Freefall An Unexpected Skydive in Three Movements
Robin McLaughlin
Instrumentation: Flute Clarinet Violin Cello Piano Percussion 1 Percussion 2
Freefall, for chamber ensemble, is a programmatic work about an unexpected skydive. For the piece, I crafted a story about a plane falling apart, leaving its pilot adrift in the air. The first movement, “Panic,” is meant to be unnerving. The body of the plane is falling apart, and the engine is failing, which contradicts all expectations for how the flight was supposed to go. The music is meant to convey the experience of despair, at having one’s plans so violently changed. The second movement, “Freefall,” is about the dive that occurs after the plane falls apart. Our subject, the pilot, drifts in and out of consciousness, which is marked musically with contrasting textures. Each time he is lucid, he realizes with renewed terror the peril of his situation. This heightened awareness is conveyed with increased intensity. The movement ends with a repeating chord progression, that grows quieter and quieter, as the parachute-less pilot falls further and further. The third movement, “Sunset,” occurs after the pilot has come to grips with his situation. As he is in his last minutes, he is sole audience to a magnificent sunset above the cloud cover. I tried to paint a picture with my music of the colors dancing and being refracted upon the clouds. As the piece ends, the pilot dips into the clouds, ready at last for the impact. This piece is about about unmet expectations - when plans are contradicted by reality. But its also about how reality is sometimes more beautiful that we had planned.
I. Panic Robin McLaughlin
A
q=136
Flute
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
Clarinet in Bb
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
Violin
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
5 4
pizz.
4 4 p
Violoncello
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
solo f
Piano
Sus. Cymbal (Brushes)
Percussion 1: Sus. Cymbal, Ratchet, Cowbell, Bass-Drum, Tom-toms
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
p
Whip Percussion 2: Whip Crack, Marimba, Vibraphone, Tubular Bells
f
7
Fl.
4 4
3 4
4 4
6 8
3 4
6 8
3 4
4 4
4 4
Cl.
4 4
3 4
4 4
6 8
3 4
6 8
3 4
4 4
4 4
Vln.
4 4
3 4
4 4
6 8
3 4
6 8
3 4
4 4
4 4
Vc.
4 4
3 4
4 4
6 8
3 4
6 8
3 4
4 4
4 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
6 8
3 4
6 8
3 4
4 4
4 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
6 8
3 4
6 8
3 4
4 4
4 4
6 8
3 4
6 8
3 4
4 4
6 8
3 4
6 8
3 4
4 4
pizz.
p end solo
Pno.
Tip of Drum Stick
Perc.
4 4
3 4
4 4
Perc.
4 4
3 4
4 4
To Ratchet
Ratchet
f
4 4 mp
(c) Robin McLaughlin 2014
4 4
B
2 15
C
flutter tongue
solo
end solo
4 4
Fl.
12 8
4 4
12 8
4 4
mp
4 4
Cl.
mp arco
4 4
Vln.
4 4
12 8 p arco
gliss.
4 4
Vc.
f scratch tone
gliss.
4 4
12 8
mp
p
f
4 4
12 8
4 4
4 4
12 8
4 4
Perc.
4 4
12 8
4 4
Perc.
4 4
12 8
4 4
Pno.
D
20
Fl.
6 8
3 4
4 4
Cl.
6 8
3 4
4 4
6 8
3 4
4 4
6 8
3 4
4 4
6 8
3 4
4 4
6 8
3 4
4 4
q=148
solo p
arco Vln. mp
f
Vc.
Pno.
Tip of Drum Stick
To Cowbell Perc. p
f
f
6 8
3 4
4 4 p To Marimba
Perc.
6 8
3 4
4 4
f p
3
27
Fl.
12 8
4 4
Cl.
12 8
4 4
p
pizz.
12 8
Vln. arco
4 4 pizz.
Vc.
12 8
4 4
12 8
4 4
12 8
4 4
Pno.
To Sus. Cymbal
Sus. Cymbal
Perc.
12 8
4 4
Perc.
12 8
4 4
12 8
E 4 4
Cl.
12 8
4 4
Vln.
12 8
33
Fl.
end solo
flutter
pizz.
4 4 solo arco
12 8
Vc.
4 4 p
12 8
4 4
12 8
4 4
Pno.
p To Bass Drum
Hit Cowbell on inside with drum stick
Perc.
12 8
4 4
12 8
4 4
Marimba Perc.
p
To Cowbell
4 38
3
Fl. 3
p
solo
Cl. p
f
p
f
mp arco
Vln. end solo Vc.
Pno.
Perc.
Mar.
