On 26 and 27 September, the sound illumination of the Romanesque ossuary in Perschen finally began. During these two days, numerous tests were carried out to experiment the acoustic response of the space and the possiblity to reach the so called „diffuse sound fields“. The result of these tests, which consisted of spreading sound fragments in the space through eight loudspeakers placed around the space using specific composition and spatialisation techniques, was very satisfactory. Different sound situations have been achieved in which the sound is homogeneously distributed in the space, which means that the intensity of the reverberation, which in this extraordinary space is up to 5 seconds, is equal to or greater than that of the sound signals emitted by the loudspeakers.
It has been especially gratifying to verify the great affinity between the nature of the diffuse sound fields and the religious images that cover the walls and ceiling of the ossuary. Although this is a personal impression, it seems that this kind of sound accompanies and even enhances the feeling of spirituality suggested by the religious images. The diffuse sound seems to emanate from the architectural space itself, blending with the images to be, in a certain sense, their own voice or expression.
Indeed, I can anticipate that the protagonism of whatever sound intervention results from this project will fall on the images and the ossuary itself. The function of sound will be to invite the contemplation of the images and to enhance their symbolic and spiritual meaning.
to second session: october 10, 11, and 12.
back to charnel house in Perschen
joan riera robusté composer 
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