September 10th, 2024, 7:30 PM
Himmelmekanik (Celestial Mechanics) opens at the Black Diamond in Copenhagen
Himmelmekanik is a permanent site-specific sound composition created for the Black Diamond: an iconic building overlooking the Copenhagen harbor that serves as a public space for the Royal Library. Wayne Siegel was commissioned to compose this work in connection with the 25th anniversary of the Black Diamond in 2024. Himmelmekanik is an algorithmic (rule-based) composition generated by a computer program developed by the composer. It is not a musical composition in the traditional sense with playback of audio files. The work is generated by the software in real time and is constantly changing. The inauguration will be held in connection with an anniversary celebration concert featuring the Danish String Quartet.
The Black Diamond has a unique permanent 12-channel sound system built into the ceilings on the three levels. Himmelmekanik will play daily at 1:00 PM. Himmelmekanik utilizes the architecture of the Black Diamond and loudspeaker system to surround the visitors in a site-specific soundscape.
Signs in the sun and the moon
Himmelmekanik is affected by the position of the sun in the sky, the cycle of the moon and by local weather conditions. The computer continuously retrieves data about the position of the sun, the phases of the moon as well as local weather data, such as temperature, wind speed, air pressure and humidity, from an online weather service. This data affects the composition in different ways. For example, the work is influenced by the lunar cycle, so that daily performances that are close together in the lunar cycle have a close musical kinship with each other, while performances that are far apart in the lunar cycle are more different in character.
The daily performance of the work lasts 3-4 minutes. But the work is always developing and changing: even when it is not heard. Since the work is generated continuously, it can also be played at other times of the day, for example when the library opens in the morning and when it closes in the evening.
Himmelmekanik received financial support from the Royal Library in Copenhagen, KODA and the Danish Arts Foundation.