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7921362
S H U F F E T T , R O B E R T VER NON
THE M U S I C , 1 9 7 1 - 1 9 7 5 , O F GEORGE CRUMB:
A STYLE A NA LY SIS.
PEABOD Y I N S T . O F T H E J O H N S H O P K I N S U N I V .
PEAB OD Y C O N S V . O F M U S I C , D . M . A . , 1 9 7 9
COPR.
University
M crofilrns
International
1 9 7 9 S H U F F E T T , R O B E R T VERNON
1979
R O B E R T VERNON S H U F F E T T
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by
R o b e r t V. S h u f f e t t
1979
DISSERTATION ADVISOR:
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ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
T h i s w r i t e r i s m uch e n d e b t e d t o G e o rg e Crum b
f o r h i s c o n t r i b u t i o n o f v a s t a m o u n ts o f t i m e ,
s o u rc e
m a t e r i a l s , m is c e lla n e o u s in f o r m a tio n , a n a l y t i c a l i n
s i g h t s , and e s p e c ia ll y f o r s u b m ittin g to a s e r i e s
v e ry illu m in a tin g
in te r v ie w s
of
( w h ic h c o n s t i t u t e A p p e n d ix
E of th is d is s e r ta tio n ) .
S p e c ia l g r a titu d e g oes to
Je an E ic h e lb e rg e r
I v e y f o r h e r e n c o u r a g e m e n t , g u i d a n c e , a n d m any h e l p
f u l s u g g e s tio n s .
a ls o
M o r r i s C o t e l a n d R o b e r t H a l l L e w is
c o n t r i b u t e d v a l u a b l e a n d m uch a p p r e c i a t e d a s s i s
ta n c e to
t h e c o m p l e ti o n o f t h i s
F in a lly ,
d is s e rta tio n .
I w is h t o p a y h o m ag e t o my w i f e ,
June,
f o r th e p a tie n c e sh e m a in ta in e d d u r in g t h i s a rd u o u s
e n d e a v o r, f o r h e r a d v ic e , and f o r h e r u n d e rs ta n d in g .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
TABLE OP CONTENTS
P ag e
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ...................................................................................................
iii
C h a p te r
I.
II.
III.
IV .
V.
V I.
V II.
V III.
INTRODUCTION .........................................................................................
10
15
33
GEORGE CRUMB:
44
64
E x t r a m u s i c a l C o n s i d e r a t i o n s ..................................................
L a r g e - S c a l e S t r u c t u r e .................................................................
S t r u c t u r a l D e t a i l s .........................................................................
66
107
E x t r a m u s i c a l C o n s i d e r a t i o n s ..................................................
L a r g e - S c a l e S t r u c t u r e .................................................................
S tru c tu ra l D e ta ils
.................................................... ..............
107
10y
113
133
E x t r a m u s i c a l C o n s i d e r a t i o n s ..................................................
L a r g e - S c a l e I n t e r c o n n e c t i o n s ...............................................
C o m p o s i t i o n a l M e th o d o lo g y .......................................................
133
143
146
MAKROKOSMOS, VOLUME I
MAKROKOSMOS, VOLUME I I
64
67
.................................................................
150
...............................................................
241
.................................................................................
317
L a r g e - S c a l e S t r u c t u r a l C o n s i d e r a t i o n s ........................
S t r u c t u r a l D e t a i l s ............. .....................................................
317
320
MAKROKOSMOS I I I
iv
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Page
A.
384
B.
386
C.
D.
392
E.
................
387
395
3 J u l y 1 976 ................................................................... .
30 A u g u s t 1976 ............................................................
6 N ovem ber 1976 ...........................................................
27 N ovem ber 1976 ............................................................
18 J a n u a r y 1 977 ........................................................... .
7 A p r i l 1977 .................................. .............................. .
14 A o r i l 1977
.......................... ..................................
29 A p r i l 1977
............................................................ ..
30 May 1 977 ....................................................... .................
10 J u n e 1977
..............................................................
19 J u l y 1977
............................................................
5 A u g u s t 1977 .......................... ....................................
27 A u g u s t 1 977 .......................................................
10 S e p te m b e r 1.977 ....................................................... ..
26 S e p te m b e r 197 7 .........................................................
25 O c t o b e r 197 7 ...............................................................
16 N o v e m c er 1 977 ...........................................................
3 F e b r u a r y 1 978 ............................................................
18 M arch 1978 ....................................................................
12 J u n e 1 978 ......................................................................
17 J u l y 1 978 ......................................................................
5 A u g u s t 1978 .................................................................
25 S e p te m b e r 1 9 7 8 .........................................................
16 N ovem ber 1 978 ............................................................
4 D e c e m b e r 1978 ............................................................
395
405
410
413
4 l6
419
424
428
430
435
445
451
457
470
477
484
487
496
507
517
520
530
543
546
558
565
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CHAPTER I
INTRODUCTION
T h is i n t r o d u c t o r y c h a p t e r i s ,
p reface
to
f o llo w in g a b r i e f
t h o s e c o m p o s i t i o n s c o m p l e te d d u r i n g t h e s p a n
f ro m 197 1 t h r o u g h 1975* d e v o te d t o f o u r b r o a d a r e a s :
g e n e ra l t r a i t s
p o s e r 's
o f G e o rg e C r u m b 's m u s i c a l s t y l e ,
p o s itio n
i n t o d a y 's c u l t u r a l m i l i e u ,
m u s i c a l i n f l u e n c e s w h ic h o f t e n c o n s t i t u t e
t h e com
th e e x t r a -
p a r t o f C r u m b 's
i n i t i a l m u s i c a l c o n c e p t i o n s , a n d t h e c o m p o s e r 's n o t a t i o n
an d n o t a t i o n a l p r a c t i c e s .
c o n s id e ra tio n s
An u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e s e
s h e d s much l i g h t on C r u m b 's p s y c h o l o g i c a l
m akeup, a s w e ll a s on h i s m u s ic .
P r e f a c e t o t h e M u sic fro m 1 9 7 1 t h r o u g h 1 9 7 5
G e o rg e Crumb c o m p l e te d f i v e
th e
s p a n f ro m 1971 t h r o u g h 1 9 7 5 :
c o m p o s itio n s d u r in g
Vox B a l a e n a e 1 ( 1 9 7 1 )*
Lux A e t e m a 2 ( 1 9 7 1 )* M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
I^
(1 9 7 2 ),
^ G e o rg e C rum b, Vox B a l a e n a e ( V o ic e o f t h e W h a le )
(New Y o r k :
C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a tio n , 1 9 7 2 ).
2C ru m b , Lux A e t e m a
p o r a tio n , 1 9 7 2 ).
(New Y o r k :
^C rum b, M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
C o rp o ra tio n , 19747.
C .F .
P e t e r s C o r
(New Y o r k :
C .F .
P e te rs
1-
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I 1 ( 1 9 7 3 ) , a n d M a k ro k o sm o s I I I 2 ( 1 9 7 4 ) .
T h e s e w o rk s w o u ld seem t o b e o f s p e c i a l I n t e r e s t a n d s t y
lis tic
re le v a n c e ,
s in c e th e y r e p r e s e n t a c c o r d in g to th e
co m p o se r th e f i n a l p r o d u c ts o f a c o m p o s itio n a l p e rio d
t h a t began in 1962.
th e com poser i s
T ho u g h h e h e s i t a t e s
te r m s o f c e r t a i n new d i r e c t i o n s ;
a s c e r ta in
f in is h e d
it
is
th a n
s till
to o e a r l y to
p r e c i s e l y w h a t t h e s e m ig h t e n c o m p a s s .
t h e m o s t r e c e n t w o rk w i t h i n
Crumb
th e d e s ig n a te d sp an ,
M a k ro k o sm o s I I I , i n F e b r u a r y o f 1 9 7 4 .
tio n ,
to be s p e c i f i c ,
c o n s id e r in g h i s c o m p o s itio n a l f u tu r e in
H is n e x t c o m p o s i
d e te c te d
s o m e t h in g e n t i r e l y
I m m e d ia t e l y , c r i t i c s
d i f f e r e n t a b o u t t h i s m u s ic .
J o s e p h H o r o w itz w r o t e t h e f o l l o w i n g a f t e r h e a r i n g t h e New
Y o rk p r e m i e r e o f D r e a m - S e q u e n c e ;
. . . c o m p a re d t o t h e t h r e e o t h e r c o m p o s i t i o n s / o n
t h e p ro g ra m by C rum b7 " D r e a m - S e q u e n c e " i s m ore s t a t i c ,
m ore a b s t r a c t , a n d m ore t h o r o u g h l y o t h e r w o r l d l y .
T h e r e i s n o t h i n g i n i t l i k e t h e f i v e - n o t e them e
t h a t h e l p s o r g a n i z e t h e v a r i e d m oods o f ^/C rum b' s /
-k jru m b , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
C o r p o r a t i o n , 197 ^ 0 ^
II
(New Y o r k ;
C .F . P e t e r s
(New Y o rk :
C .F . P e t e r s C o r
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
p a p e r a r e d e v o te d
to a d e t a i l e d m u s ic a l a n a l y s i s o f th e c o m p o s itio n s w r i t t e n
fro m 197 1 t h r o u g h 1 9 7 5 -
I n t h e s e c h a p . ; r s , w h ic h h a v e
b e e n r e a d by a n d d i s c u s s e d w i t h t h e c o m p o s e r , a n a t t e m p t
h a s b e e n m ade t o c o n c e n t r a t e on t h e m o s t r e l e v a n t s t r u c
t u r a l a s p e c t s o f e a c h i n d i v i d u a l p i e c e , a n d t o d e e m p h a s iz e
in a u d ib le
A ll m u s ic a l p a ra m e te r s
When
he had w r itte n
y e a r s a g o c o n c e r n i n g P e t e r W e s t e r g a a r d 1s
V a r i a t i o n s f o r S i x P l a y e r s , 2 Crumb s t a t e d :
T h a t w as t h e o n l y a n a l y t i c a l p a p e r o f i t s k i n d
I ' v e e v e r w r i t t e n , a n d t h a t w as q u i t e a few y e a r s
ago.
I f e e l now , t h a t w e re I t o a n a l y z e t h a t p i e c e
o r a n y p i e c e f o r t h a t m a t t e r I w o u ld do i t q u i t e
d iff e re n tly .
I w o u ld c o n c e n t r a t e f a r l e s s o n s t r u c
t u r a l m i n u t i a e f o rm s o f t h e row a n d s y m m e tr i e s t h a t
t h e l i s t e n e r i s n o t a w a r e o f a n d r a t h e r t r y t o lo o k
1S e q u e n c e , 1 " New
2 G e o rg e C rum b, " P e t e r W e s t e r g a a r d :
V a r ia tio n s f o r
S i x P l a y e r s , " P e r s p e c t i v e s o f New M u sic ( S p rin g - S u m m e r
1 9 6 5 ): 8 3 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 at
th e p ie c e in te rm s o f w hat i t
say s m u s ic a lly .1
S uch a d m o n i t i o n s h a v e s t r o n g l y i n f l u e n c e d t h i s w r i t e r ' s
m u s i c a l a n a l y s i s o f t h e f i v e w o rk s u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n .
G e n e r a l C h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f C r u m b 's M u s ic a l S t y l e
I n N o v em b er o f 1 9 6 2 , Crumb f i n i s h e d
o f F iv e
P i e c e s f o r P i a n o .^
o n e - h a l f y e a r s s in c e t h e c o m p le tio n o f h i s
s itio n
F iv e
th e c o m p o s itio n
I t h a d b e e n m o re t h a n t h r e e a n d
p r e v i o u s com po
(w h ic h w as a s t u d e n t w o rk f o r o r c h e s t r a ) .
P i e c e s f o r P ia n o d i f f e r s
w r itte n e a r l i e r ;
th is
is
r a d ic a lly
t h e f i r s t w o rk r e p r e s e n t a t i v e
t h e c o m p o s e r 's m a tu r e c o m p o s i t i o n a l s t y l e .
w i t h t h i s w r i t e r , Crum b r e l a t e d
c o n c e rn in g h i s
M u s ic a lly ,
fro m a n y t h i n g h e h a d
own s t y l i s t i c
of
In an in te r v ie w
th e fo llo w in g in fo rm a tio n
d e v e lo p m e n t:
I t w as o n l y i n 1962 t h a t I b e g a n w r i t i n g i n my
c u r r e n t s t y l e , a n d b e f o r e t h a t t i m e , mjr m u s ic w as a
s y n t h e s i s , s t r o n g l y d e r i v a t i v e o f B a r t o k , B e r g , W e b e rn ,
a n d S c h o e n b e r g t h e p r i n c i p a l c o m p o s e r s o f t h e tw e n
t i e t h c e n tu ry .
I t ' s h a r d t o e x p l a i n why o n e s t a r t s t o
w r i t e i n a d i f f e r e n t s t y l e t h i s r e s u l t s fro m in w a r d
m o t i v a t i o n s o f som e k i n d , I s u p p o s e .
I t h in k I s im p ly
b e c am e a w a r e t h a t I w a s n 't w r i t i n g my own m u s i c ,
p a r t i a l l y a s a r e s u l t o f a c o n tin u in g s e a rc h f o r a
p e r s o n a l m ode o f e x p r e s s i o n .
In a s e n s e , th o u g h , I
t h i n k t h a t w h a t y o u a r e a t a g e f i f t y i s w h a t w as
i n t e r v i e w , 18 J a n u a r y 1 9 7 7 .
N .B .
T h is w r i t e r i s c u r
r e n t l y en gaged in th e ta p in g and t r a n s c r i p ti o n o f a s e r i e s o f
i n t e r v i e w s w i t h t h e c o m p o s e r a t h i s hom e i n M e d ia , P e n n . ;
h e n c e f o r t h , q u o t a t i o n s fro m t h e s e i n t e r v i e w s w i l l b e f o o t n o t e d
a s in t h is in s ta n c e .
T h ese i n t e r v i e w s , b e c a u s e th e y p r o v id e
i n v a l u a b le i n s i g h t s i n t o th e co m po ser an d h i s m u sic , a r e p r e
s e n t e d i n A p p e n d ix E o f t h i s d i s s e r t a t i o n .
^ C rum b, F i v e P i e c e s f o r P ia n o
C o r p o r a t i o n , 19b'7")\
(New Y o r k :
C .F .
P e te rs
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 im p lie d a t a g e f i f t e e n .
As c h i l d r e n , I t h i n k we
h a v e a l r e a d y d e v e lo p e d th e e s t h e t i c p r o to t y p e s t h a t
a r e w ith u s th e r e s t o f o u r l i v e s . 1
Crumb c o n s c i o u s l y d e v e lo p e d a n d a d o p t e d a new
m u sic a l la n g u a g e a t l e a s t p a r t i a l l y
n e e d f o r m o re o r i g i n a l i t y
b e c au se he f e l t
in h i s m u sic .
in
th e
To h im , o r i g i n a l i t y
th e a p p r a i s a l o f any
s e r i o u s c o n te m p o r a r y m u s i c a l s t y l e ,
. . . b e c a u s e o r i g i n a l i t y i m p l i e s new c o m b i n a t i o n s
a n d new c o n c e p t i o n s .
O f c o u r s e n o m u s ic i s com
p l e t e l y o r i g i n a l ; i t d e r i v e s f ro m m any s o u r c e s , a n d
so t h e c o m p o s e r s y n t h e s i z e s a l l o f t h i s , a n d a d d s a
l i t t l e o f h i s o w n .2
( 1963) f o r s o lo
N i g h t M u sic
d o u b l i n g on c e l e s t a ,
s o p ra n o ,
p ia n is t
a n d tw o p e r c u s s i o n i s t s C r u m b 's n e x t
c o m p o s itio n f o ll o w i n g F iv e P ie c e s f o r P la n o c o n ta i n s a
t h i r d m ovem ent c o n s i s t i n g o f t h r e e
p a rts .
in d e p e n d e n t in s tr u m e n t a l
The v e r t i c a l c o m b i n a t i o n o f t h e s e
a le a to ric .
N o t a t e d i n t h e fo rm o f
Crumb u s e s i n
refe ren c e
to h is use o f c ir c le
in s tr u m e n ta l p a r ts have s e p a r a te
p ia n o and p e r c u s s io n
p a rts
is
te m p i.
to ta lly
(a te r m
n o ta tio n ),
In a d d itio n ,
p a r t s b e g in a n d en d a t
th e
th e
ra n d o m p o i n t s ,
a n d may b e r e a d f ro m t h e s c o r e i n e i t h e r a c o u n t e r c l o c k w i s e
in te r v ie w ,
23 J u l y 1976.
2I b id .
3 c ru m b , N i g h t M u sic I (New Y o r k :
P u b lis h in g C o rp o r a tio n , 1 9 6 7 ).
B e lw in -M ills
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-6 o r a c lo c k w is e d i r e c t i o n .
B ecause o f a c e r t a in
im p ro v is a
"chance"
a le a to ric
A lth o u g h
i n c o r p o r a te d a c e r t a i n d e g re e
in h i s m u sic , he q u e s tio n s th e v a lu e o f t o t a l l y
m u sic :
T h e r e i s a d a n g e r i n l i m i t i n g m u s ic t o e x t r e m e s .
. . . t h e r e a r e im m en se d i f f i c u l t i e s i n h a n d l i n g
a d e q u a te ly th e c o n c e p ts o f t o t a l o r g a n iz a tio n , o r
a t o t a l la c k o f o r g a n iz a tio n .
I t h i n k s o m e t h in g h a s b e e n l e a r n e d .
I n & w ay , i t
h a s c h a n g e d t h e w ay we l o o k a t t h i n g s .
M aybe t h a t ' s
t h e w ay t h i n g s h a p p e n s o m e tim e s we g e t a n e x tr e m e
p o s it io n , an d i t f o r c e s a m o d if ic a tio n , o r a change
o f som e s o r t .
I w o u ld b e h a r d p r e s s e d , h o w e v e r , t o
nam e a n y m a s t e r p i e c e s i n e i t h e r o f t h e s e tw o e x tr e m e
s t y l e s .1
E r i c S a lz m a n d i s c u s s e s s u c c i n c t l y som e o f t h e p h i l o
s o p h ic a l r a m i f i c a t i o n s c o n n e c te d w ith th e m u l t i p l i c i t y o f
s ty lis tic
h is
r e s o u r c e s now f r e e l y a v a i l a b l e
T w e n t i e t h C e n t u r y M u s ic :
to co m p o se rs in
An I n t r o d u c t i o n :
I n a v e r y r e a l s e n s e t h e a g e o f m o d e rn m u s ic i s
d r a w in g t o a c l o s e .
The m u s ic o f t h e a v a n t - g a r d e ,
g r o w in g o u t o f m o d e rn m u s i c , i s i n f a c t a t r a n s i t i o n
t o s o m e t h in g n e w .
The o l d c a t e g o r i e s a r e p u r e l y h i s
t o r i c a l a n d no l o n g e r r e l e v a n t .
F o r th e yo u n g er
c o m D o s e rs a n d m any o f t h e o l d e r o n e s t h e b a r r i e r s
a r e dow n, t h e c a t e g o r i e s d e s t r o y e d , t h e o l d b a t t l e s
S S I r S S ' d S S I S l t h ? A ny k i n d o f ; | f d e m e n t i s p o s s i b l e .
A ll p o s s ib le m a te ria ls and a l l p o s s ib le r e la tio n s h ip ^
in te r v ie w ,
23 J u l y
1976.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-7 b e tw e e n c r e a t o r , c r e a t i o n , p e r f o r m e r , a n d p e r c e iv e r a r e p o s s ib le ( in c lu d in g n o n e ); b u t th e
s ig n i f ic a n c e o f th e s e p o s s i b i l i t i e s i s o n ly to
be f o u n d i n t h e c r e a t i v e a c h ie v e m e n t s t h e m s e l v e s . 1
S a lz m a n b e l i e v e s t h a t i n o r d e r f o r t h e m u sic o f a c o n te m
p o r a r y s e r i o u s c o m p o s e r t o s u c c e e d a s g e n u in e a r t ,
e s s e n t i a l p r o b le m s m u s t b e s o l v e d :
tio n
of s ty lis tic
two
th e c o n v in c in g s e l e c
e l e m e n t s fro m t h e a v a i l a b l e
to ta lity ;
a n d t h e c r e a t i o n o f v i a b l e fo rm s fro m c o m b i n a ti o n s o f p r o
c e d u r e s a n d m a t e r i a l s w h ic h i n
t h e p a s t w o u ld h a v e b e e n
c o n s i d e r e d u n w o r k a b le w i t h i n a s i n g l e s t y l e . 2
The m u s ic o f G e o rg e Crumb c o m b in e s a m u l t i t u d e o f
s e e m i n g ly c o n t r a s t i n g s t y l i s t i c
e le m e n ts i n t o a s y n t h e s i s
o f u n q u e s tio n a b le i n d i v i d u a l i t y and a r t i s t i c
c o n s is tin g la r g e ly o f tr i a d s ,
m e rit.
t i o n s fro m f a m i l i a r e x i s t i n g w o r k s , o rg an u m , e t c . ,
ro u tin e ly
ju x ta p o s e d in
u tiliz a tio n
c a l s ty le ,
P assages
e le m e n ts o f a t o n a l i t y ,
v a r y i n g c o m b i n a t i o n s .'
q u o ta
a re
In th e
o f s u c h d i v e r s e c o m p o n e n ts w i t h i n a s i n g l e m u s i
Crum b h a s p i o n e e r e d .
t h e p r o b le m s r e f e r r e d
He a l s o s e em s t o h a v e s o l v e d
t o b y E r i c S a lzm a n i n t h e p r e v i o u s
p a ra g ra p h .
When a s k e d a b o u t t h e u n d e r l y i n g r e a s o n s f o r t h e
s ty lis tic
f r e e d o m o f h i s m u sic a n d t h a t o f m any o t h e r
1E r i c
d u c tio n ,
p. 200.
S a lz m a n , T w e n t i e t h - C e n t u r y M u s ic :
2nd e d .,
2I b id .,
(E n g le w o o d C l i f f s :
An I n t r o -
P re n tic e -H a ll,
1 9 7 4 ),
p p . 3 ^ -3 5 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
t w e n t i e t h - c e n t u r y c o m p o s e r s , Crumb e x p r e s s e d a c o n v i c t i o n
t h a t t h i s h a d p e r h a p s r e s u l t e d f ro m a b r o a d s o c i o l o g i c a l
m o v e m e n t.
He f e l t
t h a t t h e p a s t w as c u r r e n t l y
b e in g lo o k e d
u p o n by s o c i e t y a s a t h i n g o f p r o n o u n c e d r e l e v a n c e a n d f a s
c in a tio n :
"T h ere i s
o f a l l k in d s
liz e
. . . .
a v e ry d iv e r s e
p e rio d
th a t is
a g re a t in te r e s t c u rre n tly ,
v a r i e t y o f phenom ena, r a t h e r th a n a
p u r is t and r e s t r i c t i v e
Crumb a l s o b e l i e v e s
in h is to r y
We a r e i n a p e r i o d t h a t t e n d s t o u t i
in i t s
t h a t t h e new a w a r e n e s s o f c u l t u r e s
M ore s p e c i f i c a l l y ,
th e com poser f e e l s
th a t rec o rd
i n g s o f M e d ie v a l, R e n a i s s a n c e , a n d E a s t e r n m u s ic h a v e
s t r o n g l y i n f l u e n c e d h i s own s t y l e ,
s ta tin g :
q u a lif y in g t h i s
"T he m u s ic a c o m p o s e r w r i t e s i s
by
t h e sum o f a l l
t h e m u sic h e h a s h e a r d a n d l i k e d . "3
The m u s ic o f G e o rg e Crum b w r i t t e n
s in c e
1962 d i s
p l a y s a n e x p a n s i o n a n d d e v e lo p m e n t o f t h e m u s i c a l la n g u a g e
f i r s t u tiliz e d
in F iv e
P ie c e s f o r P la n o .
U n l i k e some o f
h i s c o n t e m p o r a r i e s , who c h a n g e t h e i r m u s i c a l s t y l e s w i t h
n e a r l y e v e r y new w o r k , Crumb h a s c h o s e n t o m a i n t a i n a m o re
c o n s is te n t s t y l i s t i c
1 In te rv ie w ,
s ta n c e .
H o w e v e r, w i t h i n a r e l a t i v e l y
14 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 -
2Ib ld .
" ^ In te rv ie w ,
23 J u l y 1 9 7 6 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-9 s ta b le
to
v o c a b u l a r y o f m u s i c a l p a r a m e t e r s , Crumb s e e m s a b l e
p ro d u c e a n a lm o s t i n f i n i t e
i n h i s M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l s .
a s s o rtm e n t o f e m o tio n a l s t a t e s ;
I and I I ,
o f th e tw e n ty -fo u r p ie c e s h as i t s
f o r e x a m p le , e v e r y o n e
own e s s e n t i a l c h a r a c t e r
o r e th o s .
C r u m b 's m u s i c a l s t y l e
p r im a rily
a rt;
to
o w es i t s
in ta n g ib le s as is
s trik in g
o r ig in a lity
t h e c a s e w i t h a n y g e n u in e
h o w e v e r, c e r t a i n c o n tr i b u to r y a t t r i b u t e s c a n be p o in te d
o u t.
Among t h e s e a r e C r u m b 's i n g e n i o u s h a n d l i n g o f t i m b r e
and te x t u r e ,
h is f e e l in g f o r e x p re s s iv e n u a n c e , h i s a v o id
a n c e o f c o n tin u o u s c o m p le x ity an d c o u n t e r p o i n t ,
s i s t e n t h a rm o n ic a n d m e l o d i c
ra te d
p i tc h v o c a b u la r y
f ro m w h o l e - t o n e o r p e n t a t o n i c
r h y th m ic
la n g u a g e
h i s c o m p le x
(w h ic h f r e q u e n t l y i n v o l v e s w h a t c l o s e l y
r e s e m b l e s M e s s i a e n 's a d d i t i v e
co n d en sed fo rm a l s t r u c t u r e s ,
and c o n tr a s tin g s t y l i s t i c
m o s a ic -lik e
s c a le s ),
h is con
(o fte n gene
p rin c ip le ),
th e
th e u s e o f v e ry
ju x ta p o s itio n
o f d iv e rs e
e le m e n ts , a n d th e e r e c t i o n o f
s t r u c t u r e s fro m m u s i c a l i d e a s o f v a r y i n g
l e n g t h w h ic h a r e c o m b in e d a n d r e c o m b in e d i n s h i f t i n g com
b in a tio n s .
