Bobby Goulder, a composer with a vision impairment due to Stargardt’s Macular Dystrophy, has transformed some of the world’s most iconic artworks into music. This innovative approach aims to help more people engage with art in a fresh and exciting way. Collaborating with experts at Dolby Laboratories, Bobby has produced an album titled Sound of a Masterpiece.
This initiative is part of an effort to make art more inclusive and accessible to all, including those who are unable to see it. Bobby expressed his hope that this new album will enable everyone to experience and connect with these famous paintings.The album features 13 tracks, each inspired by renowned works such as Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Monet’s Water-Lily Pond, and Munch’s The Scream.
Discussing the project, Bobby said, “The project combines several things close to my heart – the relationships across multidisciplinary art forms; the advancement of musical and sonic creative techniques; and the accessibility of the arts to the visually impaired community.
“Our hope,” he added, “is to give everyone a heightened experience of these paintings, giving each one a story rather than a snapshot or an impression.”
Daniela Bischof from Dolby Laboratories, which helped in the creation of the album, commented, “We hope Sound of a Masterpiece will enable listeners to really feel and connect with iconic artworks, whilst making art accessible through sound – inspiring everyone to connect more deeply with creativity, emotion and history.”
Every track utilises distinctive sounds and instruments to echo the emotions and themes present in the corresponding artwork.
For example, the track inspired by The Scream by Edvard Munch uses a deep, heavy piano, mixed with distorted, unsettling natural sounds that build up to an intense climax to reflect the sense of anxiety in the painting.
The piece based on Monet’s Water-Lily Pond features gentle, dream-like piano music, influenced by composer Claude Debussy’s style, who was also part of the impressionist movement. It includes sounds like rippling water and droplets, creating the effect of shimmering light on the water surface.
For Mona Lisa, the music switches between happy and haunting tones to reflect her mysterious expression. It also uses piano strings plucked in an eerie way, echoing the sound of instruments from the Renaissance period.
The album can be accessed on Apple Music, Amazon Music, and Tidal, with all proceeds being donated to the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB).
Robin Spinks, head of inclusive design at RNIB, expressed his delight at collaborating on the innovative project. As someone with low-vision, he described how “the depth, texture, and richness provided by the amazing soundtracks really bring these works to life.”
He further commented: “Many more blind and partially sighted people will be able to have a heightened experience through this fantastic project and appreciate artwork in new and meaningful ways.”
The artworks that people are most eager to experience in their original settings include Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa and The Scream, followed by Van Gogh’s Starry Night and Monet’s Water-Lily Pond.