The United Nations recently predicted that the world population will exceed ten billion by the year 2050. If this prediction is correct, a staggering population boom will occur over the coming thirty years, at a rate never previously witnessed by mankind. This piece responds to the mind-boggling number, ten billion, by giving it a sonic form. Each tiny microsound, or grain, represents one person and, taken as a whole, they number ten billion.

Ten Billion is composed for 10 loudspeakers, at the studios of Bowling Green State University (Ohio, USA). I am extremely grateful to Joe Klingler, for funding the Klingler ElectroAcoustic Residency (KEAR), and staff and students at Bowling Green State University for accommodating my visit. Special thanks go to Elainie Lillios who worked extremely hard to make the residency happen, and was exceptionally helpful and kind throughout.

Premiere

• October 7, 2018, Fourier Festival: Komponistenportrait: Adam Stanović, Nordbahn-Halle, Vienna (Austria)