P e rh a p s m o st re m a rk a b le i s
t h e c o m p o s e r 's f r e q u e n t
a n d u n d i s g u i s e d - - a l m o s t o b j e c t i v e e m p lo y m e n t o f s u p e r
m u s ic a l im a g e s o r c o n c e p ts a s h i s r e a l s o u r c e s o f i n s p i r a
tio n .
d raw n .
From t h e s e c o n c e p t u a l i m p u l s e s ,
e n tire
w o rk s a r e
(A m o re c o m p l e te d i s c u s s i o n o f C r u m b 's im a g e r y
a p p e ars l a t e r in t h is
c h a p te r u n d e r th e h e a d in g ,
The
I n i t i a l C o n c e p tio n . )
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 0 P o 3 ltlo n
I n th e C u l tu r a l M ilie u
D u r i n g m uch o f t h e t w e n t i e t h c e n t u r y , m u s i c a l com
p o s i t i o n h a s l a r g e l y b e e n g o v e rn e d e i t h e r by p u re i n t u i t i o n ,
o r by th e
p r in c ip le s o f th re e
to n a lity ,
s y s te m s o f c o n s t r u c t i o n :
T h o se c o m p o se rs
e m b r a c in g t o n a l i t y , a fe w o f t h e m o re c o n s e r v a t i v e a d h e r e n t s
o f s e ria lis m
in tu itiv e
an d f r e e a t o n a l i t y , an d th e l e s s
c o m p o se rs h a v e fo rm e d tn e s o - c a l l e d
th o s e n o t f i t t i n g
in to
th is
c a te g o r y in
to
" m a in s tr e a m ;"
v e ry g e n e r a l te rm s
h a v e m ade u p w h a t h a s s o m e tim e s b e e n r e f e r r e d
" a v a n t- g a rd e ."
r a d ic a l o f th e
to a s th e
Many p r o m i n e n t c o m p o s e r s h a v e c h o s e n e i t h e r
e m p lo y o n e o f t h e t h r e e
t h e o r e t i c a l b a s e s m e n tio n e d a b o v e ,
o r t o d e e m p h a s iz e t h e o r y a n d w r i t e
c h o s e n m e th o d i s
in tu itiv e ly .
O fte n a
e sp o u se d a s th e o n ly p o s s ib le d i r e c ti o n
w h ic h a r t m u s ic c a n p r o g r e s s .
b y P i e r r e B o u le z d e m o n s t r a t e d t h e h a r d - l i n e
b y som e c o m p o s e r s :
in
The f o l l o w i n g p r o c l a m a t i o n
s ta n c e a d o p te d
" S in c e th e d is c o v e r y by th e V ie n n e se
^ S c h o e n b e r g , B e r g , a n d W e b e rn /7* a l l c o m p o s i t i o n o t h e r t h a n
1 2 - to n e i s u s e l e s s . " 1
quence of th is
a n o th e r .
P ie rre
Much b i t t e r n e s s h a s b e e n o n e c o n s e
phenom enon; th e
A lo n g t h e s e
lin e s ,
im p r is o n m e n t o f m u s i c ,
Crum b h o l d s t h e c o n v i c t i o n
th a t
^ a v i d H . C ope a n d G a le n W il s o n , "An I n t e r v i e w w i t h
B o u l e z , " The C o m p o se r 1 ( S e p te m b e r 1 9 6 9 ) : 8 3 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 1 Many c o m p o s e r s t a k e t h e i r s t a n c e s o s e r i o u s l y
t h a t th e y f e e l th e y n e e d to d e fe n d I t by in d u lg in g
in p o le m ic s .
I . . . d o n 't f e e l an y p e r s o n a l n e e d
to g e t in v o lv e d i n t h i s s o r t o f t h in g .
A fte r a l l ,
m u s ic _ls a p o l e m i c ; a n y t h i n g c o m m itte d t o p a p e r
r e p r e s e n ts a s ta n c e o r a v ie w p o in t.1
C o m p o s e rs a r e b e g i n n i n g t o a b a n d o n a n a r t i f i c i a l
p l a t f o r m b a s e d on m e t h o d o l o g y .
D a v id Cope s e n s e s t h a t we a r e
. . .
on t h e v e r g e o f o n e o f t h e m o s t c r e a t i v e
a n d s i g n i f i c a n t e r a s i n t h e h i s t o r y o f m u s i c . The p r e j
u d i c e d a n d i n s e c u r e may s t i l l n e e d s h e l t e r b e h i n d a
m a i n s tr e a m d o o r , y e t t h o s e who now v e n t u r e f o r t h
f r e e l y t o t a k e q u i e t a d v a n ta g e o f t h e e v i d e n t s k i l l s
o f b o th r e c e n t s c h o o ls o f th o u g h t . . . a r e , w i l l ,
a n d h a v e b e e n b r a v i n g a n e x c i t i n g new c r e d i b l e s e n s i
t i v i t y i n t o t h e w o r ld o f m u sic . 2
G e o rg e Crum b i s a l e a d e r am ong t h o s e
h i s u n iq u e s t y l i s t i c
u s e s th e te rm
" v e n tu r in g f r e e l y ; "
s y n th e s is has been a r e s u l t .
C ope
" p o s t a v a n t - g a r d e " i n s p e a k i n g o f C ru m b ,
a n d o t h e r c o m p o s e r s who p r a c t i c e
t h e th e o r e m ,
g o e s " i n t h e p r o d u c tio n o f m e a n in g fu l a r t ;
" a n y th in g
he p o in ts o u t
t h a t th e a v a n t- g a rd e o r ig i n a l l y p r o je c te d t h i s
p h ilo s o p h y
a num ber o f y e a r s a g o , b u t f a i l e d
due to a p re
to a p p ly i t ,
o c c u p a t i o n w i t h n o v e l a n d s h o c k in g e f f e c t s .
f o r th o se
" . . .
in th e a r t s ,
In o t h e r w o rd s,
who a r e a w a r e o f w h a t h a s b e e n h a p p e n in g
'n e w n e s s ' a n d
^ I n te r v ie w ,
'3 h o c k ' a r e o v e r , a n d w i t h th e m ,
29 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
2D a v id H. C o p e , New D i r e c t i o n s I n M u s ic , 2 n d e d .
(D u b u q u e , Io w a :
Wm. C . Brown P u b l i s h e r s , 1 9 7 6 )* p . 2 2 4 .
3 ib ld .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-la
th s p r im e m o v e r s , t h e s u p e r s t r u c t u r e o f t h e a v a n t - g a r d e
m ovem ent A
G e o rg e Crumb i s
o n e o f a n u m b e r o f c o m p o s e r s , who
d u r in g th e p a s t d e c a d e , have d is p la y e d u n p a r a lle le d
tiv ity
and t a s t e f u l in c o rp o ra tio n o f v i r t u o s it y ;
in stru m e n ts,
s a tio n ;
se n si
t o v a r io u s p a ra m e te r s o f m u s ic a l p e rfo rm a n c e .
D e ft
o f n e w ly d i s c o v e r e d
i n s tr u m e n ta l r e s o u r c e s , a n d so u n d s; o f im p ro v i
o f t h e c o n t r a s t b e tw e e n c o u n t e d tim e a n d p s y c h o l o g i
c a l tim e ; o f e l e c t r o n i c a d d i t i o n s , a l t e r a t i o n s , an d a m p li
fic a tio n ;
o f p e rfo rm a n c e s p a c e ; a n d o f t h e a t r i c a l a s p e c t s ,
h a v e b e e n am ong t h o s e e l e m e n t s t o b e e x p l o i t e d . 2
sees th is
"new p e r f o r m a n c e p r a c t i c e "
S a lz m a n
( S a lz m a n 1s t e r m f o r
t h e a b o v e - m e n ti o n e d t r e n d ) a s h a v i n g g ro w n , a t l e a s t t o a
s i g n i f i c a n t d e g r e e , o u t o f i n s i g h t s g a i n e d th r o u g h d i s c o v
e rin g th e l im ita tio n s and a t t r i b u t e s
o f e le c t r o n i c m u sic .
The o n e t h i n g t h a t c o m p o s e r s c o u l d n o t s y n t h e s i z e t h e p e r
f o rm a n c e a c t i t s e l f w as r e c o g n i z e d a s a s t r i n g e n t l i m i t a
tio n .
T h i s r e a l i z a t i o n k i n d l e d new e n t h u s i a s m f o r , a n d
u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f t h e p e r f o r m a n c e medium. 3
e i t h e r s y n th e s i z e r s o r c o m p u te rs t o
s o u n d i s w i d e ly r e c o g n i z e d .
The a b i l i t y
of
p ro d u ce an y a u d ib le
T h is a t t r i b u t e
h as le d to th e
llb id .
2 S a lz m a n , T w e n t i e t h - C e n t u r y M u s ic :
An I n t r o d u c t i o n ,
p . 160.
3I b id .,
p . 159.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 3 u n p re c e d e n te d e x p l o i t a t i o n
by co m p o sers o f tim b re an d
s o u n d i n g e n e r a l i n m any e l e c t r o n i c c o m p o s i t i o n s .
p o se rs w r itin g f o r liv e
to w a r d t h e c r e a t i o n
Com
o f new e f f e c t s w i t h t r a d i t i o n a l i n s t r u
m e n ts , a s a c o n se q u e n c e o f b o th d i r e c t an d i n d i r e c t e x p o
su re to
th e e le c tr o n ic
w o rld o f s o u n d s .
t h r o u g h r e c o r d i n g s Crumb h a s f e l t
tro n ic
F o r e x a m p le ,
in flu e n c e o f e le c
m u s ic i n h i s w o r k , a l t h o u g h h e h a s n e v e r a c t u a l l y
c o m p o se d i n t h i s m ed iu m .
r e s u lts
th e
f ro m h i s
( C r u m b 's u s e o f a m p l i f i c a t i o n
p r o p e n s ity f o r d e li c a te
s o n o r i t i e s fro m
c o n v e n tio n a l in s tr u m e n ts ;
it
fra g ile
I n C ru m b s v ie w , c e r t a i n
so u n d s a u d i b l e .)
e le c tro n ic
fu n c tio n s s o le ly
t o m ake t h e s e
e a rly
co m p o se rs
. . . w ere t r y i n g t o w r i t e a n a lo g u e s o f i n s tr u m e n
t a l m u s i c , b u t m o re r e c e n t l y , I t h i n k t h e r e v e r s e
p r o c e s s h a s a l s o h a p p e n e d , i n t h a t some s o u n d s
o r i g i n a l l y p r o d u c e d e l e c t r o n i c a l l y h a v e now f o u n d
t h e i r w ay b a c k i n t o l i v e m u s i c .
F o r p u r e l y e l e c t r o n i c m u s ic , th e c o n c e r t h a l l seem s
u n c o m f o r t a b l e , b u t e v e n o n e l i v e m u s i c i a n on s t a g e
w i t h t h e e l e c t r o n i c s o u n d s , m ak e s a v i a b l e c o n c e r t
s itu a tio n .1
A m e ric a n c o m p o s i t i o n h a s s i n c e W o rld W ar I I a t t a i n e d
f u l l m a tu r ity .
w o u ld o f t e n
th e
" c ra ft" ;
A n u m b e r o f y e a r s a g o , A m e ric a n c o m p o s e r s
sp e n d s e v e r a l y e a r s in E u ro p e i n o r d e r t o
m o re r e c e n t l y ,
1I n te rv ie w ,
23 J u l y
le a r n
y o u n g e r g e n e r a t i o n s h a v e com e t o
1976.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 4 th e r e a l i z a t i o n
p r o fita b le .
th a t th is
i s no lo n g e r n e c e s s a r y o r
The e n v ir o n m e n t p r o v i d e d b y h i g h e r i n s t i t u
t i o n s o f l e a r n i n g m ay b e o n e r e a s o n f o r t h i s
C o m p o se rs h a v e f o u n d t h r o u g h u n i v e r s i t i e s a n d c o n s e r v a t o r i e s ,
n o t o n l y m ea n s o f f i n a n c i a l s u p p o r t ; m o re i m p o r t a n t l y ,
th e y
hav e fo u n d c u l t u r a l i n t e r e s t in an d c o n c e rn f o r t h e i r a r t .
P e rh ap s p a r t i a l l y
a s a c o n s e q u e n c e o f t h e w id e r a n g e o f
p e rv a d in g m a jo r l e a r n i n g c e n t e r s ,
m any a d v a n c e d c o m p o s e r s h a v e becom e i n c r e a s i n g l y a l i g n e d
w ith s p h e re s o u ts id e
th e a r t s .
M y s ti c is m , s c i e n c e ,
th e a te r,
h u m a n ism , E a s t e r n r e l i g i o n s , a n d E a s t e r n p h i l o s o p h i e s a r e
am ong t h e new r e a l m s o f i n f l u e n c e ; C h a r l e s W u o rin e n f e e l s
th a t su ch " . . .
r e g r o u p i n g s a n d c h a n g e s h a v e come t o r e p r e
s e n t t h e p r im a r y f a c t o f c o n te m p o r a r y m u s i c a l e x i s t e n c e ." 1
The p r e c i s e m a n n e r i n w h ic h s u c h p u r s u i t s
a g i v e n c o m p o s e r 's c r e a t i v e
m in e . 2
o u tp u t i s
in flu e n c e
im p o s s ib le to d e t e r
H o w e v e r, w i t h G e o rg e C rum b, m o re p e r h a p s t h a n w i t h
an y o t h e r m a jo r l i v i n g c o m p o se r, e x tr a m u s ic a l in f l u e n c e s
p la y an e x p l i c i t r o l e ; m e ta p h y s ic s ,
t h e a t e r an d d ram a , h i s
t o r i c a l r e f e r e n c e s , a n c i e n t s y m b o lis m , a n d s c i e n c e h a v e a l l
been im p o r ta n t to h i s m u s ic a l c o n c e p tio n s .
C h a r l e s W u o rin e n , " A u s t i n , W il l ia m W ., M u sic i n t h e
T w e n t i e t h - C e n t u r y , " P e r s p e c t i v e s o f New M u sic 5 ( P a l l - W i n t e r
1 9 6 6 ): 1 4 ?.
2E m s t K r e n e k , "A C o m p o s e r 's I n f l u e n c e s , " i n P e r s p e c
t i v e s on A m e ric a n C o m p o s e rs , e d . b y B e n ja m in B o r e t z a n d E d w ard
T . C one (New Y o r k , W.W. N o r t o n & C o . , I n c . , 1 9 7 1 ) : 1 2 5 -3 3 0 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 5 T he I n i t i a l C o n c e p t io n
In t w e n ti e th - c e n tu r y c o m p o s itio n ,
t h e p r im a r y f o u n
d a t i o n a l i m p u l s e s o f m o s t m u s ic h a v e b e e n t o a h i g h d e g r e e
th e m a t e r i a l s o f m u sic :
fo rm a l sch em es,
s e rie s,
a b s t r a c t m o t i v e s , th e m e s , h a r m o n i e s ,
e tc ..
T o d a y 's c o m p o s e r s , when
w r i t i n g a n d s p e a k i n g a b o u t t h e i r own m u s ic a n d t h a t o f
t h e i r c o lle a g u e s ,
r a r e ly
s u g g e s t e x tr a m u s ic a l a s s o c i a ti o n s ;
a n y su c h f a c t o r u s u a l l y r e m a in s i n o v e r t , u n o b j e c t i f i e d
unknow n p e r h a p s .
E r n s t K r e n e k 's c o n v i c t i o n s a r e
ty p ic a l o f
m an y :
To a s c e r t a i n a n d e v a l u a t e t h e i n f l u e n c e s t h a t
m ig h t h a v e c a u s e d a c r e a t i v e a r t i s t t o o r i e n t h im
s e l f i n c e r t a i n d i r e c t i o n s a n d t o m ake d e c i s i o n s
t h a t w o u ld d e t e r m i n e h i s own c o u r s e a s w e l l a s t h a t
o f h is a r t (p ro v id e d he i s h im s e lf in a p o s itio n to
e m a n a te i n f l u e n c e ) i s a d i f f i c u l t t a s k , b e c a u s e t h e
p rese n c e o r a b sen c e o f in flu e n c e i s , lik e a l l m a tte rs
o f h i s t o r y , n o t v e r i f i a b l e th ro u g h e x p e rim e n t.
Faced
w i t h t h e e v i d e n c e o f w h a t h a s h a p p e n e d , we w i l l n e v e r
know w h a t m ig h t h a v e h a p p e n e d i f som e e l e m e n t s c o n
t r i b u t i n g t o th e a c t u a l r e s u l t o f th e p ro c e s s had been
d iffe re n t.1
As i m p l i e d i n
th e
d e riv e s d ir e c tly
to a s h is
p re c e d in g p a ra g ra p h ,
f ro m e m b r y o n ic i d e a s ,
iK re n e k ,
"A C o m p o s e r 's
G e o rg e C r u m b 's m u s ic
w h ic h Crum b r e f e r s
T hese a r e is o l a te d and
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 16 o b je c tif ie d
i n th e p r e lim in a r y s ta g e s o f c o m p o s in g .
e x p la in e d d u r in g an in te r v ie w w ith t h i s w r i t e r ,
Crumb
t h a t th e
. . . i n i t i a l c o n c e p tio n i s th e g e rm in a l id e a
th e f i r s t in s p i r a t i o n .
I t i s a n i d e a , s o m e tim e s
v e r y f a i n t , w h ic h d e v e lo p s i n t o a p i e c e .
I t c o u ld
be a n y th in g a tim b re , a t e x tu r e , a g e s tu r e ( f o r
e x a m p le , a r h y th m ic g e s t u r e ) , a n a b s t r a c t c o n c e p
t i o n o f som e k i n d , a f o r m a l c o n c e p t i o n , e t c . . l
I n som e c a s e s , i t i s a n i d e a t h a t h a s o c c u r r e d
som e y e a r s e a r l i e r , w h ic h a c t s a s a s p r i n g b o a r d ,
w hen t h e c o m p o s i t i o n f i n a l l y t a k e s s h a p e . *
On s e v e r a l o c c a s i o n s w h i l e v i s i t i n g C rum b, t h i s w r i t e r
h a s had o c c a s io n to
e x a m in e t h e c o m p o s e r 's s k e t c h b o o k ,
f ro m w h ic h t h e f o l l o w i n g e n t r y was c o p i e d :
DREAM SEQUENCE
" G e r m in a l I d e a s : "
1.
2.
3.
(D ream S e q u e n c e i s
Crumb i n l a t e
1976.
P ia n o "b ow ed" t o n e s
" T u r tle dove" f l u t e
The w h o le i n i s o r h y t h m 3
th e t i t l e
o f a p i e c e c o m p l e te d b y
I t h a s been p u b lis h e d by P e t e r s .)
When a s k e d how s u c h i d e a s c o u ld s e r v e a s p a r t o f h i s
1 I n t e r v i e w , 6 N ovem ber 1 9 7 6 .
2 I b id .
3 C o p ie d f ro m t h e s k e tc h b o o k o f G e o rg e C ru m b ,
6 D ecem ber 1 9 7 6 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 7 i n i t i a l c o n c e p t i o n f o r Dream S e q u e n c e , when s e e m in g ly
u n r e l a t e d s u p ra m u s ic a l i d e a s ,
3uch a s th e s ig n s o f th e
z o d i a c , h a d b e e n t h e p r im a r y i m p u l s e s i n o t h e r c o m p o s i
t i o n s , Crumb r e s p o n d e d :
A lm o s t a n y t h i n g i n t h e w o r ld c o u ld s e r v e a s
a g e r m i n a l i d e a , i f i t se em e d p r e g n a n t t o t h e com
p o s e r i f i t seem ed t o p u l l i n o t h e r i d e a s , o r i f
i t se e m e d t o d o m in a te a c o n c e p t i o n . A s o n o r o u s
i d e a c o u l d c o l o r a w h o le p i e c e - - a p i e c e c o u l d g ro w
f ro m t h i s .
R e a lly , w hat i s a g e rm in a l id e a ?
It
m ig h t b e a s m a l l m o tiv e i n a c o n v e n t i o n a l s t y l e ,
a n d a s I s a i d , i t m ig h t b e a l m o s t a n y t h i n g i n som e
s t y l e s .-*
The e x t r - a m u s i c a l - m u s i c a l i d e a s w h ic h fo rm C ru m b 's i n i t i a l
c o n c e p t i o n s , a r e t h e p r im a r y f o r c e s t h a t g e n e r a t e a n d u n i f y
h i s m u s ic a l la n g u a g e .
c e rta in
In th e r e m a in d e r o f t h i s
se c tio n ,
f a c e t s o f C ru m b 's i m a g e r y , w h ic h h a v e s e r v e d im p o r
t a n t c o n c e p t u a l f u n c t i o n s , a r e e x a m in e d .
V a r io u s a s p e c t s o f t im e h a v e b e e n a s t r o n g m o t i v a t
i n g e le m e n t i n s e v e r a l o f C r u m b 's p i e c e s .
We n o r m a l l y t h i n k
o f t im e a s a p r o g r e s s i v e p h e n o m e n o n , i . e . ,
a s s o m e t h in g
t h a t c o n s t a n t l y m oves f o r w a r d .
o f te n c o n s c io u s ly a tte m p ts to
" ti m e m a r c h in g o n j " i n f a c t ,
The m u s ic o f G e o rg e Crumb
"su sp en d " o u r f e e lin g o f
th e tra n s c e n d e n ta l i ll u s i o n
o f t i m e l e s s n e s s s o p e r v a d e s C r u m b 's m u s i c ,
t h a t i t may
1 I n t e r v i e w , 7 A p r i l 1977.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 18 c o n s tltu te
th e m o st im p o r ta n t c o n c e p tu a l r e p r e s e n t a t i o n
t o b e e m p lo y e d b y t h e c o m p o s e r .
E r i c S a lz m a n h a s r e a c h e d
th e c o n c lu s io n t h a t
. . . a l l / e m p h a s i s m in e 7 o f C r u m b 's w o r k . . . i s
a b o u t t h e s u s p e n s i o n o f t i m e , a n d s i n c e t im e c a n
n o t be su sp e n d e d . . . th e t o t a l e f f e c t i s d e e p ly
tra g ic o
The d e s i r e t o a r r e s t t im e a n d t h e s e a r c h f o r l o s t
in n o c e n c e a r e b a s i c a l l y th e sam e, a n d w h e th e r o r
n o t Crum b e v e r s u c c e e d s i n f i n d i n g t h a t s i m p l i c i t y ,
p u r i t y , a n d in n o c e n c e , t h e r e i s a k in d o f p o ig n a n c y
in th e a tte m p t.1
(W hat S a lz m a n r e f e r s
to a s th e s e a rc h f o r
re s u lts
f ro m C r u m b 's c o n v i c t i o n
and in d r a s t ic
T itle s
"T he M a g ic C i r c l e o f I n f i n i t y , " a n d
su ch a s
o f T i m e ," f ro m M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
(1 9 7 2 ) a r e
o f te n
"T he A b y ss
in c o r
p o r a te d , an d s u g g e st th e c o n c e p tu a l f u n c tio n o f tim e , a s
do t h e f o l l o w i n g t i t l e s
fro m C r u m b 's P u l i t z e r P r i z e
w i n n i n g o r c h e s t r a l w o r k , E c h o e s o f Tim e a n d t h e R i v e r 3
( 1967) :
" F r o z e n T i m e ,"
" C o lla p s e
A s ta te m e n t a p p e a rin g
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 9 in
th e p re fa c e
in s ig h t in to
t o t h e s c o r e o f t h e l a t t e r w o rk p r o v i d e s
t h e m e th o d o lo g y o f C r u m b 's c o m p le x m u s i c a l
psyche
I h e u n i f y i n g th e m e i s " t i m e . "
I w a n te d t o
e x p re s s i n m u s ic a l te rm s th e v a rio u s q u a l i t i e s o f
m e ta p h y s ic a l an d p s y c h o lo g ic a l tim e .
The r i v e r o f t im e i s a n a n c i e n t m e t a p h o r
w h ic h i n t e r p r e t s t im e a s a c o n tin u u m w i t h o u t b e g i n
n in g o r e n d .
I h a v e f u r t h e r im p lie d th e c o n c e p t o f
c o n tin u u m b y s t r u c t u r i n g a n u m b e r o f " p r o c e s s i o n a l s "
i n t o my s c o r e .
T h e se a r e e x e c u te d by s m a ll b an d s
o f p e r c u s s i o n a n d w in d p l a y e r s who m u s t p e r f o r m
w h ile m a r c h in g .2
In th e s u b je c tiv e and o f te n
p o e tic
p e r f o m ian c s
d i r e c t i v e s a p p e a r in g a t th e b e g in n in g o f a l l m a tu re p ie c e s
b y C rum b, p e r f o r m e r s s o m e tim e s beco m e i n t e r p r e t e r s o f a
m a g i c a l tim e v o i d ; f o r e x a m p le , i n
M a k ro k o s m o s, V o l .
p i a n i s t m u st p la y
" J o y o u s ly ,
in
th e tw e lf th
th e e ig h th
th e
l i k e a c o s m ic c l o c k - w o r k "
p i e c e o f M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l.
D e i y , t h e m u s ic i s
p ie c e o f
(T h e M ag ic C i r c l e o f I n f i n i t y ) ,
to be p e rfo rm e d
"as i f
II
( 1 9 7 3 ) /A g n u s
su sp en d ed in
e n d le s s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 0 t im e ."
Such d i r e c t i v e s
p rese n t c e rta in
f o r p e rf o r m e r s o f t h i s m u s ic .
when h e f i r s t
sa w t h e 3 c o r e t o M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l . I , a
w o rk t h a t h e u l t i m a t e l y
s ta g g e r in g ,
e a c h new t i t l e
c la rify
p re m ie re d :
" I t s a p p e a r a n c e w as
e v e r y p a g e d e m a n d in g t h e c l o s e s t s c r u t i n y ,
n a t u r e f ro m a l l
s c rip tiv e
d iff ic u ltie s
D a v id B u r g e w as s h o c k e d
c a llin g fo rth
r e a c t i o n s o f a s u p ra m u s ic a l
t h e s e n s e s ." 1
in s tru c tio n s
h is in te n tio n s .
to
N e v e r t h e l e s s , C r u m b 's d e
p e rfo rm e rs e f f e c ti v e ly
s e rv e to
R o b e r t M i l l e r , who c o m m is s io n e d
a n d p r e m i e r e d M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
I I e m p h a s iz e s t h a t
The c o m p o s e r 's d e s c r i p t i v e m a r k i n g s a r e p r e c i s e
an d v e ry h e lp f u l to th e p e rfo rm e r, s in c e su ch te rm i
n o lo g y s u g g e s ts and " e v o k e s" th e q u a l i t y o f sound th e
c o m p o s e r h a d i n m in d . 2
The T w e l f t h p i e c e b e a r s t h e p o e t i c p h r a s e " a s i f s u s
pended in e n d le s s t im e ."
