Saariaho

Question 1

Sonority/performing forces

Answer 1

1. trad cello playing e.g. stave 10
2. slurs stave 5 and staccato stave 4
3. Turns trad instrument into multi-timbral synthesiser using extended techniques: lengthy trills, tremolos-colouristic effect, harmonics artificial stave 14, combined with normal notes or another harmonic LINK-Murail Gondwana LINK Lutoslawski
4. glissandos opening LINK- Lutoslawski Cello concerto
5. micro-intervals at first Type B LINK- Crumb Black angels quartet
6. scratchy noises - add pressure to bow e.g stave 11 LINK- Ferneyhough string quartet 2, and Crumb Black angels
7. Pizz LINK Lutoslawski mvt 2 starts pizz

Question 2

Texture

Answer 2

1. monophonic opening LINK Lutoslawski cello concerto beginning
2. 2part texture at stave 8 and 13
3. Sul tasto creates thin texture, sul ponticello nasal tone LINK Ferneyhough string quartet 2 , Grisey Vortex Temporum
4. single line texture in micro intervals
5. densities of sound increased using reverb and harmoniser
6. dynamics extreme ppp to ffff stave 25 LINK: Murail Gondwana

Question 3

Tempo, metre, rhythm

Answer 3

1. lento sections, must last at least 20 secs
2. faster moving passages always have a metronome mark
3. no time signature or bars
4. pauses
5. triplets, quintuplets, dectuplets
   This is all found in Grisey Les espaces acoustiques, and Grisey Vortex Temporum

Question 4

Melody

Answer 4

1. melodic content typically found in faster sections
2. lento sections are more colouristic
3. energico section first type A scurrying line of quarter tones and glissandi LINK Grisey Les espaces acoustiques prologue - viola
4. second typeB has angular nature e.g. augmented 4th and major 7th jumps
5. sequences also used in second type B and a repeated falling idea
6. ornamentations e.g. mordents and turns, appoggiaturas
7. highest note possible stave 27 LINK sequences 3 by Berio, an experimental composer at same time period

Question 5

Harmony

Answer 5

1. Prominent high F#s appear at stave 23, seemingly forming a tritonal dominant with the pedal C. LINK- Psycho has tritonal dominants.
2. No sense of harmonic progression , Non functional harmony
3. Lengthy pedal C stave 15-28
4. The reverb creates overtones
5. Harmonics are heard successively as melodic entities.
6. Accidentals in energico LINK Lutoslawski cello concerto chromatic notes

Question 6

Structure

Answer 6

1. One continuous movement LINK Stockhausen Song for Youths- smooth transitions
2. Alternates between fragile colouristic passages and more energetic events with clear rhythmic and melodic character.
3. Starts with lento and ends lento/dolcissimo. 4 lento sections all together.
4. Energico, espressivo, poco impetuoso