Robert van Heumen Composer Improvisor Laptop-Instrumentalist Sound-Designer
Software Developer

SPILL

SPILL (2015, 17')

is a composition by Robert van Heumen for harp and live electronics, developed in collaboration with and performed by Miriam Overlach, with financial support from the Performing Arts Fund NL. A special version for harp, live electronics and voice was developed in collaboration with sound poet Sieger Baljon and director Nienke Rooijakkers for the theatrical concert To Whom this Power, performed at Orgelpark Amsterdam on November 28 2015.

SPILL is a musical response to fossil fuel disasters that often go unnoticed by the general public. In 5 miniatures Spill comments on ruthless oil companies, human tragedies and polluted environments. The processed harp is sometimes cold as ice, sometimes hot as giant flames that can be seen from 20 miles away. She cries, screams, explodes, gulps and rumbles. Placed in an electronically enhanced environment the harp is forced to adapt or fight fire with fire.

“While coal, oil, and gas are an integral part of everyday life around the world, 2013 brought a stark reminder of the inherent risk that comes with a fossil-fuel dependent world, with numerous pipeline spills, explosions, derailments, landslides, and the death of 20 coal miners in the U.S. Alone.” (Alternet)

Performances:
October 18, 2015 (2 concerts, premiere): Stedelijk Museum Den Bosch | audio & video (on this page)
November 28, 2015: Orgelpark Amsterdam | audio & video (on this page)
March 31, 2016: Splendor Amsterdam | audio & video (on this page)
April 23, 2016: Chamber Music Festival, Electriciteitsfabriek, The Hague

Download the score and the SuperCollider stand-alone program to perform the piece.