SWIFT
for flute, bass clarinet, piano, percussion, violin, cello
heather stebbins 2013-2014
FLUTE BASS CLARINET PERCUSSION
Crotales Low-pitched Thai Gong or Almglocken Cymbal (Medium Ride) Log Drum Bass Drum Vibraslap
PIANO
Requires coin and shot glass Pitches to mark: D#1, E1
VIOLIN CELLO
PROGRAM NOTE swift is one part of a larger compositional project that is loosely based on Italo Calvino’s Six Memo’s for the Next Millenium. Calvino’s memos each tackle an important focus in literature. I plan to do the same for music composition. swift addresses the notions of agility and breathlessness in both the abstract realm of compositional thought and the concrete realm of performance. The violin acts as a quasi-soloist throughout the piece, with her gestures being colored and augmented by the other instruments. The gestures should be performed with an air of lightness, ease, and restless drama.
PERFORMANCE NOTES General
µ quarter tone sharp !d quarter tone flat Arrows indicate movement from one playing technique to another
WINDS Pitchless fluttertongue
Slap Tongue
Split Tone – aim for a range of partials from given fundamental
Overblow – loud, forceful sweep through partials from the given fundamental
Whistle tone – quiet, fragile sweep through partials from the given fundamental
PIANO Requires coin and shot glass; mark pitches D#1 and E1, + - Heavily mute the indicated string(s)
Using the bottom of shot glass, strike string and gliss away from hammers, producing a metallic glissando. Choose a string in the middle range of the piano that allows a full range of motion (a ‘D’ is preferable)
Gliss with fingernail on the low register strings of the piano, largest range possible (pitches are indeterminate)
Coin Scrape – scrape the winding of indicated string with a coin, producing a heavy groan
Low register swirl – with the pedal down, slowly swirl hands over the lowest register strings.
STRINGS SP - Sul Ponticello ESP - Extreme Sul Ponticello ST – Sul Tasto CLB - Col Legno Battuto ORD – Return to ‘normal’ mode of playing
very wide, exaggerated vibrato (’laughing’ vibrato)
Crush bow/ extreme pressure
‘Dig’- A quick burst of extreme pressure to produce an accented, harsh attack.
Bow behind the bridge, preferably on the winding of the string
highest note possible on indicated string
Jeté/ricochet bow
PERCUSSION Pitched – Crotales (full set) and one low-pitched Thai Gong or almglocken – Unpitched
Plectra – Rakes/ brushes Soft mallets for bass drum and log drum Grill Brush (can also use rakes if necessary)
flickering metallic sound
Swirl grill brush along edge of cymbal, creating a