Nightingale floors (uguisubari, 鴬張り) are wooden floors found in several temples and palaces in Japan (including Nijō Castle in Kyoto) that are designed to make a squeaking or chirping sound when walked upon. This functions as a sort of security system, making it difficult for intruders to enter and pass through corridors undetected. For a composer that explores, collects and ‘uncovers’ sounds as part of the creative process, this is a compelling concept both literally (sonically) and metaphorically. Developing further the idea that underneath and within the floorboards reside nightingales, Nijō delves deeper into, and within, the floorboards, revealing not only birds but many voices and soundworlds of traditional and contemporary Japan.

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Sound recordings for Nijō were completed during a period of research residency in 2007 with the kind support of Tamagawa University in Tokyo (Japan), and the work was realized in 2009 in the Electroacoustic Music Studios at The University of Manchester (UK). Nijō premiered on October 30, 2009 during the MANTIS Festival at the Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall of the Martin Harris Centre of The University of Manchester (UK).

Premiere

• October 30, 2009, MANTIS Fall Festival 2009: MANTIS Composers, Cosmo Rodewald Concert Hall — Martin Harris Centre for Music and Drama — The University of Manchester, Manchester (England, UK)