CROSSROADS/PATH

2011 (20′50″)
For viola, flute and sand
Viola: Heleen Hulst

Melodies are built on sand. In this almost proverbial sense, sand dunes move in the Sahara. Millions of grains of sand, pushed, bumped and rubbed against each other many times, pushing forward. The dune resounds, it sings its melodies – a continuous flow of small pitch changes and irregular rhythms. Superficially heard, they seem random, but they are the result of energy created by the friction of countless grains of sand. The sandbars begin to sing their song, sometimes threateningly, then sadly, as if their way had been buried under sand for too long and had only now come to life.

‘Crossroads/path’ whispers. The sand runs between her fingers. Coarse, medium and fine sand trickles, clicks and rolls over mirrors, metal, cardboard and paper and makes itself heard.

But paths must first be trodden. In an at first unknown, untouched musical landscape the listener explores his own path. He is a boy scout, perception is his compass that guides his way. The path leads and guides.

Carefully, the metal tires of the wagon wheel dig their way through the sand and leave traces on the path. They are memories, archaic melodies that accompany the traveler.

‘Crossroads/path’ doesn’t throw sand into the ears, ‘crossroads/path’ is written on sand and therefore goes its way.

“Dann im Sand uns zu verlieren, der uns keinen Weg versperrt!”
(Musen und Grazien in der Mark, Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, 1797)