2017-2018
Iklectik, London
A 440 is an artistic piece the musical performance of which consists in the interpretation of the note A by all the instruments available at the time of the concert. A 440 is divided into 2 parts without a pause. In the first part the musicians tune their instruments to the established note of A. This flows into the second part in which a constant note of A is achieved. The conductor of the orchestra can decide the duration of the parts at will, according to the quality and the type of instruments present. Vacca suggests that the piece be performed as part of any musical cycle, as a prelude to the established program and with whatever instruments have gathered for that purpose. The version carried out by Vicens Vacca in the studio of Dènys Sanz during the last days of December 2016 is available on Spotify with the identification VACCA A440. (Creative Commons).
Vacca thought A 440 as a sound response to Cage’s piece, 4 ’33 “, based on the previous sonorous tuning moments of the musical instruments just before the start of a concert.
A sound fragment that becomes silent in the mind of the public caused by established social conventions.
A silent sound that is represented to a large extent by the concerts for symphony orchestra and chamber music that sound everywhere.
