homothety (1992)

Ricardo Dal Farra
Interpreter: Yovanny Betancur, flute

«homothety» is a mixed work (for acoustic instrument/s + pre-recorded sounds) originally composed by Ricardo Dal Farra in 1992, and later revised several times for its interpretation with different instrumental combinations.

The recording presents a complex contrapuntal interweaving structured on an obsessive

rhythmic base in sixteenth notes. Added to this apparent rigidity is the flexibility of the acoustic instrument,

the one who, from his apparent freedom at the beginning of the piece, gradually loses his independence to immerse himself in an action that is increasingly coherent and coordinated with the recorded sound material.

«homothety» was created from an algorithmic system developed using a computer. In a first stage, the computer was used to produce and structure the basic musical material through an algorithmic composition program. Later it was used for editing the events. And finally, it was also used to automatically extract and convert one of the lines or voices that make up the counterpoint recorded on the recording, to traditional musical notation (on staff). The latter resulted in the score that serves as a guide for the performance with the acoustic instrument.

The flutist must follow a set of rules that guide the interpretation, from independence with respect to the pre-recorded part at the beginning, through adaptation and gradual integration with it, until reaching a close collaborative relationship between the parts.

The word homothety comes from: from homos: similar, and thiténai: place, arrange / relationship between two systems of points arranged in such a way that each 2 of a series are in a straight line, have a common center, and their distances from the center are in a constant ratio.

Freedom is at the very base of this piece. Freedom in a creative context, where the fundamental responsibilities of the interpreter establish the framework to approach a complex and rich final phase. The musical concepts developed by the acoustic instrument are inspired by cells, phrases and ideas from the pre-recorded electronic part, gradually shaping a life system (music) of responsible coexistence, and therefore flexible but balanced at the same time. and coordinated.

The flute version of «homothety» was revised in 2020, based on the original for bandoneon and pre-recorded sounds.

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Ricardo Dal Farra

ricardo.dalfarra@concordia.ca

mobile/WhatsApp: +1-514-622-7541