Collected recordings of MAGANOTE, a piece commissioned by and composed for duo IIPM.

Flute(s), Voice: Phoebe Bognar
Percussion, Electronics: Mikolaj Rytowski

About the piece:

MAGONOTE (Japanese for "backscratcher"; literal translation: "grandchild’s hand") is a
staged live recording featuring two performers. Soland, an artist working at the
intersection of visual art and music, presents a custom-built binaural recording device
called Soliloquy. This device, a portrait of the composer’s head with precise replicas of his
ears containing the microphones, was crafted in collaboration with Meret Schulenburg
and has also been displayed in visual art contexts. The audience witnesses a studio
session where the performers focus not on those present, but on creating a captivating
recording, with the Soliloquy device as the focal point.
Binaural recording is a technique using two strategically positioned microphones to
simulate human hearing, producing a 3D stereo sound that immerses listeners as if they
were physically in the space with the performers or instruments. In this composition, the
performers use Soliloquy to record a binaural session guided by an open score and
accompanied by a fixed media track that drives the acoustic narrative. This media track
comprises manipulated fragments of improvisational sessions previously recorded by the
duo in collaboration with the composer, combined with sounds from MIDI instruments
and analog synthesizers. For MAGONOTE, Soland draws inspiration from his Japanese
heritage, particularly from traditional Japanese court music as well as contemporary
bands like Melt-Banana and OOIOO.
The score primarily consists of text instructions, allowing the performers freedom to
improvise with their setup, instruments, and additional self-made devices crafted by the
composer. These instructions create a scenario in which the performers imagine entering
their speculative grandmother’s home, engaging in small talk, arguing, and feeling bored
as she eventually drifts off to sleep.
After each public performance, the binaural recording is uploaded to a SoundCloud
playlist, enabling the audience to revisit the experience from the unique auditory
perspective of the recording device—in other words, from and through the composer’s
head.

MAGONOTE - Binaural Concert Recordings

Binaural concert recording of the piece "MAGANOTE" by Yanik Soland at Gare Du Nord, Basel.
Date: 4.12.24

the piece was performed and commissioned by IIPM (Mikolaj Rytowski and Phoebe Bognar)

MAGONOTE @ Gare Du Nord, Basel (excerpt) 4.12.24

Binaural concert recording of the piece "MAGANOTE" by Yanik Soland at LABOR La Rasude
Date: 5.12.24

the piece was performed and commissioned by IIPM (Mikolaj Rytowski and Phoebe Bognar)

MAGONOTE @LABOR La Rasude, Lausanne, 5.12.2024

Binaural concert recording of the piece "MAGANOTE" by Yanik Soland at Bienzgut, Bern
Date: 3.12.24

the piece was performed and commissioned by IIPM (Mikolaj Rytowski and Phoebe Bognar)

MAGONOTE @Kunstraum Walcheturm Zürich, 6.12.2024

Binaural concert recording of the piece "MAGANOTE" by Yanik Soland at Local Edition, Sidney Australia
Date: 13.3.25

the piece was performed and commissioned by IIPM (Mikolaj Rytowski and Phoebe Bognar)

MAGONOTE @Local Edition, Sidney, 13.3.2025

Binaural concert recording of the piece "MAGANOTE" by Yanik Soland at the University of Queensland School of Music, Brisbane, Australia
Date: 27.3.25

the piece was performed and commissioned by IIPM (Mikolaj Rytowski and Phoebe Bognar)

MAGONOTE @University of Queensland School of Music, Brisbane, 27.3.2025

NEW LP:
https://futuraresistenza.bandcamp.com/album/yanik-soland-yuki

website:  http://www.yaniksoland.ch
Papiro&Yanik Soland: https://buhrecords.bandcamp.com/track/papiro-yanik-soland-nozomi
MIR:  https://mirmirmir.bandcamp.com/
live at gardena fest V, Rotterdam:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMdugAUj1Ik&t=131s