Saariaho Timbre/Instrumentation Flashcards
(32 cards)
What is the ‘fundamental’ in terms of a sound?
The main pitch we hear when played or sung.
What are the ‘harmonics’ or ‘partials’ of a sound?
These are much quieter notes that are above the main pitch and happen at the same time as the ‘fundamental’.
How do ‘harmonics’ or ‘partials’ affect the sound of a note?
The exact details of and the relative volumes of the harmonics determine the tone quality or timbre of a sound.
How does Saariaho use computer analysis?
The computer works out what the harmonics are, converting them into a chord which the composer then uses as a feature of the composition.
Explain the origin of the computer analysis involved in ‘Petals’.
An earlier piece called “Nympheas’ for string quartet involved her using a computer to analyse complex cello sounds. The opening of ‘Petals’ is similar to the end of ‘Nympheas’.
What are the 2 ways in which ‘Petals’ can be performed?
(1) solo piece for cello - the sounds (conventional & unconventional) are created purely acoustically.
(2) cello with electronic amplification and signal processing.
What is an ‘avant garde’ composer?
A modern composer. It is a term also used in the art world. It is reserved for those who particularly push the boundaries of what is considered new - i.e. a modern day ‘mainstream’ composer would not be considered ‘avant garde’.
How does Saariaho’s work relate to J. S. Bach, some 250 years earlier?
Bach’s cello suites were considered daring in their day. Bach was at the edge of new ideas, like Saariaho is today. (The difference is Bach had huge popularity).
How do the sounds (timbres) contrast in ‘Petals’?
They alternate between clean and noisy.
Give an example of a clean sound made by the cello in ‘Petals’.
Clear high harmonics.
Give an example of a noisy sound (timbre)?
The rich scratching sound produced by the heaviest bow pressures near the bridge.
What does the ‘harmoniser’ electronic machine do during the piece?
Detunes the pitches of the cello.
How does Saariaho’s use of clean and noisy sounds relate to tonality and atonality?
Her version of consonance is ‘clean’ sound, whereas dissonance is the ‘noisy’ sound.
What does the marking ‘normal’ mean?
Play the cello with the bow normally.
Pizzicato?
The strings are plucked with the right hand, instead of bowed.
Pizzicato left-hand?
The left hand plucks the strings, allowing the right hand to keep bowing the strings at the same time, if desired. It also allows quick switching between bowed and plucked sections.
Bow ‘sul ponticello’?
Bow at the bridge. Creates a louder and harsher tone.
Bow ‘sul tasto’?
Bow over the fingerboard (the black bit!). Creates a thinner tone.
Bow ‘tremolando’?
As tremolo - like an earth tremor - rapidly repeating the same note. Creates anxiety.
Bow ‘flautando’?
Lighter bow, nearer the fingerboard, less vibration of the string, thinner tone.
How does the cellist create a scratching sound?
Heavy bow pressure on the string, not allowing it to resonate properly.
Glissandi?
Smoothly sliding between notes. The cellist slides her LH finger up and down the string as she bows with her right hand.
What types of vibrato is used in ‘Petals’?
Vibrato is when pitch wobbles. The piece requires a mixture of none, normal or exaggerated vibrato.
What is an open string on a cello?
When you bow one or more of the strings without putting any LH fingers down on the finger board. Open strings sound the purest, but you can’t really get any vibrato with them.
