Instrumentation

Question 0

What is the effect of the instrumentation changing rapidly throughout the piece?

Answer 0

There are many contrasts in timbre

Question 1

How large is the orchestra for this piece?

Answer 1

Very large - 90 players at least (made up of strings, woodwind, a large brass section and percussion)

Question 2

What are the performers frequently required to do?

Answer 2

Play at the extremes of their ranges - very high or low

Question 3

Give examples of the sort of unusual effects used in the piece?

Answer 3

The cymbals are played with both a mallet and a cello bow and at one point the double basses play a tremolo very close to the bridge that supports their strings

Question 4

What is a tam-tam?

Answer 4

A large gong

Question 5

What is a piccolo?

Answer 5

A small flute (sounds an octave higher than written in score)

Question 6

What is a Cor Anglais?

Answer 6

A lower version of the Oboe

Question 7

What is the Bass Clarinet?

Answer 7

A large clarinet (sounds an octave lower than a standard clarinet)

Question 8

What is a Contrabassoon?

Answer 8

A large bassoon (sounds an octave lower than written)