Sonitum Horarium

Sonitum Horarium is a sound installation whereby the instruments are all kinds of desert sand from different continents. This installation shows the fascinating sound of sand: desert sand from different continents flows through hourglasses that were created especially for this installation. They all have their own specific noise and sound that is determined by the texture of the sand and the material that captures the sand.  

The installation consists of two types of instruments: the electronically powered sound system and 'the sand organ' that is manually played. The electronically powered sound system is the instrument generating rhythm and noise, while the sand organ represents the melodic and harmonic instrument. The sand flowing through the installation accomplishes a whole cycle: starting from the hourglass it goes along different collection systems to a bowl on the ground, from which the sand is picked up again by a mechanical system with chains and spoons and is transported right back to the hourglass.

Hans Beckers and trumpet-player Bart Maris create in their performance a musical dialogue with the hourglasses of Sonitum Horarium while experimenting with both tone, sound, rhythm and harmony.

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