Viscosités is an electroacoustic composition that explores auditory density through the interaction and fusion of sound textures. As the second part of a cycle inspired by states of matter, the work takes its inspiration from the physical property of viscosity—the resistance of a fluid to flow or deformation—translating this concept into the sonic domain. Sound is treated as matter whose internal density and resistance can shift continuously, creating impressions of fluidity, thickness, and suspension.
The piece emphasizes timbre, texture, and gradual transformation. Different layers of sound interact much like molecules in varying states of matter, alternately flowing freely, slowing, colliding, or coagulating into denser forms. These interactions define the musical structure, allowing the listener to perceive changes in pressure, weight, and motion through sound alone.
Through processes of layering, filtering, spectral shaping, and spatial control, sonic materials are shaped to continuously shift between transparency and opacity. Subtle changes in density alter how sounds merge or resist one another, creating a dynamic balance between movement and inertia.
Viscosités invites a focused listening to the behavior of sound as fluid matter, revealing how minute changes at the micro level can reshape the perception of the overall sonic field. The piece was produced at the Musiques & Recherches studio in March 2024.
