Layering is also used strategically in The Flowering Desert. A clear example is its second scene. As we have seen previously[23], the embodiment of data technique is used to showcase the burning process of the Mother Star and the sempiternal rotation of the system. This acts as one of the two musical layers in the scene. The second layer features Pantele trying to helplessly communicate with the Mother Star by singing a completely different musical material[24] against the constant musical process that represents the star. As Pantele’s anxiety against this situation grows, its musical material is more present, being joined by other instruments, rhythmically first, and then also melodically (score follower video). This is accompanied by the visuals, which showcase the musical growth of Pantele on the screen (as a growing planet) against the process of stelar burning featured in the projections. The result of the overly red visuals also creates a soothing luminous environment in the planetarium, which stresses the solitude of Pantele against the inhospitality of the star.
Example #5
Use of layering in The Flowering Desert. In this excerpt from Scene 2, we see Pantele’s anxiety growing both musically and visually against the Mother Star. Musically, the layer corresponding to Pantele (marked in yellow in the score follower video) is more present over time with changes in instrumentation, dynamics, and doubling in the ensemble. The musical material related to the Mother Star (marked in blue in the score follower video) also grows in volume, fighting against Pantele's material. Visually, the projections show a planet growing against the red backdrop of the star, showing Pantele standing against the Mother Star (dress rehearsal documentation).