Wetlands

5th Order Ambisonics (36 channels), and a Binaural version. 10’05”

Wetlands are transition zones (also known as ecotones) between dry land and aquatic environments. Urban wetlands may add anthropogenic pressure because of the proximity of human activity to the natural ecosystems. This composition explores a dialogue between sounds living, moving and interacting in those spaces, creating also tension and release moments when these meet with human-made noise and activity. All sounds live in a cooperative coexistence, even during the most intense moments in this sonic world.

The composition is based on field recordings of urban wetlands around the city of Valdivia in Chile. The original raw recordings were provided by the SoundLapse research team, who commissioned this composition. ‘Wetlands’ received its World Premiere performance in St Petersburg, Russia (pre-war), at the Epicentroom International Audiovisual Festival on 13 October 2021. In 2021, it was also performed in three concerts in Valdivia, Chile, at 14K Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship Faculty of Engineering Sciences; and at Festival Ecos Urbanos, in Guadalajara, Mexico. In 2022, it received performances at the Napoleon Electronic Media Festival, Doudna Fine Arts Center, Charleston, Illinois, USA; at Bournemouth University, UK; at three concerts at Ciclo de Música Electroacústica, Isla Teja, Chile; at the Royal Dockyard Church, Chatham, UK; and at the International Computer Music Conference (ICMC2022) in Limerick, Ireland. In 2023, it was performed at Sound II Light spatial audio event in London; at Sur Mujer multi-event, Parque Saval, Valdivia, Chile; and at the Festival de la Ciencia 2023, Valdivia, Chile.

Wetlands is published (Nov 2021) by the label Gruenrekorder.

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