2.1 Noise
The dramatic narrative of Chion’s work consists of the
Latin texts one would expect to find in a Requiem setting,
with the addition of Biblical texts: a Gospel reading, an
excerpt from an epistle (both in French), and the Lord’s
Prayer. The inclusion of the Biblical passages indicates that
Chion’s model is a worship setting, rather than a concert
rendition of a Requiem Mass; this causes the listener to seek
meanings more strongly associated with the desire for a
connection between God and humanity. In addition, a subtle
use of reverberation locates the noise section in a cathedral
space.
The rupture, gap and flow Chion talks about are evident
even in the first minute of the work. Noise is prominent,
and moreover, Chion provides us with a key to his use of it
throughout the work. After the opening percussive burst, a
sustained, pitched noise passage migrates from A-flat to C
(both slightly sharp). A sonogram reveals two aspects
(perceptible w i t h careful listening): first, a harmonic
spectrum which drifts (and as a result becomes more
dissonant) and second, the presence of two layers of source.