In 2009 I spent two weeks in the Amazon Rainforest as part of the Mamori Sound Project, an artist residency led by Francisco López. A number of recording trips would be made each day but those made at night were the most magical (and sometimes dangerous). ’Round Midnight uses recordings made at around midnight on different days and different locations, from within the confines of a forest, surrounded by trees and vegetation to the expansiveness experienced from a small boat in the middle of a lake. The sounds of frogs, insects, fish and birds from the middle of the night to the very early hours of dawn all feature to create a polyphonic chorus.

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’Round Midnight was realized in 2010 in the composer’s studio and premiered on July 10, 2010 during the 9th Nuit bleue festival in Arc-et-Senans (France). The piece was revised in 2018. Thanks to Francisco López, Asier Gorgotza and fellow attendees of the 2009 Mamori Sound Project.

Premiere

• July 10, 2010, [The printed programme uses the title Mamori Sketch.]: Nuit bleue 2010: 2 — Mamori Sound Project, Saline royale, Arc-et-Senans (Doubs, France)