Calling Angels

for clarinet solo
composed 1995-96; duration 15 minutes
commissioned by Eva Åberg
premiered by Gudni Franzsson

The piece consists of three movements. The first movement is based on spectral analysis of clarinet tones. These spectra are placed in different areas a quarter-tone apart, and the effect is that of two different clarinets playing in the beginning. As the movement develops, the two instruments become one.

The second movement – which gave inspiration for Hum for bass clarinet and live electronics – is a game of rhythm and colour. The timbral effects is reminiscent of the aboriginal instrument dijeridoo.

The player is moving his fingers all the way through the last movement. Even when he isn’t blowing into the instrument and isn’t producing any pitch, the fingers ‘play’ pitches. The resulting key noise is at one extreme of the dynamic range of the movement, the other being the climax of the long, running crescendos towards the conclusion of the piece.

List of Works

Categories

Score
Interactive
Amateur
Solo
Installations
Sound art
Chamber music
Stage music
Orchestra
Chamber orchestra

Laptop
Vocal
Choir
Keyboard
Brass
Woodwind
String
Percussion