Music, Moving Images, Double Bass
Portfolio
As We Always Do
As We Always Do cyclically repeats a brief excerpt from a weather report for the NY region. Through the strategic use of repetition and multiplication, the piece strives to transcend its informative roots, aiming to induce a trance-like state. Employing audio vocoder processes, visual cameos, and 3D particle systems, it accentuates a gradual detachment from the textual content, all the while highlighting the inherent beauty within this ostensibly mundane material.
Credits:
Conception, composition, performance, recording, mixing, and video: Florent Ghys
3D Video Effects: Claudio Cavallari
Mastering by Jessica Thompson
Executive Producers: Michael Gordon, David Lang, Kenny Savelson and Julia Wolfe
Released on Cantaloupe Music (2022)
Tennis
Tennis seamlessly weaves and harmonizes videos capturing the distinctive screams of tennis players sourced from the internet with the natural harmonics of the double bass. Employing a "round-robin" process, where different tennis samples are triggered for the same pitch, the composition achieves an ever-evolving harmonization. As the piece progresses, the percussive nuances of tennis rackets are gradually accentuated, eventually culminating in a percussion section performed by striking the double bass.
Credits:
Conception, composition, performance, recording, mixing, and video: Florent Ghys
Mastering by Jessica Thompson
Executive Producers: Michael Gordon, David Lang, Kenny Savelson and Julia Wolfe
Released on Cantaloupe Music (2022)
Farm
Farm represents a gradual shift from a field recording approach, sampling farm animals such as sheep, cows, and goats, to an electronic music composition comprising unrecognizable sounds. The initial amusement evoked by the piece transforms progressively into a contemplative state, prompting the listener to ponder the journey that led to this auditory destination.
Credits:
Conception, composition, performance, recording, mixing, and video: Florent Ghys
Mastering by Jessica Thompson
Executive Producers: Michael Gordon, David Lang, Kenny Savelson and Julia Wolfe
Released on Cantaloupe Music (2022)
20%
20% critically examines the role of YouTubers and social media in our creative practices. The video sample within "20%" features an influencer advising composers on making their music "20% more interesting" to attract more listeners and online attention. This prompts profound questions about the subjective definition of "interesting" in the arts, the significance of gaining "more followers," and the capitalistic approach to artistic creation. Utilizing a musical process known as "speech melody," which infuses melodic elements into spoken language, "20%" intentionally diverges from the content's context, redirecting focus towards the inherent melody within the influencer's voice.
Credits:
Conception, composition, performance, recording, mixing, and video: Florent Ghys
Mastering by Jessica Thompson
Executive Producers: Michael Gordon, David Lang, Kenny Savelson and Julia Wolfe
Released on Cantaloupe Music (2022)