Stephen de Filippo
Program Note
Born out of a long-distance collaborative relationship between Niamh Dell and Stephen de Filippo, Spectral Breathing Apparatus explores the amplification of liminal sounds produced by the oboe with the removal of the reed — where tiny squeaks and breath sounds are brought to the fore. The work explores how these sounds, which are unstable and without a definite pitch, can create novel textures that then exist and interact within the simulated spaces produced by the fixed media. Niamh traverses through sonic environments: some which evoke a glitchy chaotic energy, others that hint at a more natural space. Niamh’s breath, at times, is channeled through the instrument, but also against, as such the oboe itself is presented as an apparatus that both enhances and restricts the quality of her breath.
Stephen de Filippo is an Australian composer and multimedia artist based between Dubai and San Diego, where he is Assistant Professor of Music at the Canadian University of Dubai and a PhD candidate in Music Composition at the University of California, San Diego. His work blends field recording, performance, and multimedia to explore place, memory, and cultural identity. He has presented projects across the United States, Slovenia, and Australia, collaborating with musicians, festivals, and communities to create site-responsive works that connect audiences with their environments. His practice spans chamber music, sound installations, and interdisciplinary collaborations, often combining acoustic performance with environmental sound and visual components. Central to his approach is a process of listening, collecting, and reshaping sound as a form of journalling and presence.