Cosmic Journey; Exploring the possibilities of Harp and Live-Electronics

Kyra Frimout

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.

Bibliography

Web articles:

Electroacoustic Harps

Les Harpes Camac (2025). Les Harpes Camac official website. https://www.camac-harps.com/en/
Salvi Harps (2025). Salvi Harps official website. https://www.salviharps.com/salvi-harps/
Virginia Harp Centre. (2024). Lyon & Healy Style 2000. https://www.vaharpcenter.com/pedal-harps/p/lyon-amp-healy-style-2000

On Caroline Lizotte:

Les Éditions Calyane. (2025). Official website of Les Éditions Calyane. Retrieved 2 January, 2025, from https://calyane.com/
Les Harpes Camac. (2015, 12 April). A chrome mirror harp for Caroline Lizotte. Retrieved 10 February, 2025, from https://www.camac-harps.com/blog/en/news/a-chrome-mirror-harp-for-caroline-lizotte/

Microphones

Kiwi Electronics. (2025). Piezo element 2514. Retrieved January 6, 2025, from https://www.kiwi-electronics.com/nl/piezo-element-2514
Dusty Strings. (2014, 6 May). Amplifying your harp: Pickup vs. microphone. Retrieved December 15, 2024, from https://manufacturing.dustystrings.com/blog/amplifying-your-harp-pickup-vs-microphone
Long & McQuade. (2024). Dusty Strings P-10 Harp Pickup Kit. Retrieved December 15, 2024, from https://www.long-mcquade.com/375528/Band-Orchestral/Orchestral-Accessories/Dusty-Strings/P-10-Harp-Pickup-Kit.htm
Electronic Arts and Crafts. (2020). Contact microphones. Retrieved 10 March 2024, from http://electronicartsandcrafts.org/projects/contact-microphones/.
AKG. (2025). C411 L condenser microphone. Retrieved 10 March, 2024, from https://www.akg.com/microphones/condenser-microphones/C411L.html

Equipment

Roland. (2024). FC-200 MIDI foot controller. Retrieved 11 March 2024, from https://www.roland.com/us/products/fc-200/
Line 6. (2024). Bass PODxt. Retrieved 10 February, 2024 from https://shop-us.line6.com/hardware/bod-xt/.
Behringer. (2025). FCB1010 MIDI Footcontroller. Retrieved 16 January, 2025 from https://www.behringer.com/product.html?modelCode=0715-AAA.
Thomann GmbH. (2025). Nektar Pacer MIDI Foot Controller. Retrieved 20 January, 2025 from https://www.thomann.de/nl/nektar_pacer.htm.
Thomann GmbH. (2025). Nektar NX-P Volume pedal. Retrieved 20 January, 2025 from https://www.thomann.de/nl/nektar_nx_p.htm

Reverb:

MusicRadar. (2014, June 24). A brief history of reverb. Retrieved 12 January, 2025 from https://www.musicradar.com/tuition/tech/a-brief-history-of-reverb-602421
PremiumBeat. (2024, June 28). What is reverb? Retrieved 12 Janurary, 2025 from https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/what-is-reverb/

Flanger:

Universal Audio. (n.d.). Modulation effects basics. Retrieved 12 Janurary, 2025https://www.uaudio.com/blog/modulation-effects-basics/

Distortion:

iZotope, Inc. (2025). What is distortion in music? When and how to use it. Retrieved 13 January, 2025 from https://www.izotope.com/en/learn/what-is-distortion-in-music-when-and-how-to-use-it.html.

Space Echo:

Roland Corporation (2025). RC RE-201 Space Echo. Retrieved 14 January, 2025, from https://www.roland.com/nl/products/rc_re-201_space_echo/
BOSS./Roland Corporation (2025). Space Echo. Retrieved January 14, 2025, from https://www.boss.info/global/promos/space_echo/

Delay

Bax Music. (n.d.). Effecten en hun toepassingen: Delay.
Retrieved 14 January, 2025 from https://www.bax-shop.nl/blog/gitaar/effecten-en-hun-toepassingen-delay/.

Space Exploration:

Go Zero G. (2023, October 10). NASA Vomit Comet. https://www.gozerog.com/article/nasa-vomit-comet/
History.com Editors. (n.d.). Space race. History. https://www.history.com/topics/cold-war/space-race
NASA. (2009, September 17). Race to space: A historical perspective. https://www.nasa.gov/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/466720main_ap_st_hist_racetospace_09-17-09.pdf

Harp and Electronics:

Cashmere Radio. (2023, October 22). The rest is music #4: Harp and electronics with Nico Daleman. https://cashmereradio.com/episode/the-rest-is-music-4-w-nico-daleman-harp-and-electronics/
Musical Journalism. (2022, February 22). Impro harp & electronics (A. Voets, 22/02/2022) [Facebook video]. https://www.facebook.com/MusicalJournalism/videos/impro-harp-electronics-a-voets-22022022-who-speaks-about-what/961138367866069/
NASA. (2023, October 22). Help discover the sounds of space played by NASA’s HARP. https://www.nasa.gov/general/help-discover-the-sounds-of-space-played-by-nasas-harp/

Plug-in Links

Music

Caroline Lizotte. (2022). Lizotte Joue Lizotte [Album]. RougébLeuë Productions.
RougébLeuë Productions (2023, 25 September). Caroline Lizotte ADISQ 2023 [Video]. YouTube. https://youtu.be/dx75vY6nbK8?si=7wYcVQzxrQ4rCHN_

Sheet Music

Lizotte, C. (2013). Stellae Saltantem Op. XLIX [Sheet music]. Wentworth-Nord, Quebec: Les Éditions Calyane
Lizotte, C. (2019). Stellar Sonata Op. 51 [Sheet music]. Wentworth-Nord, Quebec: Les Éditions Calyane

Research Articles:

Pierce, V. (2023). Caroline Lizotte and the universe of the electroacoustic harp: A technical guide to Stellar Sonata, Op. 51 (Lecture Recital Document). University of Texas at Austin.
Stickney, P. F. (2021). Giant steps for harp: New approaches to the pedals (Unpublished Doctoral thesis). Trinity Laban Conservatoire of Music and Dance, City University London. https://openaccess.city.ac.uk/id/eprint/29387/

Books:

U.S. Congress, Office of Technology Assessment. (1985). U.S.-Soviet cooperation in space (OTA-TM-STI-27). U.S. Government Printing Office. https://www.princeton.edu/~ota/disk2/1985/8533/8533.PDF

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Kyra Frimout - Cosmic Journey; Exploring the possibilities of Harp and Live-Electronics - 2025