Annulus

Program Note

The idea for this work began as a collage of sounds that had little tonal meaning, but when subjected to various processes could highlight a certain tonal spectra creating an emphasis on certain areas of color. Two main devices were the use of ring modulation to color certain sounds, and the use of granular synthesis to incorporate a spray of random rhythmicity and tonal highlights creating the harmonic background for the work. Annulus is the Latin word for “little ring” and refers to the modulatory process and also the use of radio emissions from Saturn’s rings.