Music is often associated with emotions, from excitement to sadness. The work ‘Contemplation’ is no exception and explores thoughtfulness with associated feelings from calmness to anxiety. The work features a mixture of synthesised sounds and field recordings. It includes sounds from DIY instruments designed and made by the performer that create contrasting drone and percussive tones. The work is a semi improvised co-creation between gestural human actions and automated algorithmic processes. Despite the composition following an intentional journey from mood to mood, the magic of music is that each listener’s experience is unique, and hopefully it will prompt Contemplation for many in the audience.
This first performance of Contemplation was performed at the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Brisbane, Australia, in March 2024, using the OnBoard Drone Synth and an alpha version of the OnBoard Percussion KS.