Aqua (2012-13) for Orchestra by Vivian Fung

Aqua

(2012-13)

for orchestra

by Vivian Fung

Commissioned by The Chicago Sinfonietta

Aqua (2012-3) by Vivian Fung Commissioned by the Chicago Sinfonietta for their ChiScapes project celebrating Chicago architecture. Premiere: June 8-9, 2013, in Chicago, Illinois. Duration: Approximately 5 minutes Instrumentation 2 Flutes (2nd doubling Piccolo) 2 Oboes 2 Clarinets 2 Bassoons 4 Horns in F 2 Trumpets in C 2 Tenor Trombones Bass Trombone Tuba Timpani 2 Percussion Marimba Glockenspiel Tubular Bells Bass Drum Snare Drum Tam-tam Suspended Cymbal Waterphone Ratchet Finger Cymbals Harp Piano Strings (at least 11-9-7-5-3)

Program Note: Aqua by Vivian Fung (2012-13) This work is inspired by Chicago’s Aqua Tower (pictured right), an award-winning, 82-story skyscraper completed in 2010 and designed by Jeanne Gang and Studio Gang Architects. The building’s design juxtaposes horizontal waves, created by a rippling array of balcony slabs, with a vertical landscape of pools, hills, and valleys. Based on those conceptual elements, my work is structured in two parts: “Grand Wave No. 1 - Liquid Balconies” represents the horizontal ebb and flow with divisi string parts that weave in and out of a colorful texture of undulating harmonies, starting gently and quickly becoming increasingly urgent and violent. Following a powerful climax, “Grand Wave No. 2 - Vertical Pools” ensues with a solo harp line interjected with musical gestures depicting the dips and swells on the façade of the building. The musical work culminates in a complex chord that begins with a hum from nothingness and swells into a pandemonium of sound before disappearing into the ether of the stratosphere. ~ Vivian Fung

Performance Notes General notes: Double Bass notes sound an octave lower, including harmonics Bass Clarinet is notated in treble clef and sounds M9th lower hairpin with circle in front = Crescendo from silence

hairpin with circle at end = Diminuendo to silence Measures 1 to 11: With each of the beamed units, players should gradually accelerate to the tremolando - do not sync up notes. Start gently. As dynamic markings get louder, rate of acceleration should get faster and more violent. The desired effect is a very “round” sound with no apparent instruments sticking out, just an ebb and flow of colors from different directions. Measures 11 to 15 sextuplets: Desired effect is a giant swell in strings with support from the rest of the orchestra. Sextuplets should not be obviously beated. Measures 15 and 16 in the strings: The players should roughly finger chromatic pitches – desired effect is a giant mumbling/gurgling from the top of the range to the bottom. Grand Wave No. 2: String glissandi should start immediately and last for the full duration of the note (i.e., slow glisses). In general, staccato marks should be crisp and on the short side. Measure 45: A cacophonous free-for-all in the woodwinds and brass – the ultimate climax of the piece. Measures 52 to 55 piano part: The pianist should sweep either hands or wire brushes (used by snare drummers) across the strings inside the piano. The sweeping motions should be continuous and be a timed to progress evenly from the bottom of the piano to the very top.

commissioned by the Chicago Sinfonietta Inspired by Studio Gang’s “Aqua Tower” in Chicago

Transposed Score

Revised Score Nov. 20, 2013

Aqua

Vivian Fung (2012-13)

Grand Wave No. 1–Liquid Balconies Start Gently, but get more and more violent q = 58

unmeasured

(in 6) Flute 1

Flute 2 (Picc.)

Oboe 1

Oboe 2

3 2

Clarinet in Bb 2

Bassoon 1

pppp

3 2 3 2

play given pitches in random order

pppp

Clarinet in Bb 1

pppp

3 2

play given pitches in random order

3 2

pppp

3 2

pppp

3 2

play given pitches in random order 2q

pppp Bassoon 2

3 2

pppp

1.,con sord.

3 2 3., con sord.

3 2

Tuba

Timpani

Percussion 1

Percussion 2

Piano

Harp

pppp

p 6

pppp

3 2

pppp

con sord.

