Richard Barrett - membrane / first light

Richard Barrett presents two recent works with multichannel electronics, both of which take listeners on a journey through transforming realms of sound.

Membrane takes its inspiration from Paleolithic cave paintings and the idea that the cave walls formed a “membrane” between the human and spirit worlds whose far side could be accessed by a shaman’s journey into the depths of the earth. Australian trombone virtuoso Benjamin Marks (from the ELISION Ensemble), for whom the music was written, is the voyager through a sequence of electronic sound-scenes which respond in changing ways to the sound of his instrument.

The fixed media composition first light is dedicated to the memory of David Lynch and, like his films, follows a dreamlike itinerary between familiar and alien sounds where one might at any moment become the other.

Programme

Richard Barrett - first light (2025), electronic music in 8 channels (first performance)
Richard Barrett - membrane (2019) for trombone and electronics

Benjamin Marks, trombone