Yugen

"This sonic composition, titled Yūgen (幽玄), delves into the aesthetic of subtle beauty and the profound mystery that defines this Japanese concept. The work originates from a deep immersion in the serenity of the Niigata rice fields at dawn, a space of absolute tranquility where the absence of sounds from human sources becomes the creative driving force.

"The process focused on the creation of an atmosphere that honors this initial stillness. The assigned field recording served as the foundational starting point, which was then subjected to sound design techniques. These included manipulating speed and pitch to highlight the subtle sounds of crickets and insects, combined with further processes such as granular synthesis, waveshaping, and extensive reverb. Crucially, this sonic sculpting was complemented by the summation of digital synthesizers and processed sampling to create evolving textures. Unlike much of my previous work, I deliberately avoided the inclusion of any recognizable human voice. The result is a sonic meditation that seeks to capture the implicit vastness and the secret truth perceived at dawn, offering the listener a space to contemplate the deep and the indescribable (the Yūgen)." 

Rice fields in Niigata reimagined by Rodrigo Romero-Flores.