E12 - ∇ (Benjamin Thigpen)

∇ (nabla) is a mathematical operator which describes certain global characteristics of a field or region. ∇ may denote the direction and magnitude of the greatest rate of increase (gradient); the tendency to converge toward or repel from a point (divergence), or the infinitesimal rotation at a given point (curl). For a layman (like myself), it is a question of mathematically modeling the complex, dynamic movements of fluids, with ∇ expressing some of the ways in which physical quantities change in space. The symbol, an inverted delta, takes its name from the Greek word for an ancient Phoenician harp. ∇ was recorded live in concert at the Concordia University Hexagram Black Box, in Montréal, on 1 March 2015. The ensemble of compressed air instruments, Plateforme, was invented and developed by Jean-François Laporte. Plateforme consists of 2 Pipes, 8 Telescopic Tu-Yos, 10 Vibrating Membranes and 18 Overtone Flutes. All the parameters of the acoustic instruments and the real-time processing were controlled via computer by the composer.Benjamin Thigpen Commissioned by Productions Totem Contemporain, 2015Duration : 21’ 39''https://electrocd.com/en/artiste/thigpen_be/benjamin-thigpen/biographie