For Conflux Festival 2025, together with artists Rob Bothof, Jimi Hellinga, Myra Ida van der Veen and Wouter Mol, we presented a newly commissioned performance that re-imagined the installation ‘Piano / Forte’ as a powerful, ritualistic experience. Accompanied by the sounds of a hurdy-gurdy and electronics, performed by multi-instrumentalist Jimi Hellinga and the heavenly voices of the vocal ensemble led by Wouter Mol and Myra Ida van der Veen, the performance resulted in an unforgettable moment. With great thanks to all the fantastic singers Eva Luna, Tara, Arie, Elizabete, Marilena, Aurélie, Myra and Wouter and the confidence of everybody involved and the freedom and trust from Conflux Festival!
‘Piano / Forte’ is a sound sculpture that explores the acoustic richness of the piano harp. In this performance, two pianos stripped of the keys and supporting parts, swing in the air like pendulums. The oscillating motion of the swinging pianos causes the strings to resonate, revealing the sonic body of the piano.
Inside the pianos, an accelerometer was installed to measure the variations in 3-axis positions, and translate the motion into sound frequencies via a custom made software. These frequencies are sent back into the pianos via electromagnets (transducers) attached to the harps. Instead of being hammered by keys, the sound is generated by vibrating directly on the piano’s body, adding to the multitude of resonances and reverberations.
‘Piano / Forte’ is a work by Mike Rijnierse and Rob Bothof