Organ Fighter Jet

2010 | Spatial Sound installation | Transept Organ *1658 Vater-Muller Organ *1728 | computer | Custom software | mechanical devices | custom electronics

The two church Organs in Old Church of Amsterdam are automated with software and electro mechanical parts to create a stereo effect by pushing the maximum amount of volume out the organs shortly after each other in an attempt to recreate the stereo sound of a Fighter Jet passing through the church.

The work of composer Ligeti is the starting point for this work, Ligeti described composing for the Organ as working with a mechanical arm, due to the expressive limitations of the organ. With his piece "Volumnia" Ligeti explored the sound limits of the church Organ treating to it’s mechanical maximum with two organ players. When Volumnia was played for the first time the electrical air pump in the Organ caught fire due to the enormous amount of cluster chords (big volumes) and the Church Organ burnt down.

A countdown clock triggers the two big church organs of the Oude Kerk Amsterdam to blow out as much sound the organ can produce at ounce. This happens about every 5 to 8 minutes. The transept organ blows for 1,5 seconds, directly followed by the Big Organ with a blast of cluster chords ending in the sub low register.

A stereo effect is produced through the Church, which did not sound exactly like an fighter jet, but had a sensation of movement and low frequency thunder. The acoustic re-verb in the church rings out for about 11 seconds.

Produced and presented at the Oude Kerk (Old Church) Amsterdam. for museum night group show .

Thanks to: Henk Veltrop (technical advice) Matteo Imbruno (organ advice) and Henk Verhoef (organ introduction)

Supported by Basis for Live Art.