F
solo
44
Fl. mp
end solo
Cl.
pizz. Vln. mp arco Vc. mp legato
Pno.
mp
Perc.
Mar. mp
end solo
5
50
Fl.
Cl. solo arco Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Bass Drum Perc. mf Mar.
56
Fl.
Cl.
gliss. Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Perc.
Mar.
6
G 6 4
60
4 4
Fl.
f
solo
4 4
Cl.
6 4 f
3
mp
end solo
4 4
Vln.
6 4 f
scratch
4 4
Vc.
6 4 f
4 4
6 4 mp
f
Pno.
4 4
6 4 To Brake Drum
4 4
Perc.
Brake Drum
6 4 f
4 4
Mar.
6 4 f
mp
64
Fl. mp Cl. mf
Vln. mp Vc.
Pno.
Perc.
Mar.
pizz.
mp
7 67
4 4
Fl. 3
4 4
Cl. mf pizz. Vln.
4 4
Vc.
4 4 4 4
Pno.
4 4
To Tom-toms Perc.
4 4
Mar.
4 4 H
70
Fl.
4 4
Cl.
4 4
7 8 end solo
mp
7 8 mp
sfz p
mf mp
arco Vln.
4 4
Vc.
4 4
7 8 solo arco
end solo
7 8 mp
sfz p
mf
mp
44
78
4 4
7 8
Pno.
Tom-toms With drum stick All notes marked with an "x" are to be played on the rim
Perc.
4 4
Mar.
4 4
7 8 solo
7 8
8 75
Fl.
7 8
4 4
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
4 4
Cl.
7 8
4 4
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
4 4
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
4 4
sfz p
mf
7 8
Vln.
4 4 sfz p
mf
7 8
4 4
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
4 4
7 8
4 4
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
4 4
7 8
4 4
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
4 4
Perc.
7 8
4 4
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
4 4
Mar.
7 8
4 4
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
Vc.
Pno.
end solo
To Vibraphone
I 81
Fl.
4 4
Cl.
4 4
Vln.
4 4
p
p Vc.
4 4 4 4 p
Pno.
4 4 Perc.
4 4
Mar.
4 4
4 4
9 84
3 4
Fl. mp
3 4
Cl. mp
3 4
Vln. mp
3 4
Vc. mp
3 4 mp whack low register w/ palm
Pno.
3 4 Perc.
3 4
Mar.
3 4
88
Fl.
J 3 4 f
Cl.
3 4 f
Vln.
3 4
Vc.
3 4
f
f
3 4 f Pno.
3 4 f Cowbell Perc.
3 4
Mar.
3 4
Sus. Cymbal With Drum Stick
10
K 5 4
93
Fl.
mp solo
5 4
Cl.
mp
Vln.
5 4
Vc.
5 4 5 4
Pno.
5 4 Tom-tom
To Bass-Drum
Perc.
5 4
Mar.
5 4
Vibraphone
mp
96
Fl.
Cl.
Vln. mp Vc.
Pno.
Perc.
Mar.
11 99
Fl. end solo Cl.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Perc.
Mar.
102
Fl.
Cl.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Perc.
Mar.
L
12 105
Fl.
Cl.
Vln. scratch tone
Vc.
Pno.
Perc. p To Tubular Bells Mar.
109
M
Fl.
Cl.
Vln. arco Vc.
Pno.
f
Perc. f
Tubular Bells
Mar. f
13 113
Fl.
4 4
Cl.
4 4
Vln.
4 4
Vc.
4 4
scratch tone
4 4 Pno.
4 4
Perc.
4 4
Mar.
4 4
N
flutter tongue
q=136
117
Fl.
7 8
4 4
6 8
4 4
6 8
7 8
4 4
6 8
4 4
6 8
7 8
4 4
6 8
4 4
6 8
7 8
4 4
6 8
4 4
6 8
7 8
4 4
6 8
4 4
6 8
7 8
4 4
6 8
4 4
6 8
7 8
4 4
6 8
4 4
6 8
4 4
6 8
4 4
6 8
f Cl. f
Vln. f arco Vc. f
Pno. f
Perc. To Whip Mar.
f
f
7 8
14
O
123
Fl.
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
9 8
Cl.
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
9 8
Vln.
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
9 8
Vc.
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
9 8
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
9 8
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
9 8
Perc.
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
9 8
Mar.
6 8
7 8
6 8
7 8
9 8
Pno.
cowbell
Fl.
9 8
P 3 4
4 4
Cl.
9 8
3 4
4 4
Vln.
9 8
3 4
Vc.
9 8
3 4
129
pizz.
4 4 pizz.
