As part of their 2022 Early Music Festival, Zeitgeist and 113 Collective invited electronic sound artists to create realizations of Alvin Lucier's work "Gentle Fire," written for synthesizer operators/sound creators. 

"Gentle Fire" involves taking the sound of something you find unpleasant (breaking windows, sinking ships, jackhammers, snoring) and using an electronic process/synthesizer to change those sounds into a sound you find pleasant or soothing (Ocean waves, droning bees, birds). This process can take as long as you like, and you can use any process you wish. Lucier’s only instructions are that the two sounds be clearly heard, and the process be slow, gradual, and clearly heard. 

We are honored to have received realizations of "Gentle Fire" created by sound artists from our local area and well beyond. We hope you enjoy the variety and creativity of their work.

Gentle Fire: Jay Afrisando

(version for alto flute, harp, and mezzo-soprano)

...And the Sound is Thunder

Lauded for providing “a once-in-a-lifetime experience for adventurous concertgoers,” Zeitgeist is a new music chamber ensemble comprised of two percussion, piano and woodwinds. One of the longest established new music groups in the country, Zeitgeist commissions and presents a wide variety of new music for audiences in the Twin Cities and on tour. Always eager to explore new artistic frontiers, Zeitgeist collaborates with poets, choreographers, directors, visual artists and sound artists of all types to create imaginative new work that challenges the boundaries of traditional chamber music. The members of Zeitgeist are: Heather Barringer, percussion; Patti Cudd, percussion; Pat O’Keefe, woodwinds; and Nicola Melville piano. Information about the ensemble and its activities can be found at www.zeitgeistnewmusic.org.

Gentle Fire: Jay Afrisando

Zeitgeist New Music

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