Like Cyanide Crystal

Come Cristallo di Cianuro (Like Cyanide Crystal) is a recent composition by Simone Spagnolo that draws inspiration from some forms of mystery drama narrative. Specifically, it evokes those crime novels – as those by Georges Simenon or Seich? Matsumoto – in which characters, contexts and relationships are governed by a seeming tranquillity, an apparent normality that gradually becomes cloudy and tense, until it explodes in an extreme, brutal gesture. Similarly, in 'Come Cristallo di Cianuro', both cello and harp outline a seemingly vague, undefined, repetitive melodic material, gradually growing tense, until erupting in a fast, loud, highly rhythmical climax made of quasi-brutal musical gestures.

In order to broaden timbrical possibilities, the harp is prepared with some foil paper, which has to be applied to three low strings; a technique often used by Simone Spagnolo across his harp works.

Originally commissioned by harpist Giulia Rettore and cellist Leonardo Sapere, Come Cristallo di Cianuro was premiered at Rubano Arts Festival (Padua, Italy) in July 2024, and it subsequently received its French premiere at the ‘Académie Musicale de Gargiless Pierre Jamet’ in August 2024.