De-Formation: Piano Variations

De-formation: Piano Variations is a work for solo piano composed and performed by Galás in September 2019. The 21:19 minute piece is based on the expressionist poem "Das Fieberspital" (The Fever Hospital) written by German poet Georg Heym in 1912.

Das Fieberspital depicts warehoused patients of yellow fever, foreshadowing the treatment and hiding of infected and damaged soldiers in WWI. De-formation portrays the march and delivery of maimed and infected soldiers to hospitals and industrial warehouses in Germany during and after the First World War.

In hospitals, the maimed would receive experimental operations while the infected would be confined to protect the mental vitality, enthusiasm, and health of the State's citizens. The Piano Variations were inspired by Galás' work on the score for Das Fieberspital.

Upon organizing the work, Galás realized that the piano skeleton had become its own piece. As a result, she decided to record it in advance of the vocal work.