Visual elements in the work of Beat Furrer: Models, concepts, metaphors

Abstract

Considering Beat Furrer’s music, we can highlight both visual concepts and sound concepts. «Visual» elements are models, concepts and metaphors (and not composition techniques). The tendencies of visual domination are very noticeable in the postavangard music. In Beat Furrer’s music, the visual is represented by several varieties. The idea of photographic filtering is used as an intellectual model in «Nuun». This idea is actualized by musical means. The perspective concept, having semantic roots in Bergson’s concepts of time and movement, is considered on the example of «Phasma»; the metaphors of light and shadow are in the «Begehren. Music Theatre», while experiments with synesthetic perception are in “The Quartet for four percussions». These examples allow to identify visual models, concepts and metaphors as Beat Furrer’s composition strategies.