Colophony
More commonly known as rosin, “colophony” derives its etymology from the ancient Greek city of Colophon, a renowned center for the production of high quality resins. These resins held an important function in social and religious life, as they were used both in the playing of bowed string instruments and during esoteric magical procedures, in the form of fragrances and incense. Structured in two movements, Colophony explores a continuum of bowed string sounds, from non-pitched wisps through ordinario tones to scratch tones. This palette of materials is directly connected to a continuum of sounds produced by human utterance: breathing, whispering, and speaking. The text is taken from the so-called Papyri Graecae Magicae (Greek Magical Papyri), a collection of magical formulas, rituals, spells, and hexes dating back to the 2nd century B.C. This particular incipit invokes a long forgotten Greco-Egyptian diety, calling her by her true name.
I am particularly thankful to Dr. Grant Adamson, who aided in the completion of this work by contributing his superb knowledge of the ancient Greek language and providing the vocal performance.
I am particularly thankful to Dr. Grant Adamson, who aided in the completion of this work by contributing his superb knowledge of the ancient Greek language and providing the vocal performance.
Performances
- OUA-Electroacoustic Music Festival. Experimental Dome Theater, Osaka University of Arts, Japan. November 24, 2019
- CLICK: Electroacoustic Music at Ohio University. Glidden Recital Hall, Ohio University. September 19, 2018
- Electric LaTex Festival. Jessen Auditorium, The University of Texas at Austin. November 4, 2016
- New Music at the James Turrell Skyspace. James Turrell Skyspace, Rice University, Houston, TX. October 5, 2016