Oblivescence (2019) is a work for electric violin, double bell trumpet, and two modular synthesizers, inspired by the Husserlian manifold of retention (memory). Husserl describes retention (a form of primary memory) as a zone which extends from an ever-continuous stream of now-points, like a "comet's tail." As memories fade beyond this primary retention zone, they slip into secondary memory, or recollection. This process of forgetting—oblivescence—can unfold over the course of a lifetime, or it can occur in an instant.
Signals from both the trumpet and violin are used to dynamically control a pair of Buchla modular synthesizers. Additionally, the trumpet is running into the B400V software application for extended synthesis and control. Assembled by Ryan Gaston using Max/MSP, B400V is a audio/MIDI-reactive synthesis application loosely based on the Buchla Touché (1978), 400 (1982), and Thunder (1989).
David Rosenboom, electric violin & Buchla modular synthesizer
Sarah Belle Reid, double-bell quarter tone trumpet, Buchla modular synthesizer, and B400V app
Oblivesence score draft - Sarah Belle Reid, 2019
