Vox Balaenae
Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale), is a work for electric flute, cello and amplified piano by the American avant-garde composer George Crumb. It was composed for performance by the New York Camerata in 1971.[1]
Background
As the name of the piece Vox Balaenae indicates, its inspiration came from the recordings of whale songs. "Late in the 1960s, George Crumb heard a tape recording prepared by a marine scientist of the sounds emitted by the humpback whale.... In 1971, Crumb drew on these sounds as the inspiration...".[1] Although the piece has eight movements, structurally, the piece is looked at in three parts: the beginning "(...for the beginning of time)", the second part of five variations named after geologic time periods and the third "(...for the end of time)".[2]
Movements and instrumentation techniques
In addition to instrumentation techniques, performers are asked to wear half black masks.[1] It is highly suggested that whenever possible the performance be done under blue lighting.[1] The cello is tuned scordatura,[2] and the piece requires the use of a grand piano as the techniques required would not be possible on an upright model.[3]
| Name of movement[3] | Examples of instrumentation and technique |
|---|---|
| Vocalise | Sing flute, performer sings into flute while playing |
| Sea Theme | "Aeolian harp" performer strums piano strings |
| Archeozoic | cello harmonics and chisel on piano strings |
| Proterozoic | Paper clip strums piano strings and sing flute |
| Paleozoic | Harmonic glissando for cello |
| Mesozoic | Glass rod on piano strings |
| Cenozoic | Harmonics called whistle |
| Sea-Nocturne | Antique cymbals |
References
- 1 2 3 4 Berger, Melvin (1889). Guide to Chamber Music. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications. pp. 139–140. ISBN 0486316726.
- 1 2 George Crumb. "An Idyll for the Misbegotten - Vox Balaenae : Madrigals" (PDF). Newworldrecords.org. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
- 1 2 A Study Module Created for the Associated Colleges of the South Composers Forum Patricia Gray, ACS, Craig Hultgren, Birmingham Southern College, Anthony Brandt, Rice University. "George Crumb Voice of the Whale". Retrieved 2014-03-11.