F o r th e p e rfo rm e r, th e s e
w o rd s p r o v id e th e p r e c i s e k ey t o th e i n t e r p r e t a t i o n
o f a p r o b le m a tic p a s s a g e , c o n s i s t i n g o f a f o u r - f o ld
r e p e t i t i o n o f a s i n g l e , lo n g p h r a s e .
W ould t h e
com poser p r e f e r th a t th e l i s t e n e r ig n o re th e s e v e rb a l
d e s c r i p t i o n s w h i l e h e a r i n g t h e mu 3 i c ?
I w o u ld h o p e
n o t , s in c e th e d e s c r i p t i o n s a r e i n t i m a t e l y c o n n e c te d
w i t h t h e m u s i c a l c o n c e p t i o n i t s e l f , a n d w o u ld t h e r e
f o re en h an ce th e l i s t e n e r 's a p p r e c i a t i o n .3
^Quoted b y D o n a l H e n a h a n i n "C ru m b , The T one P o e t , "
T he New Y o rk T im e s M a g a z in e (1 1 May 1 9 7 5 ) : 6 6 .
2 R o b e r t M i l l e r , r e c o r d J a c k e t n o t e s t o C r u m b 's M ak ro
k o s m o s , V o l . I I , p e r f o r m e d b y R o b e r t M i l l e r (M o d e m A m e ric a n
M u si? S e r i e s , m a n u f a c t u r e d b y C o lu m b ia r e c o r d s 3*1135, 1 9 7 6 ) .
3 lb id .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 1 Crumb h i m s e l f h o l d s t h e c o n v i c t i o n t h a t t h e s u b j e c t i v e e x t r a m u s i c a l d i r e c t i v e s i n h i s m u s i c , a n d i n t h e m u s ic o f
c e rta in
o f h i s c o n te m p o ra r ie s
. . . a r e a m ea n s o f g e t t i n g a s c l o s e a s we
c a n t o a c e r t a i n k i n d o f m u s ic t h a t c o m p o s e r s a r e
w r i t i n g n o w , a n d f o r w h ic h som e o f t h e o l d e r t e r n s
w o u ld n t s u f f i c e .
Such p r a c t i c e s a s o n ly g i v in g a
te m p o , o r s u c h a w o rd a s d o l c e w o u ld o f t e n b e o f
l i t t l e h e lp .
A so m ew h at p o e t i c a d j e c t i v e w i l l o f t e n
g i v e t h e p e r f o r m e r a n i n d i c a t i o n a s t o how t o
a p p r o a c h t h e m u s ic p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y e x a c t l y a s
D e b u s s y d i d I n some o f t h e p r e l u d e s . 1
G e o rg e Crum b o b j e c t i f i e s
tim e ;
t o h im i t
is as
c o n c r e t e a s h a rm o n y , m e lo d y , o r a n y o t h e r d i m e n s io n o f
m u s i c , a n d c a n b e m a n i p u l a t e d i n m uch t h e sam e m a n n e r .
T h u s , s u s p e n d e d t im e c o u ld b e l o n g t o t h e i n i t i a l c o n
c e p t i o n o f a w o rk a s e a s i l y a s c o u l d a t h e m a t i c i d e a .
The
th is
i s a d e lic a te m a tte r,
H o w e v e r, t h e a n s w e r l i e s
p a rtly
i n t h a t t h e new e m p h a s is c o m p o s e r s h a v e p l a c e d o n t i m b r e
th is
t o a n e x t e n t g r o w in g o u t o f t a p e m u s i c h a s n e c e s
s ita te d
th e e lim in a tio n o f th e t r a d i t i o n a l s e n se o f
p u ls a tio n
in a l l
w o r ld r e q u i r e s
su c h sound o r ie n t e d m u s ic .
th e f l e x i b i l i t y
T h i s n ew s o u n d
o f r h y th m ic a p e r i o d i c i t y
1 I n t e r v i e w , 29 A p r i l 1977*
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 2 fo r its
p ro p e r e x p re s s io n ; a r e g u la r ly f e l t o r e s ta b lis h e d
b e a t w o u ld b e i n c o m m e n s u r a te .
m u s ic t r a d i t i o n a l l y
(i.e .
Crum b , do s o o n l y t o
in
C o m p o s e rs who n o t a t e s u c h
"m e te re d m e a s u re s ) a s do es
f a c ilita te
p e r f o r m a n c e ; o t h e r com
p o s e r s , s u c h a s P e n d e r e c k i , h a v e i n v e n t e d new s y s te m s o f
n o ta tio n .
Of c r u c i a l im p o r ta n c e i s th e r e a l i z a t i o n
th a t
. . . / t h i s 7 s u p p re s s io n o f p u ls a tio n r a d i c a l l y
a f f e c t s t h e p e r c e p t i o n o f tim e i n m u s i c .
One o f
i t s m ore o b v i o u s r e s u l t s i s t o s lo w down t h e p a s
s a g e o f e v e n t s , s o m e tim e s t o t h e p o i n t o f n e a r
i m m o b i l i t y ; a n d e v e n w h e re t h e r a p i d i t y o f t h e
p r o je c ti o n o f so u n d s te n d s to in c r e a s e th e sp e ed
o f th e p a ssa g e o f e v e n ts , th e p e rc e p tu a l s e n se o f
t h e m ovem ent r e m a in s e s s e n t i a l l y n o n d y n a m ic . The
m o st o b v i o u s c o n s e q u e n c e o f t h e s u p p r e s s i o n o f
p u l s a t i o n i s t h e u n c e r t a i n t y w h ic h a t t e n d s t h e
e f f o r t t o p e r c e i v e a n d t o p r e d i c t t h e m o ti o n o f
th e sounds p r o je c te d .
L a c k in g t h e p r e s e n c e o f a
f e l t o r e s t a b l i s h e d b e a t , t h i s becom es v i r t u a l l y
an i m p o s s i b i l i t y . 1
T h e r e f o r e , a p r o m i n e n t m o t i v a t i n g f o r c e i n C r u m b 's m u sic
w o u ld se em t o e n c o m p a s s a v i s i o n :
t i m e 's f o r w a r d p r o g r e s s i o n i n a n " .
flo a tin g b its
th e su sp e n s io n o f
.
. e n d l e s s f lo w o f
o f sound an d c o lo r t h a t c o n s t i t u t e s h i s
e x p r e s s i v e v o c a b u l a r y ." 2
When t h i s w r i t e r q u e s t i o n e d
2 S a lz m a n , " C l a s s i c a l D i s c s a n d T a p e s ," S t e r e o
R e v ie w 32 ( A p r i l 1 9 7 4 ) : 1 1 2 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 3 Crumb a b o u t t h e c o n c e p t o f s u s p e n d e d t i m e , h e r e s p o n d e d :
I n my m u s ic i t / s u s p e n d e d t i m e 7 o c c u r s f r e q u e n t l y .
I t in c lu d e s th e e lim in a tio n o f m e tr ic s and t a c t u s ,
b u t i t s m o re c o m p l i c a t e d t h a n t h a t .
I t h a s t o do
w ith e r a s in g th e s e n se o f s tr o n g p r o g re s s io n t h a t
e x i s t s i n m any t r a d i t i o n a l t y p e s o f m u s i c . An exam
p l e o f t h i s / s u s p e n d e d tim e 7 . . I s t h e e n d in g o f
M u sic o f a S t a r r y N i g h t / F h e f i n a l p i e c e o f M ak ro
ko sm o s I I I ( 1 9 7 4 )
An i n t e g r a l c o m p o n e n t o f G e o rg e C r u m b 's m a t u r e
s ty le
is
th e f re q u e n t u t i l i z a t i o n
f ro m t h e t r a d i t i o n .
o f m u sic a l q u o ta tio n s
T hese q u o ta tio n s a r e u s u a ll y s h o r t ,
w e l l kno w n , a n d m ay e n c o m p a s s m u s ic f ro m a n y e r a .
In th e
p i e c e s i n w h ic h t h e y o c c u r , m u s i c a l q u o t a t i o n s i n v a r i a b l y
c o n s t i t u t e a n im p o r ta n t p a r t o f t h e g e rm in a l i d e a .
o c c u r r e n c e g ro w s p a r t i a l l y
T h e ir
o u t o f C r u m b 's f a s c i n a t i o n f o r
t h e j u x t a p o s i t i o n a n d c o m b i n a ti o n o f s e e m i n g l y i n c o n g r u o u s
s ty lis tic
n o t to
its
e le m e n ts . 2
Crum b a l s o
s u s p e n s io n , b u t to i t s
r e la te s
a b ility
s u c h u s a g e s to tim e
to b rid g e v o id s
by " b e n d in g b a c k w a r d s : "
I c a n t h i n k o f m any w o rk s t h a t a r e som ehow i n
v o lv e d w ith th e r e c o g n i t i o n t h a t tim e i s a v e ry
^ I n te r v ie w , 7 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
^ r u m b , r e c o r d j a c k e t n o t e s f o r h i s A n c ie n t V o ic e s o f
C h i l d r e n , p e r f o r m e d b y J a n D e G a e t a n i, m ez z o s o p r a n o ; M ic h a e l
D a s h , b o y s o p r a n o ; a n d T he C o n te m p o r a r y C h a m b e r E n s e m b le
c o n d u c te d b y A r t h u r W e is b e r g ( N o n e s u c h H - 7 1 2 5 5 , 1 9 7 1 ) .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 4 s t r a n g e t h i n g w o rk s t h a t c o n c e r n o u r r e l a t i o n
s h ip w ith th e p a s t .
F o r e x a m p l e , o n e m o v em en t o f
th e B e r io S in f o n ia i s in v o lv e d w ith th e S c h e rz o
o f t h e M a h le r s e c o n d s y m p h o n y . B e r i o c o n s t r u c t e d
i n t h i s p i e c e , a m o n ta g e o v e r l o n g s e c t i o n s o f
t h i s M a h le r S c h e r z o , a s i f t o m ake som e k i n d o f
c o m m e n ta ry on M a h l e r 's t i m e . l
As e x a m p le s o f t h e t y p e s o f q u o t a t i o n s w h ic h Crumb ha:3
i n c o r p o r a t e d , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
I c o n ta in s a segm ent o f
C h o p i n 's F a n t a s i e - I m p r o m p t u , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I b o r r o w s a
p o r t i o n o f J . S . B a c h 's D - s h a r p m in o r f u g u e fro m D as W ohlte m p e r l e r t e C l a v i e r , V o l.
II,
and p o r tio n s o f th e
t r a d i t i o n a l D ie s I r a e c h a n t a r e
a n d R e f r a i n s o f D e a th 2 ( 19 6 8 ) ,
i n M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I .
".
. a n y m u s ic i s
fro m s o m e w h e re .
fo u n d in
S o n g s, D ro n es
in B la c k A n g e ls ^ (1 9 7 0 ), an d
Crum b d o e s n o t b e l i e v e t h a t
c o m p le te ly o r i g i n a l .
I t h a s t o come
M aybe S t r a v i n s k y w as r i g h t w hen h e s a i d ,
t h e i r m o tiv ic c o n s tr u c ti o n and
27 N o v em b er 1 9 7 6 .
2C rum b, S o n g s , D r o n e s , a n d R e f r a i n s o f D e a th
C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a t i o n , i 9 7 l ) .
(New Y o r k :
^C rum b, B l a c k A n g e l s s u b t i t l e d T h i r t e e n Im a g e s fro m
t h e D a rk l a n d f o r E l e c t r o n i c S t r i n g Q u a r t e t (New Y o r k :
<?.'F.
P e te r s C o rp o ra tio n , 1 9 7 0 ).
^ Q u o te d b y T e r r y i n
C a r to g r a p h e r , " p . 51 .
" G e o rg e C ru m b :
M a k ro k o sm ic
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
e m o tio n a l i m p l ic a ti o n s o f te n s e rv e a n im p o r ta n t s t r u c
t u r a l f u n c t i o n th ro u g h o u t th e g iv e n p i e c e .
An i n s t a n c e
o f su ch a p ro c e d u re c a n be se e n in th e e le v e n th p ie c e o f
M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l .
II
( L i t a n y o f t h e G a l a c t i c B e l l s , w h ic h
e l a b o r a t e s a m o ti v e f ro m B e e t h o v e n 's
(a l i t e r a l e x c e r p t f ro m w h ic h a p p e a r s d u r i n g t h e c o u r s e o f
C r u m b 's p i e c e . )
F r e q u e n t a l l u s i o n s t o m a g ic a n d m e t a p h y s i c s i n t h e
title s
a n d m o t t o s o f C r u m b 's c o m p o s i t i o n s ,
so u rc e o f c o n c e p tu a l Im p u ls e s .
" F a te f u l," and
s u g g e s t a n o th e r
I n s c r ip tio n s su ch a s
" M a g ic a l,"
( a l l f ro m M ak ro k o sm o s
I I I ) o f t e n a c c o m p a n y o m in o u s m u s ic t h a t s t r o n g l y s u g g e s t s t h e
su p e rn a tu ra l.
T he r e a l m s o f a s t r o l o g y a n d n u m e r o lo g y seem
to h o ld p a r t i c u l a r f a s c i n a t i o n
f o r th e co m p o ser.
The s ig n s
o f t h e z o d i a c w e r e am ong t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t s o u r c e s o f
in s p ira tio n
i n t h e c o m p o s i t i o n o f t h e f i r s t tw o v o lu m e s
o f t h e M akroko3m o3 p i e c e s ; a l l h a v e t h e i r own z o d i a c a l
s ig n s ,
th e
i m p l i c a t i o n s o f w h ic h s u g g e s t e d c e r t a i n emo
t i o n a l a tm o s p h e r e s t o
th e c o m p o se r.
(T h e e x t r a m u s i c a l
a s p e c t s o f t h e M ak ro k o sm o s t r i l o g y i . e .
V o l.
I ; M a k ro k o s m o s t V o l .
w i t h Vox B a l a e n a e
II;
M a k ro k o s m o s ,
a n d M ak ro k o sm o s I I I , a l o n g
( 1 9 7 1 )* a n d t h e r e m a i n i n g w o rk w r i t t e n
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 26 d u r i n g t h e p e r i o d u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n , L ux A e t e m a
a re
th is
(1 9 7 1 )
f u r t h e r e x a m in e d i n t h e s i x a n a l y t i c a l c h a p t e r s o f
p a p e r.)
N u m e ro lo g y s e em s t o e x e r t a n e v e n s t r o n g e r
i n f l u e n c e on C r u m b 's m u s i c a l l a n g u a g e t h a n d o e s a s t r o l o g y .
The m y s t i c a l o r s p i r i t u a l n u m b e rs , t h r e e ,
se v en , and t h i r
t e e n o f te n p e rv a d e th e le n g th an d c o n s tr u c ti o n o f m o tiv e s ,
re s ts ,
p h r a s e s , s e c t i o n s , r h y th m ic c o n f i g u r a t i o n s , a n d
fo rm a l d e s ig n o f h i s m u sic .
In B la c k A n g e ls 1 f o r s t r i n g
q u a r t e t , n u m e r o lo g y w as c a r r i e d
s i t i o n a l e x tr e m e :
to i t s
u l t i m a t e com po
e v e ry m u s ic a l p a ra m e te r i s
b y a m e t h o d i c a l s y s te m o f n u m b e r s . 2
s tr u c tu r e d
Crumb r e c o g n i z e s t h e
s t r o n g i n f l u e n c e o f n u m e r o lo g y i n h i s m u s i c , a n d h o l d s a
c o n v ic tio n t h a t i t
. . . o c c u r s f r e q u e n t l y i n m uch m u s ic o f a l l
p e rio d s .
M u sic h a s t o do w i t h q u a n t i t i e s , a n d
n u m b ers a r e v e ry i m p o r ta n t .
I h a v e f o u n d num
b e r s y m b o lis m i n S c h u m a n n 's , i n B a r t 6 k ' s , a n d
i n B a c h 's m u s i c ; I t h i n k t h i s i n v o lv e m e n t w i t h
t h e m a g ic o f n u m b e rs i s p a r t o f t h e m u s i c a l
la n g u a g e .
In th e p r o c e s s o f w r i t i n g B la c k A n g e ls ,
t h e n u m b e rs se em e d t o b e s u r f a c i n g i n a c e r t a i n
s y m b o l ic s e n s e , a n d a t t h a t p o i n t , I d e c i d e d t o
m ake i t t o t a l l y o v e r t b y c o n s c i o u s l y e m p lo y in g a
s y s te m o f n u m e r i c a l sy m b o lism .3
g o o d a n a l y s i s b y L e j a r e n H i l l e r o f som e a s p e c t s
o f t h e n u m e r o lo g y i n B l a c k A n g e ls i s f o u n d i n t h e b r o c h u r e
a c c o m p a n y in g t h e r e c o r d a lb u m e n t i t l e d The A v a n t G a rd e i n
t h e U .S .A . (Vox s v b x 5 3 0 6 , 1 9 7 3 ) .
2 In te rv ie w ,
27 N o v em b er 1 9 7 6 .
3ib id .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 7 T h e f o l l o w i n g s e n t e n c e s b y Crumb h e l p t o e x p l a i n how
n u m e r o lo g y a n d o t h e r s u p e r n a t u r a l - t r a n s c e n d e n t a l im a g e s
h a v e h a u n te d an d i n s p i r e d
t h e c o m p o s e r 's c o n c e p t u a l
im a g in a tio n :
. . . t h e r e i s a lw a y s t h e q u e s t i o n o f t h e
" l a r g e r w o r l d " o f c o n c e p t s a n d i d e a s w h ic h i n f l u e n c e
a c o m p o s e r 's l a n g u a g e . W h ile c o m p o s in g M ak ro k o sm o s
/ V o l s . I a n d 11 / , I w as a w a r e o f c e r t a i n r e c u r r e n t
im a g e s . A t tim e s q u i t e v i v i d , a t tim e s v ag u e an d
a l m o s t s u b l i m i n a l , t h e s e im a g e s se em e d t o c o a l e s c e
a r o u n d t h e f o l l o w i n g s e v e r a l i d e a s ( g iv e n i n no
l o g i c a l o r d e r , s in c e th e r e i s n o n e ):
th e " m a g ic a l
p r o p e r t i e s " o f m u s i c ; t h e p r o b le m o f t h e o r i g i n o f
e v i l ; th e " tim e le s s n e s s " o f t im e ' a s e n s e o f th e
p ro fo u n d i r o n i e s o f l i f e (so b e a u t i f u l l y e x p re s s e d
i n t h e m u sic o f M o z a rt a n d M a h l e r ) ; . . .
T h e r e e x i s t s a s t r o n g s e n s e o f d r a m a , s y m b o lic
ritu a l,
and t h e a t r i c a l i t y
m u s ic o f G e o rg e C rum b.
o f p e rfo rm a n c e g e s tu r e
d i m e n s io n o f g r e a t r e l e v a n c e .
Sound i t s e l f ,
th ro u g h
C r u m b 's s u b t l e m a n i p u l a t i o n , g e n e r a t e s d r a m a t i c
in
t h i s m u sic :
in th e
T hese q u a l i t i e s c o n s t i t u t e a
te n s io n
C r u m b 's c o n su m m a te a n d i n d i v i d u a l i s t i c
p ro w e ss in th e c o m p o s itio n a l h a n d lin g o f su c h f a c t o r s
as
v irtu o s ity ,
e le m e n ts o f s u r p r i s e , e l e c t r o n i c a m p l i f i
V o l.
I,
o f u n iq u e
fro m t r a d i t i o n a l i n s t r u m e n t s , a n d o r c h e s t r a t i o n
kjrumb, r e c o r d j a c k e t n o t e s f o r h i s M a k ro k o sm o s,
p e r f o r m e d by D a v id B u rg e (N o n e s u c h H -7 1 2 9 3 * 1 9 ? ^ )
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 8 i n g e n e r a l , o f t e n e v o k e s u s p e n s e s o m e tim e s t e r r o r .
A n o th e r g e n re o f t h e a t r i c a l i t y
d e a ls
l e s s w ith so u n d ,
F o r e x a m p le , i n
t h e s c o r e o f Lux A e t e m a , t h e r e a p p e a r t h e f o l l o w i n g
in s tru c tio n s :
A l l p e r f o r m e r s i n L ux A e t e m a s h o u l d w e a r b l a c k
m a s k s ( h a l f m a s k s o f t h e v i z o r o r d o m in o t y p e )
a n d , i f p o s s ib le , b la c k r o b e s .
A s in g l e b u r n in g
c a n d le s h o u ld b e p o s it io n e d a t s t a g e c e n t e r .
T he s t a g e s h o u l d b e d a r k o r a s d im a s p o s s i b l e
i n o r d e r t o e n h a n c e th e e f f e c t o f th e b u rn in g
c a n d le .
The f l u t i s t a n d s i t a r i s t s h o u l d s i t i n
lo tu s p o s itio n .
A s o lo d a n c e r ( a l s o m asked)
c a n b e u s e d i n L ux A e t e m a i f d e s i r e d .
The
d a n c e r s h o u ld p e rfo rm o n ly i n t h e R e f r a i n s e c
t i o n s . . . a n d s h o u l d r e m a in f r o z e n i n p o s i t i o n
d u r in g th e o t h e r m u s ic .
The d a n c e s h o u l d b e
s y m b o l ic a n d r i t u a l i s t i c r a t h e r t h a n e x p r e s s i o n i s t i c . . . .1
A lt h o u g h a n y m u s ic w h ic h i n v o l v e s l i v e
m o re e f f e c t i v e
h e a rd on a r e c o r d in g ,
r e q u ir in g
p e rfo rm e rs i s
w hen h e a r d i n c o n c e r t , a s o p p o s e d t o b e i n g
in
such e la b o r a te
o f h i s w o r k s do n o t ) ,
a n in d is p e n s a b le
t h e c a s e o f c o m p o s i t i o n s b y Crumb
t h e a t r i c s a s th e above
liv e
(a n d m any
p e r f o r m a n c e w o u ld se em t o b e
p a r t o f t h e i r m e a n in g .
D u r i n g t h e p e r
f o rm a n c e o f o n e o f C ru m b s t h e a t r i c a l p i e c e s , a n e b u l o u s
a tm o s p h e r e o f s p i r i t u a l i s t i c
th e c o n c e r t h a l l .
E r ic
r it u a l in v a ria b ly
S a lz m a n c r e d i t s
th is
p e rv a d e s
sen se o f
^ C rum b, L ux A e t e m a , p . 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 9 r i t u a l a s b e in g
to th e
is m :
liv e
" . . .
C r u m b 's p a r t i c u l a r c o n t r i b u t i o n
p e rfo rm a n c e id io m ." 1
T h is i s n o t s e n s a t i o n a l
w i t h fe w e x c e p t i o n s , e x t r a m u s i c a l t h e a t r i c a l d e v i c e s
o c c u r t o Crum b e a r l y
i n t h e s k e t c h i n g p r o c e s s a n d m ake u p
a s ig n i f ic a n t p a rt o f h is i n i t i a l c o n c e p tio n s .
a ls o o f te n tr u e
s o u n d .)
in
( T h is i s
th e c a se o f h is s p e c i a l tre a tm e n t o f
Crum b h a s e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e t h e a t r i c s w h ic h he
has in c o rp o ra te d ,
. . . such a s m asks, l i t c a n d le s , p r o c e s s io n s ,
s p e c i a l l i g h t i n g , e t c . , w e re g e s t u r e s w h ic h se em e d
t o com e o u t o f t h e m u s i c a l i d e a s t h e m s e l v e s . An
id e a su ch a s a p ro c e s s io n can be e x p re s s e d in p u re
ly m u sic a l te rm s; i f in f a c t i t e x i s t s , i t i s o f
c o u r s e m ade m o re c o n c r e t e .
A p a r t f ro m t h e s y m b o l
is m c a r r i e d b y s u c h i d e a s , t h e a u r a l f a c t o r o f
s o u n d m o v in g i n t h e p e r f o r m a n c e h a l l i s a l s o a
c o n s id e r a tio n .
The o f f - s t a g e m u s ic i n N i g h t o f
t h e F o u r M oons / I 9697 i s a l i t t l e m o re o b v i o u s ,
in t h a t a d e p a rtu re i s in d ic a te d in th e t e x t .
I
c a n 't a c c o u n t f o r a l l o f th e t h e a t r i c a l to u c h e s
l o g ic a ll y , e x c e p t to say th a t th e y o c c u r a s p a rt
o f th e i n i t i a l c o n c e p tio n o f a p i e c e .3
In th e c a s e o f v o c a l m u sic ,
e x p e c te d ,
s u p p lie s
th e
t e x t , a s w o u ld be
t h e m u s i c 's f u n d a m e n t a l s h a p i n g f o r c e s .
1 S a lz m a n , T w e n t i e t h - C e n t u r y M u s ic :
An I n t r o d u c t i o n ,
p. 163.
2C ru m b , N i g h t o f t h e F o u r Moon3 (New Y o r k :
C .F , P e t e r s
C o r p o r a tio n , 1 9 7 1 )7
In t h i s p i e c e , th e p e rf o r m e r s a r e g iv e n
i n s t r u c t i o n s on how t h e y 3 h o u l d w a lk ( " . . . s u g g e s t a somnam
b u l i s t i c t r a n c e - l i k e q u a l i t y . . . . " ) , o n w h e re t h e y s h o u ld
s t a n d o r s i t , a n d o n w hen t o e x i t .
3 ln te r v ie w , 7 A p r il 1977.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 0 I n n i n e o f t h e e l e v e n v o c a l w o rk s t h u s f a r w r i t t e n ,
Crum b h a s c h o s e n t o
T hese e i g h t
s e t p o e t r y b y F e d e r i c o G a r c ia L o r c a .
" L o r c a w o r k s ," w r i t t e n
1 9 7 0 , c o m p rise a s in g l e
v a rie ty
o f m ean s, an d u n i ty o f c o n c e p tio n .^
c y c l e , Crum b h a s m u s i c a l l y
o f th e
te x t3 .
f ro m 1 9 6 2 t h r o u g h
s o n g c y c le o f l a r g e d im e n s io n s ,
p o e tr y ; t i t l e s
In h i s
a re
s e ttin g s
p o rtra y e d h i s
ta k e n d i r e c t l y
W it h i n t h i s
in te rp re ta tio n s
f ro m t h e
o f L o r c a , Crum b h a s
. . . s o u g h t m u s i c a l im a g e s t h a t e n h a n c e a n d
r e i n f o r c e th e p o w e rfu l y e t s tr a n g e l y h a u n tin g
i m a g e r y o f L o r c a 's p o e t r y .
