Concert by Susan Frykberg, Tina Pearson, and Philip Djwa

Description:

LEAPS (Live Electronic Arts Performance Series) was a forum presented by Vancouver Pro Musica for electroacoustic music and interdisciplinary performance incorporating new technology. The series focused on multimedia performance, interactive computer systems for music and video, and works for tape with live performers. 

Each month, LEAPS was held at a different venue with different composers and artists. For this iteration, Western Front premiered electroacoustic music by composers Susan Frykberg, Tina Pearson, and Jai Djwa in a multi-speaker environment. 

The concert opened with a trilogy of works by Tina Pearson that combined environmental recordings of streams, waterfalls, oceans, and a frozen lake with computer-controlled synthesizers to examine the natural world of sound.

Jai Djwa’s performance Ruined Surfaces followed, employing interactive computer systems that transformed his breath into an evolving sound environment. 

The program concluded with Susan Frykberg’s installation Layers of Self, which enveloped the audience in three distinct circles of sound. Generated through granular synthesis, the soundscapes incorporated field recordings made in New Zealand alongside recorded conversations between Frykberg and her young son. The innermost circle consisted of a single set of headphones that was passed from person to person, creating an intimate listening experience that contrasted with the surrounding multi-speaker environment.

Curated by Matt Rogalsky and Greg Hipps.

Presented in partnership with Vancouver Pro Musica.