Sakana Satellite (2020-2021)

日本語：サカナ・サテライト

for 80-voice choir and multimedia

Commissioned by Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden Chor

ca. 10 min.​

Purchase score (USD15) HERE

Chatori Shimizu on his piece Sakana Satellite (April 10, 2024)

Have you ever listened to the "voices" of fish? It is likely that not many people have. Water, denser than air, causes sound to reflect beneath its surface, making it challenging for those of us residing on land to perceive. Nevertheless, by subtly shifting our awareness, those of us on land might discern the intermittent "whispers" of fish.

Sakana Satellite is a work for an 80-voice choir and multimedia, commissioned by Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Choir amid the stringent coronavirus protocols in Saxony, Germany. With the aim of "continuing musical activities and choral endeavors amidst the pandemic restrictions", the project received the support of both the conservatory as well as the local government, ensuring the project's continuity through rigorous testings before rehearsals, as well as adherence to social distancing measures. The premiere unfolded across two venues: the Heinz Steyer Rugby Stadium, where the choir formed a large circle with smartphones in hand, and the Concert Hall of the Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber, hosting the conductor and audience. Each vocalist in the stadium was connected with the conductor in the concert hall via Zoom through smartphones, with the Zoom group screen projected onto the concert hall wall.

Residing in Germany at the time, I witnesses a societal shift from fear of the unknown virus to expressions of anger and hostility towards East Asian individuals. During this time, many tried to erase their existence and hold their breath as if "hiding underwater" to evade discrimination. I envision this work as akin to a "history painting", capturing a world grappling with the proliferation of the pandemic.

July 9, 2021 (World Premiere)

Dresdner Lange Nacht der Wissenschaften

[Video Archive]

Heinz-Steyer Stadium, Dresden, Germany

Olaf Katzer (cond.) and Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden Chor (SATB)

July 11, 2021

Hybrid Music Lab

Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber, Dresden, Germany

Olaf Katzer (cond.) and Hochschule für Musik Carl Maria von Weber Dresden Chor (SATB)