4 4 black keys
3 4
9 8
3 4
4 4
Perc.
9 8
3 4
4 4
Mar.
9 8
3 4
4 4
4 4
. gliss
Pno.
gliss.
9 8
II. Freefall A
q=138
Robin McLaughlin
3 4
Flute 3
ff 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 4
Clarinet in Bb ff
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 4
Violin 3
3
ff
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
arco
scratch tone
3 4
Violoncello ff
3 4 Piano
ff
3 4 Bass Drum Percussion 1: Bass Drum, Glockenspiel, Sus. Cymbal
3 4 ff Tom-toms
Percussion 2: Tom-toms, Tubular Bells, Vibraphone ff
pp 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 4
3
4 4
3 4
4 4
B 4 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
4 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
4 4
5
Fl.
Cl.
3 4
fff
3 4 fff
Vln.
3 4
3
3
fff Vc.
3 4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
p
4 4
3 4
4 4
4 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
4 4
fff
3 4 Pno.
p
fff
3 4
4 4
3 4
fff
4 4
p
4 4 p
Perc.
3 4
4 4 fff
Perc.
3 4
p
3 4
4 4
f
4 4
4 4 fff
3 4
4 4
4 4 fff
p
3
3
3
3
2 flutter tongue
10
Fl. p
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Cl. p
gliss. Vln.
Vc. p
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Pno.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
To Glock. Perc. p on rim Perc. 3
3
3
3
3
3
16
Fl. mp 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Cl. mp Vln.
Vc. mp
Pno.
mp
Glockenspiel Perc. mp
3
3
3
Perc. mp
3
3
3
3
C
22
Fl. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Cl. 3
3
Vln. 3
3
3
3
3
Vc.
3
Pno.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
To Sus. Cymbal Glock. 3
Perc. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
D 27
Fl. 3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
f 3
3
Cl. f 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
arco
scratch tone
f
Vc. f 3 3
Pno.
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Sus. Cymbal Glock. pp Perc. ff
f To Tub. B.
3
4 32
Fl.
Cl.
Vln. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vc.
3
Pno.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Perc. pp
f
Perc.
37
Fl. 3
3
3
3
3
3
Cl.
Vln. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vc. 3
3
3
3
3
Pno.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Perc. pp
f Tubular Bells
Perc. ff
p
E 5 42
3 4
Fl. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
ff
3
Cl. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
3
Vln. 3
4 4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
ff
3
3
3
3 4
Vc.
4 4 ff
3
3
Pno.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 4
4 4 ff
3 4
To Bass Drum
4 4
Bass Drum
3 4
Perc. f To Tom-toms
4 4 fff p
3 4
Tub. B.
4 4
48
Fl.
4 4
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
4 4
Cl.
4 4
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
4 4
Vln.
4 4
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
4 4
3
Vc.
3
3
3
3
4 4
3 4
3
3
3
3
3
3
4 4
f
4 4
3 4
4 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
4 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
4 4
Pno.
Perc.
3 4
ff
p
f
ff
4 4 f
ff
4 4 p
f
fff
fff
Tom-toms Tub. B.
4 4
3 4
4 4 f
3 4
4 4 f
4 4 fff
F 6 53
4 4
Fl.
mf
p
solo
4 4
Cl.
p
4 4
Vln.
p
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
4 4
Vc.
p
4 4 p
Pno.
4 4 Glockenspiel
To Glock.
4 4
Perc.
p hit rim
4 4
Tom-t.
p
58
Fl.
Cl.
Vln. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vc.
Pno.
Glock. 3
Tom-t.
3
3
7
solo
63
Fl. mp Cl. mp 3
3
Vln. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
mp
Vc. mp
Pno.
To Bass Drum Glock.
Tom-t.
68
Fl. 3
Cl. 3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 3
3
3
3
3
3
Vc.
mp
Pno.
Bass Drum Glock.
Tom-t.
3
3
3
G 8
end solo
72
Fl. mf end solo
mf
mf
mf
Cl.
3
3
3
Vln. mf Vc. mf
mf
Pno.
Perc. mf Sus. Cymbal With Drum Stick
Tom-t. mf
76
Fl.
Cl.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Perc.
Tom-t.
To Tubular Bells
9 80
Fl.
Cl.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Perc. Tubular Bells Tom-t.
84
Fl.
Cl.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Perc. To Tom-toms Tub. B.
10
H
88
Fl.
Cl. 3
3
Vln. p
Vc. p
Pno.
p
p
Perc.
Tub. B.
93
2 4
Fl.
3 4
4 4
f
2 4
Cl. 3
Vln.
