Subterranean is a technological exploration of isolation, uncertainty, and the hope for connection created by composer and digital media artist David Bithell. Commissioned by Aiyun Huang, percussionist and director of the University of Toronto percussion ensemble, the piece brings together 12 musicians in remote locations (with musicians based in Toronto and Ashland, Oregon) to explore virtual sonic and visual environments that reflect the emotions and stresses of our current moment. The work features 3D animations generated in real-time, an electronic score, and live electronic manipulation of sound, and makes use of texts both written by the performers as well an adaptation of the poem The Labyrinth by Jorge Luis Borges.
The premiere will be live streamed on Monday, October 26th, 2020 at 8:00pm EDT (5:00pm PDT) on the University of Toronto's YouTube Channel. Performers include Aiyun Huang and members of the University of Toronto Percussion Program along with Southern Oregon University's Left Edge Percussion under the direction of Terry Longshore.