Cosmic Journey; Exploring the possibilities of Harp and Live-Electronics
(2025)
author(s): Kyra Frimout
published in: KC Research Portal
Cosmic Journey; Exploring the possibilities of Harp and Live-Electronics by Kyra Frimout.
Research Question: How do I adapt the Stellar Sonata by Caroline Lizotte composed for the electroacoustic harp to a traditional acoustic pedal harp?
'Cosmic Journey' is a performance that focusses on space-themed repertoire for the harp and live-electronics, combined with visual images of NASA to enhance the audience’s experience. It explores the use of improvisation to tell the story of Kyra Frimout's grandfather Dirk Frimout, who went on his mission to space in 1992. The centre piece of this program is the Stellar Sonata, which was the inspiration for shaping this project.
This research investigates the integration of live electronics with the harp by analysing 'Stellar Sonata' by Caroline Lizotte and exploring its implications for new compositions and improvisations. The study is structured in three parts.
First, an in-depth examination of 'Stellar Sonata' is conducted, including an overview of Lizotte’s compositional style, her inspirations, the narrative embedded within the piece, and a detailed analysis of its musical material.
The second section focuses on the technical aspects of recreating the piece’s electronic effects, assessing the required equipment while addressing challenges in replicating the sonic landscape, with updated technology.
The final section explores new creative avenues that emerge from this research, including the application of live electronics to existing harp repertoire and its transformative impact on improvisation and composition. By bridging tradition with technology, this study aims to make electroacoustic music more accessible to harpists by exploring affordable equipment and practical amplification options—particularly for those seeking to perform Stellar Sonata without requiring an electroacoustic harp—while also pushing the artistic boundaries of the instrument in contemporary music.
Kyra Frimout is a harpist and singer with a passion for contemporary and electroacoustic music. She studied Classical Music at the Royal Conservatoire in The Hague, where she is now pursuing a Master’s in New Audiences and Innovative Practice. In 2024, she studied with harpist-composer Caroline Lizotte in Montréal, deepening her understanding of electroacoustic harp techniques.
Kyra explores the intersection of traditional harp performance and modern technology, integrating live electronics to expand the instrument’s expressive potential. Through her work, she seeks to redefine the role of the harp in contemporary music, using electronic effects to open new creative possibilities in both composition and improvisation.
She plays angel music (where people might die)
(2020)
author(s): Michael Wolters, Paul Norman
published in: Research Catalogue, Birmingham City University
She plays angel music (where people might die)
Post-Internet Music as a comment on the absorption of knowledge
This exposition articulates the research within the artistic work She Plays Angel Music (where people might die), a 60-minute concert-installation for 5-25 female harpists. The research was triggered by highly questionable and incomplete information on the history of harp composition found on Wikipedia. While it is generally accepted that Wikipedia is not a reliable source in academia, it still a powerful source of knowledge amongst the general public. Thus, the incomplete display on the site promotes
a) the historic and continuing discrimination of women from music composition in the classical music world and
b) the continuing rejection of contemporary music in favour of music by dead composers in the classical music world.
This exposition takes the reader through the compositional steps that were performed in order to create a post-internet work that attempts to highlight political situations by gathering publicly available information into a controversial context.