Atomic Legacies

Pestova, Xenia

Abstract

This full-length album features two substantial semi-improvised original compositions for the magnetic resonator piano (MRP), "Glowing Radioactive Elements" for solo MRP (2018) and "Atomic Legacies" for MRP and string quartet (2019).

The Magnetic Resonator Piano is a novel hybrid instrument designed by Andrew McPherson (Queen Mary University). Electromagnets are installed above the strings of a regular concert grand without physical contact with the action, allowing for control of minute details of shimmering resonance, fragile pitch bends, sliding crescendi from silence and sustained "bowed" sounds that the performer can shape directly from the keyboard.

All of the sounds heard on this recording are produced acoustically. Only whole takes were used and there are just two edits, both to slightly restrict duration.

Citation

Pestova, X. (2020). Atomic Legacies. Dublin

• Other Type: Composition
• Acceptance Date: Jul 1, 2019
• Online Publication Date: Mar 1, 2020
• Publication Date: Apr 6, 2020
• Deposit Date: Sep 13, 2017
• Keywords: magnetic resonator piano, string quartet
• Public URL: https://nottingham-repository.worktribe.com/output/1125093
• Related Public URLs: https://diatriberecords.bandcamp.com/album/atomic-legacies
• Additional Information: 300-word statement:; ; This submission consists of a professionally-recorded and disseminated album featuring two sets of substantial original compositions created specifically for the Magnetic Resonator Piano (MRP, http://instrumentslab.org/research/mrp.html, accessed 24 March 2020). Electromagnets are installed above the piano strings and controlled by a keyboard scanner, which senses continuous key position. The magnets activate resonance in the strings, using the acoustic mechanism of the instrument. This instrument combines digital technology with a traditional instrumental interface and allows the composer / performer to bring together both sound worlds, reinforcing traditional keyboard gestural vocabulary while being able to build on existing skills to create new techniques. My compositional approach in working with the MRP was informed by the performance perspective of physicality and ergonomics, pushing the limits of the instrument and the technology while developing approaches which are natural to use for a pianist. Following experimentation with realisations of existing text scores by Alvin Lucier and Pauline Oliveros, I created a five-movement text piece, “Glowing Radioactive Elements” (25’). The movements explore a number of distinct MRP performance techniques discovered in the process. One of these, the “mechanical stutter” exploits an unintentional defect in the keyboard scanner in order to produce a shimmering soundscape. As a result, the next prototype of this instrument will incorporate the “defect” in order to replicate this technique. My subsequent work focussed on combining the MRP in context with non-keyboard instruments. I invited the Ligeti Quartet to create “Atomic Legacies” (16’) for the MRP and string quartet. This continuous four-movement piece builds on the techniques explored in previous works in order to bring together the seemingly-disparate sound worlds of traditional string instruments and magnetic piano string resonance. The resulting recording is disseminated as digital download and limited-edition vinyl on Diatribe Records, released on 6 April 2020 (www.diatribe.ie, accessed 24 March 2020).