In the wave-strike where the brightness bursts... (2016) string quartet

STEPHEN SPENCER

IN THE WAVE-STRIKE WHERE THE BRIGHTNESS BURSTS AND ENACTS ITS ROSE for string quartet 2016

NOTES BUBBLE-WRAP each player requires one (1) sheet of heavy bubble-wrap, with large-sized bubbles. The bubbles should make a loud (f) sound when popped, and the material should be rather loud when rustled. The wrap is to be kept on a stand or chair next to each performer. Three techniques will be used: Rustling: freely moving the wrap within hands to produce a noisy texture.

Popping: freely popping bubbles to produce loud impulses.

Rustling and popping: freely combining the above techniques to produce a noisy texture with added impulses.

PAPER each player requires two (2) sheets of paper (either printer paper, or heavier construction paper). These are to be kept on a stand or chair next to each performer. Three techniques are used, always in succession: Rip: tear the paper in two, within the given duration.

Crumple: freely crumple the paper into a ball, within the given duration.

Toss: throw the ball of paper downward, and allow it to bounce away.

VOCALIZATIONS each player is required to produce certain unvoiced consonants while playing. These are indicated by a phoneme written in square parentheses beneath the staff. Dynamics should always match those written, and performers should attempt to produce a balanced blend with their instrument. rapidly as possible. These should be unvoiced and uttered rather quietly (while still following the written dynamics).

At the end of the piece, all performers are required to produce a vocal-fry sound, which eventually becomes a yell. “Vocal fry” is produced through a loose glottal closure which permits air to bubble through slowly, with a popping or rattling sound of a very low frequency.

STRING TECHNIQUES

 and  is to played by bowing with added weight, to produce

any audible harmonics. Indicated with a square notehead and marked “muffled”



a distortion of pitch and a gritty sound.

rebounds and slaps against the fingerboard.

IN THE WAVE-STRIKE WHERE THE BRIGHTNESS BURSTS AND ENACTS ITS ROSE

4 &4

Slowly q = 70 Vln. I

Vln. II

Vla.

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ã ã

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toss ( )

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64 Vln. I

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3

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Vln. II

p

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[t] [t] [t]

Vln. I

4 4

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3 4

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Vln. I

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3 &4

89 Vln. I

Vln. II

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3 &4

Vln. II

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p

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p

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p

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p O˙ ..

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sul C

4 œ ‰ Œ 4J

Slow q = 90

4 4 4 4

ƒ

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#

w

#

O. $

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# wO #

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Vla.

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108

Vln. II

p

4 4

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?

 Vln. I

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3 B4

D Vln. I

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4 4

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3 4 3 4 3 4

Vln. I

Vln. II

Vla.

Vc.

3

4 4

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3 4 & B

3 4

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5

O #

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#

[sh]

wO #

wO

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#

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Faster q = 130

[t] [t] [t]

Vln. II

B Ó

Œ

[t] [t]

[t]

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muffled

‰ – . – –j ‰ O˙ – . –. –. $>

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3

3

3

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Vln. I

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Vln. II

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Vla.

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124 pizz.

Vln. I

f

[sh]

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rustling & popping, ad lib

"

w Ï

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bubble wrap

w $

w

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w $

w

w Ï

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w

w Ï

w $

w

w

w Ï

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w $

w

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bubble wrap

w $

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O O

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w

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"

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&

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6

144 Vln. I

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w

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w

w P

w

w $

w

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w $

w

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[t] [k] [t] [k]

Vln. II

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&

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[t] [k] [t] [k]

Vla.

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w $

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[YELL]

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vocalfry

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w f sempre "

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Vln. II

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[t] [k] [t] [k]

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