I f e e l t h a t th e
e s s e n t i a l m e a n in g o f t h i s p o e t r y i s c o n c e r n e d
w i t h t h e m o s t p r im a r y t h i n g s :
th e sounds o f l i f e ,
d e a th , lo v e , th e sm e ll o f th e e a r t h , th e so unds
o f t h e w in d a n d t h e s e a .
T hese " u r -c o n c e p ts " a re
e m b o d ie d i n a l a n g u a g e w h ic h i s p r i m i t i v e a n d
s t a r k b u t w h ic h i s c a p a b l e o f i n f i n i t e l y s u b t l e
n u a n c e .2
I n e s s e n c e , Crum b i n t e r p r e t s L o r c a 's p o e t r y a s g r a v i t a t
in g aro u n d th e
T h is d e a th
p o e t 's
v is io n ,
S p a n ish t r a d i t i o n ,
s u r r e a l o b s e s s io n w ith d e a t h . 3
p a rtia lly
r e fle c tiv e
o f th e a n c ie n t
c a n b e h e a rd e c h o in g m u s i c a ll y th ro u g h
--C rum b, r e c o r d j a c k e t n o t e s f o r h i s S o n g s , D r o n e s ,
a n d R e f r a i n s o f D e a t h , p e r f o r m e d oy L a w re n c e W e l l e r ,
b a r i t o n e ; a n d t h e ' P h i l a d e l p h i a C o m p o s e r s ' Forum c o n d u c te d
b y J o e l Thome (D e stc - R e c o r d s DC 7 1 5 5 , 1 9 7 3 ) .
2R e c o r d j a c k e t n o t e s f o r A n c i e n t V o ic e s o f C h i l d r e n .
3 R eco rd j a c k e t n o t e s f o r S o n g s, D ro n e s , a n d R e f r a in s
o f D e a th .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 1 C r u m b 's h a u n t i n g m l s t e r i o s o p a s s a g e s .
I n t h e m u s ic o f G e o rg e C rum b, b o t h t h e w h o le
and i t s
p a rts
f lo w o u t o f s u p r a m u s i c a l i m p u l s e s .
c a s e o f a v o c a l w o rk o n L o r c a t e x t s ,
s o n g s g ro w s f ro m i t s
to g e th e r a c c o rd in g to
c o n c e p tu a l n u c le u s :
In th e
each o f s e v e ra l
own c h o s e n poem ; t h e s e a r e g r o u p e d
th e d i c t a t e s o f a s in g l e u n ify in g
a n e v o c a t i v e p h r a s e f ro m o n e o f
t h e poem s t o b e s e t .
I t i s s o m e tim e s o f i n t e r e s t t o a c o m p o s e r t o
r e c a l l t h e o r i g i n a l i m p u l s e t h e " c r e a t i v e g e rm "
o f a c o m p o s itio n a l p r o j e c t.
In th e c a s e o f A n c ie n t
V o ic e s o f C h i ld r e n I f e l t t h i s t o be t h e c li m a c t i c
f i n a l w o r d s o f tr i e l a s t s o n g : " . . . a n d I w i l l go
v e ry f a r . . .
t o a s k C h r i s t t h e L o r d t o g i v e me
b a c k my a n c i e n t s o u l o f a c h i l d . " !
E v e n t h e s e m i n a l i d e a s o f n o n v o c a l w o r k s s o m e tim e s
s p r i n g f ro m l i t e r a r y
so u rc e s.
A 3 in g le l in e
fro m L o r c a
s e rv e d an im p o r ta n t i n s p i r a t i o n a l f u n c tio n in E choes o f
Tim e a n d t h e R i v e r :
tie m p o "
( i.e .
"L o s a r c o s r a t o s d o n d e s u f r e e l
The b r o k e n a r c h e s w h e re t im e s u f f e r s ) . 2
T h i s q u o t a t i o n , w h ic h a p p e a r s i n t h e m u s ic a s a w h i s p e r e d
m o tt o p h r a s e ,
s ig n if ie d
to th e co m p o se r,
th e d e c a y in g
iR e c o rd j a c k e t n o te s f o r A n c ie n t V o ic e s o f C h i ld r e n .
2C ru m b , E c h o e s o f Tim e a n d t h e R i v e r , c o v e r .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 2 p r o p e r tie s o f tim e . 1
Two l i t e r a r y
e x c e rp ts c o n s titu te
o n ly ); ^ n a m e ly ,
. . . t h e h a u n t i n g w o rd s o f P a s c a l :
"L e s i l e n c e
e t e m e l d e s e s p a c e s i n f i n i s r a ' e f f r a i e " (" T h e e t e r n a l
s il e n c e o f i n f i n i t e sp a ce t e r r i f i e s m e"); and th e s e
f e w l i n e s o f R i l k e (D as B uch d e r B i l d e r ) : "Und i n
d e n N a c h te n f a l l t d i e s c h w e r e E r d e a u s a l i e n S t e r n en i n d ie E in s a m k e it.
W ir a l l e f a l l e n .
Und d o c h
1 s t E in e r , w e lc h e r d i e s e s F a l le n u n e n d lic h s a n f t in
s e l n e n H a n d e n h a l t " ("A n d i n t h e n i g h t s t h e h e a v y
e a r t h i s f a l l i n g fro m a l l t h e s t a r s down i n t o l o n e
lin e s s .
We a r e f a l l i n g .
And y e t t h e r e i s o n e who
h o ld s t h i s f a l l i n g e n d le s s ly in h is h a n d s " ) .3
I n r e f e r e n c e t o t h e a b o v e tw o l i t e r a r y
s ta te s
in th e re c o rd
th a t th e s e
" . . .
f r a g m e n t s , Crum b
j a c k e t n o t e s t o M ak ro k o sm o s I I I ,
p o e t i c q u o t a t i o n s w e re v e r y m uch i n my
th o u g h ts d u r in g th e s k e tc h in g - o u t p r o c e s s , an d
. .
. f in d
t h e i r r e s o n a n c e i n t h e s o u n d s o f Sum mer E v e n in g / i . e .
Mak
ro k o sm o s I I l 7 . . "
^ r o m a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C ru m b , 10 O c t o b e r
1 9 7 6 . The te r m " c o n v e r s a t i o n " a s o p p o s e d t o " i n t e r v i e w " i n
th e f o o tn o te s o f t h i s p a p e r, r e f e r s to in fo rm a l d is c u s s io n s
b e tw e e n t h e c o m p o s e r a n d t h i s w r i t e r .
The i n t e r v i e w s a r e
m ore f o r m a l r e c o r d e d q u e s t i o n a n d a n s w e r s e s s i o n s ,
2C rum b, r e c o r d j a c k e t n o t e s f o r M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I ,
a n d f o r M a k rokosm os I I I . The l a t t e r w o rk w as p e r f o r m e d b y
G i l b e r t K a l i s h , Ja m e s F r e e m a n ; p i a n o , a n d Raym ond D e s R o c h e s ,
R i c h a r d F l t z ; p e r c u s s i o n (N o n e s u c h H -7 1 3 1 1 1 9 7 3 ) .
^ R e c o rd j a c k e t n o t e 3 f o r M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
I.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 3 C rum b o n c e w r o t e t h a t
a s y s te m o f p r o p o r t io n s i n
im p u lse ;" 1 t h is
e s s e n tia lly
d e n s e d fo rm , a d e s c r i p t i o n
c r e a t i n g m u sic .
m u s ic a l,
o f som e o f t h e
t h i s m u sic ,
c o n s titu te s ,
t h e a t r i c a l , m e ta p h y s ic a l,
I t h a s beco m e c l e a r , u p o n e x a m in a
p ro p e lle n ts
t h a t m o tiv a te an d sh a p e
t h a t G e o rg e Crum b i s
m in d o f p o e t i c
in h ig h ly con
o f t h e c o m p o s e r 's m e th o d o f
W h e th e r l i t e r a r y ,
o r a n y th in g e l3 e ,
v e ry c o re o f h i s a r t .
tio n
" M u sic m ig h t b e d e f i n e d a s
th e s e rv ic e o f a s p i r i t u a l
s e n s itiv ity ,
t h e p o s s e s s o r o f a c o m p le x
c a p a b le o f v i s u a l i z i n g th ro u g h
th a t
v a c illa te s
th e e t h e r e a l ,
in f e e l in g
b e tw e e n t h e d r a m a t i c ,
and th e s e re n e .
N o ta tio n
T he m u s ic n o t a t i o n o f G e o rg e Crum b m e r i t s s p e c i a l
a tte n tio n .
H i s p u b l i s h e d w o r k s a r e r e p r o d u c e d f ro m h i s
own a u t o g r a p h
d e ta il,
s c rip ts .
c e rta in
sc o re s;
and a r t i s t r y
in c r e d ib le n e a tn e s s ,
in tric a c y
of
o f d e s i g n c h a r a c t e r i z e h i s m anu
T h ough n o t a t e d w i t h i n
t h e c o n v e n tio n a l s y s te m ,
p a g e s o f C r u m b 's m a n u s c r i p t a p p e a r t o b e c l o s e l y
^Copied f ro m o n e o f tw o l a r g e s c r a p b o o k s k e p t b y
C ru m b , e a c h c o n t a i n i n g r e v i e w s , p r o g r a m s , a n d a r t i c l e s on
th e co m p o ser.
The s e n t e n c e r e f e r r e d t o w as l a t e r t r a c e d t o
" G e o rg e C r u m b ," C o n te m p o r a r y M u sic C a t a l o g u e , w i t h 1 9 7 6 - 7 7
s u p p le m e n t (New Y o r k : C . F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a t i o n , 1 9 7 5 ) P- 2 8 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 ^ re la te d
to v is u a l a r t .
I h is h o ld s e s p e c ia lly tr u e
in th e
c a s e o f s y m b o l ic n o t a t i o n :
Ex. 1.
F a n ta s y -P ie c e V III ( in i t s
M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l . I I
e n tire ty ),
page 15,
8. A Prophecy of Nostradamc
[SYMBOL]
In t h i s
p a r t i c u l a r e x a m p le , t h e n o t a t i o n a l c o n f i g u r a t i o n
to
th e c o m p o se r, and v i v id l y
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 5 3 u g g e s ts th e s y m m e tr ic a l c o n s t r u c t i o n o f th e m u s i c .1
Crum b e m p lo y s s u c h s y m b o lis m o n l y o c c a s i o n a l l y ;
p e rh a p s
a th ird
o f th e t w e n ty - t h r e e m a tu re c o m p o s itio n s h e h a s
w r itte n
to
d a t e i n c l u d e some u s e o f i t .
o f c o u rs e ,
sen se,
t h e y c o n s t i t u t e A u g e n m u s lk .
o f C r u m b 's m o s t e f f e c t i v e
c irc le s ,
e tc .,
it
q u a lif y a s
H o w e v e r, s i n c e some
s h o u l d be e m p h a s iz e d t h a t i n t h e w o rd s
' Oh r mu s l k . '
h is c ir c le
lis te n e r,
in th is
p ie c e s a re n o ta te d a s s p i r a l s ,
o f R o b e r t H a l l L e w is C r u m b 's " .
th a t
To t h e
t h e s e g r a p h i c d e s i g n s go u n n o t i c e d ;
' A u g e n m u s lk may
I t s h o u ld a l s o be p o in te d o u t
( i . e . a t e r m Crum b u s e s t o r e f e r t o
n o t a t i o n s ) h a s th e p r a c t i c a l a d v a n ta g e o f
f o rc in g th e
p e r f o r m e r s t o p l a y fro m m em o ry .
W h e th e r t h e s t a v e s a r e d raw n i n
c o n v e n tio n a l f o rm a t,
a s to d e v ia te
s y m b o l ic o r i n
th e m u sic a l d e t a i l s a r e w r i tte n
c o n c e p t i o n p r e s e n t s a n o t a t i o n a l d em and n o t f u l f i l l e d
tra d itio n .
and r e s t s
so
fro m s t a n d a r d p r a c t i c e o n l y w hen t h e m u s i c a l
by
F o r e x a m p le , b e c a u s e o f t h e f r e q u e n c y o f n o t e s
i n h i s m u s ic c o n s i s t i n g o f f i v e ,
s e v e n , and even
h i g h e r o d d - n u m b e r e d u n i t s , Crumb h a s i n v e n t e d a s y s te m o f
^ r o m a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C ru m b , 10 O c t o b e r 1 9 7 6 .
o
R o b e r t H a l l L e w is ,
Y o u n g e r A m e ric a n C o m p o s e rs 'G e o r g e
C ru m b : N i g h t M u sic I , ' " P e r s p e c t i v e s o f New M u sic ( S p r i n g
1 9 6 5 ): 151.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 6 o f n o ta t in g su ch v a lu e s :1
Ex. 2 .
S y s te m f o r n o t a t i n g o d d -n u m b e re d u n i t s
j.
j_ r
J- - .U -J"
-
O ' .
oJJJ
In t h i s
Ps
P .ff( t r a d i t i o n a l )
- *
o . . .
J.
ii
-
13
/f
P s
Ps
P's
1
J
s y s t e m , w h ic h i s now a p p e a r i n g i n a n u m b e r o f c o n
tem p o rary s c o re s ,
th e f i r s t d o t on th e l e f t
o f t h e v a l u e o f t h e f i r s t d o t on t h e r i g h t ,
o f a d o tte d h a lf - n o te o r d in a r ily
t a k e s aw ay h a l f
e .g .,
s id e o f a d o tte d
h a l f o f t h e v a lu e o f th e o r i g i n a l d o t
a d d itio n a l d o ts ) is
o f f iv e
ta k e n ,
th e d o t
r e c e i v e s t h e v a lu e o f a
q u a r t e r - n o t e ; by p u t t i n g a d o t on t h e l e f t
h a lf - n o te ,
d u ra tio n
^ (tra d itio n a l)
(n o t o f any
x e a v in g a n o t e p o s s e s s i n g t h e
e ig h th -n o te s .
a b o v e , t h e s e c o n d d o t on t h e
In th e c a s e o f n um ber t h r e e
l e f t t a k e s aw a y h a l f o f t h e
v a l u e r e m a i n i n g , a f t e r t h e f i r s t d o t on t h e
l e f t h a s ta k e n
h a l f o f t h e v a l u e o f t h e d o t on t h e r i g h t .
T he a c t u a l a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e m u s ic u s u a l l y co m es
^ ro m
a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C ru m b , 11 A u g u s t
1976.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 7 t o Crumb d u r i n g t h e e m b r y o n ic s t a g e s o f c o m p o s in g a new
w o rk :
I n m o s t c a s e s , t h e a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e m u s ic
d o e s come e a r l y i n t h e s k e t c h i n g p r o c e s s .
I
t h i n k o f m u s ic a s h a v i n g i t s v i s u a l s i d e i t i s
p r i m a r i l y , o f c o u r s e , s o m e t h in g f o r t h e e a r t o
p e rc e iv e .
N e v e rth e le s s , th e r e e x is t s a b e a u ti f u l
s y s te m f o r p u t t i n g i t o n p a p e r , a n d c o m p o s e r s
h a v e a lw a y s b e e n s e n s i t i v e t o t h i s a s p e c t o f com
p o s itio n .
I h a v e fo u n d t h a t i n a l l o f t h e m u s ic
o f t h e p a s t , t h e b e s t m u s ic r e a l l y l o o k s g o o d o n
th e p a g e .1
As t h e i n i t i a l c o n c e p t i o n o f t e n
a p ie c e ,
it
in c lu d e s th e a p p e a ra n c e o f
w o u ld se em i l l o g i c a l n o t t o i n c o r p o r a t e t h e
v i s u a l i d e a , a lo n g w ith a n y o t h e r g e rm in a l m a n i f e s t a t i o n s .
The f r e q u e n t e m p lo y m e n t o f s m a l l u n i t s o f b e a t
o f te n th e e ig h th o r s ix t e e n th - n o te ,
th ir ty - s e c o n d n o te p a r t i a l l y
a n c e o f C ru m b s m u s i c .
s o m e tim e s e v e n t h e
e x p la in s th e u n iq u e a p p e a r
When q u e s t i o n e d a b o u t t h i s a s p e c t ,
th e co m p o ser r e p l i e d :
C o n c e r n in g my u s e o f t h e s m a l l e r u n i t s o f
b e a t , I w o u ld s a y t h a t t h i s i s a p e r s o n a l m a t t e r
w i t h e a c h c o m p o s e r ; i n my m u s ic t h e e i g h t h - n o t e
h a s becom e t h e s t a n d a r d u n i t o f d u r a t i o n .
T hat i s
p a r t i a l l y th e r e s u l t o f a h i s t o r i c a l p r o c e s s :
th e r e h a s been a d im u n itio n o f th e b a s ic n o te
v a l u e e v e r s i n c e n o t a t i o n w as i n v e n t e d .
In th e
e i g h t e e n t h a n d n i n e t e e n t h c e n t u r i e s i t w as t h e
q u a r t e r - n o t e ; no w , I t h i n k i t ' s b eco m e t h e e i g h t h
1 I n te r v ie w ,
30 A u g u s t 1 9 7 6 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 8 n o te .1
S o m e tim e s I w i l l b r e a k i t down s t i l l m o re , a n d
u se th e s i x t e e n th , o r th ir ty - s e c o n d - n o te a s a
u n it.
. . .
I d o n ' t know w h e re i t w i l l a l l e n d ! ^
A n o th e r n o t a t i o n a l f e a t u r e
i s C r u m b 's c o n s i s t e n t
u s e o f tw o l e t t e r n a m e s f o r s e m i t o n e s , r a t h e r t h a n o n e
l e t t e r nam e w i t h a s h a r p o r a f l a t ,
e .g . C to D - f la t i s
a lw a y s u s e d , m e l o d i c a l l y a s w e l l a s h a r m o n i c a l l y , r a t h e r
th a n C to C -s h a rp .
p e rso n a l q u irk ,
Crumb f e e l s
s in c e
th a t th is
is a ".
i n a c h ro m a tic c o n t e x t ,
th e n o te s
no lo n g e r c a r r y th e t r a d i t i o n a l id e a o f th e p r o g r e s s io n
o f d e g re e s w ith in a s c a le
s y s te m s o t h i s
is
ju st a
c o m p o s e r 's c h o i c e . "3
W ith t h e s i n g l e
C r u m b 's m u s ic i s
e x is t.
e x c e p tio n o f S ta r- C h ild ^ , a l l o f
p e r f o r m e d f ro m f u l l s c o r e :
no p a r t s
P a g e s o f t h e c o m p o s e r 's l a r g e s c o r e s o f t e n i n c l u d e
a n e n t i r e m ovem ent o r m o re .
in th e m u sic a l f a b r i c ,
te x tu re ,
fa c ilita te
th e
T he f r e q u e n t p a u s e s i n h e r e n t
to g e t h e r w ith a p re d o m in a n tly t h i n
p la n n in g o f page t u r n s .
f ro m s c o r e c a u s e s n o p e r f o r m a n c e p r o b le m s , a n d i s
R e a d in g
e s s e n tia lly
a m a t t e r o f e conom y a s w e l l a s p a r t o f t h e v i s u a l c o n c e p t i o n .
1Ib id .
2 lb ld .
^ in te rv ie w , 7 A p ril 1977.
tio n ,
^ C ru m b , S t a r C h i l d
1 9 7 7 ).
(New Y o r k :
C .P . P e t e r s C o rp o ra
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 9 -
The p a i n s t a k i n g p r o c e s s b y w h ic h Crum b p l o t s
h i s m u s ic a t t e s t s
t o t h e i m p o r ta n c e t h a t t h e
a s p e c t h a s f o r h im .
v isu a l
Prom h i s f r e e h a n d s k e t c h e s ,
th e
c o m p o s e r m ak es a p e n c i l s c o r e o n w h i t e o p a q u e p a p e r , u s i n g
a r u l e r t o d ra w a l l s t a f f
lin e s ;
lin e s ,
s te m s , an d o t h e r s t r a i g h t
v a r i o u s m e c h a n i c a l d r a w in g a i d s a r e u s e d f o r p h r a s e
m a rk in g s an d o t h e r c u rv e d l i n e s .
p r o c e d u r e o f m a k in g t h i s
Crum b b e g i n t h e f i n a l i n k s c o r e . 1
in k sc o re i s n e a rly id e n t i c a l to
b u t m in o r d e t a i l s .
la b o rio u s
c o m p l e te d d o e s
In a p p e a ra n c e , th e
th e p e n c il s c o re in a l l
I t to o I s w r i t t e n on w h ite o paque
p a p e r, w ith f o u n ta in pen s
g in s B la c k I n d ia
O n ly w hen t h e
p e n c il sc o re i s
In k .
(a n d v a r i o u s p o i n t s ) u s i n g H ig
R e p ro d u c tio n o f th e f i n a l s c o r e i s
a c c o m p l is h e d v i a t h e o f f s e t p r o c e s s , w h e r e b y a p h o t o g r a p h i c
n e g a tiv e
is
p ro d u ce d f o r e a ch page r e q u i r in g d u p l ic a ti o n ;
f ro m t h e s e n e g a t i v e s ,
p r in tin g
p l a t e s a r e m ade f o r t h e
d u c tio n o f th e f i n a l p u b lis h e d c o p ie s .
p ro
T h is p ro c e s s in s u r e s
p e r f e c t d u p l i c a t i o n , a n d a l a r g e num ber o f c o p ie s o f an y s iz e
a re
o b ta in a b le a t a r e l a t i v e l y
lo w c o s t t o
th e p u b lis h e r.
G e o rg e C r u m b 's f a t h e r wa3 a p a r t - t i m e
p ro fe s s io n a l
c o p y i 3 t - a r r a n g e r , a n d o f te n c o p ie d p a r t s f o r l o c a l C h a r le s
to n e n s e m b le s .
Prom h im , t h e c o m p o s e r l e a r n e d t h e e s s e n t i a l s
o f p r e p a r i n g b e a u t i f u l m u s ic m a n u s c r i p t a t a n e a r l y a g e ;
iF ro m a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C ru m b , 20 May 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 0 h e s o m e tim e s c o p i e d p a r t s f o r h i s f a t h e r , a n d i n a r e c e n t
c o n v e rs a tio n ,
r e c a l l e d h a v in g c o p ie d th e p a r t s
o f H i l h a u d w h ic h w as p r e m i e r e d i n C h a r l e s t o n
" o rig in a l"
p a rts ).1
t o a w o rk
(i.e .
th e
The i m m a c u l a te a p p e a r a n c e o f C ru m b s
s c o r e s n o d o u b t ow es m uch t o s u c h e a r l y
tr a in in g and
e x p e rie n c e .
T he d r a w in g o f s t a f f l i n e s
r e p r e s e n t s th e m o st
t e d i o u s p h a s e o f C r u m b 's n o t a t i o n a l p r o c e d u r e , b u t t h i s
e n a b l e s h im t o p r o d u c e a n y f o r m a t o f s t a v e s h e d e s i r e s ;
th u s,
f o r th e
w i t h h i s c o m p o s i t i o n s , Crum b p r o d u c e s s t a f f l i n e s w i t h
th e a id o f a com pass.
O n ly i n som e o f h i s m ore r e c e n t
w o rk s h a s t h e co m p o ser a b a n d o n e d t h e p e n c i1 - s c o r e s t a g e ,
a n d m ade t h e f i n a l i n k s c o r e d i r e c t l y
n o ta te d s k e tc h e s .
f ro m h i s f r e e h a n d -
As a r e s u l t o f t h e m e t i c u l o u s c a r e
w h ic h h e g i v e s t o t h e p r e p a r a t i o n o f h i s m a n u s c r i p t s ,
m e c h a n i c a l p r o c e d u r e o f p u t t i n g t h e m u s ic i n i t s
f o rm c o s t s
th e
f in a l
t h e c o m p o s e r a s m uch t im e a s d o e s t h e a c t u a l
c o m p o s in g o f t h e m u s i c a l i d e a s . 2
It
i s n o t u n t i l som e t h r e e
i n i t i a l p u b lic a tio n
o f th e o f f s e t p ro c e s s ; b e fo re t h i s
th e
o r fo u r y e a rs a f t e r
t h a t C r u m b 's s c o r e s a r e p r i n t e d b y m ea n s
f in a l p r in tin g ta k e s p la c e ,
p u b lis h e r sen d s o u t o z a li d c o p ie s a s n e e d e d .
F re q u e n tly ,
1I b ld .
2F rom a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b, 14 J u n e 1 9 7 6 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 1 Crum b w i l l m ake c e r t a i n a l t e r a t i o n s i n h i s m a n u s c r i p t s
d u r i n g t h e i n t e r v a l fro m a w o r k 's c o m p l e t i o n ,
a ra tio n o f p la te s
to
th e p rep
f o r o f fs e t p r in tin g :
A f t e r I c o m p l e te t h e i n k c o p y o f a s c o r e , I
s h o r t l y t h e r e a f t e r su b m it i t to P e t e r s , a n d u n t i l
t h e f i n a l p r i n t e d e d i t i o n i s p r e p a r e d som e t h r e e o r
f o u r y e a r s l a t e r , t h e y s e n d o u t c o p i e s o f t h e m anu
s c r i p t d i r e c t l y fro m f i l m t r a n s p a r e n c i e s o f t h e m anu
s c rip t.
U s u a lly , a n y a l t e r a t i o n o f t h e m a n u s c r ip t
p r io r to th e p re p a r a tio n o f th e f i n a l p r in te d sc o re
i n v o l v e s o n l y e d i t i n g c h a n g e s , t h o u g h i n some c a s e s
an a s p e c t such a s an u n s u c c e s s fu l in s tr u m e n ta l te c h
n i q u e , o r s o m e t h in g t h a t d i d n ' t so u n d v e r y w e l l ,
m ig h t b e a d j u s t e d .
T h ere i s n e v e r an y d r a s t i c o v e r
h a u l o f a p ie c e .
I d i d c o m p l e te a s i x t h m ovem ent
o f M a k ro k o sm o s I I I w'hii'ch l a t e r I d e c i d e d n o t t o u s e ;
a l s o , i n t h e F o u r N o c t u r n e s f o r V i o l i n a n d P ia n o
t h e r e w as o r i g i n a l l y a f i f t h m ovem ent w h ic h w as
s c ra tc h e d .
I n t h e l a t t e r p i e c e , t h e c u t w as n o t made
u n t i l th e f i r s t r e h e a r s a l had t r a n s p i r e d . /N .B .
Crum b i s c u r r e n t l y r e n o t a t i n g F o u r N o c t u r n e s i n o r d e r
to in c o r p o r a te c e r t a in e d i t o r i a l ch a n g es; he a ls o
r e c e n t l y w r o t e o u t i n e x p l i c i t n o t a t i o n , t h e im p r o
v i s e d p a s s a g e s i n N i g h t M u sic 1 , 7 T h e s e a r e t h e
o n l y tw o c a s e s t h a t p i e c e s w h ic h w e re c o m p l e te d
w e re a b a n d o n e d .
