Agnes Paz / Georgy Orlov-Davydovsky — Earwitness
Agnes Paz / Georgy Orlov-Davydovsky — Earwitness (Rada Sorda Rec, Чили)
The album «Earwitness» presents an improvisational interpretation of Pauline Oliveros' score, «The Witness,» performed by a duo using electro-acoustic and digital instruments, electric guitar, theremin, and field recordings. The album consists of two parts: the first is a recording of a live-improv concert performance, while the second is a preparatory studio work that preceded it. Sonically, both pieces navigate a fluid interplay of focused attention and collaborative communication.
The performance is guided by the structure of Oliveros' score, which outlines three core listening strategies:
• Attention to Self: Focusing on one’s own sounds and presence.
• Attention to Others: Focusing on the sounds and actions of the collaborator.
• Attention to Everything: Expanding awareness to the entire sonic environment.
Once these strategies are established, performers may freely move between them at any time. Each performer is responsible for discerning the active strategy, and the piece continues until all participants naturally conclude. The conceptual theme of «witnessing» was unexpectedly realized during the recording of the preparatory piece. A cleaner entered the gallery, becoming an unintentional audience member. The sounds of her work inadvertently merged with the performance, transforming her from a passive listener into an active sonic component of the piece—a true «earwitness».
The recording was made on July 25, 2024 at the «Listening Event» at GROUND Solyanka Gallery, Moscow.
Photo Georgy O-D Design Tala Nikitina
