Where there was wood is now water

This piece is based on the photographic series ‘Water table’ , by Anthony McCall. The series consists of 6 photographs which have a very clear, linear process that develops throughout the series. The first photograph shows a table with 13 wooden beams on it. From the second photograph, a process of removing beams from the table begins. Every time a wooden beam is removed, a trace of water is left on the table. On each of the following images there are gradually fewer beams on the table -and therefore more water- until, on the last photograph, only water traces remain.

The overall wood-to-water process is represented by layers of natural notes becoming harmonics. Therefore, the piece begins only with natural notes, and ends only with harmonics.

I divided the 13 wooden beams into 5 groups and I composed 5 separate layers of music. Each group is represented by a layer of pre-recorded viola.

Although conceived as a piece for viola solo and fixed media, it can also be performed by 5 live violas, as well as a combination of 2 or 3 violas along with the remaining pre-recorded layers.