Work
Idiosyncrophilia
for invented instruments and chamber ensemble
About
Contributing musicians: Erika Grant, Daniel Beben, Stroma
Instrument Inventor: Neil Feather
The structure of Idiosyncrophilia is inspired by old monster movies, a genre that had a strong influence on Feather's aesthetic. The piece starts with an ominous awakening of the monster somewhere deep underground. After a time the monster becomes hungry and begins to hunt, consuming first wildlife followed by livestock. The music cuts between the monster moving through the bush and a dance hall where people dance unaware of the impending danger. The two scenes alternate and the monster reaches the dance hall. The arrival promises briefly to be friendly before the monster dances up an appetite and eats everyone.
Further information about the invented instruments used in Idiosyncrophila:
- The Nondo — the large sheet steel string instrument that is played with strikers and the skillful balancing and rolling of a steel pole across the strings.
- The Vibrowheel — a flywheel with vibrating motors spinning past guitar pickups to create tones that are subject to centrifugal force and doppler effects.
- The Wiggler — a long rail like instrument with 4 strings. Rods of various lengths are woven in the strings and rocked to create polyrhythms and phase relationships.
Commissioned note
This composition was made possible with funding from Creative New Zealand.