T h e r e w as t h e q u e s t i o n i n my m in d
o f w h e t h e r t h e s e m o v em en ts a d d e d a n y t h i n g , a n d I
cam e t o t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t t h e y d i d n o t . 1
When
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 2 -
1Interview, 27 August 1 9 7 7 .
2 Ibid.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 3 V e ry r e c e n t l y
(sin c e F e b ru a ry ,
1 9 7 8 ) Crum b h a s
b e e n e x p e r i m e n t i n g w i t h a s y s te m o f m u s ic c o p y i n g w h ic h
i n v o l v e s t h e U 3e o f " r u b - o n " c h a r a c t e r s f o r e v e r y t h i n g
except s ta f f
lin e s ,
d e s ig n e d h i s
own r u b - o n s h e e t s ,
s te m s , an d b eam s.
fe e ls
The c o m p o s e r , who
t h a t t h i s m e th o d
w i l l c u t h i s c o p y in g t im e m o re t h a n i n h a l f .
ance,
s c o re s p ro d u ce d by t h i s
In a p p e a r
p r o c e s s w i l l re s e m b le th o s e
p ro d u c e d by th e f i n e s t ty p e s e t t i n g .
The v i s u a l d i m e n s io n
p r o v i d e s a n o t h e r c l u e t o t h e c o m p le x m a t r i x o f G e o rg e
C r u m b 's m u s i c a l p s y c h e .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
CHAPTER I I
GEORGE CRUMB:
H IS L IF E AND PHILOSOPHIES
G e o rg e H e n r y Crum b ( I I )
w as b o r n i n C h a r l e s t o n ,
W e st V i r g i n i a t o
G e o rg e H e n ry ( l ) a n d V i v i a n R e e d Crum b
on O c to b e r 2 4 th ,
1929 ( i . e .
s to c k - m a r k e t c r a s h ) .
th a t th is
b irth
th e f i r s t
d a te
t h e m e l a n c h o ly q u a l i t y
s io n s to su ch
s u g g e ste d
. may h a v e s o m e t h in g t o do w i t h
.
. 1,1 i n h i s own m u s i c .
u p and l i v i n g i n C h a r le s to n , w ith i t s
c o u n tr y m u s ic , t o
day of th e g r e a t
T he c o m p o s e r h a s j e s t i n g l y
r ic h
G ro w in g
tra d itio n
of
som e d e g r e e e x p l a i n s t h e f r e q u e n t a l l u
" h i l l b i l l y 1 i n s t r u m e n t s a s t h e m u s i c a l sa w
i n A n c ie n t V o ic e s o f C h i ld r e n , th e b a n jo i n N ig h t o f th e
F o u r M o o n s, a n d t h e
fra in s
o f D e a th .
J e w 's h a r p i n S o n g 3 , D r o n e s a n d Re
A b o u t h i s y e a r s i n C h a r l e s t o n , C rum b
i n a n i n t e r v i e w w i t h t h i s w r i t e r m ade t h e f o l l o w i n g
c o m m e n ts :
I t h i n k o n e ' s hom e s t a t e a lw a y s h a s s p e c i a l
m e a n in g s . . . .
L i v i n g i n W est V i r g i n i a t e n d s
t o i n s u l a t e o n e f ro m e v e r y t h i n g o u t s i d e t h e s t a t e .
The m o u n ta i n s t h e m s e l v e s a r e a b a r r i e r t o som e
e x t e n t a p h y s i c a l b a r r i e r ; b u t m o re o f a p s y c h o
lo g ic a l d iv is io n .
T h ere i s a t o t a l l y d i f f e r e n t
s e n s e w hen o n e i s s u r r o u n d e d b y h i l l s . H ie r o a d s
1 Q u o te d b y R . G. F re e m a n i n " 'M a k in g M u s ic ' A M o d e m
C o m p o se r F i n d s F a m e, F o r t u n e A re H a rd t o A t t a i n , " T he W a ll
S t r e e t J o u r n a l (1 5 A u g u s t 1 9 7 4 ) : 2 1 .
-4 4 -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 5 w e re n o t t h a t a c c e s s i b l e u n t i l q u i t e r e c e n t l y
.
. .
o . C o u n t r y m u s i c 7 w0-3 b e i n g p l a y e d on t h e
r a d i o c o n s t a n t l y , a n d I m e n tio n e d ^ / e a r l i e r i n th e
i n t e r v i e w / t h e c h u r c h m u sic o n e c o u l d h e a r i n r e v i v a l
s ty le . . . .
O th e r th a n c e r t a i n in s tr u m e n ts and t im b r e s , t h e r e i s
n o d e e p i n f l u e n c e i n my own m u s ic f ro m my e x p o s u r e
t o t h e n a t i v e m u s ic o f W est V i r g i n i a . 3
M u sic w as a lw a y s a n e s s e n t i a l i n g r e d i e n t o f t h e
Crumb h o u s e h o l d .
The c o m p o s e r s f a t h e r p l a y e d t h e c l a r i n e t
i n a l o c a l sy m p h o n y , t a u g h t t h e sam e i n s t r u m e n t , w as a p r o
f e s s i o n a l m u s ic c o p y i s t , a n d f o r a t i m e d i r e c t e d a l o c a l
band.
H is m o th e r w as a c e l l i s t a n d p l a y e d t h e p i a n o f o r
h e r own e n jo y m e n t
(in a d d itio n ,
s h e w o rk e d a s a s t a t e
p lo y e e d u r in g th e d e p r e s s io n y e a r s ) .
em
A b r o t h e r , W il l ia m
A t a p p r o x i m a t e l y t h e a g e o f s i x G eo rg e
re c e iv e d h is
f i r s t fo rm a l m u sic a l t r a i n in g in
t h e fo rm o f c l a r i n e t l e s s o n s fro m h i s
fa th e r.
h ad t o b e g in on th e s m a ll E - f l a t c l a r i n e t ;
Y oung G eo rg e
h e w as n o t
y e t l a r g e en o u g h t o h a n d le th e l a r g e r B - f l a t in s t r u m e n t .5
1I n te rv ie w ,
20 May 1 9 7 7 .
2Ib id .
3 ib id .
^ In te rv ie w , 6 A ugust 1976.
5 ln terv iew , 14 A p r i l 1 9 7 6 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 6 Crumb w o rk e d o u t m any o f t h e s t a n d a r d sy m p h o n ic
a n d c h a m b e r w o rk s a t t h e p i a n o , r e a d i n g f ro m h i s f a t h e r ' s
la rg e
s c o re c o lle c tio n .
flu id ity
He t h u s a c q u i r e d a g r e a t d e a l o f
i n p l a y i n g fro m s i g h t a n d i n s c o r e r e a d i n g
w h ic h c o n t i n u e t o
s e r v e h im w e l l ) . 1
( s k ills
A lth o u g h fo rm a l p ia n o
l e s s o n s d i d n o t b e g i n u n t i l t h e a g e o f f o u r t e e n , ^ a t a much
y o u n g e r a g e Crumb h a d t a u g h t h i m s e l f t o i m p r o v i s e a n d p l a y
by e a r on t h a t i n s tr u m e n t.3
ta n t to
The p i a n o h a s r e m a in e d im p o r
th e c o m p o ser:
I ' v e p l a y e d m o st o f t h e s t a n d a r d r e p e r t o r y
i n som e f a s h i o n .
I d o n 't h a v e a v i r t u o s o t e c h
n i q u e , b u t I c a n somehow g e t t h r o u g h t h e B e e th o v e n
s o n a t a s , a n d t h e C h o p in p i e c e s .
T h i s w as v a l u a b l e
i n g e t t i n g i n s i d e t h e m u sic i n a c e r t a i n way t h a t
c o m e s fro m p l a y i n g t h e m u s ic , e v e n i f y o u 'r e j u s t
r e a d i n g t h r o u g h s o m e t h i n g . 2*
When a s k e d , a t w h a t a g e h e h a d b e g u n c o m p o s in g , t h e
com poser e x p la in e d :
I th in k
th e
I w as c o m p o s in g i n e f f e c t ,
p ia n o .
e l e v e n . "5
w hen I p l a y e d b y e a r a t
I c a n rem e m b e r n o t a t i n g m u s ic a s e a r l y a s a g e
i t w as f o r h i s t a l e n t e d
f a m i l y , w i t h w h ic h s e s s i o n s
o f c h a m b e r m u s ic w e re a f a v o r i t e a c t i v i t y ,
t h a t Crumb p e n n e d
^ I n te r v ie w , 29 A p r i l 1977* a n d e n s u i n g c h a m b e r s e s s i o n ,
w h ic h t h i s w r i t e r w as p r i v i l e g e d t o w i t n e s s .
2 In te rv ie w ,
14 A p r i l 1 9 7 6 .
^ In te rv ie w ,
11 J u n e 1 9 7 6 .
^ In te rv ie w ,
23 J u l y 1 9 7 6 .
^ in te r v ie w , 6 A ugust 1976.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 7 h is f i r 3 t m u sic a l id e a s ;
th e se
i n som e r e
s p e c t s r e s e m b le d t h e m u s ic o f M o z a r t . 1
W h ile i n h i g h s c h o o l , Crum b o c c u p i e d h i m s e l f
c h i e f l y w ith m u s ic a l a c t i v i t i e s .
te a m w as o n e o f h i s
( R u n n in g o n t h e t r a c k
p rim a ry d i v e r s i o n s . 2 )
I t w as i n a
h a rm o n y c l a s s t h a t h e m e t E l i z a b e t h May B ro w n , who w as
l a t e r t o becom e h i s w i f e .
y e a rs t h a t th e
" . . .
She r e c a l l s
f ro m h e r s c h o o l
t e a c h e r s u s e d t o y e l l a t G e o rg e
b e c a u s e h e w o re h i s h a i r l o n g , w as a t e r r i b l e
a n d c o m p o se d m u s ic i n
d resse r,
E n g l i s h c l a s s . "3
I n 194 7 Crum b g r a d u a t e d f ro m h i g h s c h o o l a n d
e n r o l l e d a t M ason C o l l e g e i n C h a r l e s t o n , a c o n s e r v a t o r y
o f m u s ic n o l o n g e r i n e x i s t e n c e .
th a t in s titu tio n
he m a r r ie d
W h ile s t i l l a t t e n d i n g
(o n May 2 9 1 9 ^ 9 ) E l i z a b e t h May
B row n , h i s h i g h - s c h o o l f i a n c e e .
The c o m p o s e r 's w i f e h a 3
p la y e d th e p ia n o s in c e h e r h ig h - s c h o o l d a y s , an d c u r r e n t l y
g iv e s i n s t r u c t i o n
t o c h il d r e n on t h a t in s tr u m e n t .
She
e n j o y s p l a y i n g c h a m b e r m u s ic w i t h h e r h u s b a n d a n d c h i l d r e n
on o c c a s i o n . ^
F o r G e o rg e C rum b , t h e y e a r o f 1 9 5 0 w as o n e o f b o t h
g r e a t jo y and o f b i t t e r s a d n e s s :
i n t h a t y e a r t h e c o m p o s e r 's
''C h a r l e s M o r i t z , e d . , C u r r e n t B i o g r a p h y Y e a r b o o k ,
(New Y o r k :
H ie H. W. W ils o n C o m pany, 1 9 4 7 ) , P . 9 5 .
2F r e e m a n ,
^ Q u o te d b y F re e m a n i n
p. 21.
p . 21
^ F ro m a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h E l i z a b e t h May C ru m b ,
18 J a n u a r y 1 9 7 7 -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 8 -
1 9 5 0 - 1 9 5 1 a c a d e m ic y e a r ,
i m m e d ia te f a m i l y m oved t o C h a m p a ig n - U r b a n a .
m a tr ic u la te d a t th e U n iv e rs ity o f I l l i n o i s .
he re c e iv e d an in tr o d u c tio n to
H e re Crum b
W h ile t h e r e ,
th e t h e o r i e s o f H in d e m ith .
C o n c e r n in g t h e s e t h e o r i e s t h e c o m p o s e r h a s c o m m e n te d :
He acquired knowledge
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 9 p u r sue s . 1
D u rin g v a r io u s
h a s p e rfo rm e d on th e
s ta g e s o f h i s m u sic a l l i f e ,
p ia n o ,
c la rin e t,
Crum b
o rg a n , v i o la , b a n jo ,
an d on a num ber o f p e r c u s s io n in s tr u m e n ts ;
in a d d i t i o n , he
h a s o c c a s i o n a l l y c o n d u c t e d p e r f o r m a n c e s o f h i s own m u s i c . 2
A ll o f t h is
p r a c t i c a l e x p e rie n c e g o e s a lo n g w ith
t h e c o m p o s e r 's c o n v i c t i o n s c o n c e r n i n g w h a t t h e i d e a l
e d u c a tio n f o r a c o m p o se r 3 h o u ld b e .
th is
A c c o r d in g t o C ru m b ,
" i d e a l " e d u c a t i o n w o u ld i n c l u d e k n o w le d g e o f t h e
m u sic a l l i t e r a t u r e ,
b o th p a s t and p r e s e n t .
s iz e s h i3 b e l i e f t h a t i t
is
He a l s o
em p h a
o f f u n d a m e n ta l i m p o r ta n c e f o r
a n y w o u ld - b e c o m p o s e r
. . .
t o h a v e som e p r a c t i c a l e x p e r i e n c e i n p e r f o r m a n c e - -e ith e r to be a p i a n i s t , to h av e s tu d ie d an
i n s t r u m e n t , o r t o h a v e d o n e som e c o n d u c t i n g .
I
t h in k m o st c o m p o se rs p r o b a b ly h av e p la y e d fo u r- h a n d
p i a n o m u s i c , p l a y e d som e s t r i n g q u a r t e t s , o r p l a y e d
som e s y m p h o n ie s i n f o u r - h a n d r e d u c t i o n s ; I t h i n k a l l
o f t h i s i s v e ry good in t h a t i t h e lp s one to g e t i n
s id e th e m u s ic .
I t g i v e s y o u a c e r t a i n w h a t I w o u ld
c a l l m u s c u l a r o r t a c t i l e s e n s e , w h ic h d o e s , I t h i n k ,
i n f l u e n c e t h e w ay i n w h ic h o n e w o r k s . 3
I n t h e f a l l o f 1 9 5 2 , Crumb c o m p l e te d h i s M.M.
d e g re e i n c o m p o s itio n , an d d e p a rte d w ith h i s
d o c t o r a t e w o rk a t
f a m ily f o r
t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f M ic h ig a n i n Ann A r b o r .
T he c o m p o s e r c o n s i d e r s R o s s L e e F i n n e y , w i t h whom h e w o rk e d
^From a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C ru m b , 2 9 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
2 I b id .
^ In te rv ie w ,
23 J u l y 1 9 7 6 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 0 a t M ic h ig a n U n i v e r s i t y , t o h a v e b e e n h i s p r i n c i p a l com po
s itio n
in stru c to r.
A c c o r d in g t o C rum b:
F i n n e y 's a p p r o a c h w as e s s e n t i a l l y o n e o f t e c h
n iq u e :
w r itin g a l o t , r e w r itin g , and r e v is in g .
He
a lw a y s i n s i s t e d o n m e t i c u l o u s n o t a t i o n , a n d h i s
th in k in g on m a tte r s o f m u s ic a l e s t h e t i c s a ls o
i n f l u e n c e d m e .1
T h e r e w as a g r e a t d e a l o f f r e e d o m . F i n n e y
w as n o t i n t e r e s t e d i n p r o m o t in g a n y p a r t i c u l a r
3 t y l i 3 t i c v i e w p o i n t , s o i n f a c t t h e r e w as a w id e
d i v e r s i t y o f s t y l e s r e p r e s e n t e d am ong h i s s t u d e n t s . 2
. . . /he/vta.3 v a l u a b l e f o r t e a c h i n g c r a f t
a n d f o r h e l p i n g s t u d e n t s t o d e v e l o p t e c h n i c a l com
p e te n c e .
. . . a t t h a t t im e I ]_s t i l l 7 h a d n 't fo u n d
m y s e l f s t y l i s t i c a l l y .3
A lth o u g h F i n n e y ivas w r i t i n g i n a s t y l e
e n c o m p a s s in g a
s y n t h e s i s o f t o n a l a n d a t o n a l e l e m e n t s d u r i n g t h e 1 9 5 0 '3 ,
Crumb f e e l s
t h a t t h i s w as n o t a p r im a r y d e t e r m i n a n t i n
t h e f o r m a t i o n o f h i s own s t y l e . ^
h i s m u s ic o f t h e 1 9 5 0 ' s
B a r to k .
The c o m p o s e r c o n s i d e r s
to have " . . .
so u n d ed a l o t l i k e
The i n f l u e n c e o f t h e V i e n n e s e c o m p o s e r s
b e r g , B e r g , a n d W e b ern ) came a l i t t l e
la te r
B e fo re c o m p le tin g h i s d o c to r a te
1In te rv ie w ,
23 J u l y 1 9 7 6 .
2 In te rv ie w ,
30 A u g u s t 1 9 7 6 .
^ Q u o te d by T e r r y i n
C a r to g r a p h e r," p . 18.
. .
(S c h o e n
. ." 5
M a k ro k o sm ic
21I b i d .
5 ib id .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 1 tw o s t u d y g r a n t s , a n d a c a s h a w a rd I n c o m p o s i t i o n .
He
a p p l i e d f o r a n d r e c e i v e d i n t h e sum m er o f 1 9 5 5 , a g r a n t
to a tte n d
t h e B e r k s h i r e M u sic C e n t e r i n T a n g le w o o d ,
M a s s a c h u s e tts .
Crumb c o n s i d e r s t h i s e i g h t - w e e k m u sic
f e s t i v a l t o h a v e b e e n a s t i m u l a t i n g e x p e r i e n c e , a lt h o u g h
he had l i t t l e
t im e f o r c o m p o s in g w h i l e t h e r e . 1
D u r in g
t h e f e s t i v a l , Crum b t o o k c o m p o s i t i o n l e s s o n s w i t h B o r i s
B la c h e r.
Soon a f t e r t h e T a n g le w o o d f e s t i v a l , Crumb a n d
h i s f a m ily l e f t f o r E u ro p e .
He h a d r e c e i v e d a F u l b r i g n t
f e l l o w s h ip t o s tu d y w ith B la c h e r d u r in g th e
1 9 5 5 -1 9 5 5
a c a d e m ic y e a r a t t h e H o c h s c h u le f u r M u sik i n B e r l i n .
The
c o m p o s e r w as n o t h a p p y w i t h som e a s p e c t s o f t h i s y ear- i n
G e rm a n y :
I w as s u p p o s e d t o s t u d y c o m p o s i t i o n , b u t t h e
e x p e r i e n c e w as d i s a p p o i n t i n g .
The d i r e c t o r
^ /B la c h e ry 7 h a d a n u m b e r o f d u t i e s , a n d I g o t
v e r y fe w l e s s o n s . 2
I e n jo y e d b e in g in E u ro p e I 'v e r e tu r n e d
s e v e r a l tim e s s i n c e .
H o w e v e r, my s t u d y o f com
p o s i t i o n w as n o t e x c i t i n g a t all.3
I h e a rd l o t s o f c o n c e r t s an d s tu d i e d p ia n o f o r th e
m o st p a r t .
T h e r e w e re a g r e a t m any o p p o r t u n i t i e s
t o a t t e n d t h e o p e r a b o t h i n E a s t a n d W est B e r l i n . 4
^From a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b, 14 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
^ Q u o te d by F re e m a n i n
3 in te rv ie w ,
14 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
4 I b id .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 2 A f t e r s p e n d in g a y e a r i n
G e rm a n y , Crumb r e t u r n e d
t o M ic h i g a n
t o c o n c e n t r a t e on t h e c o m p l e t i o n o f h i s d o c t o r a t e d e g r e e .
Soon a f t e r g e t t i n g b a c k t o
A m e ric a , h e r e c e i v e d
(in
th e f a l l
o f 1 9 5 6 ) o n e o f t h e BMI c a s h a w a r d s , s e v e r a l o f w h ic h a r e
g ra n te d a n n u a lly to
s tu d e n t c o m p o sers.
W h ile s t u d y i n g a t
t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f M i c h i g a n , Crum b
w ro te t h r e e
im p o r ta n t c o m p o s itio n s :
( 1 9 5 4 ), h i s
S o n a ta f o r S o lo V i o l o n c e l lo ^ (1 9 5 5 ), a n d h i s
V a r la z lo n i^
(1 9 5 9 ) f o r l a r g e o r c h e s t r a .
w o rk s a r e n o t i n d i c a t i v e
a re
is
h is S trin g Q u a r te t2
A lth o u g h t h e s e
o f C r u m b 's p r e s e n t s t y l e ,
th e o n ly c o m p o s itio n s p r i o r to
p r e p a r e d to a c k n o w le d g e .
th e y
1962 w h ic h t h e c o m p o s e r
T h e re a r e ,
h o w e v e r, a n um ber
o f e a r l i e r p i e c e s i n e x i s t e n c e , w h ic h t h e c o m p o s e r r e t a i n s
i n m a n u s c r i p t , b u t w h ic h a r e n o t a v a i l a b l e
f o r p e rf o r m a n c e .5
Of t h e t h r e e w o rk s m e n t i o n e d a b o v e , V a r l a z l o n i i s
th e l a r g e s t
It
in s c o p e a n d th e m o st a d v a n c e d s t y l i s t i c a l l y .
show s t h e s t r o n g i n f l u e n c e o f B e r g a n d S c h o e n b e r g , a n d
a lth o u g h i t
i s n o t s e r i a l in a n y w ay, th e
t a i n a p r o m i n e n t t w e l v e - t o n e th e m e .
p ie c e d o es con
T h is t w e n ty - e ig h t
^From a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C ru m b , 7 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
2C rum b.
S tr i n g Q u a rte t
(1 9 5 * 0 * u n p u b l i s h e d .
3 c ru m b , S o n a t a f o r S o lo V i o l o n c e l l o
P e t e r s C o r p o r a t i o n , 195& T.
tio n ,
^ C rum b, V a r l a z l o n i (New Y o r k :
f a c s im ile e d it i o n , 1 9 7 0 ).
C .F .
(New Y o r k :
C .F .
P e te rs C o rp o ra
^ F rom a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C ru m b , 20 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 3 m in u t e c o m p o s i t i o n w as f i r s t
p e rfo rm e d by th e C i n c in n a ti
A lt h o u g h Crumb a d m i t
t e d l y w as i n f l u e n c e d b y S c h o e n b e r g i n V a r i a z i o n l . a n d
a l t h o u g h a f t e r 1 9 6 2 , m uch o f h i s m u s ic r e f l e c t s
th e i n f l u
e n c e o f W e b e rn , Crum b h a s n e v e r w r i t t e n a n e n t i r e
w i t h in th e c o n f i n e s o f th e tw e lv e - to n e s y s te m .
c o m p o s itio n
He f i n d s
s u c h a n a p p r o a c h t o c o m p o s i t i o n f o r e i g n t o h i s own m u s i c a l
e s th e t ic , and f e e ls
t h a t t h e s y s te m m ay b e e x h a u s t e d . 1
When a s k e d i f h e f e l t
v i a b l e m u s ic h a d b e e n w r i t t e n w i t h i n
t h e s c h o o l o f t o t a l s e r i a l i s m , Crumb a n s w e r e d :
My own p e r s o n a l f e e l i n g i s t h a t W eb ern m o re o r
l e s s r o u n d e d i t o f f , a n d a n y t h i n g t h a t h a s come s i n c e
t h e n i n t h e a r e a o f m o re e x t e n s i v e s e r i a l i z a t i o n o f
o t h e r p a ra m e te r s h a s n o t b ee n a s e x c i t i n g a s w hat
W eb ern d i d w i t h h i s r e s o u r c e s .
I 'm n o t s u r e t h a t t h e
i d e a l o f t o t a l s e r i a l i z a t i o n i s n e c e s s a r i l y w ro n g i t
m ay b e t h a t we h a v e n 't h a d a c o m p o s e r o f t h e s t a t u r e
o f W e b e r n .2
W e b e r n 's i n f l u e n c e c a n b e s e e n i n C r u m b 's p r e f e r e n c e
f o r v e ry s h o r t ,
c o n d e n se d fo rm s ;
in g s o f d y n a m ic s ; i n h i s
sp a rse ,
th ro u g h h i s d e l i c a te
c o lo ris tic
shad
h a n d lin g o f
H o w e v e r, i t
be p o in te d o u t t h a t t h e i n f l u e n c e o f B a r to k i n
s h o u ld
th e a re a s o f
s y m m e t r i c a l s t r u c t u r i n g on b o t h a l a r g e a n d s m a l l s c a l e ,
1I n te rv ie w ,
23 J u l y 1 9 7 6 .
2 I b id .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 4 h a rm o n y , a n d r h y th m ,
se e m s e q u a l l y s t r o n g .
I n d e e d , Crumb
h a s h e a rd a g r e a t d e a l o f E a s te r n , M e d ie v a l, R e n a is s a n c e ,
e l e c t r o n i c , a n d c o n te m p o r a r y m u s i c , a s w e l l a s
d i t i o n a l W e ste rn r e p e r t o r y ; he b e l i e v e s
th e t r a
t h a t a l l o f th e s e
d i s t i n c t m u sic s have s e rv e d a s i g n i f i c a n t f u n c t i o n
in th e
d e v e lo p m e n t o f h i s own m u s i c a l s t y l e , a n d h o l d s t h e c o n
v ic tio n
h e a rd ,
is
th a t a l l o f
. t h e m u s ic we h e a r ,
o r have
T h is
l i k e a s o u r c e t h a t we d ra w f r o m ." ^
T h ro u g h o u t h i s c o n s e r v a to r y a n d u n i v e r s i t y
C rum b, w h i l e m a j o r i n g i n c o m p o s i t i o n , a l s o
th e p ia n o .
tra in in g ,
s e r i o u s ly s tu d ie d
T h i s p r e p a r e d h im f o r t h e i m p o r t a n t p o s i t i o n h e
w as t o o b t a i n
in
1959 a s a p ia n o t e a c h e r a t th e U n i v e r s i ty
o f C o l o r a d o , w h e re h e w as t o r e m a in u n t i l t h e f a l l o f 1 9 6 4 .
C o n c e r n in g h i s a c t i v i t i e s
d u r in g th e
d u rin g th e s e y e a r s , a s w e ll a s
1 9 6 4 - 1 9 6 5 a c a d e m ic y e a r w h ic h h e s p e n t a t t h e
U n i v e r s i t y o f B u f f a l o t h e c o m p o s e r h a s m ade t h e f o l l o w i n g
re m a rk s:
? fJ f o u r y e a r s a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f
C o lo ra d o . . .
