Saariaho, Petals For Cello And Optional Electronics Flashcards
What electronics are used?
Amp
Reverb
Harmoniser
WL1 for electronics
Tag des jhars by Saariaho
Use of counter tenor (male falsetto)
Rare to find male counter tenor with vibrato
Senza vibrato common in petals
WL2 for electronics
Beatles Tomorrow Never Knows
WL3 for electronics
Gesang der jung hnge by Karlheinz Stockhausen
Speakers X5 & system (p406)
Why was the amp used?
How was the amp used to make sound?
Give balance between natural & amplified sounds
Microphone close to hear noise of instrument not music (ex banging against finger board)
WL for amp: tone colour
Private gardens Mvmt 1 by Saariaho
Similar microphone set up
Not as electronic but more based on technique
Micro 1/4 tones (extreme dissonance)
What do micro 1/4 tones create?
Extreme dissonance
What is reverb?
Continuation of sound after produced
Artificial reproduction of sound
What level is reverb usually at?
Reverb time
Exception
20-50%
2.5 seconds
Stave 22- 15s
Gradually at end - 10 –> 20 –> 25
What sections is reverb used in?
Why?
When lots of gliss
Takes further away from conventional sound of instruments
WL1 for reverb
Vent Nocturne by Saariaho
Focused on reverb for viola
WL2 for reverb
‘Miranda’s lament’ from the tempest songbook by Saariaho
Bar 7 bow pressure
Percussive sound (like petals aim)
But with voice, such as giving “waters” “s” it’s own note syllables
Why was the harmoniser used?
When is it used?
Adds additional pitches to sound
Usually during high bow pressure
What tones are used when using the harmoniser?
1/4 tones up & down
WL for harmoniser
Lutosawski’s cello concerto
Uses 1/4 tones
Combination of harmoniser and 1/4 tones used to create more noise
What is spectralism?
What is a spectragram machine?
Using 12 note scale in an octave
Many pitches to one sound
Seeing sound on graph
What are overtones?
How far apart are the tones?
What did this mean?
What happens to the frequency going up in 5ths?
2 tones at once due to frequency
5th
5ths musically different but scientifically have same frequency so never have parallel 5ths in music
Less & less heard
What is serial music?
Using all 12 notes in octave scale before moving on
Composers of spectralism style
Tristan Murail
Gerard Grisey
WL for spectralism
Desintegrations by Tristan Murail
Combination of electric and acoustic sound
Section 5 - brass have overtones of multiple frequencies
Pedal with harmoniser 1/4 tone above
Where & when was Saariaho born?
Where did she study & live?
Finland
1952
Studied in Germany
Moved to Paris
What does Saariaho compose for?
Big operas & chamber works - variety
When was petals composed?
Who was petals composed for?
What piece for petals link to?
What we’re the pieces about
1988
Cellist Anssi Karttuneu
Numphéa (1987) leads straight into petals
‘Water lilies’ Monet water lilies paintings
Describe A & B passages
A = fragile, colouristic
B = more energetic& melodic,clear rhythmic drive
Features of A
Trills
Tremolo
Usually played when great bow pressure
Features of B
Monophonic cello with harmoniser above & below
WL for A & B sections
Berio sequence III
A & B sections
Use of unconventional instruments
Pushing limits
Virtuosic
Section 1:
What passage is used?
Staves
Tempo
A
1-3
Free
Section 2:
What passage is used?
Staves
Tempo
B
4-7
60 bpm
Section 3:
What passage is used?
Staves
Tempo
A
8-9
Free
Section 4:
What passage is used?
Staves
Tempo
B
10-13.5
Free/54 bpm
Section 5:
What passage is used?
Staves
Tempo
A
13.5-16
Free
Section 6:
What passage is used?
Staves
Tempo
B
17-27
60 bpm
Section 7:
What passage is used?
Staves
Tempo
A
28-end
Free
When are more conventional melodic ideas used?
What is also used at this time?
Staves 10-13
Some sequence
Melody saves 4-6
Intense chromaticism with 1/4 tones
When is theme & variations used?
Stave 17
WL using klangfarbenmelodie
Concerto for 9 instruments op.24 by Anton Webern
Technique used to solo up melody & give off to different sections (ex diff instruments)
