Bubbles (BE opus 132B)

Programme notes

Bubbles op. 132B refers to a film created entirely in Singapore by Franck   Pinckers and his wife, Johanna Vlaminck, both Belgian filmmakers   based in the city-state. The MIDI component of Bubbles Opus 132B is identical to that of Bubbles  Opus 132A, forming the structural basis of the music. Lou Van   Cleynenbreugel, a choir conductor and childhood friend of Casteels, facilitated the recording in Belgium. On 1-VI-2021, performers Carlo   Willems (percussion), Dree Peremans (trombone), Jurgen De Bruyn  (archlute), and Mathis Van Cleynenbreugel (tenor) recorded their   improvisation in the CC De Kruisboog in Tienen, Casteels's city of birth.   Pinckers integrated these playful improvisations as "poetic   shadows" within his movie.

Thematic progression

The film's   narrative begins with the simple image of a thin sphere of liquid   enclosing air (a bubble), progresses to a fortunate situation isolated   from reality, and culminates in a reflection on collective identity.

The Bridges  Concert

The film and composition were intended for a concert event titled Bridges which was sponsored by the Belgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Brussels, Katoen Natie in Singapore, and the Belgian Embassy in Singapore. Originally scheduled for 4 and 5-VI-2021, the event was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ultimately took place on 24 and 25-IX-2021.

Evolution of the compositional material

Page 1 and 2 of the foreword of the score entitled Acqua Nel Riflesso detail the evolution of the compositional material from Flamenco drafts to opus 132A to opus 132B to Sar(y)ang opus 134 to Acqua Nel Riflesso opus 136.

Poetry

Poem Hoort 't is de wind by Flemish poet Guide Gozelle

Full score

see music page 1 of the score entitled Acqua Nel Riflesso

Handwritten sketches and drafts

to be found in chapter XIX of the white cover, A3 size, 600 pages sketchbook

Video

see link