3 2

pppp

3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2

unmeasured

Marimba, soft mallets

3 2

pppp

3 2 3 2 3 2 3 2 Start Gently, but get more and more violent q = 58 (in 6)

Violin I a

con sord., cup mute

3 2

Bass Trombone

pppp 3

pppp

Trombone I, II

4 Horns in F

2 Trumpets in C

div. a4

3 2

play given pitches in random order, don't play together 4q

unmeasured

pppp

Violin I b

play given pitches in random order, don't play together

3 2

pppp unmeasured

pppp

Violin I c

play given pitches in random order

play given pitches in random order, do not play together

3 2

pppp

Violin I d

play given pitches in random order, don't play together

3 2

pppp

play given pitches in random order, don't play together unmeasured div. a 3 4q Violin II a

3 2

pppp play given pitches in random order, don't play together Violin II b

pppp unmeasured

3 2

pppp play given pitches in random order, don't play together Violin II c

3 2

pppp unmeasured

pppp

Viola a

3 2

div. a 2

play given pitches in random order, don't play together

3 2

Contrabass

unmeasured

3 2 3 2

pppp

play given pitches in random order, don't play together

pppp Violoncello

unmeasured

pppp

Viola b

pppp

sul A

pppp

Fl. 1

pppp

Fl. 2

pppp play given pitches in random order

6 Ob. 1

pppp

unmeasured

pppp

Ob. 2

pppp

unmeasured Cl. 1

pppp

p 6

unmeasured

Cl. 2

pppp

Bn. 1

play given pitches in random order

Bn. 2

p p

pppp

Hn.

pppp

(1.)

pppp

(3.) pppp

pppp

play given pitches in random order

pppp

C Tpt.

con sord., cup mute

pppp

pppp pppp

Tbn.

pppp

Mar.

pppp

mp 6 6

Hp.

unmeas.

bisbig.

Vn. I a

pppp

Vn. I b

pppp

unmeasured

Vn. I c

pppp

mp 1q

unmeasured

Vn. I d

pppp

mp 4q Vn. II a

pppp

4q Vn. II b

pppp

4q Vn. II c

pppp

Va. a

pppp

Va. b

pppp

do not play together, detachĂŠ sempre

div. a2

unmeasured

Vc. a

pppp

sul D

Vc. b

pppp

Cb.

pppp

5 Fl. 1

pppp

Fl. 2

pppp

p Ob. 1

pppp

Ob. 2

pppp

2q Cl. 1

pppp

play given pitches in random order

Cl. 2

pppp

Bn. 1

pppp

unmeasured Bn. 2

pppp

pppp mp

pppp

Hn.

pppp

(3.)

pppp

C Tpt.

pppp

play given pitches in random order

pppp

pppp pppp

pppp

Tbn.

p 3

pppp

con sord. B. Tbn.

pppp

pppp cresc.

Pno.

Vn. I a

pppp

Vn. I b

pppp

Vn. I c

pppp

Vn. I d

pppp

pppp 1q

4q Vn. II a

pppp

mp 4q

Vn. II b

pppp

4q Vn. II c

pppp

Va. a

pppp

Va. b

pppp

Vc. a

pppp

do not play together

unmeasured

Vc. b

pppp

7 Fl. 1

pppp

Fl. 2

pppp

Ob. 1

pppp

mf 2q

Ob. 2

pppp

Cl. 1

pppp 6

pppp 2q

Cl. 2

pppp

Bn. 1

pppp

Bn. 2

pppp

mp 3

pppp

Hn.

pppp pppp

pppp

C Tpt.

mp 4. con sord.

pppp

(3.)

pppp

mp 3

pppp

Tbn.

pppp

B. Tbn.

pppp

con sord. Tuba

pppp Tubular Bells

unmeasured

Tub. Bells

pppp

Vn. I a

pppp

Vn. I b

pppp

Vn. I c

pppp

Vn. I d

pppp

Vn. II a

pppp

pppp 2q

4q Vn. II b

pppp

Vn. II c

pppp

Va. a

pppp

pppp Va. b

pppp

Vc. a

pppp

Vc. b

pppp

9 Fl. 1

pppp

to Picc. Fl. 2

pppp

Ob. 1

pppp

Ob. 2

pppp

Cl. 1

pppp

1q Cl. 2

pppp

mp Bn. 1

pppp

Bn. 2

pppp

pppp 3

pppp

mf mf

Hn.

