The theremin has long been one of the most intriguing electronic instruments—its eerie high-pitched tones ring without physical touch from the person playing it. Composer Jakub Ciupinski puts this fascinating instrument on display in this edition of the House Music series. He employs two theremins he hacked himself to create a toe-tapping remix of William Brittelle’s Spiritual America, uniting a variety of clips from the album into one succinct package.

Ciupinski has a long history with Metropolis Ensemble. As a composer and music technology whiz, he’s been at the forefront of many of the ensemble’s projects since he got started with them in 2009 after finishing his Master’s Degree at The Juilliard School. It’s been one of the longest collaborations Metropolis has had; Ciupinski has used his technology expertise to guide Metropolis through programs involving complex electro-acoustic composition. He helped create a site-specific installation that took over the Phillips Collection and is currently working on a new web-based installation for the group called Flame Keepers. He’s even celebrated ten year anniversaries of Le Poisson Rouge and Metropolis and made Brooklyn buildings come to life through music. Now, he brings his vast experience to the House Music series.

This remix of Spiritual America was originally performed in the summer of 2019 as part of the Forbidden Colors festival produced and conceived by Metropolis Ensemble, which was essentially a walk-about music party held at Brooklyn’s Public Records. Presented in partnership with Nonesuch Records and New Amsterdam Records, that night was also the official launch of Brittelle’s Spiritual America. Ciupinski had written the hacked theremin remix for that performance, looping, shifting, and transforming a selection of clips from the entire album to create a new remix. He uses the theremin to trigger the clips, gesturing with his hands to elicit the sound. The result is a restless, immediately compelling piece that vibrates through a series of irresistible beats. — Vanessa Ague

 
Episode: 05
Date: April 14, 2020
Artist: Jakub Ciupinski
Instrumentation: Theremin
Work: “Spiritual America"
Composer: William Brittelle
Location: Manhattan, NY
 

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