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For soprano saxophone, voice, cello, and electronics (version with video projection)

Premiered in 2024 at the Archipel Festival by Duo Imminent — Ana Parejo Belando and Hortense Airault.

Conceived and developed jointly by the two artists, this piece explores the notion of contingency — the idea that reality is not determined by preexisting factors but involves a degree of indeterminacy or chance in its unfolding, emphasizing the random, accidental, or unpredictable nature of certain aspects of existence.

Sonically, the performers alter their sound live using expression pedals and switches, thereby exploring a wide range of effects and sonic textures. This mixed-media piece introduces, in a sense, a third presence: electronics that enrich and expand the musical experience.

Visually and physically, the performers’ bodies are central to the work, involving in-depth physical engagement and highlighting the embodied dimension of artistic expression. The visual aspect includes a video art component built around the concept of contingency. During the performance, a 25-minute video of a filmed improvisation — recorded in the days leading up to the concert — is projected directly onto the performers themselves. This creates a layered effect in which the artists are superimposed onto their own previous interpretations. Despite having the same duration and structure, the gestures differ due to the improvisational nature of the piece, generating a non-linear temporality. This staging underscores the idea of contingency, as the performers interact with various versions and possibilities of the live moment.

The piece also includes a moment of dialogue with the “sonic ghosts” of the prior improvisation. Using pedals, the two musicians trigger random fragments from the previous day’s version and improvise live in response.