Saariaho Flashcards
Where did Kaija study?
IRCAM
developing techniques of computer assisted composition
What is she known for?
mixing electronic sounds with classical instruments
emphasis on slow transformation of dense masses of sound
what is spectralist music?
style pioneered by Gerard Grisey
based on the computer analysis of the sound-spectrum
where is the music material from?
‘Nymphea’ meaning ‘Waterlilly’
what extended techniques are used?
Sul tasto (S.T) - string bowed near fingerboard Sul ponticello (S.P) - near or above bridge L.H pizz Arrow - gradual change from one sound to another filled in crescendo - add bow pressure - scratching sound
what dynamics are used?
e. f with dim/ - decrease bow pressure to soft noise
e. f with cresc. and dim. = decrease then add bow pressure gradually
dim. with circle = to nothing
cresc. with circle = from nothing
what suggests the performer has freedom?
filled in triangle - highest note possible lasting approx 20 secs
what microintervals are used?
cross = note raised 1/4 tone
backwards b = note lowered 1/4
describe the structure
one continuous movement lasting approx 9 mins
alteration of slow lento passages and rapid ones
does the score use barlines?
no
what is the sound person expected to do?
adjust according to space
what is reverb?
reflections of sound
what is the harmonizer?
pitch shifter which combines “shifted” pitch with the original pitch
describe the acoustic sonority
traditional cello playing
staccato and slurs
lengthy trills and tremolo
glissando
what are the more ‘unusual’ techniques used?
long trills harmonics glissandi microintervals unusual bow pressure
what does the intro say reverb should result in?
‘clear and bright sound’
describe the dynamics
extreme
silence - ppp - fff
‘clear and rich sound’
loud but not ‘painfully so’
describe the texture
monophonic - solo cello rich sound through harmonizers and reverb two part textures harmonics double stopping colouristic blocks of sound densities of sound
what does the tempo alternate between
Lento and a faster tempo
how long should each stave last?
at least 20 secs
describe the final section
extremely slow
do the dotted barlines have any metrical meaning?
no
they show where particular events end/begin
is there a tonality?
no
when is a tonal centre created?
section 6
repeated C
where do diads appear?
at the end of some staves
how would you describe the tonality?
colouristic
when is there no harmony?
when just a single pitch is heard
when does harmony occur?
when two or more distinct notes are heard simultaneously
Is there a sense of harmonic progression?
no
brief moments where pitches are heard
how is the sound heard like a melody?
harmonics which are usually heard simultaneously are heard individually
where is the melody typically heard?
faster moving sections
what does the first energetic section feature?
quarter-tone micro-intervals
glissandi
ascending figure
describe the second energetic section
more melodic
greater diversity of interval size
descending figures
what’s the difference between A and B?
A = fragile, colouristic passages B = energetic event, with clear rhythmic and melodic character
How do melodies A and B appear?
in alteration
what does the reverb vary in?
percentages
what does the harmoniser do?
microtonal pitch shifting
Are there harmonics?
yes
What is a harmonic?
Pure, high note
Penderecki - Threnody
Song for victims of Hiroshima word painting large orchestra - 24 violins and 8 bassoons high shrieking violins (instructions to play highest note) no bar numbers - seconds held sudde dynamic changes ff-pp pizz and arco contrapuntal sul tasto and sul ponticello lots of bow pressure cresc. and dim. imitation vocables
Berio, sequenza III
nonsense vocables instructions rather than music changes with performer e.g highest note possible monophonic detailed instructions e.g 'whistful'
Ionisation for 13 percussionists
sirens and lions roar
focus on texture
timbres handled with delicacy e.g merging
Tristan Murail - La Baroque mystique
crescendos and diminendos fluttertongue flute lengthy trills fast moving passages varying bow pressure complex web of sounds syncopation silence pedals dialogue pizz and arco strings
Iannis Xenahis - Metastasis
series of instructions relatively free e.g highest note silence pizz and arco tremolo strings piercing sirens Imitation structure alternstes between calm and chaotic polyphony
