIMORDIAL.