Saariaho Timbre/Instrumentation

Question 1

What is the ‘fundamental’ in terms of a sound?

Answer 1

The main pitch we hear when played or sung.

Question 2

What are the ‘harmonics’ or ‘partials’ of a sound?

Answer 2

These are much quieter notes that are above the main pitch and happen at the same time as the ‘fundamental’.

Question 3

How do ‘harmonics’ or ‘partials’ affect the sound of a note?

Answer 3

The exact details of and the relative volumes of the harmonics determine the tone quality or timbre of a sound.

Question 4

How does Saariaho use computer analysis?

Answer 4

The computer works out what the harmonics are, converting them into a chord which the composer then uses as a feature of the composition.

Question 5

Explain the origin of the computer analysis involved in ‘Petals’.

Answer 5

An earlier piece called “Nympheas’ for string quartet involved her using a computer to analyse complex cello sounds. The opening of ‘Petals’ is similar to the end of ‘Nympheas’.

Question 6

What are the 2 ways in which ‘Petals’ can be performed?

Answer 6

(1) solo piece for cello - the sounds (conventional & unconventional) are created purely acoustically.
(2) cello with electronic amplification and signal processing.

Question 7

What is an ‘avant garde’ composer?

Answer 7

A modern composer. It is a term also used in the art world. It is reserved for those who particularly push the boundaries of what is considered new - i.e. a modern day ‘mainstream’ composer would not be considered ‘avant garde’.

Question 8

How does Saariaho’s work relate to J. S. Bach, some 250 years earlier?

Answer 8

Bach’s cello suites were considered daring in their day. Bach was at the edge of new ideas, like Saariaho is today. (The difference is Bach had huge popularity).

Question 9

How do the sounds (timbres) contrast in ‘Petals’?

Answer 9

They alternate between clean and noisy.

Question 10

Give an example of a clean sound made by the cello in ‘Petals’.

Answer 10

Clear high harmonics.

Question 11

Give an example of a noisy sound (timbre)?

Answer 11

The rich scratching sound produced by the heaviest bow pressures near the bridge.

Question 12

What does the ‘harmoniser’ electronic machine do during the piece?

Answer 12

Detunes the pitches of the cello.

Question 13

How does Saariaho’s use of clean and noisy sounds relate to tonality and atonality?

Answer 13

Her version of consonance is ‘clean’ sound, whereas dissonance is the ‘noisy’ sound.

Question 14

What does the marking ‘normal’ mean?

Answer 14

Play the cello with the bow normally.

Question 15

Pizzicato?

Answer 15

The strings are plucked with the right hand, instead of bowed.

Question 16

Pizzicato left-hand?

Answer 16

The left hand plucks the strings, allowing the right hand to keep bowing the strings at the same time, if desired. It also allows quick switching between bowed and plucked sections.

Question 17

Bow ‘sul ponticello’?

Answer 17

Bow at the bridge. Creates a louder and harsher tone.

Question 18

Bow ‘sul tasto’?

Answer 18

Bow over the fingerboard (the black bit!). Creates a thinner tone.

Question 19

Bow ‘tremolando’?

Answer 19

As tremolo - like an earth tremor - rapidly repeating the same note. Creates anxiety.

Question 20

Bow ‘flautando’?

Answer 20

Lighter bow, nearer the fingerboard, less vibration of the string, thinner tone.

Question 21

How does the cellist create a scratching sound?

Answer 21

Heavy bow pressure on the string, not allowing it to resonate properly.

Question 22

Glissandi?

Answer 22

Smoothly sliding between notes. The cellist slides her LH finger up and down the string as she bows with her right hand.

Question 23

What types of vibrato is used in ‘Petals’?

Answer 23

Vibrato is when pitch wobbles. The piece requires a mixture of none, normal or exaggerated vibrato.

Question 24

What is an open string on a cello?

Answer 24

When you bow one or more of the strings without putting any LH fingers down on the finger board. Open strings sound the purest, but you can’t really get any vibrato with them.

Question 25

What is a harmonic?

Answer 25

When the cellist rest her finger on string about 2/3rds of the way to the bridge. She then bows the string and the note that plays is a higher very pure version.

Question 26

What is a trill?

Answer 26

Alternating between 2 pitches that are a close together (e.g. semitone or tone).

Question 27

What is a mordent?

Answer 27

Decoration of a melody. This is when a single note is turned into 3 notes. The player plays the note, then the note above, then the first note again. It happens quickly.

Question 28

What is double stopping?

Answer 28

When the cellist/string player plays 2 notes/strings together at the same time as a chord.

Question 29

Describe the use of dynamics (volumes) in ‘Petals’.

Answer 29

There is frequent use of subtle and then exaggerated/dramatic changes.

Question 30

Lists some of the playing techniques used by the cellist in ‘Petals’.

Answer 30

Bowed normally; pizz in the left hand; pizz in the RH; bow sul ponticello; bow sul tasto; tremolando bowing; flautando bowing; heavy bowing to create scratching; smooth sliding/glissando between notes; vibrato; exaggerated vibrato; open strings; harmonics; artificial harmonics; changing LH pressure to go from a normal note to a harmonic note; trills; mordents; double stopping; micro intervals; exaggerated and subtle dynamics.

Question 31

How does a cellist go from a normal to a harmonic note part through through playing it?

Answer 31

They lift the left hand finger off the finger board gradually.

Question 32

What is the symbol for LH pizzicato in the score?

Answer 32

+ sign