I ta u g h t p ia n o .
I e n jo y e d t e a c h
i n g p i a n o , t h o u g h t h e h o u r s w e re l o n g .
I w as a t
l e a s t t e a c h i n g m u s i c , a n d h a d a n i n t e r e s t i n p ia n o
lite ra tu re .
I t w as t i r i n g - - t h e s c h e d u l e w as f u l l ,
a n d a l o t o f t h e t e a c h i n g w as s e c o n d a r y p i a n o .
A l t h o u g h I w as s t r i c t l y o n t h e p i a n o f a c u l t y , I
d id te a c h a l i t t l e c o m p o s itio n on t h e s id e d u r in g
th e l a s t c o u p le o f y e a r s .
F o llo w in g t h i s , I
1 I n te r v ie w ,
23 J u l y 1 9 7 6 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 5 r e c e iv e d a g r a n t i n 1 9 6 4 -1 9 6 5 --fro m th e R o c k e f e l l e r
C o m m issio n t o b e C o m p o se r i n R e s i d e n c e a t t h e C e n t e r
o f th e C r e a ti v e an d P e rfo rm in g A r ts a t th e U n i v e r s i ty
o f B u ffa lo .
( I w as c a l l e d a C r e a t i v e A s s o c i a t e . " )
W h ile t h e r e my tim e w as m ore o r l e s s my ow n; h o w e v e r ,
I g o t d ra w n i n t o m o re p e r f o r m a n c e t h a n I h a u c o u n te d
o n a l t h o u g h t h i s w as n o t a r e q u i r e m e n t .
I p la y e d
th e p ia n o i n v a r io u s p e rfo rm a n c e s t h e r e .
T h i s w as
t h e f i r s t y e a r o f t h a t p r o g ra m .
I rem e m b e r b e i n g
a s k e d b y L u c a s F o s s i f I w e re i n t e r e s t e d a s I r e c a l l ,
I d i d n 't r e a l l y h av e t o a p p ly .
I n s p i t e o f my i n
v o lv e m e n t i n p e r f o r m a n c e , I d i d f i n d some t i m e t o
com pose.
F o l l o w i n g t h i s y e a r i n B u f f a l o , I w as i n
v i t e d b a c k t o t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C o l o r a d o , b u t w as so m e
w h a t r e l u c t a n t t o r e t u r n . A lth o u g h I h a d m any f i n e
c o l l e a g u e s t h e r e , i t se em e d v e r y r e m o t e , a n d t h e
c o m p o s i t i o n d e p a r t m e n t w as m o v in g i n a d i r e c t i o n t h a t
d i d n ' t p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t e r e s t m e.
I t w a s n 't u n t i l l a t e
s p r i n g o f 1964 t h a t a p o s i t i o n a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f
P e n n s y l v a n i a cam e u p . l
Among t h o s e w i t h whom h e d e v e lo p e d f r i e n d s h i p s a t
t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C o l o r a d o w as D a v id B u r g e , who i n
fo llo w in g a c c o u n ts ,
p a in ts a ra r e
p o r t r a i t o f th e
th e
lig h te r
s i d e o f t h e c o m p o s e r 's p e r s o n a l i t y :
When I f i r s t knew G e o rg e Crumb a l o n g t im e a g o
i n C o l o r a d o we h a d a s t o n e th r o w in g c o n t e s t .
He h a d
a way o f c a t a p u l t i n g s t o n e s im m ense d i s t a n c e s w i t h
a n e f f o r t l e s s k i n d o f r o u n d h o u s e u n d e r a r m w h i p p in g
m o tio n t h a t w as a s t o n i s h i n g a n d i n t i m i d a t i n g .
. . . i t '3 f u n t o rem e m b e r h im on t h e F o u r t h o f J u l y
ab o u t a dozen y e a rs ag o , e c s ta tic a s a s ix - y e a r- o ld ,
r is k i n g f in g e r s , e y e s, and l i f e i t s e l f in a f i r e
c r a c k e r w a r i n w h ic h h e a t a l l t i m e s w as t h e c h i e f
p ro ta g o n is t.3
1 In te rv ie w ,
20 May 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 6 G e o rg e C rum b, a l o n g w i t h h i s
im m e d ia te f a m i l y ,
(b y
t h i s t im e a s e c o n d a n d t h i r d c h i l d D a v id a n d P e t e r h a d
come i n t o
th e w o rld ).
The Crum bs h a v e m a i n t a i n e d r e s i
d e n c e i n t h i s m o d e s t s i z e d tow n l o c a t e d a b o u t f i f t e e n
m ile s s o u th o f P h i la d e l p h ia .
T h e i r move t o M ed ia w as
p ro m p te d b y t h e c o m p o s e r '3 a c c e p t a n c e o f a n a s s i s t a n t
p r o f e s s o r s h i p in c o m p o s itio n a t th e U n i v e r s i ty o f P e n n s y l
v a n ia .
Crum b c o n t i n u e s t o t e a c h a t t h e sam e i n s t i t u t i o n ,
a n d now h o l d s a f u l l p r o f e s s o r s h i p w i t h t e n u r e .
re q u ire d to
He i s
t e a c h v e r y few h o u r s p e r w e e k , w h ic h l e a v e s
h im a m p le tim e f o r c r e a t i v e a c t i v i t y .
S i n c e 1 9 6 2 , Crum b h a s a v e r a g e d o n l y s l i g h t l y m o re
t h a n o n e w o rk p e r y e a r ; t h u s , h e h a s b e e n a b l e t o a c c e p t
o n ly a s m a ll f r a c t i o n
re c e iv e d .
o u tp u t i s
o f t h e c o m m is s io n o f f e r s h e h a s
Among o t h e r f a c t o r s ,
re s tric te d
c o m p l e te d u n t i l i t
t h e q u a n t i t y o f C ru m b 's
by h i s r e f u s a l t o c o n s i d e r a w o rk
has f u l f il l e d
r e q u i s i t e s h e im p o s e s .
th e s tr in g e n t e s th e tic
F o r e x a m p le ,
th e com poser s p e n t
m o re t h a n s i x m o n th s t r y i n g t o d e c i d e w h e t h e r o r n o t M a k ro k osm os I I I n e e d e d a s i x t h m o v em e n t; a l t h o u g h a s i x t h m ove
m e n t w as c o m p l e t e d , t h e c o m p o s e r u l t i m a t e l y d e c i d e d n o t t o
in c o rp o ra te
it
in to
t h e w o r k .^
C o n c e r n in g h i s rate-*---as
^From a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b, 7 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 7 w e l l a s h i s m e th o d o f c o m p o s in g , Crum b r e v e a l s t h a t h e
e m p lo y s
. . . a v e r y s lo w w ay o f w o r k i n g on s m a l l I d e a s .
The l e n g t h o f w o r k i n g o n a p i e c e c o u l d r u n i n t o m any
m o n th s .
S o m e tim e s a c o u p l e o f h o u r s a d a y w i l l t i r e
me o u t ; a t o t h e r t i m e s I c a n w o rk m uch l o n g e r .
Some
tim e s I d o n 't p ro d u c e a n y th in g I w a n t t o s a v e .
G e n e r a lly , a f t e r th e i n i t i a l id e a s h a v e com e, th e
s e s s i o n s t e n d t o beco m e l o n g e r .
I w i l l s o m e tim e s s k e t c h i n s h o r t s c o r e . . . / s i t /
o th e r tim e s , I w i l l s k e tc h in f u l l s c o r e .
G e n e ra lly ,
a s I s k e t c h I h a v e t h e e x a c t i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n i n m in d .
The t i m b r a l s i d e o f m u s ic s e e m s t o com e v e r y e a s y
f o r me . . .
. The m o s t d i f f i c u l t p a r t f o r me h a s
a lw a y s b e e n t h e f o rm o f a p i e c e .
T h i s c o s t s me t h e
m o st h o u r s o f w o rk .
H ig h e r e d u c a tio n h a s b e e n a p ro m in e n t f a c t o r i n
t h e c o m p o s e r 's
l i f e b o th a s a t e a c h e r , an d th ro u g h h i s
le n g th y and im p re s s iv e fo rm a l e d u c a tio n .
w hen a s k e d w h a t i m p o r t a n c e h e f e l t t h e
s e rv a to ry o r u n iv e r s ity
tra in in g
N e v e r th e le s s ,
tr a d itio n a l con
i n m u s ic h a d f o r t h e
young c o m p o se r, h e a s s e r t e d :
I d o n ' t t h i n k i t h a s m uch t o d o w i t h t h e q u a l i t y
o f o n e 's m u s i c .
I t d o es s e rv e to h e lp one g a in an
u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e t e c h n i c a l s id e o f m u sic , b u t i t ' s
u s u a ll y s e v e r a l y e a rs a f t e r a co m p o ser i s o u t o f s c h o o l,
t h a t h e r e a l l y c o m e s i n t o h i s o w n .3
Crum b a l s o b e l i e v e s t h a t t e x t b o o k s a r e o f t e n o v e r l y
e m p h a s iz e d e s p e c i a l l y
in th e c a se o f co m p o sers:
1 I n te rv ie w ,
29 A p r il 1977.
^ In te rv ie w ,
23 J u ly 1 9 7 6 .
3ib id .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 8 I t h i n k t h a t , m o re i m p o r t a n t t h a n t e x t b o o k s
i s t h e s t u d y o f t h e m u 3 ic i t s e l f .
I th in k one
c a n i n f e r e v e r y t h i n g f ro m t h e m u s i c .
I m u st a d m it
t h a t I d o n ' t u s e t e x t b o o k s a t a l l i n my t e a c h i n g
o n ly s c o r e s .
I t h in k t h a t i t i s m o st im p o r ta n t to
s tu d y th e s c o r e s th e m s e lv e s , r a t h e r th a n b e in g i n
v o l v e d w i t h s o m e b o d y 's i d e a s .
W hat y o u l e a r n on
y o u r own i s a lw a y s m o re v a l u a b l e t h a n w h a t y o u
l e a r n f ro m t h e o r y b o o k s . 1
I t h in k t h a t a com poser can i n f e r e v e ry th in g
t h a t ' s i m p o r t a n t fro m t h e m u s ic i t s e l f h e w i l l
have a d i r e c t c o n ta c t w ith e v e ry th in g t h a t i s hap
p e n in g i n th e m u s ic .
I s u p p o s e t h a t some t h e o
r e t i c a l t r a i n i n g a l s o i s g o o d , b u t I i m a g in e t h a t
t h i s i s s o m e t h in g t h a t h e d o e s v e r y f a s t h e w o u l d n 't
w a s t e m uch t i m e w i t h t h i s .
Such t r a i n i n g i s , a f t e r
a l l , m e r e l y l e a r n i n g t o nam e v e r b a l l y w h a t a com
p o s e r a l r e a d y know s i n t u i t i v e l y .
I th in k t h i s h ap
p e n s m o re w i t h c o m p o s e r s t h a n w i t h o t h e r m u s i c i a n s .
. . .
in th e u n i v e r s it y . . . th e r e i s an i n c l i n a
t i o n to r a t i o n a l i z e th e a r t .
T h e re i s a te n d e n c y ,
in th e u n i v e r s i t y , f o r one t o t r y t o v e r b a liz e h i s
th o u g h ts a n d i d e a s , a n d p e rh a p s t h e m o st im p o r ta n t
t h i n g s i n m u s ic c a n n o t b e v e r b a l ! z e d .3
As a c o m p o s i t i o n t e a c h e r , Crum b d e m a n d s i d i o m a t i c
in stru m e n ta l w r itin g ;
u lo u s n o t a tio n ;
c a r e f u l and p r e c is e
e d it i n g , and m e tic
h e w i l l o f t e n m ake o b s e r v a t i o n s a n d s p e c u l a
t i o n s c o n c e r n i n g a s t u d e n t ' s m u s ic t h a t w i l l l e a d t o r e
th in k in g and r e v i s io n .
a re
put fo rth .
to f in d
A t tim e s ,
v e ry s p e c i f i c
s u g g e s tio n s
The c o m p o s e r s t r o n g l y e n c o u r a g e s s t u d e n t s
t h e i r own s t y l e s ,
p r o m o te s o r i g i n a l i t y ,
1In te rv ie w ,
23 J u l y 1 9 7 6 .
^ In te rv ie w ,
6 D ecem ber 1 9 7 6 .
^ In te rv ie w ,
30 A u g u st 1 9 7 6 .
and
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 9 d isc o u ra g e s s t y l i s t i c
d e s c r i b e d C r u m b 's i n s t r u c t i o n
Some s t u d e n t s h a v e
in c o m p o s itio n a s
o t h e r s h a v e h a d m a r k e d ly d i f f e r e n t r e a c t i o n s :
p o s e r 's a p p ro a c h t o
to
"lo w k e y ; "
t h e com
te a c h i n g c o m p o s itio n v a r i e s a c c o r d in g
In
h i s t e a c h i n g , Crum b h a s f o u n d t h a t
Y oung c o m p o s e r s d o n ' t se em t o know w h a t t o d o o r
who a r e t h e g u i d e s a n h m o r e .
When I w as i n s c h o o l
i t w as e a s y - - W e b e m , S c h o e n b e rg ,- B e r g , B a r t o k , H in
d e m ith , an d o f f to one s id e , S tra v in s k y .
Now t h e y
t h i n k m aybe i t ' s V a r e s e , o r m aybe n o t t h e y r e a l l y
a r e n 't s u r e .1
In a d d i t i o n
t o w r i t i n g m u s i c , Crum b e n c o u r a g e s s t u d e n t s
t o do a l o t o f l i s t e n i n g ,
p la y in g i f
p o s s ib le ,
som ehow c o n t r i b u t e
s c o r e r e a d i n g , a n d e n s e m b le
fe e lin g th a t a l l
su ch e x p e rie n c e s
t o a c o m p o s e r 's m u s i c a l i n s i g h t s . 2
I n 1 9 7 4 , Crum b r e c e i v e d a n o f f e r t o w r i t e
f ilm
th e
s c o r e t o T he E x o r c i s t o n e o f t h e g r e a t e s t m oney
m a k in g m o v ie s e v e r p r o d u c e d .
f ro m t h e
f i l m 's
A t th e tim e o f t h i s
w i f e E l i z a b e t h w as r e a d i n g The E x o r c i s t i n
fo rm ; s h e u r g e d h e r h u sb a n d t o a c c e p t .
d e c lin e d
o ffe r
d i r e c t o r , W il l ia m F r i e d k i n , t h e c o m p o s e r 's
th e o f f e r ,
its
w r itte n
T he c o m p o s e r
th o u g h he d id g iv e p e rm is s io n f o r
Q u o te d by D o n al H enahan, in
P. 55.
2R e g u la r c o m p o s itio n l e s s o n 3 , t a k e n by t h i 3 w r i t e r
w ith th e c o m p o se r, have c o n firm e d th e c o n te n t o f t h i s
p a ra g ra p h .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 60 a n y o f h i s e x i s t i n g m u s ic t o b e u s e d ; a s a r e s u l t , a b r i e f
e x c e r p t f ro m B l a c k A n g e ls w as i n c o r p o r a t e d
so u n d t r a c k .
in
in to
th e
p i c t u r e s
F o r t h i s e x c e r p t o f a p p ro x im a te ly t h i r t y
seco n d s
l e n g t h , Crum b r e c e i v e d tw o t h o u s a n d d o l l a r s a b o u t f o r t y
t i m e s m o re t h a n h e h a s r e c e i v e d f ro m t h e t o t a l s a l e s o f t h e
th re e e x is tin g
r e c o rd in g s o f th e w o rk . 1
Had h e known o f
t h e f i n a n c i a l s u c c e s s o f T he E x o r c i s t , h e m a i n t a i n s t h a t
h e w o u ld n a v e n e v e r t h e l e s s r e f u s e d
t o w r i t e m u s ic f o r t h e
m o v ie :
I t h o u g h t i t w o u ld b e a d i s t u r b i n g t h i n g
f o r my w o r k .
S u re , I h av e r e s p e c t f o r th e guys
t h a t do t h a t k i n d o f t h i n g , b u t t h a t ' s j u s t n o t
my l i n e o f w o rk .
F i lm m u s ic i s a d i s t i n c t g e n r e o f c o m p o s i t i o n ,
an d r e q u i r e s a v e ry s p e c i a l i z e d k in d o f t a l e n t .
I w o u l d n 't f e e l c o m f o r t a b l e a t t e m p t i n g som e
t h i n g o f t h i s n a t u r e .3
T h is a t t i t u d e
g o e s a l o n g w i t h t h e c o m p o s e r 's e s t h e t i c c o n
v i c t i o n s on th e n a tu r e and p u rp o se o f a r t m u sic :
I t h i n k t h a t w hen y o u w r i t e a p i e c e , y o u ' r e
w r itin g f o r y o u r s e lf a s th e l i s t e n e r , f i r s t o f a l l .
^F rom a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e a n d E l i z a b e t h
C rum b, 2 3 J u l y 1 9 7 6 .
^ Q u o te d by F re e m a n i n
3 In te rv ie w ,
"A M o d e m C o m p o s e r , p . 1 .
14 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 61 One w r i t e s t o s a t i s f y o n e 's s e l f , a n d t o r e s o l v e t h e
i n n e r t e n s i o n t h a t l i e s a t t h e r o o t o f a c o m p o s e r 's
in n e r b e in g .
N a t u r a l l y , w hen t h e p i e c e i s f i n i s h e d ,
y ou h o p e t h a t i t w i l l be a p p r e c i a t e d b u t t h i s i s n o t
a c o n s i d e r a t i o n i n w r i t i n g s e r i o u s m u s i c . You h a v e
t o c o n v in c e y o u r s e l f . . . b e f o r e y o u h a v e a n y h o p e
o f c o n v in c in g o t h e r s .
The n u m b e r o f p r e s t i g i o u s g r a n t s a n d a w a r d s G e o rg e
Crumb h a s r e c e i v e d f o r h i s c o m p o s i t i o n a l e n d e a v o r s i s
im
p o s in g .
I n a d d i t i o n t o t h o s e p r e v i o u s l y m e n tio n e d i n t h i s
c h a p te r,
1964:
1964:
1970:
1971:
1971:
1973:
1977:
K o u s s e v i t s k y F o u n d a t io n C o m m is s io n
A p p o i n t e d C o m p o se r i n R e s i d e n c e a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y
o f B u ffa lo u n d e r a R o c k e f e lle r G ran t
G ug g e n h e im F e l l o w s h i p
N a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e o f A r t s a n d L e t t e r s Aw ard
P u l i t z e r P r iz e
H o n o r a r y D o c t o r a t e fro m M o r r i s H a r v e y C o l l e g e
C o o l id g e F o u n d a t i o n G r a n t
I n t e r n a t i o n a l R o s tru m o f C o m p o s e rs (UNESCO) A w ard
K o u s s e v i t s k y I n t e r n a t i o n a l R e c o r d in g Aw ard
H o n o r a r y D o c t o r a t e fro m M a r s h a l l C o l le g e
N a t i o n a l I n s t i t u t e o f A r t s a n d L e t t e r s C a sh Aw ard
1978:
H o n o r a r y D o c t o r a t e fro m O b e r l i n C o n s e r v a t o r y
1967:
1967:
1968:
1969:
($10, 000. 0 0 )
F u r t h e r m o r e , Crumb h a s r e c e i v e d n u m e ro u s g r a n t s fro m t h e
S t a t e D e p a r tm e n t f o r t r a v e l a b r o a d , a n d m i s c e l l a n e o u s o t h e r
a w a r d s a n d c o m m issio n s .2
Crumb w as a w a r d e d t h e P u l i t z e r
1 I n t e r v i e w , 23 J u l y 1 9 7 6 .
2F rom c o n v e r s a t i o n s w i t h G e o rg e C ru m b , 5 A u g u s t 1 977
a n d 5 May 1 9 7 8 .
( A l l a c c e p t e d c o m m is s io n s a r e i n c l u d e d i n
t h e a n n o t a t i o n s t o t h e l i s t i n g o f a c k n o w le d g e d w o rk s f o u n d
am ong t h e a p p e n d i c e s o f t h i s d i s s e r t a t i o n . )
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-6 2 P r i z e t h e a w a r d m o s t c o v e t e d b y A m e ric a n c o m p o s e r s f o r
h i s o r c h e s t r a l w o r k , E c h o e s o f Tim e a n d t h e R i v e r ; t h e
ju d g e s c o n s id e re d
th is
to
b e th e b e s t c o m p o s itio n by a n
A m e ric a n c o m p o s e r t o b e p r e m i e r e d i n 1 9 6 8 .
title
b e a r 3 no r e l a t i o n s h i p
(N .B .
The
t o Thom as W o l f e ! s n o v e l . *)
W ith t h i s a w a r d , C ru m b s r e p u t a t i o n a s a c o m p o s e r o f g r e a t
s i g n i f i c a n c e w as f u l l y
e s ta b lis h e d .
o l o g y o f N i c h o l a s S l o n im s k y ,
In th e
"T h e r i s e
p o e tic
p h rase
o f G e o rg e Crum b h a s
f a i r t o r e m a in a p e r m a n e n t f i x
t u r e o f t h e m u s i c a l f i r m a m e n t ." 2
g r a n ts and s u c c e s s e s
In s p it e
in c o m p o s itio n ,
o f h i s m any
th e com poser h o ld s
th e c o n v ic tio n
. . . t h a t g r a n ts an d a w ard s a r e n 't t h a t im p o r ta n t.
I f y o u 'r e a c o m p o s e r, t h e im p o r ta n t t h in g i s g e t t i n g
s o m e t h in g o u t o f y o u r s y s t e m ; e v e r y t h i n g e l s e i s
r a t h e r p e r i p h e r a l , a lth o u g h i t i s n ic e to f in a n c e
y o u rse lf a l i t t l e b i t , o f c o u rse .
T h e re i s an
e le m e n t o f s a c r i f i c e i n b e i n g a c o m p o s e r , e s p e c i a l l y
in th e e a r ly y e a r s .
As you g e t o ld e r , th e r e i s th e
p o s s i b i l i t y o f a l i t t l e m o re r e t u r n on y o u r m u s i c ,
b u t c e r t a i n l y n e v e r e n o u g h t o c o m p e n s a te f o r t h e
t im e a n d e f f o r t i n v o l v e d .
So i t h a s t o b e a " l a b o r
o f l o v e . "3
^Shirley F l e m i n g , " G e o rg e C ru m b , P u l i t z e r P r i z e
C o m p o s e r," ASCAP 2 / 3 (D e c e m b e r 1 9 6 8 ) : 2 7 .
^ N i c h o l a s S l o n im s k y , b r o c h u r e a c c o m p a n y in g t h e r e c o r d
a lb u m e n t i t l e d M u sic f o r a 2 0 t h C e n t u r y V l o l l n l 3 t (3 d i s c s ) ,
w h ic h i n c l u d e s C r u m b 's N i g h t M u sic I I , p e r f o r m e d b y P a u l
Z u k o fsk y ; v i o l i n , an d G i l b e r t K a lis h ; p ia n o ( c o n ta in s
m u s ic b y 13 e t h e r c o m p o s e r s ) , (CMS D e s t o DC o 4 3 5 /3 7 1 9 7 4 ) .
^ I n te r v ie w , 23 J u ly
1976.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-6 3 T he f o l l o w i n g d e s c r i p t i o n b y t h e c o m p o s e r o f
w h a t a t y p i c a l d a y f o r h im e n c o m p a s s e s s e e m s a n a p p r o
p ria te
and I I )
c lo s e
to
of th is
th e n o n a n a ly tic a l p o r tio n
( C h a p te r s I
p a p e r:
I d o n 't t h i n k t h e r e i s su c h a t h i n g a s a
t y p i c a l d a y f o r m e. F o r e x a m p l e , t o d a y I s p e n t
s e v e r a l h o u rs e d it i n g ; th e r e a r e o f te n phone c a l l s
t o m ake, l e t t e r s t o w r i t e , o c c a s i o n a l c o m p o s itio n
l e s s o n s to g iv e . . . .
I t ' s a w f u l l y h a r d t o do
an y p a r t i c u l a r th in g e v e ry d a y .
O c c a s io n a lly I
w i l l r e a d t h r o u g h som e f o u r - h a n d p i a n o m u s ic w i t h
my s o n D a v i d , o r som e s o l o p i a n o m u s ic i n t h e
e v e n in g s , b u t c e r t a i n l y n o t e v e ry d a y .
I so m e
t i m e s g c m o n th s w i t h o u t p l a y i n g .
I t j u s t depends
on w h a t I h a v e t o d o . 1
A w e a lth o f a d d i t i o n a l b i o g r a p h i c a l ,
p h ilo s o p h ic a l, and
o th e r p e r t i n e n t m a t e r i a l w i l l be fo u n d in th e
tra n s c rib e d
I n t e r v i e w s o f A p p e n d ix E .
1 I n t e r v i e w , 20 May 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
CHAPTER I I I
VOX BALAENAE (VOICE OF THE WHALE)
E x tra m u 3 lc a l C o n s i d e r a t io n s
Vox B a l a e n a e
(V o ic e o f t h e W h a le ) ,
fo r f lu te ,
c e l l o , a n d p i a n o , a l l a m p l i f i e d , w as c o m p l e te d i n J u n e
of 1971. 1
The t i t l e
In s p ira tio n :
o f t h i s w o rk d e f i n e s
its
p r im a r y
t h e s o u n d s e m i t t e d b y h u m p -b a c k w h a le s
(a
r e c o r d i n g o f w h ic h t h e c o m p o s e r h a d h e a r d a fe w y e a r s
p r e v io u s ly ) .
T h is c o n c e p t u a l i d e a a c te d a s a k in d o f
m a g n e t , d r a w in g i n c e r t a i n
fig u r a tio n s ,
tim b re s ,
r h y th m , m o t i v i c c o n
and t h e a t r i c a l e f f e c t s . 2
The b l a c k h a l f
m a s k s w h ic h m u s t be w o rn d u r i n g p e r f o r m a n c e
".
e f f a c in g th e
in te n d e d to
re p r e s e n t,
o f n a tu re
s e n s e o f hum an p r o j e c t i o n , a r e
s y m b o lic a lly ,
th e
.b y
p o w e rfu l im p e rso n a l fo rc e s
( i . e . n a t u r e d e h u m a n iz e d ) ." 3
S p e c ia l d e e p -b lu e
'Crumb, Vox B a l a e n a e , p . 1 5 .
F o r su ch in fo rm a tio n
a s d a t e s o f f i r s t p e rf o r m a n c e s , c o m m iss io n s, e x i s t i n g
r e c o r d i n g s , p e rf o r m e x S o f t h e l a t t e r , e t c . , on a l l a c
k n o w le d g e d w o r k s , s e e A p p e n d i c e s C a n d D.
