The contrabass flute in Sex Magic evokes ancient big flute traditions, such as the Yidaki (Didjeridu) of Northern Australia, which have social and ritual power.
Instruments
The contrabass flute, nicknamed Bertha, is a central instrument in Sex Magic and is described as having an almost human presence in performance.
Compositional Technique
Sex Magic incorporates an installation of kinetic percussion instruments, many of which are triggered by Claire Chase playing specific keys on her contrabass flute, Bertha.
Composition History
The idea for Liza Lim's Sex Magic began with the performer Claire Chase and her contrabass flute, nicknamed Bertha, which inspired the work's themes.
Composer's Artistic Vision
Liza Lim's work, Sex Magic, explores the sacred erotic in women's history, focusing on an alternative cultural logic of women's power connected to the womb's cycles.
Composition History
The work's gestation occurred remotely via Zoom and WhatsApp during the Covid-19 pandemic lockdowns, with its premiere broadcast online to a global audience.
Recording & Production
This recording was made possible by Meyer Sound's Constellation acoustical system, which creates flexible acoustical environments and allowed for a single-take recording process.
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