Michael Gordon - Blow Up Percussion — Field of vision

Romaeuropa Festival and the American Academy in Rome have invited Blow Up Percussion to perform Field of Vision in Italy for the first time, a composition for 40 percussionists by American composer Michael Gordon. The work transforms the percussion ensemble into a true collective sonic organism, exploring complex textures and hypnotic dynamics. Gordon makes use of non-conventional instruments, including industrial metals, gongs, and even automobile brake drums, creating rich and surprising timbres. Field of Vision is conceived as a spatial and three-dimensional listening experience, in which sound moves through space and engages both listeners and performers in an almost meditative perception. The work is part of a series in which Gordon explores the spatial distribution of instruments, generating an ever-evolving sonic architecture. For this concert, Blow Up launched an international open call to select percussionists from across Europe, creating a unique collaboration on a continental scale. The project brings together technique, experimentation, and artistic exchange, making the Italian premiere of Field of Vision a landmark event in contemporary music.