The extraordinary sound world of Dispersion is created from two elements: the first is the evocative, predominantly sparse style of Chris Fitkin’s extensive composition, which lasts for close to two hours. The second is the instrument for which it was written: the concert kantele, with its distinctive ringing sound.

The twelve pieces of Dispersion start on the twelve different notes of the chromatic scale. Each piece contains all twelve notes in two groups of six (hexachords). Pieces consist of a number of sections, each of which is formed exclusively from notes of one of the hexachords.

The twelve people whose scientific work is honoured in the titles of the individual pieces also fall into two groups of six: men and women. All made, or continue to make, wonderful contributions to humanity. They are linked, in particular, by their interest in learning and by experimental research.

Written and produced digitally in Cornwall, England by Chris Fitkin using Precisionsound’s Finnish Concert Kantele sample library.

Artwork by Peter Eveleigh