pppp pppp

C Tpt.

pppp

mp mp

pppp

pppp pppp

pppp

Tbn.

mp B. Tbn.

pppp

Tuba

pppp

Glockenspiel

Tub. Bells

Hp.

pppp

Vn. I a

pppp

Vn. I b

pppp

Vn. I c

pppp

Vn. I d

pppp

2q 2q

Vn. II a

pppp

f 1q

pppp

Vn. II b

pppp

3q Vn. II c

pppp

Va. a

pppp

Va. b

pppp

Vc. a

pppp

Vc. b

pppp

Cb.

pppp

6 11 Ob. 2

pppp

Cl. 1

pppp

1q Cl. 2

pppp

Bn. 1

pppp

Bn. 2

pppp

(2.)

C Tpt.

pppp pppp

f Tbn.

pppp

B. Tbn.

pppp

3 Tuba

pppp

Timp.

pppp

Marimba Mar.

pppp

Vn. I b

pp non cresc. 6

Vn. I c

pp non cresc. 6

Vn. I d

pppp

pp non cresc.

Vn. II a

pppp

pp non cresc. headless notes = repeat previous pattern of 3 notes

Vn. II b

pppp

pp non cresc.

2q Vn. II c

pppp

pp non cresc. 6

Va. a

pp non cresc.

pppp 2q

Va. b

pppp

Vc. a

pppp

2q 2q

Vc. b

pppp

Cb.

pppp

12 Ob. 2

p non cresc.

Cl. 1

p non cresc.

Bn. 2

senza sord.

p non cresc. Hn.

senza sord.

p non cresc.

senza sord.

p non cresc.

Tbn.

senza sord. Tuba

p non cresc.

pppp

Timp.

pppp

headless notes = repeat previous pattern of 3 notes Vn. I a

pp non cresc.

Vn. I b

Vn. I c

Vn. I d

headless notes = repeat previous pattern of 3 notes 6

Vn. II a

Vn. II b

Vn. II c

headless notes = repeat previous pattern of 3 notes 6

Va. a

Va. b

pp non cresc. headless notes = repeat previous pattern of 3 notes 6

Vc. a

pppp

pp non cresc.

6 6

Vc. b

pppp

pp non cresc. 3

Cb.

pppp

13 Fl. 1

mf Piccolo Picc.

Ob. 1

Ob. 2

Cl. 1

Bn. 1

Bn. 2

Hn.

senza sord. mp C Tpt.

senza sord.

Tbn.

mp senza sord. B. Tbn.

Tuba

Vn. I a

cresc. poco a poco

Vn. I b

cresc. poco a poco

Vn. I c

cresc. poco a poco

Vn. I d

cresc. poco a poco

Vn. II a

cresc. poco a poco

Vn. II b

cresc. poco a poco 6

Vn. II c

cresc. poco a poco

Va. a

cresc. poco a poco 6

Va. b

cresc. poco a poco

Vc. a

cresc. poco a poco 6

6 6

Vc. b

cresc. poco a poco 3

Cb.

cresc. poco a poco

9 14 Fl. 1

Picc.

Ob. 1

Ob. 2

Cl. 1

Cl. 2

mf Bn. 1

Bn. 2

Hn.

C Tpt.

mf mf Tbn.

B. Tbn.

mf Tuba

Vn. I a

(cresc.)

Vn. I b

(cresc.)

Vn. I c

molto

(cresc.) 6

(cresc.)

Vn. II b

molto

(cresc.)

Vn. II a

molto

(cresc.)

Vn. I d

molto

Vn. II c

(cresc.)

Va. a

Va. b

(cresc.) 6

Vc. a

(cresc.)

Vc. b

(cresc.)

Cb.

15 Fl. 1

ff 3

Picc.

Ob. 1

Ob. 2

ff 3

Cl. 1

3 6

6 3

Cl. 2

Bn. 1

6 6

Bn. 2

ff 6

Hn.

C Tpt.

f cant.

gliss.

