Medusan Torso is based on material originally developed during my work on the audiovisual installation Re:****Sitruuna ja meduusa, a collaboration with visual artist Merja Nieminen. Medusan Torso is composed entirely from the sound material from the original installation; but where this material was deconstructed for the installation, then recomposed in real-time by the governing software, here it has been shaped and fixed to a timeline, allowing for a very different exploration of these same materials, and offering very different results.

What the piece retains from the original installation is the discrete identities of the sonic materials, which burst forth, travel, cross each other, but never mingle, transform or combine. These materials are built into moments and phrases, ranging from brief gestures to long, elaborate phrases.

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Medusan Torso was realized in 2010-11 at the composer’s studio in Helsinki (Finland) and premiered on March 26, 2011 in the concert Uutta elektroakustista musiikkia (New Electroacoustic Music), in the Chamber Music Hall of Sibelius-Akatemia in Helsinki (Finland). Thanks to Merja Nieminen.

Composition

• 2010 – 2011, Personal studio, Helsinki (Finland)

Premiere

• March 26, 2011, Uutta elektroakustista musiikkia, Ka­ma­ri­musiik­ki­sa­li — Si­be­lius-Aka­te­mia, Helsinki (Finland)