Executive Order
Michael Wittgraf
About this work:
Executive Order is a five-minute improvisatory work in 4.1 surround sound for KYMA X software interfaced with one MIDI Wind Controller. In essence, the MIDI wind controller player improvises by cycling through three primary sounds, changing the density, volume, and register of each with breath and fingering. The three primary sounds can generally be characterized as metallic, insect-like, and bell-like, respectively. The performer uses the instrument’s pitch bend controls to affect the quadraphonic placement of each primary sound.
The breath of the performer, in addition to controlling parts of the primary sounds, also controls the playback speed of a secondary sound. The secondary sound is a recording of the composer reading from the U. S. government publication Messages and Papers of the Presidents. The reading, from Theodore Roosevelt, is an excerpt from an executive order clarifying the administrative structure of various governmental departments. Input from a microphone placed in front of the left front speaker (channel 1) affects the volume and filtering of the secondary sound. Additionally, the secondary sound moves slowly around the room. A computer operator may or may not improvise with the sounds as well.
Year composed: 2008
Duration: 00:05:10
Ensemble type: Electronic Instruments and Sound Sources:Electronic Processing of Live Performance
Instrumentation: 1 Computer/Laptop, 1 MIDI Wind Instrument
Instrumentation notes: KYMA X and MIDI Wind Controller