Tbn.

f cant. gliss. B. Tbn.

f cant. sim. - chromatic scale down gliss.

pitches not exact - mumbled gliss. Vn. I a

fff

pitches not exact - mumbled

fff

molto

fff

molto

gliss. 6

molto

gliss.

fff

sim. - chromatic scale down

sim. - chromatic scale down gliss. 6

pitches not exact - mumbled gliss. Vn. II c

gliss.

fff

sim. - chromatic scale down

pitches not exact - mumbled gliss. Vn. II b

gliss.

pitches not exact - mumbled gliss. Vn. II a

sim. - chromatic scale down

pitches not exact - mumbled gliss. Vn. I d

gliss.

sim. - chromatic scale down gliss.

gliss. 6

gliss.

pitches not exact - mumbled

Vn. I c

sim. - chromatic scale down gliss.

gliss. Vn. I b

gliss.

pitches not exact - mumbled gliss.

sim. - chromatic scale down gliss.

Va. a

molto

fff

pitches not exact - mumbled

sim. - chromatic scale down gliss.

gliss. Va. b

molto

fff

pitches not exact - mumbled 6

gliss.

Vc. a

molto 6

fff 6

pitches not exact - mumbled gliss.

Vc. b

molto

fff

fltg.

16 Fl. 1

6 6

fltg. Picc.

Ob. 1

Ob. 2

Cl. 1

Cl. 2

Bn. 1

6 6 Bn. 2

a2, bells up

ss. gli ff 3

6 Hn.

a2, bells up

. gliss ff 6

fltg.

s glis ff

. 6

C Tpt.

6 6

fltg.

gliss.

ff 3

gliss.

Tbn.

gliss.

gliss. gliss.

gliss. ff

gliss.

B. Tbn.

gliss.

ff Tuba

ff Ratchet Ratch.

molto

ff p.d.l.t. gliss

Db C B

Hp.

gliss.

gli ss.

fff

E F G Ab

gli

ss.

unmeasured 6

gliss.

to lowest note possible

Vn. I a

6 6

gliss. 6

gliss.

to lowest note possible

unmeasured to lowest note possible

gliss.

Vn. I c

gliss.

Vn. I b

unmeasured

gliss.

unmeasured

gliss. Vn. I d

gliss.

6 6

to lowest note possible

gliss.

unmeasured

to lowest note possible

gliss.

gliss. Vn. II a

gliss. 6

gliss.

Vn. II b

unmeasured to lowest note possible

gliss. gliss. 6

6 6

unmeasured to lowest note possible

gliss. gliss.

Vn. II c

gliss.

to lowest note possible

gliss. 6

gliss.

gliss. 6

to lowest note possible

gliss.

Va. b

unmeasured

gliss. Va. a

gliss.

sim. - chromatic scale down 6

gliss.

to lowest note possible

unmeasured

Vc. a

gliss. 6

sim. - chromatic scale down

6 6

gliss.

Vc. b

gliss. 6

Cb.

fff

to lowest note possible

gliss.

12 17 Bn. 1

Bn. 2

ord. a2, lowest secure pedal tone

fp ord. a2, lowest secure pedal tone

Hn.

fp lowest secure pedal tone

C Tpt.

lowest secure pedal tone

fp lowest secure pedal tone Tbn.

fp lowest secure pedal tone B. Tbn.

lowest secure pedal tone Tuba

Timp.

Tamtam Tam.

cluster - B C C# D RH and LH

Pno.

Hp.

thunder

unis.

Ped. gliss.

fff

cresc.

thunder

Va.

Vc. a

Vc. b

div. Cb.

rubato molto

18 6

Cl. 1

fff 6

Cl. 2

fff

growl Bn. 1

fff growl Bn. 2

fff flutter or growl

fff

Hn.

flutter or growl

fff flutter or growl

fff

C Tpt.

flutter or growl

fff flutter or growl Tbn.

fff flutter or growl B. Tbn.

fff flutter or growl Tuba

fff

Timp.

gliss. ff

Tam.

rubato molto Vn. I a

pppp change bow as needed

Vn. I b

fff change bow as needed

Vn. I c

fff change bow as needed

non div. Vn. I d

fff

non div. Vn. II a

pppp

Vn. II b

pppp

Vn. II c

pppp

p non div. Va. a

pppp

Va. b

pppp

Vc. a

pppp

Vc. b

pppp unis. Cb.

pppp

Grand Wave No. 2 - Vertical Pools 22

More Rhapsodic q = 80

Fl. 1

Picc.

mf solo

Ob. 1

pp poss.

