AUDIO is an acoustic
instrumental chamber music project led by Srdjan Beronja.
Conception
The basic conception of the project AUDIO
evolves around the idea that music is an 'audible art';
the art of sound, rather than a 'performing art';
the visual art of movement and light. There is a fine line between playing a musical
instrument with the body and performing the body movement. Music is the true path
of the heart and mind driven by the molecular vibrations; the energy of sound.
Being more than just an art form, referring to
the Sanskrit phrase shastriya sangeeta or scientific
music, the influence of music is reflected on
physical body, mind, nature, star constellations and basically on all that can
be imagined. Everything around us, including us, is formed from music; the
vibrations of molecules and atoms. This is the reason why we need music, as in
this way we are unifying, merging with that universal vibration; the sound of
the Universe. Studies on this subject are featured in the book The Art of the Indian Tabla
Music
The music of AUDIO is based on the ancient
rhythm structures, tonal character of musical instruments, contemporary music
elements, improvisation, composed music, minimalism and trance. The primary
setup involves duets only, very rarely trio or instrumental solo. The project
generally abstains from orchestration, as it presents raw and sincere; the very
intimate side of music.
Instrumental Setup
The heart of the instrumental setup makes the
hand-percussion set. The set is formed from three instruments: frame drum,
tabla and darabuka, and it is entitled by the author tri-mukha-tabla or three-mouth-drum or three-faces-drum. Rhythm section is the most important part and together with melody it is the
base for the development of the compositions. Various accompanying instruments
from different musical backgrounds are used in composing the music and the
project strongly emphasizes musical instruments and music, rather than an
individual presentation of performers.
With the author’s passion for a double-bass,
the idea of AUDIO started as an instrumental trio - duo of hand percussions and
a double bass accompanied by a 'guest instrument.' Project afterwards took
shape in form of duets; the percussion set and accompanying guest instrument,
and it remained the current instrumental setup.
Tri Mukha Classica
'Tri Mukha Classica'
represents unique music pieces composed by Srdjan Beronja. The Sanskrit phrase tri
mukha, literally meaning
three mouths or three faces,
stands for the three movements, while the term classica is
used to name these unique conceptual compositions in their standard or
'classic' form. The concept evolved from the set of three percussion
instruments, forming three gates to create three movements of the composition.
The first part is taken by the frame drum and
played in vilambit laya or slow
tempo, the second part is taken by the tabla in madhiya
laya or medium tempo,
and the third part is taken by darabuka in drut laya or fast
tempo. The other side of the composition takes a
‘guest instrument’, playing usually in one scale, maquam or raga. This is the
very basic conception and setup for making the Tri
Mukha Classica compositions, yet various combinations of
instruments, scales, tempos, conceptions and other elements are used following
the idea of the trinity of three movements.
Tri Mukha Classica
compositions are evoking emotional being and are carefully composed to combine
certain emotional stimulus. If order of compositions or its movements is
changed, it will evoke another palette of emotional states. These studies were
thoroughly examined and defined in the Vedic times, and today they are the base
for the emotional sentiment of the compositions.
First presentation of Tri
Mukha Classica compositions was made on the album Sounds of the East - Music from the Balkans, India and the Middle East by the name Tri Mukha Raga Bhairavi Bansuri
Recording / Producing
Unique way of recording and producing the music
is reflected in the image of Shruti Field Studio, the author’s fictional
studio, where all the music and sounds are recorded on authentic locations; in
the fields, rooms, halls, chambers, temples, homes, on the streets and any
other location on the global meadow of sounds. This makes all recordings field
recordings, live and not dubbed, minimally edited and produced for the sound
quality.
Weather, humidity, noise, animal sounds and
various outside factors are influencing the process of recording, musical
instruments and playing, as the idea of authenticity is followed.
Simple inexpensive portable equipment is used
for the entire process of recordings, editing and final production, in order to
support the idea of struggling musicians who are not in a minor number in the
world today.
Mission
The mission of the project AUDIO is to draw the attention to the importance of sound in music. If music needs to have a proper
place in the times to come, we have to do all to encourage true listening of
music, and by these means preserve it in its primary - the sound. That
is the main purpose of the project AUDIO.
P.S. As the result of the project AUDIO, Srdjan has
not been featured on video, internet stream, or visual presentation of any
kind. Thank you for understanding.