Mikel Kuehn - Works

Unlocking the Keys (2021), for periphonic Ambisonic system (FOA):

 Program Note

 

Unlocking the Keys (2021) is a fixed media Ambisonic work (FOA) that explores three dimensional sonic space.
The title serves as a metaphor for searching out (i.e., “unlocking”) the potential of sounds created from recorded piano sources, which start out abstract in nature and fully reveal themselves in the middle of the piece. While the ideal listening experience for this piece is a periphonic sound system (a three dimensional configuration of speakers such as “dome” or 8-channel “cube”), the version provided here (stereo) preserves all of the musical material, mapping it down organically to a two dimensional listening space.  Unlocking the Keys received an honorable mention in the 2022 International Destellos Competition on Electroacoustic Music - 15th Anniversary. 

Technical Note: This piece is encoded in Ambisonics B-format and is most ideally decoded onto a periphonic system of at least 8 channels (an upper and lower quadraphonic array). It can also be decoded for other setups including 8 channel ring, quad, and stereo. It works very well in an 8-channel ring (i.e., pantophonic system) if a periphonic system is not available. The work’s duration is 7:57. Please contact the composer for a custom transcoded version, or the ambisonic source file (ie., first order B-format).