Spectral Scapes
for violin and laptop
Premiere: February 28th, 2005, HfMT Hamburg
This recording: live-recording, February 14th, 2008, Lüneburg, Germany
“Spectral Scapes” for violin and laptop by Martin von Frantzius (Premiere: February 28th, 2005, HfMT Hamburg ) is a formally through-composed piece, which still provides space for improvisation and interaction.
Dominant and therefore namesake is the technique of analysis and re-synthesis of the violin spectrum. The computer analyzes the incoming violin signal and calculates new sounds out of it.
Basically, the harmonic spectrum of the violin in “Spectral Scapes” is either compressed or stretched. This process can be controlled by a foot pedal.
In some parts the spectrally modified material is made to sound as a vertical chord and serves as harmonic basis for improvisation. This technique is extended towards the end of the piece where the computer generates not only chords but several melodic layers of the clay material, which are interwoven with the melody of the soloist into a tapestry of sound.