Coinneach
This piece of music, performed live on a modular synth in the unique, rare, and endangered temperate rainforest on the West coast of Scotland, beautifully illustrates the process of biofeedback sonification. Sensors respond to subtle variations in resistance on the surface of any living thing, translating fluctuations in the surface conductance of these organic materials into a control voltage that becomes captivating, meditative music.
Coinneach has been exhibited at the Creative Rainforest exhibition for the Nevis Landscape Trust, and the Sharing The Rainforest exhibition in collaboration with Kintyre Rainforest Alliance and Glasgow School of Art.
I had the privilege of collaborating with a community of Thulium Tamariscinum moss for this project, which was recorded on the East Coast of Kintyre, nestled in the serene surroundings of an Oak wood beside a flowing waterfall. I wanted the essence of the location and its biosphere to infuse the composition, so it was recorded live without edits or post-processing, capturing the raw authenticity of the moment.
As a composer, I feel a profound connection to this process, as it gives a "voice" to the invisible yet vital biological activities happening within plants. It's a beautiful way to engage with and empathise with the life that surrounds us and of which we are part, revealing the beauty of the natural world through sound.