top of page

Minimal Dreams

“Victor Somma presented a magical program of mesmerizing flute music, showcasing a remarkable range of instruments, colors, and dynamics. His commitment and focus were captivating, creating a truly special atmosphere in the hall. Victor’s playing is technically impeccable, and his innovative use of electronics is both creative and inspiring. I highly recommend his performance.”

(Emily Beynon, solo flute Royal Concertgebouw Orchestra, June 2023)
 

In 2023, I independently released the album Minimal Dreams in Belgium. Since then, this project has garnered attention from prestigious international festivals and concert halls, including the NFA Convention 2023 (USA), Austrian Flute Festival (Vienna), XX International Festival of Flutists by ABRAF (Brazil), and the Adams Low Flutes Festival 2024 (Netherlands). It has also been performed in renowned venues such as Splendor (Netherlands), Cité Miroir and Grand Manège (Belgium), and the BNDES Auditorium (Brazil).

Minimal Dreams is a collection of compositions for soprano, alto, bass, and contrabass flutes, accompanied by a loop pedal that invites listeners to immerse themselves in the archetypal world of the subconscious. Drawing inspiration from the ancestral sounds of Afro-Amerindian flutes, the project connects these rich textures with modern flutes, bridging the musical past and present.

The loop pedal overlays and intertwines melodic layers, creating a soundscape that is both a mental composition and an organic, spontaneous creation during performance. This results in an unconventional minimalism where each layer adjusts its own rhythm, crafting an interactive and intersubjective universe shared by musician and audience.

While the techniques used are often referred to as "extended techniques" in classical contexts, Minimal Dreams takes inspiration from Afro-Amerindian traditions that see the flute as a holistic instrument, free from technical boundaries. The music transcends the conventions of modern flute playing, evoking deep imagery and emotions, as if drawn directly from a dream.

The concept for Minimal Dreams emerged from my work in music workshops with adolescents in psychiatric contexts, young people with autism, and inmates in a high-security prison in Belgium. Exploring textures and sonic ideas with a loop pedal, I found inspiration to develop this format into a unique musical language. The result is a work that serves as both a musical journey and a bridge for connection and expression.

  • Spotify
  • Instagram
  • Facebook
  • YouTube
bottom of page