Sonic Cradle (2015) Extract by K.Power, performed by B.Luneburg by karenpower

Sonic Cradle (2015) commissioned by DeutschlandRadio for Ultraschall Festival - 1 1/2 extract from 12 minute work.
The composed part of sonic cradle is based entirely on field recordings captured during a residency in The Arctic. I spent 3 weeks recording above, inside and deep below the Arctic ice. The aural score/ stereo playback part is composed entirely of these field recordings and attempts to merge this extraordinary places quiet, vast and isolated exterior with its explosive and sonically rich underworld. The materials and structural layout focus on the huge sonic spectrum of ice/water and its ever-evolving shapes, contours and layers. Water in all its forms, its hypnotic flow and instantaneous speed changes and jolts, are interpreted here. The pacing and flow of this work is informed by my memory of a brief but intense time spent in this place. My memory of the way things moved, the rapid changes, the light, the ‘loaded’ silence and the endlessness. The performer is asked to prepare for this work by; reading some text, watching a reflective documentary made by the composer, looking at photographs (which the audience will see) and of course listening to the aural score and directed notes. All preparation aims to ‘set-the-scene’ so that when the sound enters it is already loaded with context.