Hurry up the machine. I HAVE STRUCK A BIG BONANZA (2022)

für Behringer D oder Minimoog Synthesizer
10′
Uraufführung 08.07.2022, “Heroines of Sound”, Radialsystem Berlin
Sebastian Berweck (Minimoog)

Edition Juliane Klein Order No.: EJK1149

»Hurry up the machine. I HAVE STRUCK A BIG BONANZA« was the content of a telegram sent by Thomas A. Edison on Sept. 13, 1878, upon developing a working model of the incandescent lightbulb, to William Wallace (who was developing an electrical power generator for the distribution of power).
While composing this piece for solo Mini-Moog I have attempted to imitate Edison’s working methods – an approach largely based on trial and error. Initial states are established, and tested with a row of “tolerance stack- ups”- in this case, tests to see which parameters may be changed before a sound-object’s “Gestalt” is no longer recognizable, and an new state is reached.

Manipulating sounds late at night in a small dressing-room at the Musikfabrik, I sometimes envisioned the circuitry of the Mini-Moog like the think-tank that Edison had built at Menlo Park- oscillators, noise, filters, modulators became inventors, scientists, machinists, designers, glass-blowers etc. spending sleepless nights… collaborating, brainstorming, quarreling- at times resulting in success, at times, a debacle.

This piece exists as a solo work as well as a movement in “Tolerance Stacks II” (for ensemble and five electroacoustic soloists) and was written for, inspired/ informed by and dedicated to Sebastian Berweck and Uli Löffler. Many thanks also go out to Ensemble Musikfabrik, the festival Heroines of Sound and Hannah Weirich.