Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale), is a work for electric flute, electric cello and amplified piano by the American avant-garde composer George Crumb. It was composed for performance by the New York Camerata in 1971.[1]
| Vox Balaenae | |
|---|---|
| Chamber music by George Crumb | |
| English | Voice of the Whale |
| Composed | 1971 |
| Duration | ~20 minutes |
| Movements | 8 |
| Scoring |
|
Background
editAs the name of the piece indicates, Vox Balaenae was inspired by whale songs. "Late in the 1960s, George Crumb heard a tape recording prepared by a marine scientist of the sounds emitted by the humpback whale.... In 1971, Crumb drew on these sounds as the inspiration...".[1] Although the piece has eight movements, these are grouped into three structurally similar parts: the first two movements "(...for the beginning of time)", five variations named after geologic time periods, and the last movement "(...for the end of time)".[2]
Movements and instrumentation techniques
editIn addition to instrumentation techniques, performers are asked to wear half black masks.[1] It is highly suggested that whenever possible the performance be done under blue lighting.[1] The cello is tuned scordatura,[2] and the piece requires the use of a grand piano as the techniques required would not be possible on an upright model.[3]
| Movement[3] | Instrumentation Techniques |
|---|---|
| Vocalise (for the
beginning of time) |
Sing flute, performer sings into flute while playing, flutter tonguing (flz),
muting piano strings using fingertips, glissandi on piano strings |
| Sea Theme | Cello harmonics, "Aeolian harp" - performer strums piano strings |
| Archeozoic [Var. I] | Cello harmonics ("seagull" effect), chisel on piano strings, piano "double-
glissando" effect, quarter tone trills |
| Proterozoic [Var. II] | Paper clip strums piano strings, "speak-flute" |
| Paleozoic [Var. III] | Harmonic glissandi for cello, cello and flute harmonics |
| Mesozoic [Var. IV] | Glass rod on piano strings |
| Cenozoic [Var. V] | Flutter tonguing (flz), sul ponticello, whistling (includes quarter tones), |
| Sea-Nocturne (for the
end of time) |
Whistling continues, antique cymbals, flute harmonics, playing in
"pantomime" (absolutely silent, mimicking playing) |
Recordings
edit| Ensemble | Players |
|---|---|
| Curtis Institute of Music | Mimi Stillman (Flute), Arlen Hlusko (Cello), Amy Yang (Piano) |
| Ensemble intercontemporain | Sophie Cherrier (Flute), Pierre Strauch (Cello), Hidéki Nagano (Piano) |
| Atlanta Chamber Players | Christina Smith (Flute), Brad Ritchie (Cello), Paula Peace (Piano) |
| Ensemble ACJW | Catherine Gregory (Flute), Alice Yoo (Cello), Tyler Wottrich (Piano) |
References
edit- ^ a b c d Berger, Melvin (1889). Guide to Chamber Music. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications. pp. 139–140. ISBN 0486316726.
- ^ a b George Crumb. "An Idyll for the Misbegotten - Vox Balaenae : Madrigals" (PDF). Newworldrecords.org. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- ^ a b "George Crumb Voice of the Whale". Retrieved 2014-03-11. A Study Module Created for the Associated Colleges of the South Composers Forum Patricia Gray, ACS, Craig Hultgren, Birmingham Southern College, Anthony Brandt, Rice University
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