Ob. 2

mf solo Cl. 1

pppp

Cl. 2

mf 3 Bn. 1

1. solo Hn.

Glockenspiel

Glock.

pp delicate

scrape Tamtam edge triangle beater gliss. Tam.

f Pno.

solo, steady tempo ord.

Hp.

More Rhapsodic q = 80 gliss.

gliss.

Vn. I a

gliss. Vn. I b

ord.

gliss.

Vn. I c

gliss.

ord. Vn. I d

mf unis. gliss.

Vn. II

gliss.

Fl. 1

mf sempre

3 Picc.

mf sempre

Ob. 1

mf sempre

Ob. 2

mf sempre

Cl. 1

mf sempre

Cl. 2

p 6 Bn. 1

mf sempre

6 Bn. 2

mf sempre

Hn.

mf 1. solo C Tpt.

mf 1.

Tbn.

mf sempre

B. Tbn.

mf sempre

Tuba

scrape Tamtam edge triangle beater gliss.

Tam.

gliss.

Pno.

Hp.

gliss.

gliss. Vn. I

mf sempre

sul A

gliss.

Vn. II

mf sempre

unis., detachĂŠ

Va.

mf sempre

unis. Vc.

pizz.

mf sempre arco, detachĂŠ

Cb.

mf sempre

gliss.

16 28 Fl. 1

3 Picc.

Ob. 1

6 Ob. 2

Cl. 1

Cl. 2

mf sempre 3

Bn. 1

3 3 Bn. 2

3 3

mf sempre

Hn.

mf sempre

Tbn.

B. Tbn.

Tuba

Glockenspiel

Glock.

Tubular Bells Tub. B.

Hp.

div. a4

tutti gliss.

Vn. I

div. a3 tutti gliss.

Vn. II

div. a3 tutti gliss. Va.

3 6

div. a3 Vc.

tutti gliss.

detachĂŠ Cb.

17 30

9 4

Fl. 1

fltg.

9 4

Picc.

9 4

Ob. 1

6 Ob. 2

9 4

Cl. 1

9 4

Cl. 2

9 4

Bn. 1

Bn. 2

9 4

Hn.

9 4 mf

C Tpt.

fltg.

9 4

gliss.

Tbn.

B. Tbn.

9 4

gliss.

9 4

Tuba

9 4 Hp.

tutti

gliss.

9 4

Vn. I

tutti gliss.

Vn. II

9 4

tutti gliss.

Va.

9 4

tutti gliss.

Vc.

Cb.

gliss.

9 4

18 32  9 Fl. 1 4

3 2

Picc.

Ob. 1

9 4

3 2 3 2

Ob. 2

9 4

3 2 6

Cl. 1

9 4

3 2 mf

Cl. 2

9 4

3 2 p

Bn. 1

9 4

3 2

Bn. 2

9 4

6 6

3 2

9 4

3 2 fp

Hn.

9 4

3 2 fp

9 4

3 2 6

C Tpt.

9 4

3 2 mp mp

Tbn.

B. Tbn.

9 4

3 2

Tuba

9 4

p S.D., snares on S. D.

9 4

3 2

unmeasured pppp Sus. Cym., soft mallet

Cym.

9 4

3 2

unmeasured pppp

p.d.l.t. unmeasured

9 4 Hp.

p sub.

3 2 3 2 fff

 ss gli Vn. II

unis., detaché

9 4

mf unis. Va.

9 4 p

Vc.

9 4

unis.

3 2 3 2

3 2

Cb.

9 4

3 2 p

19 33 Fl. 1

3 2

4 4

3 4

4 4

Picc.

3 2

4 4

3 4

4 4 f

Ob. 1

3 2 sff

Ob. 2

3 2 sff

Cl. 1

pppp

4 4

3 4 6

4 4

4 4 f

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

pppp

3 2 mp

pppp

3 2 sff

pppp

3 2

sff

3 4

3 2

sff

Bn. 2

3 4

4 4

sff

Bn. 1

pppp

3 2 sff

Cl. 2

pppp

4 4

pppp

Hn.

3 2 sff

pppp

3 2 sff

sff

pppp

3 2

Tbn.

