11/18/2025
The improvisations of “crystalline songs” take the form of a cycle, commencing and concluding at the same frequency. Essentially, it is music for a flute solo, yet it develops a novel polyphony, founded on circular breathing, incorporating the voice that is articulating, occasionally speaking in shamanic languages…and also singing. The music of “crystalline songs” draws inspiration from light and its reflection in nature, as well as the flutist’s life experiences. Janet Frame's autobiography "An angel at my table" - always kept within reach - was a great source of inspiration and encouragement to the artist.
Stirnemann’s creative process invariably commences with an internal image, upon which the sounds are subsequently discovered. These sounds may be multiple, encompassing harmonics and the voice. During the initial composing phase, the sound material of each piece is clearly defined. Subsequently, the pieces are performed as improvisations: they are recreated repeatedly, working/playing with the force of the moment.
Swiss flutist Annette Stirnemann’s work follows the irresistible “call from other worlds.” Following years of formal training in piano (Winterhur Academy of Music) and flute (Zürich Academy of Music), the artist began to formulate a highly personal musical language, facilitated by fruitful collaborations with members of WIM Zürich. This period of intense research for novel sound material was immensely inspiring, resulting in three CDs for flute solo emerged, “crystalline songs” being the most recent.
13 track album
