for midi keyboard
The main idea of Velonium No. 2 emerged from the composer’s work with a custom electronic instrument, created using Cycling74’s Max/MSP. This instrument is designed so that the pitch of each note changes according to the force with which it is played: striking a note harder (forte) raises its frequency, while softer touches (piano) lower it, with each note responding independently. This design provided new ways to explore sound, allowing for an interactive approach to pitch and dynamics.
To understand the instrument’s full potential, the composer engaged in extensive improvisation, exploring the nuances and possibilities of the pitch-velocity relationship. Through these sessions, the composer identified a particular pattern that resembled the rhythmic and tonal qualities of human speech. This effect recalls the work of Alvin Lucier in I Am Sitting in a Room, where resonances transform spoken phrases into melodic fragments. Inspired by this discovery, the composer developed this motif as a central element of the composition.
Velonium No. 2 combines elements of improvisation with two primary melodic lines, creating a piece that showcases both the technical capabilities of the instrument and the musical textures it can evoke. The composition stands as an exploration of novel musical forms, built on the interplay between pitch and touch.