Tocsin / New music.
The word tocsin describes an alarm call produced by bells, and this is a musical response to a world in crisis.
Tocsin: an alarm bell or signal.
Throughout history, bells have been used in times of war to sound alarms that evoke defiance and hope, as well as being pillaged and melted to create weapons. Such richly complex instruments, capable of both beauty and destruction, hold a mirror to ourselves.
The conflicting use of these instruments inspired this series of compositions, all of which use bells as a sound source. Historically, change bell ringing represents an early form of computer music, where the order in which a set of bells are rung is explored through countless mathematical permutations, making bells an appropriate instrument for exploring a compositional method I call 'deep phasing'.
Using the expanded capabilities of modern software, deep phasing extends the traditional tape phasing developed by Steve Reich in the 1960s, allowing for the creation of vast patterns that can vary without repetition for hours, days, or even years.
For those of us on the outside, you are also a source of hope, perhaps the only source of hope, for the future.
In addition to bells, I am delighted to use the voice of the American historian, writer, and dissident Professor Timothy Snyder. It is a sample from a historic speech that he delivered at the Judenplatz Square in Vienna in 2019.
Today is an auspicious day to release this music, as it is the day on which thousands will take to the streets across the United States to protest under the banner of ‘No King’, whilst a military parade in celebration of Donald Trump’s birthday takes place in Washington.
In a time of multiple interconnected global crises, a tocsin feels necessary. Tocsin, from the Latin verb toccare ("to ring a bell") and the Latin signum ("mark, sign"), refers to an alarm sounded on a bell. These compositions are an alarm, but one designed to inspire.
Further writing on deep phasing and bells
The creative possibilities of deep phasing
Really interesting listen, many thanks!
Brilliant, Dom! I'll be making my purchase on Bandcamp.