"Conditor alme siderum" for Live Musicians
and Tape (2004) by Tristan Fuentes
(Notes by the composer)
Conditor alme siderum is a Gregorian chant melody dating back to the
Ninth Century or earlier. "Creator of the Stars of Night" is an English
translation of the title, although 'conditor' can also be understood
as conductor or director.
In this setting, each performer has two images. One is live and the
other a recording of them playing their part. As the performers follow
the score, they may choose to play their part out of phase with the recording.
"Out of phase" is limited to playing a quarter note or its multiple before
or after the recorded image. Playing an eighth note out of phase is
allowed only when done soto voce, as in a stage whisper. Dynamics are
left to the performers' discretion.