Kraftbalanse (Power Balance in Norwegian) is the composition of Norwegian contemporary composer Jan Martin Smørdal in collaboration with sound artist Øystein Wyller Odden. The composition is based on Odden’s prior investigations on the sound of the electrical grid and is a musical translation of the hum from the mains – the frequency of the alternating current. It is based on the instability of the frequency, it fluctuates subtly around 50 Hz because of supply and demand in the power market.

Kraftbalanse consists of a self-resonating piano that is tuned to resonate at 50 Hz and overtones of 50 hz (100 Hz, 150 Hz, 200 Hz, etc.). The piano is fitted with vibration elements; transducers, plugged directly into the electrical grid, causing the resonance and timbre of the piano to change with the fluctuations in today’s power market. The piano is accompanied by a string octet, that features, among others Vilde&Inga. The musicians were equipped with voltmeters that measure the frequency of the current in real-time, as well as a score of instructions on how to respond to changes in this frequency. The composition was recorded at Oslo City Hall in June 2019.

Kraftbalanse invites the listener to dive into delicate, peaceful and, obviously, highly resonating drones, fluctuating mysteriously according to Oslo’s quite stable current on the specific day of recording. It offers a unique listening experience that translates an almost obvious part of our lives into arresting musical expression.

Eyal Hareuveni

Vilde Sandve Alnæs (vio), Miriam Bergset (vio), Ragnhild Lien (violin), Julija Morgan (vio), Torunn Blåsmo-Falnes (viola), Tove Bagge (viola); Sverre Kyvik Bauge (c), Inga Margrete Aas (b)

Kraftbalanse (Oppland Kunstsenter) from Øystein Wyller Odden on Vimeo.

Kraftbalanse from Øystein Wyller Odden on Vimeo.