Throughout history, innovations in instrument design have always led to new musical possibilities being expressed in new forms of composition. During the 20th Century many composers began questioning earlier concepts of instrumental tone and striving for an orchestra of new sonorities to express modern consciousness. But today, apart from instruments based on electronic technology, the instruments we can witness primarily in use now are either the standardised orchestral instruments we have inherited from the 18th Century, or ethnic/ folk instruments.

In contrast to today’s surge towards the use of electronic instruments, on the one hand, or the use of older forms of instruments on the other, Tonalis is working with instrument makers, such as Choroi, who are researching how newly designed acoustic instruments can manifest something of the ‘living language of matter’ (through the use of only the finest natural materials from bronze, iron and copper to different woods). In addition, these new instrument makers are exploring how these instruments lead to both new forms of composition and new forms of music making (e.g. playing instruments in movement).