The Black of the Star (Le Noir de L'Etoile) composed by Gerard Grisey. Live sound spatialisation and new spatial recording for publication

BACKGROUND The Black of the Star, an epic percussion masterwork by French avant garde composer Gerard Grisey, was presented by Speak Percussion and SIAL Sound Studios with the CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science Division. The work bases its rhythms on 'the cosmic pulses of neutron stars' (pulsars). Six percussionists were positioned around Deakin Edge theatre, Federation Square and their sound joined the CSIRO recordings of pulsar sounds, 'an electric crackle that whizzes around our ears'. Harvey provided the sound diffusion; Hannam was the audio production manager. CONTRIBUTION Spatial sound concerts using large-scale sound diffusion systems are a cutting-edge form of public performance with uniquely complex technical, perceptual and artistic requirements. The researchers enriched the performance of Grisey's masterpiece by spatialising pulsar sounds over 12 speakers (rather than the customary two). Each percussionist's work was also amplified by two close microphones and two loudspeakers. A 17-track recording produced from the performance will be used for future research into spatial composition. SIGNIFICANCE Funded by the Australia Council, Arts Victoria and City of Melbourne, and performed at a prestigious venue as part of the renowned Melbourne Festival. In her 'four star' review of the event in The Age, Jessica Nicholas described the decision to spatialise Grisey's work as 'ingenious'. The result was a work of 'emotional heftiness' (19 October 2013). And in the SMH on the same date she wrote: "the precision and focus required for [the performance of] this piece are extraordinary" Prior to the performance it was described in Concrete Playground as "an unmissable event" (14 October 2013). Through enhancements to Grisey's original performance instructions and by capturing the spatial recording the researchers have introduced the possibility of innovative contemporary compositional and performance practices for both existing and new works.