STAAT.connect revolves around the integration of networked technology into the tissue of our society, and therefore into art and music. It forces the musicians to use their smartphone as an instrument parallel to their musical instrument, which enables them to connect in new ways to the others in the ensemble but simultaneously limits them in their ability to perform.

Performed by Asko Schönberg ensemble
Commissioned by Gaudeamus, Muziekgebouw, Musica Strasbourg

The piece starts when all players open a custom made website. When they enter they will be given a text based score, randomly selected out of a few options. These scores are overlayed with the camera view of the phone. The first player frames another player with their camera, holding their phone with an extended arm, and starts to follow the instructions. Then the musician who is chosen by the first player frames another player with their phone, this process is repeated until all players are ‘connected’. The musicians continue to frame the other player while performing the piece, restricted by technology to play their instrument with one hand.

The instructions contain a pitch, which is based on the tetrachords used by Andriessen in De Staat. These tetrachords are in the Mixolydian mode, reflecting on the texts about Plato used by Andriessen and the influence of music. The score gives more instruction in how to play but also asks questions to the player about ‘the other’ musician who their are monitoring through their camera, making them reflect on their role within the networked ensemble.

The piece continues for about 8 minutes, after which the last player stops playing and puts their phone down, followed by the player who was monitoring this last player. This process is followed until the network is disbanded in reversed order.

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