Dan Gilsdorf


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5/20


Diabolus in Musica

2010

The foundation of Diabolus in Musica is a single chord of two-notes, continuously sustained by six singers for six hours, without interruption. In order to accomplish this, the entire chorus consists of 24 singers who relieve each other at timed intervals such that the chord itself is continuous. The overall effect is a seamless sound environment that is exhibited like a sculpture, sustained like a synthesized sound installation, yet retains the natural variations, tonal subtleties, and warmth of a live performance.

The chord itself, an augmented fourth known as the tritone, has a unique and rich history. The augmented fourth was classified as dissonant in Western music during the Middle Ages. It is rumored to have been banned by the Catholic Church around that time and was dubbed Diabolus in Musica (Latin: the Devil in Music) in the early 18th century. It was commonly used by later classical and film score composers to invoke "spooky" or sinister elements and is now common to heavy metal music and horror films.

Diabolus in Musica was performed as part of the Portland Institute of Contemporary Art's Time Based Arts Festival, 2010.

Listen to an audio clip here.