One hundred strings
Oct 08, 2022, 08:19 AM
"The original recording contains a santur, which is a percussion-stringed instrument known as a hammered dulcimer. It was invented and developed in Iran and Mesopotamia and its origins date back to at least 669 B.C. It is believed that the harp, the Chinese yangqin, the harpsichord, the qanun, the cimbalom, and the American and European hammered dulcimers all derive from the Mesopotamian santur.
"The word santur has several possible derivations, one being from Iranian to mean “one hundred strings”. The composition takes this as its name to reflect the diversity of the piece, since it employs several sections of the original santur recording, arranged in a different order, as well as various stringed instruments, particularly pianos. All of the melodies derive from the santur clips used throughout the composition.
"With this in mind, One Hundred Strings could be a metaphor for an ideal community, or city: a single harmonious whole that contains diverse elements. The original recording took place in Ferhadija, Sarajevo, Bosnia, and captures a street artist playing the santur amid a background murmur of voices in a bustling cafe. As such, I was inspired to create a piece that suited a social occasion, gathering, or meeting of diverse people. Just as in nature, diversity in human communities is a good indicator of health.
"Another important aspect of the composition is to elicit positive emotions and qualities, such as joy, vitality, harmony, peace and dynamism. Such emotions and qualities are essential for health and well-being and are foundational for any community.
"It was especially important to capture a sense of dynamism in the composition, particularly with the use of arpeggios. The music is in a process of continual change, yet there is a thread running throughout the composition, which is the melody. This sense of dynamism reflects one quality of a sustainable city, one that is resilient, equitable, green, and climate-safe. Change is an intrinsic element of reality, and cities must adapt to changing climates and environmental challenges.
"The composition also attempts to blend contrasts: the santur originates in the East and the recording comes from Bosnia, while the composition includes a Western dance beat. Another contrast is the blend of exuberance with a sense of peace, particularly with the use of moments without a beat and birdsong.
"The composition includes two recordings of birdsong, as a truly green city would need to make space for, protect and promote its fauna and flora. Animals, plants and wildlife diversity are interconnected with human life, so I wanted the composition to reflect this.
"The composition was made primarily using a digital audio workstation and a MIDI controller keyboard. Field recordings of birdsong were made using a digital recorder. Electronic instruments, such as synthesisers and pianos were used, as well as drum samples and electronic percussion."
Sarajevo street sound reimagined by Thomas Ellison.
Part of the Well-Being Cities project, a unique collaboration between Cities and Memory and C40, a global network of mayors of nearly 100 world-leading cities collaborating to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis. The project was originally presented at the C40 Cities conference in Buenos Aires in 2022. Explore Well-Being Cities in full at https://citiesandmemory.com/wellbeing-cities/
"The word santur has several possible derivations, one being from Iranian to mean “one hundred strings”. The composition takes this as its name to reflect the diversity of the piece, since it employs several sections of the original santur recording, arranged in a different order, as well as various stringed instruments, particularly pianos. All of the melodies derive from the santur clips used throughout the composition.
"With this in mind, One Hundred Strings could be a metaphor for an ideal community, or city: a single harmonious whole that contains diverse elements. The original recording took place in Ferhadija, Sarajevo, Bosnia, and captures a street artist playing the santur amid a background murmur of voices in a bustling cafe. As such, I was inspired to create a piece that suited a social occasion, gathering, or meeting of diverse people. Just as in nature, diversity in human communities is a good indicator of health.
"Another important aspect of the composition is to elicit positive emotions and qualities, such as joy, vitality, harmony, peace and dynamism. Such emotions and qualities are essential for health and well-being and are foundational for any community.
"It was especially important to capture a sense of dynamism in the composition, particularly with the use of arpeggios. The music is in a process of continual change, yet there is a thread running throughout the composition, which is the melody. This sense of dynamism reflects one quality of a sustainable city, one that is resilient, equitable, green, and climate-safe. Change is an intrinsic element of reality, and cities must adapt to changing climates and environmental challenges.
"The composition also attempts to blend contrasts: the santur originates in the East and the recording comes from Bosnia, while the composition includes a Western dance beat. Another contrast is the blend of exuberance with a sense of peace, particularly with the use of moments without a beat and birdsong.
"The composition includes two recordings of birdsong, as a truly green city would need to make space for, protect and promote its fauna and flora. Animals, plants and wildlife diversity are interconnected with human life, so I wanted the composition to reflect this.
"The composition was made primarily using a digital audio workstation and a MIDI controller keyboard. Field recordings of birdsong were made using a digital recorder. Electronic instruments, such as synthesisers and pianos were used, as well as drum samples and electronic percussion."
Sarajevo street sound reimagined by Thomas Ellison.
Part of the Well-Being Cities project, a unique collaboration between Cities and Memory and C40, a global network of mayors of nearly 100 world-leading cities collaborating to deliver the urgent action needed right now to confront the climate crisis. The project was originally presented at the C40 Cities conference in Buenos Aires in 2022. Explore Well-Being Cities in full at https://citiesandmemory.com/wellbeing-cities/