Program Notes

Archi elastici engages in the exploration of elasticity. The foundational harmony and timbre originate from the acoustical properties of the viola's lowest string (C), which is then transposed down one or more octaves to emphasize the characteristic low tessitura of viola quintets. This initial model undergoes stretching, deformation, and distortion, yet ultimately returns to its original form. The title ingeniously plays with the dual meaning of "archi," referring to both the string instrument family in Italian and "arches," hinting at various arch-like processes that gradually unfold from their original profiles, deform, and ultimately restore their initial shape.

The desired outcome is a malleable sonic kaleidoscope, where the harmonies, rhythms, dynamics, and timbres subtly shift, conspiring to convey an enriched perception of time. The music flows in waves, with one sound-complex seamlessly spilling into another, creating an almost imperceptible transition between the sonic panoramas.

— Felipe Lara