Robert Carl

harp and live electronics

Splectra is a work for solo harp with live processing. The work emphasizes:1) The gradual growth of a simple rising motive from a "tonic" of C, becomingharmonically richer with the addition of higher pitches in registral positions relatedto their appearance as partials on the overtone series above a C fundamental. Thework grows in speed, density, and intensity, throughout, though it pauses and renewsitself for a second burst a little past its durational Golden Mean.2) Live pocessing that emphasizes upper frequencies of the harp in each sectionof the work. These frequencies are themselves related to the harmonic sets of the notesof each section, and present a timbral analogue to the harmonic structure at each point.As a result the harmonic spectrum of the instrument becomes increasingly rich as thepiece unfolds. It is this aspect that gives the work its punning title.