Block Universe

Block Universe is a piece originally inspired by the philosophical and physical model of time in which past, present and future exist simultaneously. This model resonated deeply with me when I was thinking about composing a piece in which the listener can literally move inside the composition and peel away moments of sound embedded in the space. Although interesting, the concept of the block universe might feel a bit overwhelming and sciency, so I wanted to take a more personal approach and share moments I have recorded in some of my actual favourite places.

These places include Vattaja in Lohtaja, Finland, home to one of the longest natural sand beaches in the Nordic countries, which radiates a magical calm at sunset. Another is a beautiful meadow by Rimmi road near my childhood home in Kälviä, where the wind rustles loudly in the leaves of the aspens and moves the grass in waves. I have also hidden sonic moments from my travels throughout the piece.

These places are musically woven together with sounds that are the result of traditional electroacoustic sound synthesis carried out in my father’s garage, home to an endless collection of objects waiting to be combined for sound-making.

One of the most frequently used sounds comes from a recording of a chordophone I built for the piece from a simple wooden board, steel wire and a tin can as a resonator. The instrument is struck with a mallet tipped with pieces of Styrofoam, producing soft but sharp, almost bell-like sounds. Block Universe moves away from the vast topic of space and time to invite the listener to step inside an acousmatic composition and experience time in the form of sound and space.