German composer and sound artist Christina Kubisch has been performing since the mid-70s and this collaboration with Norwegian vocal ensemble, Trondheim Voices, was inspired after researching and recording electromagnetic waves in Trondheim. Based on the theme of sounds which travel, Kubisch wore custom made induction headphones and was able to hear the electromagnetic fields of the tram she was riding in. Inspired by the sounds, she recorded them and had the vocal ensemble listen to and respond to those tram sounds and she then mixed everything at her studio. The recordings were played through a church’s loudspeakers, recorded, played back, and re-recorded several times, which made the vocals sound ghostly and sublime. Aside from having a fascinating concept, the results on Stromsänger are stunning: the music is grand, powerful, and rewarding. The two pieces are around twenty minutes each, but the music is intricate and flows well, which gives it a sense of movement, and is quite gorgeous.

Important Records