Turning dreams into literature or music has a long tradition. Bruce Chatwin traveled dream paths in Australia, for Aphex Twin it was the path to his groundbreaking music and let’s not forget Sigmund Freud and many others. Yannis Kyriakides has written music for string quartet and electronics from his dreams and the resulting music is simply amazing!
Hypnokaséta (2020-2021) is an ongoing series of 16 pieces for string quartet, improvisers (playing tapes and random instruments) and live electronics. The source material is based on dreams I had during the first months of the lockdown (April-June 2020). The accounts of these dreams are encoded in the music played by the quartet and also in the surrounding sound textures.
The pieces alternate between the quartet in the foreground and electronic interludes in which solos or duos punctuate the soundscape. The title of the piece (Greek for ’sleep cassette’) refers to a dream theory proposed by Daniel Dennett, which states that dreams are loaded into consciousness during the night like a cassette and played just before waking up. The piece was premiered under the name “Cassettes” by Quatuor Bozzini and Andy Moor in October 2022 in Montréal and other locations in Quebec. It was subsequently recorded by Micha de Kanter at Studio Helmbrekers in Haarlem in November 2022.
There are some interesting parallels here with other works involving a string quartet and electronic music. A piece by Scott Wilson was presented on BBC Radio 3 and the “New Music Show” series in April, which was performed as part of a concert entitled “CrossCurrents: The Ligeti Quartet — The Memory Project”. Project BEAST (Birmingham ElectroAcoustic Sound Theatre) was involved. Two pieces from this concert were presented in this program, one by Scott Wilson and one by Sara Caneva. I can recommend both without reservation. Just as I can warmly recommend the “New Music Show” series to anyone who is interested!
I find the idea of writing works for string quartet and electronic music very appealing. On the one hand, a young audience is introduced to the musical world of string quartets through electronic music and the classical audience is introduced to the other. An opening that can be a gain for everyone.
In any case, I think the realization of Yannis Kyriakides’ composition is very successful. The dreamlike quality is not comforting or cozy, no. The interjections of Kyriakides’ tapes and Andy Moor’s guitar do not allow this. The present doesn’t allow that and that’s how this music sounds. The beautiful moments are there, brief and just so that we don’t forget them. The whole thing leaves a strong and long-lasting impression and for me this is music at the height of our time. A favorite for the best of the year!