3
3
3
3
3
3
mf
3 4 3
3
4 4 3
f
2 4
gliss.
3 4 f
Vc.
2 4
4 4
p
3 4
4 4 p
2 4
3 4 p
Pno.
Perc.
4 4
2 4
3 4
4 4
2 4
3 4
4 4 mp Tom-toms
Tub. B.
2 4
3 4
4 4 mp
I q=120
99
4 4
Fl.
3
ff
4 4
Cl.
3
Vln.
4 4
Vc.
4 4
ff
ff
ff
4 4 ff
Pno.
4 4
4 4
Perc.
ff
4 4
Tom-t.
ff
103
Fl.
Cl.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
hit rim
Perc.
Tom-t.
11
12 107
Fl.
Cl.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Perc. p
ff
p
ff
p
Tom-t.
111
Fl.
Cl. gliss .
Vln.
gliss.
Vc. 3
Pno.
Perc.
Tom-t.
ff
J
13
115
solo
Fl. mp
mp 3
pp
solo Cl. mp 3 3
Vln. mp
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vc. mp
Pno.
mp
To Glock. Perc. mp To Vib.
Vibraphone
Tom-t. mp
120
Fl. 3
3
3
3
Cl. 3 3
3
3
3 3
Vln. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vc. 3
3
Pno.
Glockenspiel Perc. 3 3
3
3
3
Vib. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
14 125
Fl.
Cl.
Vln. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vc. 3
Pno.
To Bass Drum
Bass Drum
Glock. 3
3
Vib. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
K
129
Fl. 3
mp
Cl. 3
3
Vln. 3
3
3
3
3 3
3
Vc.
Pno.
Perc. p Vib. p
pp
15 133
Fl.
Cl.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Perc.
Vib.
L
137
Fl.
Cl. 3
3
3
Vln.
Vc.
solo
Pno.
Perc.
Vib.
16 142
Fl.
Cl.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Perc.
Vib.
149
Fl.
Cl.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Perc.
Vib.
III. Sunset Robin McLaughlin
A
q=72
2 4
’
4 4
3 4
4 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
Percussion 1: Crotales, Sus. Cymbal, Tubular Bells
2 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
Percussion 2: Vibraphone, Bass Drum
2 4
4 4
3 4
4 4
Flute p
2 4
Clarinet in Bb
’
p Violin p Violoncello
Piano
Crotales
p
7
Fl.
4 4
2 4
Cl.
4 4
2 4
Vln.
4 4
Vc.
’
’
B 4 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
2 4
2 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
’
’
A little faster
(q=80)
4 4 Solo
Pno.
Crot.
p
Vib.
4 4
2 4
4 4
2 4
4 4
2 15
’ Fl.
’ Cl. 3
3
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
3
3
Crot.
Vib.
22
C
Fl. 3
mp solo Cl. 3
mp end solo
3
3
3
3
3
Vln. 3
3
mp
3
3
3
3
3
3
Vc. mp
3
mp Pno.
3
3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
3
3
3
3 3
3
mp To Sus. Cymbals Crot. mp 3
3
3
Vib. 3
mp
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
D 3
solo
27
Fl. 3
3
f
3
3
Cl. f
3
3
Vln. 3
3
f
Vc. f
3
Pno.
3
f
3 3
Sus. Cymbal
To Tub. B.
Perc.
3
3
Vib. 3
3
f
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
31
Fl. 3
3
3
3
Cl.
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
Tubular Bells Perc.
Vib. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
E
4 35
Fl. 3
ff Cl. ff
Vln. ff Vc. ff
ff
Pno.
To Crot. Tub. B.
Vib. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
F
40
Fl. p Cl. p Vln. p
Solo Vc. 3
p
3
p
Pno.
Crotales Tub. B.
3
Vib. 3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
To Bass Drum
5
G
46
5 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
Crot.
5 4
4 4
Vib.
5 4
Fl. pp
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
Cl. pp
p
Vln. pp
p End Solo
Vc. pp
Pno.
Bass Drum
4 4 p
5 4
H 4 4
5 4
4 4
54
Fl.
4 4
Cl.
4 4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
pp
Vln.
4 4
Vc.
4 4
5 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
pp
4 4
5 4
4 4
4 4
5 4
4 4
Crot.
4 4
5 4
4 4
Perc.
4 4
5 4
4 4
f
pp
f
pp
f
pp
f
pp
Pno.
To Vib. Vibraphone
pp
6 61
f
pp
Fl. p Cl. f
pp
p
f
pp
p
f
pp
p
Vln.
Vc.
Pno.
p
Crot. p Vib. p