for voice (2001)
with electroacoustics
duration is 12′
The vocalist also plays sand blocks and a large bass drum.

Animus/Anima for voice and electronics, is inspired by the work of the Epicurean philosopher, Titus Lucretius Carus (c.100-c.55BC). Lucretius’ poem, De Rerum Natura (On the Nature of the Universe) describes an infinite universe in which nature and the spirit of the individual interact through a complex atomic exchange. For Lucretius, the human body is composed of atoms of thought and emotion (animus) concentrated in the chest, and a sensory network of atoms spread throughout the body (anima). The interaction between voice, ear, and spirit is accomplished through this atomic exchange. In the words of Lucretius:

“All forms of sound and vocal utterance become audible when they have slipped into the ear and provoked sensation by the impact of their own bodies… Undoubtedly, if voices and words have this power of causing pain, they must consist of corporeal particles. “

Lucretius views emotion as directly connected with the voice and the ear through the body of its sound. Vocal expressions can cause sensation because sound is a physical phenomena that can cause sensation. In another passage he states:

“Again, sounds are disseminated in all directions because each one, after its initial splintering into a great many parts, gives birth to others, just as a spark of fire often propagates itself by starting fires of its own. …Even a voice, however, is blunted in its passage through barriers and is blurred when it pierces our ears, so that we seem to hear a mere noise rather than words.”

score excerpt

in the piece, the singer sings through a large bass drum.

Anumus/Anima score and elec
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