Sebastian Hilli

For large ensemble, electronics and animation
2021-2022
Animation by Jenny Jokela

 

Duration
24 min.

 

Instrumentation
fl, ob, cl, bsn, hr, tr, perc, pno, 2 vl, vla, vc, db

 

Ircam computer music design
Manuel Poletti

 

Commissioned by
International Ensemble Modern Academy, IRCAM-Centre Pompidou, Time of Music Festival and Gaudeamus Muziekweek

 

Premiered by
International Ensemble Modern Academy
Conducted by Alexander Sinan Binder
Jun 30 2022
Centre Pompidou, Festival ManiFeste
Paris, France

Hibernation is an audio-visual visceral exploration of feelings of isolation and depression. The piece delves into the anonymous main character’s inner world, where she both longs and dreads to connect with other people, feeling adversed and scared of leaving her inner sanctuary.

Throughout the piece, we follow how she (quite literally) floats between her stagnant existence and vivid dreams and hyper-reality, where the dreamworld at times feels more real and substantive than her true mundane existence.

The intent of Hibernation is not to give a traditional linear story or instructions of how to overcome loneliness or depression, but to through music and video give form and expression to abstract and intangible emotions, which anyone who experiences isolation can connect to and therefore feel less alone.