ID#: 193

Nine Dantean Circles (2023) ; 11:26

by Anselmo Guerra

University of Maryland Federal University of Goiás, Brazil

Nine Dantean Circles is an electroacoustic composition inspired by Dante Alighieri’s Divine Comedy, particularly the vivid imagery and emotional depth of the nine circles of Hell. This work explores the allegorical descent into sin and human experience through meticulously crafted soundscapes, employing advanced sound synthesis, manipulation, and spatialization techniques. The composition’s primary sonic materials include recordings of monastery bells, prayer soundscapes, and lamentations, symbolizing the spiritual struggle and torment depicted in Dante’s epic. These elements are transformed through granular synthesis, time-stretching, feedback loops, and delay effects, creating evolving textures that mirror the increasing complexity of each circle. Spatialization is a key aspect of the piece, achieved through High-Order Ambisonics (HOA) and octophonic projection. This allows the listener to experience dynamic circular movements and a sense of immersion that parallels Dante’s journey. Based on Lissajous figures, algorithmic movements add further layers of control and finesse, culminating in ultra-precise, decelerated circular motions that reflect the thematic descent. Each circle of Hell serves as a framework for progressively intricate sound processes, with contrasts, oppositions, and chaos interwoven. The composition balances abstract and literal interpretations, using sonic material to evoke the emotional and symbolic essence of Dante’s narrative. Through this piece, the composer invites the audience to engage in a multidimensional exploration of Dante’s infernal world, where sound becomes a medium to reflect on the moral and existential questions embedded in the text. Nine Dantean Circles is not merely a sonic representation but a deep, immersive experience that resonates with the timeless themes of The Divine Comedy.