B. Tbn.

Tuba

4 4 pppp

3 2 3 2

3 4

4 4 f

3 2 sff

C Tpt.

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

3 4

4 4

pppp

sff

pppp

sff

pppp

Timp.

3 2 ppp

div. a2

Vn. I

3 2

unis.

ff dig into string

Vn. II

div. a2

3 2

div. a3

ff dig into string

Va.

3 2

non div.

ff dig into string

Vc.

pp non div.

3 2

ff dig into string

Cb.

div. a3

3 2 mf

20 solo

40 Fl. 1

4 4 ff

ppp possible

Picc.

4 4 ppp possible

Ob. 1

4 4 ppp possible

Ob. 2

4 4 ppp possible

Cl. 1

4 4 ppp possible

Cl. 2

4 4 ppp possible

Bn. 1

4 4 ppp possible

Bn. 2

4 4 ppp possible

Hn.

4 4 ppp possible

C Tpt.

4 4 ppp possible

Tbn.

4 4 ppp possible

B. Tbn.

4 4 ppp possible

Tuba

4 4 ppp possible

Timp.

4 4 ppp possible

B. D.

B.D.

4 4 pppp

4 4 Pno.

unmeasured

pppp

4 4

unmeasured ord.

4 4 Hp.

fff

cresc.

4 4 pppp

(div. a3) Vn. I

Vn. II

4 4 4 4

ppp possible (div. a3)

ppp possible

Va.

4 4

(non div.)

ppp possible

Vc.

4 4

(non div.)

ppp possible

Cb.

4 4 ppp possible

fff

A Piacere, Senza Misure, approx. 15-20 sec. – Pandemonium

4 4

Fl. 1

fppp

ffff

4 4

Picc.

ppp

ffff

4 4

Ob. 1

fppp

ffff

4 4

Ob. 2

ppp

ffff

4 4

Cl. 1

fppp

ffff

4 4

Cl. 2

ffff

fppp 6

4 4

Bn. 1

ppp

ffff

4 4

Bn. 2

fppp 6

ffff

4 4 Hn.

fppp

ffff

4 4 fppp

ffff

4 4 3

C Tpt.

fppp

ffff

4 4 3

fppp

ffff 3

4 4

Tbn.

fppp

3 3

ffff 3

4 4

B. Tbn.

fppp

ffff

4 4

Tuba

fppp

ffff

4 4

Timp.

fff

4 4

B. D.

fff Tamtam, tamtam beater

4 4

Tam.

pppp

fff

A Piacere, Senza Misure, approx. 15-20 sec. – Pandemonium

unmeasured

4 4

Vn. I

fppp

ffff

unmeasured

4 4

Vn. II

fppp

ffff

unmeasured (non div.)

4 4

Va.

fppp

ffff

unmeasured (non div.)

4 4

Vc.

fppp

ffff

unmeasured

4 4

Cb.

fppp

ffff

22 Meno Mosso q = 63

Vn. I

div., half ord., half sul pont. (all trills are half step above written)

47 4 4

flautando poco a poco 3

fff dig into string flautando poco a poco

(all trills are half step above written) div., half ord., half sul pont.

Vn. II

4 4

fff dig into string div., half ord., half sul pont. (all trills are half step above written) Va.

4 4

flautando poco a poco 3

fff dig into string flautando poco a poco

div., half ord., half sul pont. (all trills are half step above written) Vc.

4 4

fff dig into string

Cb.

4 4

fff dig into string

flautando

50 Vn. I

3 2 p

3 2

Vn. II

gliss.

4 4

flautando

gliss.

4 4

flautando

3 2

Va.

4 4

gliss.

mf flautando Vc.

3 2

4 4

3 2

4 4

Cb.

S.D., wire brushes, circular motion

3 2

S. D.

ppp

Bowed Waterphone (held in air): Start with rapid and loud strokes and gradually lessen dynamic and sound fill instrument with water 2/3 full

3 2

Tam.

pppp

sweep the strings inside piano with fingers or snare drum wire brushes Spend more time initially at the bottom range, gradually ascend, at the last measure ascend to top

Pno.

Hp.

Vn. I

Vn. II

gliss. ad lib.

3 2 3 2

ppp molto molto Finger Cymbals pp