ID#: 649

Magnetar (2024) ; 8:07

by Alessandro Russo

Independent Artist

Magnetar (8:07) is an acousmatic composition in octophony, reminiscent of the features of a magnetar, a highly magnetized neutron star that represents the terminal stage of celestial body evolution. This stage is one of the possible stages following the supernova phase of a large star. What
makes a magnetar particularly interesting is its extreme magnetic intensity, which is several orders of magnitude greater than that of any other known star or celestial object. The piece sets out to explore this characteristic of magnetism in the way the sound elements presented relate, through games of attraction and repulsion accentuated by the spatialization possibilities provided by the octophonic diffusion system. Convective spatialization motions of certain sound elements are present, recalling the movements of hot material in the core of the neutron star. The sound elements created are for the vast majority synthetic in origin, mainly waveshaping. Also present are sound elements derived from electromagnetic and electrostatic interference phenomena. The presence of noise and electromagnetic interference in the composition recalls the turbulent magnetic atmosphere of magnetars, emphasizing their intensity and the perturbations occurring in that environment. These discordant sound elements can be interpreted as a reflection of the magnetic storms and violent energy events associated with magnetars. Analogous to the life cycle of a star, “Magnetar” has moments of intense sonic tension alternating with moments of emptiness or interaction between a few elements, then reflecting the culminating phase of energy accumulation of the eponymous celestial body and the subsequent final cessation of its life cycle.