2 I n t e r v i e w , 11 J u n e 1 9 7 7 .
3 c ru m b , r e c o r d j a c k e t n o t e s t o h i s Vox B a l a e n a e ,
p e r f o r m e d b y E r i c h G r a f ; f l u t e , J e r r y G ro s s m a n ; c e l l o ,
a n d W a l t e r P a n c e ; p i a n o , a l l m em b ers o f t h e A e o l i a n
C h a m b e r P l a y e r s (C o lu m b ia M 3 2 7 3 9 , 1 9 7 * 0 .
-6 4 -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-6 5 s ta g e l ig h t i n g
i s a ls o
o f e n h a n c in g th e
s u g g e s t e d i n t h e s c o r e a s a m ean s
th e a tric a l e ffe c t.
p lo y m e n t ox a m p l i f i c a t i o n
d ra m a tic t e n s i o n
In a d d itio n ,
( n o t o n ly i n t h i s w o rk , b u t a l s o
h a l f o f C r u m b 's o t h e r c o m p o s i t i o n s ) .
o f d ram a r e s u l t s
e rs
in ab o u t
T h is e n h a n c e d se n se
p r i m a r i l y f ro m t h e i n c r e a s e d
a m p litu d e , b u t a ls o
t h e em
i n c r e a s e s t h e a tm o s p h e r e o f
p e rfo rm a n c e
fro m t h e a c t u a l a p p e a r a n c e o f p e r f o r m
p l a y i n g i n t o m ic r o p h o n e s , a n d t h e r e a l i z a t i o n
t h a t th e
h i g h l e v e l o f v o lu m e i s b e i n g p r o d u c e d e l e c t r o n i c a l l y .
A lth o u g h th e t i t l e ,
tin e n t s u g g e s tiv e
Vox B a l a e n a e , p e r f o r m s a p e r
f u n c tio n f o r th e p e r c e i v e r ,
f i v e v a r i a t i o n s w i t h i n t h e w o rk a r e e n i g m a t i c
title s
o f th e
( s e e T a b le I ) .
T a b le I .
T i t l e s , p e rfo rm a n c e d i r e c t i v e s , and
b r o a d f o r m a l d i v i s i o n s a s f o u n d i n Vox B a l a e n a e
A
V o c a l i s e ( . . . f o r t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t im e )
W il d l y f a n t a s t i c ; g r o t e s q u e
V a r i a t i o n s on S e a -T im e ( S e a T hem e)
A d a g i o ; s o le m n , w i t h c a lm m a j e s t y
B1
A rc h e o z ic ( V a r ia ti o n
T im e le ss ; in c h o a te
B2
P ro te ro z o ic (V a r ia tio n
D a r k ly m y s te r io u s
B3
P a le o z o ic
F l o w in g
b4
M e s o z o ic ( V a r i a t i o n
E x u lta n tly I
B5
C e n o z o i c ( V a r i a t i o n V)
D r a m a t i c ; w i t h a s e n s e o f im m in e n t d e s t i n y
S e a - N o c tu m e ( .
A d a g io ; s e r e n e ,
( V a ria tio n
I)
II)
III)
IV )
. . f o r th e end o f tim e )
p u re, tra n s fig u r e d
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-6 6 When q u e s t i o n e d b y t h i s w r i t e r a s t o why h e h a d
u tilis e d
title s
t h e t e c h n i c a l te r m s f o r g e o l o g i c a l e r a s a s
f o r h i s v a r i a t i o n s , Crumb e x p l a i n e d :
p u r e ly w h im s ic a l.
s e t o f v a ria tio n s .
F o r e x a m p le ,
A r c h e o z o ic I in c lu d e th e
fa c t,
in one v a r i a ti o n th e
"sea g u ll" e f f e c t,
t h e r e w as n o fo rm o f l i f e
p e rio d ." 1
a re
"T h ese a r e
The p i e c e w a s , i n f a c t c o n c e i v e d a s a
when i n
i n e x is t e n c e d u r in g t h a t
T h e s e e x a m p le s o f w h i m s i c a l l y c h o s e n t i t l e s
th e e x c e p tio n r a th e r th a n th e r u le ;
th e y d e m o n stra te
t h a t n o a s p e c t o f G e o rg e C r u m b 's m u s ic i n v a r i a b l y s e r v e s
a n u n c h a n g in g f u n c t i o n ; f l e x i b i l i t y
in
th e h a n d lin g o f
s y n th e s is .
L a rg e -S c a le S t r u c t u r e
As i l l u s t r a t e d
o f e ig h t in te r r e la te d
i n T a b l e I , Vox B a l a e n a e c o n s i s t s
s e c tio n s.
The f i n a l e
c o n ta in s
m a t e r i a l fro m e a r l i e r p o r t i o n s o f t h e w o r k , a n d r o u g h l y
b a l a n c e s t h e o p e n in g m o v em e n t; h o w e v e r , t h i s
b a la n c e d e
p e n d s m o re on mood a n d s c o p e t h a n on common m u s i c a l e l e m e n t s .
T h e refo re ,
I hi.,ve l a b e l e d S e a - N o c tu m e
"C" r a t h e r t h a n
The o p e n i n g a n d c l o s i n g m o v em e n ts b o t h c r e a t e
" A l ."
th e e f f e c t
14 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-6 7 th a n an y o f th e
in te r v e n in g s e c tio n s .
T h e r e f o r e , Vox
B a la e n a e e x e m p l if i e s a s y m m e tr ic a l t h r e e - p a r t d e s ig n :
a p r o l o g u e ; a th e m e w i t h f i v e c l o s e l y - r e l a t e d
v a ria tio n s ,
and a n e p ilo g u e .
S tr u c tu r a l D e ta ils
V o c a lis e
(.
. f o r th e b e g in n in g o f tim e )
T he o p e n i n g V o c a l i s e f e a t u r e s , a n d r e f l e c t s
its
title ,
s in g in g and p la y in g in to a f l u t e
th e
th is
th ro u g h
a s p e c i a l tim b re p ro d u ce d by s im u lta n e o u s ly
e ffe c t).
( s o m e ti m e s r e f e r r e d
t h e i r s c o re s , but to
t h e b e s t o f C r u m b 's
k n o w le d g e , s u c h a n e x t e n s i v e u t i l i z a t i o n
n e v e r b e f o r e b e e n u n d e rta k e n .- ^ e e rie -s o u n d in g
s in g -flu te "
to a s
Many c o m p o s e r s h a v e i n c o r p o r a t e d
of i t
Crum b c o n s i d e r s
s o n o rity
has
th e r a t h e r
to be r e m in is c e n t o f
s o u n d s p r o d u c e d b y t h e h u m p -b a c k w h a l e . 2
Ex. 3 .
O p e n in g " s i n g - f l u t e " m a t e r i a l ,
p a g e 6 , s y s te m 1 .
- '- I n t e r v i e w ,
10 J u n e 1 9 7 7 .
^^Crumb, r e c o r d
j a c k e t n o t e s t o V ox B a l a e n a e .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-6 8 V o c a lls e c o n s is t s
w h ic h l i e
la r g e ly o f in stru m e n ta l reso u rc e s
o u ts id e o f w hat i s
g e n e r a l ly c o n s id e r e d to be
common p e r f o r m a n c e p r a c t i c e .
In f a c t ,
e m p h a s i s on u n i q u e ,
u n u s u a l, a n d a t t e n t i o n - r i v e t i n g a u r a l phenom ena c h a r
a c t e r i z e s a l l o f C r u m b 's m a t u r e c o m p o s i t i o n s .
Su ch
d e v i c e s f r e q u e n t l y o c c u r a s p a r t o f t h e c o m p o s e r 's i n i
t i a l c o n c e p tio n .*
The c o m p o s e r h o l d s t h e v ie w t h a t
Any u n c o n v e n t i o n a l i n s t r u m e n t / o r -uncon
v e n ti o n a l sou nd p ro d u ce d by a c o n v e n tio n a l
i n s t r u m e n t / d ra w s o n e a g a i n t o t h e r e c o g n i t i o n
t h a t m u s ic i s r e a l l y s u c h a n a t u r a l t h i n g .
And y o u 'r e r e m in d e d o f i t s e l e m e n t a l c h a r a c t e r .
I t ' s d i f f e r e n t w ith a v i o l i n o r a s t r i n g q u a r t e t
t h e u s u a l i n s t r u m e n t s b eco m e s t y l i z e d i n a w ay .
B u t t h e sam e i s n o t t r u e o f l e t ' s s a y , t h e
z i t h e r o r th e A u s tra lia n d i je r id o o .
J u s t th e
f a c t t h a t t h e y a r e r e l a t i v e l y u n c o n v e n t i o n a l m ak e s
y o u l i s t e n m o re c l o s e l y t o th e m .
I t 's lik e
h e a r in g an u n f a m i li a r so u n d in n a t u r e a b ir d
y o u 'v e n e v e r h e a r d b e f o r e p e r h a p s .
Y o u 'r e
r e m in d e d o f t h e v a r i e t y o f p o s s i b i l i t i e s . . . .
I n te r m s o f t h e i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n o f V o c a l i s e , t h e
p ia n o f u n c t i o n s in a s p a r s e b u t im p o r ta n t d r a m a tic
w h ile th e c e l l o d o es n o t p la y .
o f a n y k i n d o c c u r s o n l y i n t h e l a s t fe w f i l i g r e e
g e s tu r e s , a s i l l u s t r a t e d
^ T e rry ,
in th e
" G e o rg e C ru m b :
r o le ,
M o d o -o rd in a rio e x e c u tio n
f lu te
f o l l o w i n g e x a m p le :
M a k ro k o s m ic C a r t o g r a p h e r , "
P. 50.
o
^ Q u o ted b y T e r r y i n
C a r to g r a p h e r," p. 5 0 .
G e o rg e C ru m b :
M a k ro k o sm ic
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-6 9 Ex . 4 .
F i l i g r e e m o d o -o r d in a r io f l u t e
s y s te m 2 , Vox B a l a e n a e
p assag e,
page 7 ,
(htvritJ, frtnxicJ)
a n d i n tw o s l i g h t l y
v a r i e d r e p e t i t i o n s o f a p i a n o m o ti v e
c o n s i s t i n g o f tw o t r i a d s
tria d ic
s tr u c tu r e s
tio n s o c c u rr in g in
m o n o p h o n ic i n
(sh o w n i n e x a m p le 6 ) .
(T h e se
r e p r e s e n t t h e o n l y h a rm o n ic c o m b in a
th is
p i e c e , w h ic h i s
p re d o m in a n tly
te x tu r e .)
T im b re s e r v e s a s a p e r t i n e n t d e l i n e a t o r o f
th e A -B -co d a f o rm a l d e s ig n o f V o c a l i s e ; p a u s e s a n d o t h e r
d i m e n s io n s a l s o
se rv e
s e c t i o n s , w h ic h a r e
to
p a r t i ti o n and c h a ra c te r iz e
lo c a te d
th e
in th e s c o re a s fo llo w s :
S e c tio n A:
F ro m t h e b e g i n n i n g o f
pag e 6 th ro u g h t h e f iv e - s e c o n d f o r
ma t a on p a g e 7 , m id d le o f s y s te m 1
S e c tio n B:
F ro m f i v e - s e c o n d f o r m a t a , p a g e 7>
m id d l e o f s y s te m 1 , e n d i n g on p a g e 7,
m id d l e o f s y s te m 3 , a f t e r t h e t h r e e se c o n d fo rm a ta
C oda:
R e m a in d e r
The A s e c t i o n
is
fo rm e d b y o r n a t e
( a s i n e x a m p le 3 )* v a r y i n g l y
" s in g - f lu te "
p assag es
ju x ta p o s e d w ith s u s ta i n e d
to n e s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-7 0 su n g e n t i r e l y
th ro u g h th e f l u t e
w ith o u t a n y m ix tu re
o f a c t u a l p i t c h e s fro m t h e f l u t e .
th ro u g h - f l u t e "
The l a t t e r
" s in g -
m a t e r i a l r e m a in s e s s e n t i a l l y u n c h a n g e d
b y , b u t d o e s u n d e rg o c o n tin u o u s s u b t l e m o d if ic a t io n
t h r o u g h r a p i d f i n g e r i n g s w h ic h c h a n g e t h e l e n g t h o f
th e a i r
t u b e t h r o u g h w h ic h t h e v o c a l s o u n d t r a v e l s .
A r a p id - s h im m e r in g , d e l i c a t e
e ffe c t r e s u lts
(E x a m p le 5
sh o w s C r u m b 's n o t a t i o n o f t h i s d e v i c e . )
The B s e c t i o n o f V o c a l i s e , m uch s h o r t e r i n d u r a
tio n
th a n A, c o n ta i n s th e o n ly a c t u a l so u n d s to be p ro
d u ced by th e
p ia n o ,
s tr i n g s a t th e
in g ,
a re
e x c ep t f o r a s in g le
v e ry end o f th e p i e c e .
g lis s a n d o on th e
In B, n o rm a l p la y
lo w m u te d t o n e s , a n d lo w g l i s s a n d i i n s i d e
ju x ta p o s e d
th e
p ia n o
t o fo rm t h e c o n s e q u e n t o f t h e o p e n in g tw o
p h r a s e s f ro m S t r a u s s 1 A l 3 o S p r a c h Z a r a t h u s t r a , i n p a r o d y
fo rm .
The p a r o d i e d a n t e c e d e n t o f t h e s e
by th e
f lu te "
p ro d u c tio n i s
in th e co d a .
e ffe c t.
p h rases is
No a c t u a l
c o lo re d
" s in g -
re q u ir e d e it h e r in th e B s e c tio n o r
(T he o n - t h e - s t r i n g s
o c c u rs th re e
tim e s i n t h i s
coda a p p e ars
in t h i s
p i a n o g l i s s a n d o w h ic h
seco n d s e c t i o n a n d once in th e
e x a c t sam e fo rm I n a l l
o f t h e l a t e r M a k ro k o 3 mo3 t r i l o g y ;
th re e
v o lu m e s
h o w e v e r , Crumb m a i n t a i n s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-7 1 g l i s s a n d i f u n c t i o n a s n o n p itc h e d ta m - ta m - lik e s o n o r i t i e s . 1 )
T he s e c o n d p a r o d i e d p h r a s e , o n l y s l i g h t l y
f irs t,
a p p e a rs in
Ex. 5 .
v a rie d
fro m t h e
t h e f o l l o w i n g e x a m p le :
S e c o n d o f tw o p a r o d i e d p h r a s e s f ro m R i c h a r d S t r a u s s
A l s o S p r a c h Z a r a t h u s t r a , p a g e 7 , s y s te m 2 , Vox
B a la e n a e
The v e r y b r i e f c o d a , w h ic h f u n c t i o n s a s a s o r t o f
" m i n i - r e p r i s e , " c o n t a i n s tw o m o t i v e s t r a n s p o s e d f ro m A,
but th is
tim e t h e y a r e s c o r e d f o r n o r m a l f l u t e .
c l u d i n g p i a n o g l i s s a n d o m a rk e d p p p r i n g s
th e te n - s e c o n d
la s c ia re -v ib ra re
The c o n
th ro u g h m o st o f
p a u s e w h ic h s e p a r a t e s t h e
o c c u rrin g o f te n
1In te rv ie w ,
th ro u g h o u t a ty p e o f c o n s tr u c
i n C r u m b 's m u s i c :
p a u ses o f v a ry in g
14 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
72l e n g t h s s e p a r a t e m o t i v e s , a n d c o m b i n a t i o n s o f m o ti v e s a t
sh o rt in te r v a ls .
D u rin g th e
p a u s e s , a p e rc u s s io n in s tru m e n t
o r p ia n o o f te n c o n tin u e s to r i n g , o r a l t e r n a t i v e l y , a s u s
ta in in g
in s tru m e n t
( i d e a l l y a m em ber o f t h e s t r i n g
m a in ta in s a p ia n is s im o d r o n e .
v ia b le th ro u g h th e a d d itio n
th e d ecay f a c t o r
m e n ts , o r th e
a s ta tu s
( i.e .
f a m ily )
O f t e n r e e n f o r c e d a n d m ade
d y in g aw ay) o f p e r c u s s io n i n s t r u
p i a n o , i n m any o f C r u m b 's c o m p o s i t i o n s a t t a i n s
s u p e r i o r in m u s ic a l im p a c t to a n y o t h e r c o n s id e r a
tio n .
The n a t u r e a n d f r a g i l i t y
one to
lis te n
o f th e s e
w ith g r e a t i n t e n s i t y .
s tr u c tu r a l e le v a tio n
th is
o f t h e d y i n g aw ay o f s o u n d s o c c u r s
m o st p r o m in e n tly in th e f i n a l e . )
w ill r e f e r to
s o n o ritie s fo rc e s
( I n Vox B a l a e n a e ,
H e n c e fo rth ,
3 u c h a m ode o f c o n s t r u c t i o n a s
d e c a y s t r u c t u r e " w hen d e c a y i s
t h is w r ite r
" g e s tu r e -
p r e s e n t , and a s
" g e s tu r e -
p a u s e s t r u c t u r e " w hen d e c a y i s a b s e n t o r r e p l a c e d b y a
d ro n e.
O c c a s i o n a l l y , Crum b w i l l c a r r y
e x tr e m e s .
F o r e x a m p le , a lth o u g h th e
d u rin g th e A s e c t io n
d e p re s s e d th ro u g h o u t,
e n ric h
th e d ecay f a c t o r to
p i a n i s t d o es n o t p la y
o f V o c a l is e , th e dam per p e d a l m u st be
in o rd e r d e lic a te ly
th e to n e o f th e s o lo
flu te
to en h an ce and
( s e e e x a m p le 3 )
T hus,
so u n d s a r e c r e a te d w ith in
t h e p i a n o by s y m p a t h e t i c v i b r a
t i o n w h ic h a r e
a s to
in a u d ib ility ,
so f r a g i l e
lie
a t th e th re s h o ld o f
b u t w h ic h d o c o l o r o v e r a l l a c o u s t i c a l
a m b ie n c e .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-7 3 A n o th e r f r e q u e n tl y o c c u r r in g s t r u c t u r a l f u n c t i o n
o f tim b ra l e f f e c ts
p a rtitio n in g
i n C r u m b 's m u s ic I s
to be h e a r d an d t h e r e f o r e
p o in ts ~ = in a p i e c e .
b e g in s w ith
th e f ra m in g a n d
t h e s e a c c o m p lis h a s th e f i r s t an d l a s t so u n d s
th e m o st e s s e n t i a l s t r u c t u r a l
Such i s
t h e c a s e i n V o c a l i s e , w h ic h
s o u n d , a n d e n d s w i t h a lo w
g lis s a n d o on th e s t r i n g s
in s id e th e
t a k e n a s a w h o le i s
so d e l i n e a t e d ,
a ls o
p ia n o .
Vox B a l a e n a e
s in c e i t n o t o n ly
opens w ith a s p e c i a l e f f e c t ,
b u t a ls o
f i n a l g e s tu r e
. f o r th e end o f tim e ) i s
p e rfo rm e d i n
o f N o c tu rn e
(.
c lo s e s w ith o n e :
th e
p a n to m im e , w i t h b u t a w h i s p e r o f t h e p r e v i o u s
g e s tu re
s till
in v ib ra tio n .
Ex. 6 .
C o n c lu s io n o f N o c tu rn e ( . . f o r th e en d o f t i m e ) ,
p a g e 1 5 , s y s te m 3* Vox B a l a e n a e
( A n t . C yro.)
(m>)
(Wd TtA.Jenm- -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-7 4 D y n a m ic s i n V o c a l i s e r a n g e fro m a p p p i n s i d e th e - p ia n o g lis s a n d o to f f f
c h o rd s a ls o
a t th e c lim a x o f th e p ie c e
( a s sh o w n i n e x a m p le 5 ) ;
a lth o u g h
t h e c o m p o s e r w i l l s o m e tim e s go a s f a r a s t o
u s e m a rk in g s o f ppppp o r f f f f z
ra n g e in V o c a lis e
s p re a d .
i n th e p ia n o
( in an f f f f c o n te x t) ,
r e p r e s e n ts a f a i r l y
th e
t y p i c a l d y n a m ic
Crumb c o n s i d e r s h i s t r e a t m e n t o f m u s i c a l d y n a m ic
in d ic a tio n s
to be f o r th e m o st p a r t " o b j e c t i v e " ;
fo r
e x a m p le , a f o r t e m a rk in g g iv e n t o a p ia n o o r f l u t e
w o u ld
be c o n s id e r e d t o b a la n c e a f o r t e m a rk in g g iv e n to a tru m
p e t o r to any o th e r in s tru m e n t.
re c o g n iz e s
c o n s is te n t,
H o w e v e r,
th e com poser
t h a t h i s h a n d l i n g o f d y n a m ic s i s n o t t o t a l l y
and t h a t in r e a l i t y
h e h a s f r e q u e n t l y e m p lo y e d
a m ix tu re o f o b j e c t i v e a n d s u b j e c t i v e m a r k in g s .1
M o tiv ic a lly ,
m ent o f g e s t u r e s ,
c o n s is t s o f th e c o n s ta n t s t a t e
e a c h s e p a r a t e d by p a u s e s ;
b e l o n g t o e i t h e r o f tw o c a t e g o r i e s :
" s i n g - t h r o u g h - f l u t e ."
te n tly a lte rn a te
a d ia lo g u e ,
d e s p ite
T h e s e c a t e g o r i e s , w h ic h c o n s i s
th ro u g h o u t th e s e c tio n
in th e m anner o f
s tr o n g l y c o n t r a s t w ith one a n o th e r in so u n d ,
th e f a c t th a t a l l
s tr o n g ly r e la te d
c h a ra c te r.
th e s e g e s tu r e s
in p itc h ,
g e s tu r e s w ith in s e c tio n A a re
r h y th m , a n d g e n e r a l e m o t i o n a l
The o p e n in g m o ti v e o f V o c a l i s e
(a " s i n g - f l u t e "
^From a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b, 6 A u g u s t
1976.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-7 5 g e s tu r e ;
show n i n e x a m p le 3 ) d e r i v e s i t s
p i tc h c o n te n t
f ro m t h e d e g r e e s o f a s i x - t o n e , E a s t e m - s o u n d i n g s c a l e ;
fu rth e rm o re , a l l o th e r " s in g - f lu te " m a te ria l i s
by t h i s
s o u rc e s e t .
E x. 7 .
S o u rc e p i tc h
The p i t c h e d U 3ed i n
b e lo n g to t h i s
and F -s h a rp .
s e t o f V o c a lis e
" s i n g - t h r o u g h - f l u t e " m o ti v e s a l s o
s c a le ,
P itc h
w ith th e a d d it i o n s o f B - n a tu r a l
tu rn o v e r i s
v e r y s lo w t h r o u g h o u t .
T h i s sam e o p e n in g m o ti v e a l s o
r h y th m s e m p lo y e d i n
s e e n by b r e a k in g th e
r h y th m ic c e l l s .
o rd ers,
g e n e r a t e s m o st
g e s t u r e s , a s c a n be
f i r s t h a lf o f i t
i n to com ponent
By c o m b in in g t h e s e c e l l s
l a r g e r r h y th m s a r e p r o d u c e d .
i n v a ry in g
( T h is k i n d o f
m o s a ic c o n s t r u c t i o n , a n d r a m i f i c a t i o n s o f i t ,
q u e n tly u t i l i z e d
Ex. 8 .
g e n e ra te d
a re f r e
b y C ru m b .)
C om p o n en t r h y th m ic c e l l s o f i n i t i a l V o c a l i s e
m o ti v e (sh o w n i n b r a c k e t s )
Electric,
Flute H
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-7 6 S e c tio n
c o m p r i s e s t h e S t r a u s s paro d y -
m e n tio n e d e a r l i e r ,
p lu s s e v e r a l s ta te m e n ts o f a f l o r i d
f l u t e m o t i v e , w h ic h e n c o m p a s s e s t h e p i e c e s f i r s t m odoo r d in a r io
p la y in g
( s e e e x a m p le 4 ) .
The s e c o n d t h r e e
p i t c h e s o f t h i s m o tiv e a r e a t r a n s p o s e d r e t r o g r e s s i o n o f
th e f i r s t
d e riv e
th re e ;
its
in te r v a llic
f ro m p r e v i o u s m a t e r i a l ,
th e le s s f e l t la r g e ly r e s u ltin g
n o rm a l f l u t e
(in c lu d in g
p ro d u c tio n .
a n d r h y th m ic c o n t e n t
b u t c o n tr a s t is n e v e r
f ro m t h e f r e s h
In t h i s and r e l a t e d
" s in g - f lu te " m a te r ia l) ,
s e n s e o f r h y th m ic p u l s a t i o n .
o f V o c a lis e i s
th e re e x is ts
some
H o w e v e r, t h e o v e r a l l e f f e c t
o n e o f s t a s i s o f r h y th m ic n o n p r o g r e s s i o n .
S uch a r h y th m ic q u a l i t y h e r e r e s u l t s
m a t a s , w h ic h f u n c t i o n t o
V a r i a t i o n s on S e a -T im e
The c e l l o
f ro m f r e q u e n t f e r -
in te r r u p t any b r ie f f e e lin g o f
b e a t , a n d fro m t h e g e s t u r e - p a u s e
s tru c tu re
its e lf.
( S ea T hem e)
i n t o n e s t h e s o le m n a n d e x p r e s s i v e S e a
Theme i n a r t i f i c i a l h a r m o n i c s ;
m en t h a s u p t o
sound o f
g e s tu re s
th is
th e
fa c t th a t th is
p o in t n o t been h e a rd ,
t h e m e l o d y 's t i m b r a l i n t e r e s t ;
in stru
g r e a tly enhances
Crum b v e r y o f t e n s a v e s a n
i n s t r u m e n t o r a t i m b r e f o r p r o m i n e n t s t r u c t u r a l e v e n t s . Accom
p a n y in g t h e c e l l o
is
th e
" a e o l i a n h a r p " e f f e c t , 1 p r o d u c e d on
1Crumb f i r 3 t u s e d t h i s e f f e c t i n F i v e P i e c e s f o r
P ia n o ( 1 9 6 2 ) ; h e i s n o t a w a r e o f a n y d e r i v a t i o n .
