KURZSCHLUSS

a 5-seconds-piece by Kunsu Shim [2003]

 

duration: 5"

 

 

(first performed: april 22nd 2003, BKA - unerhörte Musik, Berlin / Germany)

In the summer 2002, we had the idea of a project. It was the question: Is it possible for a composer to express his musical identity convincingly within an extremely limited duration and with an additional instruction from us? All composers were set the task to write a piece of 5 seconds duration (maximum!) and "as cruel as possible, trash, hardcore, punk" for electrified accordion, electric bass and live electronics, with or without voice, composition, conceptual improvisation, performance, CD-playback. At the same time each of the pieces is more than just a statement, a mere musical fingerprint of the composer - each composition develops its completely individual form and is complete in its’ self.

 

And it works.

 

KURZSCHLUSS (short circuit) sounds different than the other 5-second pieces, and it also looks completely different. The visual component in KURZSCHLUSS is exactly as important as the accoustic components. The climax of the piece consists of a lightning flash followed by emitted smoke- sort of an artificial short-circuit on stage.

 

KURZSCHLUSS is, after A SILENT SWAYING BREATH, the second piece that Kunsu wrote for us.

 

[translated by Michael Rook]