Commissioned by the Klangzeit 2024 festival and Zonta Münster, for Jennifer Hymer and Gudula Rosa.
In this piece, I was interested in working with two characteristics of the toy piano that are often seen as limitations: its restricted dynamic range and the prominence of mechanical noise, as well as the tendency for overtones to overshadow fundamental pitches. I decided to make these traits central to the sonic language. For the electronics, I designed a sampler in .SFZ format triggered by MIDI keyboard, which expands these sounds using recordings of the mechanism and processed resonances, applying convolution techniques with drums to emphasize its percussive quality.
The bass recorder employs techniques with defined attacks or a percussive nature, moving away from its traditional melodic role to become a textural source in dialogue with the toy piano and electronics. Rhythmically, I explored transitions between irregular subdivisions, inspired by Afro-Colombian musics where binary and ternary patterns coexist and fluidly transform. I was drawn to the “in-between” spaces of rhythmic figures, as well as the tension between precise synchronicity and sonic “mass.” Within these dense textures, faint melodic fragments emerge—almost drowned out—as subtle interruptions.
An image from César Aira’s God’s Tea beautifully represents this idea: a subatomic particle bursts into a chaotic tea party organized by God, with monkeys as guests. The piece incorporates such minimal disruptions that contrast with their environment—like a long whistle over short attacks, or fragile toy piano phrases interwoven with rhythmic layers.
Thanks to the Klangzeit festival and Zonta Münster for making this collaboration possible. To Jennifer and Gudula for their dedication in performance, and to Emi See and Ron Busch for their interpretation on the album “Buscar en buscadores”.
Cover photo taken from the video of the soundcheck for the graduation recital "Buscar en buscadores" at the Folkwang Universität der Künste,captured by Marius Bajog, colored by Carlos Ortiz.