In te rv ie w ,
10 J u n e 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-7 7 th e p ia n o by s i l e n t l y
d e p re s s in g any d e s ig n a te d k e y s w ith
o n e h a n d , a n d s tr u m m in g w i t h t h e o t h e r h a n d a g l i s s a n d o o v e r
th e s tr i n g s
I n s i d e th e p ia n o
(se n z a p e d a l),
c o v e rin g a t
le a s t
t h e r a n g e s p a n n e d by t h e s i l e n t l y
d e p re sse d key 3 .
fre e d o m i s
th e e x a c t r a n g e o f s tr u m
m in g .)
a llo w e d w ith r e g a r d t o
The g l i s s a n d o a c t i v a t e s
w ith th e d e p re s s e d k e y s;
th e s t r i n g s a s s o c i a te d
th e p i a n i s t n e x t d e p re s s e s th e
s trin g s
r in g in g , w h ile th e hand u se d f o r s i l e n t l y
m o v es t o a new p o s i t i o n .
is
to b e g in ,
th is
d e s c r ip tio n
to c o n tin u e
d e p re s s in g k ey s
A t th e i n s t a n t a n o th e r g lis s a n d o
th e dam per p e d a l i s
c o n tin u e i n c i r c u l a r f a s h i o n
ta ile d
(Some
re le a se d ;
th is
p r o c e s s may
( s e e e x a m p le 1 0 ) .
se e m s w a r r a n t e d i n
( T h is d e
l i g h t o f th e f a c t th a t
d e v i c e a l s o o c c u r s i n a l l t h r e e v o lu m e s o f t h e M a k ro k o s -
m o s .)
In c o m b in a tio n ,
h a r p " s tr u m m in g c r e a t e
tity .
c e llo
c re a te
th e c e llo
S e o rd a tu ra tu n in g i s
s trin g s
h a rm o n ic s a n d " a e o l i a n
f o r S e a Theme a u n i q u e t i m b r a l i d e n
r e q u ir e d f o r th e th r e e
t h r o u g h o u t Vox B a l a e n a e , b u t t h i s
p e rfo rm a n c e d i f f i c u l t i e s
r e q u i r e d o n th e m
As a n a i d
s in c e v e ry l i t t l e
( th e y do n o t so u n d a t a l l i n
b o w in g i s
S e a T h em e) .
m o v e m e n ts , Crumb s o m e tim e s u t i l i z e s
tio n s h ip s .
lo w e r
does n o t
The i n t e r v a l l i c
s u b tle
s tru c tu re
in te rv a llic
re la
o f t h e f i n a l m o ti v e t o b e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-7 8 in tro d u c e d and e x p lo it e d
In V o c a lis e
( g i v e n I n e x a m p le *),
e m a n a t e s f ro m t h a t o f t h e i n i t i a l m o ti v e
T he M2 / m3 i n t e r v a l l i c
s tr u c tu r e b a s ic
(sh o w n b e l o w ) .
t o b o th m o tiv e s i s
c o n t a i n e d w i t h i n a n d p r o b a b l y d e r i v e d f ro m t h e common p e n t a to n lc
E x. 9 .
s c a le .1
B e g i n n in g m o ti v e o f S e a T hem e, p a g e 8 , s y s te m
Vox B a l a e n a e
1,
^C om putation o f t h e i n t e r v a l l i c s t r u c t u r e i n t h e c a s e
o f a m o tiv e , o r an y c o l l e c t i o n o f p i t c h e s , i s u n d e rta k e n in
e x a c t l y t h e sam e m a n n e r .
The g i v e n p i t c h g r o u p i s f i r s t r e
d u c e d t o i t s m o st c o n d e n s e d f o rm ( i . e . r e d u c e d i n t o t h a t
a r r a n g e m e n t w h ic h y i e l d s t h e s m a l l e s t i n t e r v a l b e tw e e n
lo w e s t an d h i g h e s t p i t c h e s , w ith a l l p i tc h e s c o n s id e r e d
v e rtic a lly ).
F o r e x a m p l e , t h e p i t c h e s o f t h e m o ti v e w h ic h
o p e n s S e a Theme c o u l d c o n c e i v a b l y a p p e a r i n e i t h e r o f t h e
f o l l o w i n g tw o a r r a n g e m e n t s
o r i n a n y o t h e r c o m b i n a t i o n ; t h i s w o u ld i n n o c a s e a l t e r
t h e b a s i c M2 / m3 i n t e r v a l l i c s t r u c t u r e i t i s s o m e tim e s
h e lp f u l to p l o t th e r e d u c tio n o f i n t e r v a l s a s fo llo w s ,
t h o u g h , w hen o n l y t h r e e o r f o u r t o n e s a r e i n v o l v e d , i t i s
m ore p r a g m a t i c t o d o t h i s m e n t a l l y .
T he i n t e r v a l l i c s t r u c
t u r e , f o r r e a s o n s o f c o n s i s t e n c y , i s a lw a y s r e f e r r e d t o
e i t h e r fro m b o t to m t o t o p , o r f ro m t o p t o b o tto m b e g i n n i n g
w ith th e s m a l le s t i n t e r v a l , w h e th e r i t be a t th e to p o r
b o tto m o f t h e i n t e r v a l l i c r e d u c t i o n .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-7 9 The s tr u m m e d , o r g a n u m - i i k e
a r e m ade u p o f e i t h e r p e r f e c t f o u r t h s o r p e r f e c t f i f t h s ,
w ith th e lo w e r to n e o f t h e s e i n t e r v a l s d o u b le d a t th e
o c ta v e a b o v e .
Tfre o u t e r o c t a v e s move i n a m e lo d ic p r o
g r e s s io n r e m in is c e n t o f c h a n t, a p ro g re s s io n r e ly in g
h e a v i l y on m o t i v i c d e v e lo p m e n t a n d r e p e t i t i o n .
S trum m ed c h o r d s fro m S e a T hem e, p a g e 8 , s y s te m 1
Vox B a l a e n a e
Ex. 10.
E.Pno.
CftA)---------
The c o n c i s e ,
s m o o t h ly c o n n e c t e d m o t i v e s a n d p h r a s e s o f
S e a Theme c o n s t i t u t e a s m a l l o n e - p a r t f o r m , t h e slo w
r h y th m ic
p u l s a t i o n o f w h ic h , th o u g h n o t a s s e r t i v e , can
n e v e r t h e l e s s be e a s i l y
A rc h e o z lc
(V a r ia tio n
V a r ia tio n
p e rc e iv e d
th ro u g h o u t.
I)
I b e g in s a t t a c c a , w ith v e ry l i t t l e
t im e
s e p a r a t i o n f ro m t h e p r e v i o u s m o v em en t a s do t h e o t h e r
fo u r v a ria tio n s .
T hey s tr o n g l y a s s e r t t h e i r in d iv id u a l
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
i d e n t i t i e s , h o w e v e r, th ro u g h c o n t r a s t s o f tim b re , c h a ra c
t e r , and i n te n s it y .
o f th e c e l l i s t .
Two m o d es o f p r o d u c t i o n a r e r e q u i r e d
F i r s t to a p p e ar i s
th e
" s e a g u ll e f f e c t,"
p r o d u c e d b y b o w in g a g i v e n r h y th m ic p a t t e r n w h i l e a t t h e
sam e t im e
lig h tly
to u c h in g th e s t r i n g a n o c ta v e ab o v e th e
n o r m a lly d e p re s s e d s t r i n g w ith th e f o u r t h f in g e r (o f th e
l e f t h a n d ); t h i s
f in g e r s
g lis s a n d o .
Ex. 1 1.
d i s t a n c e b e tw e e n t h e f i r s t a n d f o u r t h
" S e a g u ll e f f e c t , "
T he s e c o n d c e l l o
p a g e 8 , s y s te m 2 , Vox B a l a e n a e
tim b re o f V a r ia t io n
I in v o lv e s th e
p r o d u c t i o n o f a v e r y w id e v i b r a t o , w h ic h i s
p o n tic e llo
Ex. 12.
p la y e d s u l
s im u lta n e o u s ly w ith g l i s s a n d i .
G l i s s a n d i w i t h w id e v i b r a t o ,
Vox B a l a e n a e
p a g e 9> s y s te m 1 ,
1 I n t e r v i e w , 10 J u n e 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-8 1 The p i a n i s t t h r o u g h o u t t h i s c o n c i s e v a r i a t i o n
p e rfo rm s
by s l i d i n g a c h i s e l a lo n g a d e s ig n a te d s t r i n g ,
w h ile
The " s e a g u l l e f f e c t
passag es a lte rn a te
i n d i a l o g u e a n e le m e n t w h ic h p l a y e d a n i m p o r t a n t r o l e
in
b o t h o f t h e e a r l i e r m o v e m e n ts .
The o n e - p a r t f o rm o f t h i s
s e p a ra te s in to
v a ria tio n c le a r ly
f o u r p h r a s e s , e a c h s e p a r a te d by a p a u s e .
o c c u rs th re e
o p e n in g p h r a s e on t h e
on D - s h a r p a g a i n s t t h e
tim e i n t h e t h i r d
p itc h
tim e s :
once in a s h o r t
A, a g a i n i n t h e s e c o n d p h r a s e
" c h i s e l - p i a n o " on A , a n d a f i n a l
p h r a s e on b o th A an d D - s h a rp a g a i n s t th e
" c h i s e l - p i a n o " on D - s h a r p .
T he p r o m in e n c e o f t h e
b o th h e re a n d in o t h e r w o rk s, i s
s ig n if ic a n t;
trito n e ,
Crum b i n c o r
p o r a t e s i t a s a n i n t e r v a l o f t r a n s p o s i t i o n , h a r m o n ic c o n s t r u c
t i o n , a n d o p p o s i t i o n f a r m o re t h a n a n y o t h e r c o m b i n a t i o n .
^To t h e b e s t o f t h e c o m p o s e r s k n o w le d g e ,
h i s own i n v e n t i o n .
I n t e r v i e w , 10 J u n e 1977*
th is
is
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 82 I h o u g h Crum b t e n d 3 t o w o rk v e r y i n t u i t i v e l y ,
h e i s a w a re
o f t h e s t r u c t u r a l i m p o r ta n c e t h e t r i t o n e h a s i n h i s own
m u s ic
M e lo d ic a lly , V a r ia tio n
o f S e a T hem e.
I is
To t a k e a n e x a m p le , t h e
o r d e r in g o f th e f i r s t
p itc h c o n te n t
e x a m p le 1 3 ) a r e a d u p l i c a t i o n o f t h e c e l l o ' s
o f S e a T hem e.
B u t u n l i k e S e a T h em e, t h i s
(see
f i n a l m easu re
p ie c e a v o id s an y
i n c r e a t i n g r h y th m ic f re e d o m a n d
( s e e e x a m p le 1 3 ) .
( T h i s t y p e o f r h y th m ic
g e s tu r e h as been a p e r s i s te n t s t y l i s t i c
c h a ra c te r is tic
in
m uch o f C r u m b 's m u s i c . )
H o w e v e r,
and s tr ik in g
i n a n y p i e c e w h ic h e m p h a s i z e s u n u s u a l
s o n ic e v e n ts , tim b re te n d s to
p re d o m in a te
o f p itc h ,
r h y th m , o r f o r m a l c o n s t r u c t i o n r e g a r d l e s s o f t h e a p p e a l
th e
la tte r
p a r a m e t e r s may h a v e t o t h e i n t e l l e c t .
The
a n a l y s t m u st c o n s t a n t l y f i g h t th e t e m p t a t io n to v e r b a l iz e
a b o u t a s p e c t s t h a t m ay h a v e g r e a t p a p e r v a l u e a s c u r i
o s itie s ,
b u t th a t have l i t t l e
o r no m u sic a l s ig n if ic a n c e
a p a r t fro m a n a l y s i s .
^F rom a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h C e o rg e C ru m b , 7 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-8 3 P r o te ro z o ic
( V a ria tio n
A ll th re e
firs t
II)
in s tru m e n ts a p p e a r to g e th e r f o r th e
t im e i n V a r i a t i o n
II,
w h ic h i s a o n e - p a r t fo rm
b u i l t ab o v e a p i z z i c a t o d ro n e on c o n tr a - B in th e
p ia n o
T h i s d r o n e c o n t i n u e s f o r t h e e n t i r e m o v em e n t; a p a p e r
c lip
i s a p p lie d
d u c in g m e t a l l i c
Ex.
14.
to
th e re p e a te d :
P iz z ic a to
B a la e n a e
p ia n o d r o n e ,
T he c e l l o
p a r t c o n s is ts o f to n e s
le ft-h a n d
o r m a rte lla to
one to
v ib ra tio n s
d o in g t h i s ,
page 9 ,
s y s te m 1 , Vox
p r o d u c e d by e i t h e r
(rig h t- h a n d )
f ro m t h e
p iz z ic a to ;
p lu c k e d s t r i n g s .
th e c e l l i s t m u st a l s o
tre m o lo w ith th e
Ex. 15.
p ro
fro m
f o u r p itc h e s a re a r r iv e d a t th ro u g h s li d in g ,
u tiliz in g
hand.
p lu c k e d s t r i n g ,
v ib ra tio n s .
W h ile
p la y a p iz z ic a to
f i r s t and seco n d f in g e r s of th e r ig h t
S c o rd a tu ra p iz z ic a to c h o rd s a r e a ls o r e q u ir e d .
T h re e v a r i e t i e s o f p i z z i c a t o , a s r e q u i r e d in
V a r i a t i o n I I ; p a g e 9, s y s te m 2 , Vox B a l a e n a e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-8 4 E x c e p t f o r a t w i c e s t a t e d w h i s p e r m o tiv e
( s e e e x a m p le
1 6 ), th e f l u t i s t i s g iv e n no s p e c i a l e f f e c t s .
Ex. 16.
W h is p e r m o ti v e ( w h i s p e r e d t h r o u g h f l u t e ) ,
s y s te m 2 , Vox B a l a e n a e
p a g e 9,
*ipuk-MS
I n e x a m p le 1 6 , t h e d e t a c h e d s y l l a b l e s a r e d e v o id
o f any lin g u a l c o n n o ta tio n , and a re u sed s o le ly
v a lu e a s s o u n d s .
c e rta in
p e rc u s s iv e
Crum b f e e l s
th a t . . .
fo r th e ir
c o n s o n a n ts have
v a lu e s , a n d vow el so u n d s e x p r e s s c e r t a i n
. .a
p h o n e t i c s fro m l a n g u a g e a l t o g e t h e r , s i n c e h e i s d e a l i n g
w ith and h as a t h is d i s p o s a l v i r t u a l l y
o f s o u n d ." 1
t h e w h o le w o r ld
T h i s i s a t i m b r a l r e s o u r c e Crumb h a s e m p lo y e d
in s e v e r a l o f h i s w o rk s.
The g e s t u r e - p a u s e c o n s t r u c t i o n
V a r ia tio n
p u ls a tio n .
II
of
The b a c k d r o p o f s o u n d o f t e n a s s o c i a t e d w i t h p i e c e s
so c o n s t r u c t e d i s
s u p p li e d by th e p ia n o d r o n e .
T h is s e c o n d v a r i a t i o n
re la te d
(o r s tr u c t\ire )
p r e c l u d e s a n y p r o lo n g e d s e n s a t i o n o f r h y th m ic
is
so m ew hat m o re d i s t a n t l y
t o t h e S e a Theme t h a n t h e f i r s t ;
m a t e r i a l w o u ld seem t o
th e m o st d e r i v a t i v e
b e t h e tw o c o n c l u d i n g f l u t e
m o ti v e s
1 I n t e r v i e w , 18 J a n u a r y 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-8 5 ( show n a s - A - a n d - B - i n t h e e x a m p le b e lo w ) ,
Ex.
17.
D e r iv a tiv e f l u t e m o tiv e s ,
B a la e n a e
p a g e 9,
w h ic h c a n b e t r a c e d t o t h e c o n c l u d i n g c e l l o
s y s te m 3 , Vox
p h rase o f
t h e S e a T h em e.
Ex. 18.
C o n c l u d in g c e l l o p h r a s e ( e x c e r p t e d ) fro m S e a T hem e,
p a g e 8 , s y s te m 2 , Vox B a l a e n a e ( f r a g m e n t s a r e l a b e l e d
- A - a n d - B - a s t h e y r e l a t e t o e x a m p le 1 8 )
T he - A - p o r t i o n s o f e x a m p le s 18 a n d 19 a r e p r i m a r i l y r e l a t e d
in
t e r m s o f m e l o d i c c o n t o u r a n d r h y th m ;
re la te d
A lth o u g h a l l t h r e e
v a ria tio n ,
o c c u r.
th e -B - p o r ti o n s a r e
i n t e r v a l l i c a l l y a n d i n m e lo d ic c o n t o u r .
no s im u lta n e o u s
The t e x t u r e
in s tr u m e n ts p la y in t h i s
( v e rtic a l)
p i t c h c o m b i n a ti o n s
i s a g a i n b a s i c a l l y a m o n o p h o n ic d i a
l o g u e b e tw e e n c e l l o a n d f l u t e
w ith th e d ia lo g u e s u p p ly in g
e le m e n ts o f c o n t i n u i t y an d d ram a.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
P a le o z o ic
(V a r ia tio n
III)
W ith V a r i a t i o n
III,
t h e p e r c e i v e r b ecom es a w a re
o f a g r o w in g t r e n d t o w a r d i n c r e a s e d
s ity
w h ic h i n r e t r o s p e c t ,
m o v e m e n t.
th re e
(T he t h i r d
i n te n s it y and den
b e g a n w i t h t h e s p a r s e o p e n in g
v a r i a t i o n a g a in in c o r p o r a te s a l l
i n s t r u m e n t s , b u t c o m b in e s th e m i n a t h i c k e r a n d
m ore d y n a m ic t e x t u r e
th a n d id th e
p re v io u s v a r i a t i o n . )
The p i a n o m a t e r i a l o f t h i s m o v em en t i s
p a r t m ade u p o f f o u r s l i g h t l y
o s c illa tin g
trito n e
m o tiv e .
d e p re s s e d th ro u g h o u t.
p a rts
th e c e ll o and f l u t e
in c lu d e fo u r s im ila r s ta te m e n ts o f t h i s
p la y e d t o g e t h e r in p a r a l l e l f i f t h s ;
d iffe re n c e
i n t h e m o ti v e a s s t a t e d
p ia n o ,
sam e m o t i v e ,
p a rts a re
p er
T he m a in
by th e f l u t e
th e o p p o s ite d i r e c ti o n
L e v e ls o f t r a n s p o s i t i o n a l s o
Ex. 19.
th e s e
p ia n o m a t e r i a l .
an d by th e
is
la rg e
T he d a m p e r p e d a l r e m a in s
In c o m b in a tio n ,
fo rm e d i n d i a l o g u e w i t h t h e
in
v a rie d s ta te m e n ts o f an
p lu s c e l l o ,
of o s c illa tio n .
v a ry .
O p e n in g d i a l o g u e o f r e l a t e d m o t i v e s i n p i a n o a n d
c e l l o - f l u t e , p a g e 1 0 , s y s te m 1 , Vox B a l a e n a e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-8 7 T he o n l y o t h e r m o tiv e o c c u r r i n g I n t h e p i a n o p a r t
is a c h a ra c te ris tic
th is
f a l l i n g m o t i v e , m a rk e d f f z
pp s u b . ;
i s a c c o m p a n ie d b y a p i z z i c a t o c l u s t e r o f t h r e e
to n es in
re la te d
t h e lo w r e g i s t e r .
in b o th c o n to u r and i n t e r v a l l i c
s tru c tu re ,
s e v e r a l o f th e c o m p o se r* s o t h e r w o r k s .)
p ia n o d e c a y t o
e x te n d e d ppp c e l l o
o c c u r in
V i b r a t i o n s f ro m
t h i s m o tiv e , a s c a p tu r e d by t h e d am p er p e d a l,
o f th e s u s ta in in g f a c t o r o f V a r ia tio n
c o n s tr u c tio n ;
s e m i
( S im ila r f a l l i n g m o tiv e s ,
I l l 's
p r o v i d e much
g e s tu re -d e c a y
g l i s s a n d i c o m b in e w i t h t h e
p ro d u ce a d i s t i n c t i v e
b a c k d ro p o f sound
w h e re c e s s a t i o n s o f m o ti o n o c c u r .
E x. 20.
F a l l i n g p i a n o m o tiv e (d a m p e r p e d a l s u s t a i n e d )
p l u s a c c o m p a n y in g e x t e n d e d c e l l o g l i s s a n d o , p a g e
1 0 , s y s te m 2 ( t h i r d o c c u r r e n c e ) , Vox B a l a e n a e
N ear th e end o f th e v a r i a ti o n an d o s c i l l a t i n g
sando f ig u r e ,
o v e r th e f a l s e ly - ti m e d D -sh a rp s t r i n g ,
c e llo .
g lis
o v e r th e n a t u r a l h a rm o n ic s o f th e A s t r i n g a n d
B ecause i t
o c c u rs so l a t e
a p p e a rs in
in th e
p ie c e ,
th e
t h i s new
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
so u n d e n t e r s u n e x p e c te d ly an d s e r v e s t o d e l i n e a t e
th e
c o d a f ro m t h e m a in b o d y o f t h i s o n e - p a r t p l u s c o d a f o r m .
B u t th o u g h i t
i s u n e x p e c te d ,
even o s c il la t io n ,
its
trito n e
m o n ic s t r u c t u r e , a n d i t s
fifth
s tr o n g ly
tio n .
tie
it
The e n t r a n c e
i m p a c t f ro m a f f z
th e p ia n o ,
in te rv a llic
to th e
re lia n c e
its
h a r
on t h e
r e m a i n d e r o f t h e c o m p o s i
i n f i f t h - p a r t i a l h a r m o n i c s on
(C rum b u s e s b o t h f i f t h
s e c o n d - p a r t i a l h a rm o n ic s i n h i s
Ex. 2 1 .
s te a d y and
f ro m t h e p i z z i c a t o a t t a c k o f t h e
m o ti v e show n i n e x a m p le 2 0 .
w h ic h p o s s e s s e s
e v e n t 's
tra n s p o s itio n ,
o f t h i s n ew s o u n d r e c e i v e d a d d i t i o n a l
a tta c k
d e riv e d
th is
its
and
p ia n o m u s ic , ea ch c f
own d i s t i n c t s o n o r i t y . )
E.vc. m
i
T h ere e x i s t s
in V a r ia tio n
e le m e n t o f s u r p r i s e ,
f f z a t t a c k s by th e
I I I a s a w h o le , a s tr o n g
p ro d u ce d a l s o
by su d d en m a r t e l l a t o
p i a n o , w h ic h o c c u r b e tw e e n v e r y s o f t
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
p a s s a g e s w hen o n e i s
l e a s t e x p e c t i n g th e m .
The e le m e n t
o f s u r p r i s e c o n s ti tu t e s a n o th e r s a li e n t s t y l i s t i c
com
p o n e n t o f G e o rg e C r u m b s m a tu r e m u s i c a l w o r k s .
W ith t h e e x c e p t i o n s o f t h e c e l l o g l i s s a n d o
over
n a t u r a l h a rm o n ic s a n d th e c l u s t e r c h o rd s i n
th e
c o n t e n t f ro m
e l a b o r a t i o n s o f a m2 /
th e p i e c e 's
firs t
I I I d e riv e s p itc h
P4 / m2 m o t i v i c c e l l . 1
tw o m o ti v e s
f o l l o w i n g e x a m p le a r e
p lo tte d
p ia n o ,
F o r e x a m p le ,
(sh o w n i n e x a m p le 1 9 ) i n
i n t h e i r r e d u c e d m2 /
th e
P4 / m2
f o rm :
E x. 2 2.
-A - = r e d u c t i o n o f o p e n in g p i a n o m o t i v e ; - B - =
r e d u c t i o n o f o p e n in g f l u t e - c e l l o m o tiv e
A m o tiv ic ( o r i n t e r v a l l i c ) c e l l c o n s t i t u t e s a g ro u p
o f i n t e r v a l s ( u s u a l l y n o m ore t h a n tw o o r t h r e e ) u t i l i z e d
f o r t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e m a t i c o r h a rm o n ic m a t e r i a l s .
T he r e g i s t e r s a n d o r d e r i n g o f t o n e s w i t h i n s u c h a c e l l do
n o t a f f e c t th e a c tu a l i n t e r v a l l i c s tr u c tu r e , n o r does t r a n s
p o s i t i o n ; e v e n s t a t e m e n t s w i t h i n t h e sam e m o ti v e o r p h r a s e
w i l l f re q u e n tly v a ry in th e s e a s p e c ts .
The r h y th m ic c o n
t e x t i n w h ic h s u c h a c e l l a p p e a r s h a s n o t h i n g t o d o w i t h
w h e th e r o r n o t s u c h a c e l l i s p r e s e n t .
( I n a m o ti v e o f t h e
t r a d i t i o n a l v a r i e t y , rh y th m a n d p i t c h o r d e r i n g a r e o f t e n
e s s e n tia l c o n s titu e n ts .)
C o m p u ta tio n o f t h e i n t e r v a l l i c
s t r u c t u r e o f a m o tiv ic c e l l i s u n d e rta k e n in e x a c t l y th e
sam e way a s i s t h a t o f a t r a d i t i o n a l m o t i v e , a s d e s c r i b e d
o n p a g e 83 ( f o o t n o t e l ) .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-9 0 The m2 /
P4 / m2 i n t e r v a l l i c
th re e -n o te
c e l l , a l o n g w i t h m2 /
P4, i t s
r e l a t i v e , 1 o c c u r m o re f r e q u e n t l y a n d w i t h m o re
e m p h a t ic s t r u c t u r a l p r im a c y i n t h e m u s ic o f Crumb t h a n
does any o th e r in te r v a l l ic
s tru c tu re .
F o r p u rp o ses o f
c o n v e n i e n t r e f e r e n c e , a n d b e c a u s e o f t h e p r o m in e n c e a t t r i
b u te d t o
m2 /
th e s e c e l l s
P4 a n d m2 /
e re n c e s w ith in t h i s
n o te
" B a r to k c h o r d s
and fo u r- n o te
i n t h e m u sic o f B e la B a r t o k , 2 t h e
P4 / m2 i n t e r v a l l i c
c e lls
in fu tu re
ref
p a p e r a r e d e s ig n a te d th e th re e and f o u rw hen o c c u r r i n g v e r t i c a l l y , a n d t h e t h r e e
t h e s e t e r m s w e re d eem ed a p p r o p r i a t e by t h e c o m p o s e r i n a
c o n v e r s a t i o n w h ic h t o o k p l a c e on 10 J u n e 1977*
M e s o z o ic
( V a r ia tio n
In th e f i r s t
th e f l u t e and c e ll o
p a r a l l e l o c ta v e s
IV )
s e c tio n o f V a r ia tio n
I V 's A -A l f o r m ,
p e r f o r m a m e lo d y o f two p h r a s e s i n
( t h e sam e tw o i n s t r u m e n t s w e re c l o s e l y
p a ire d
in th e l a s t v a r i a ti o n ) .
on t h e
s o u r c e s e t show n i n e x a m p le 7
The f i r s t p h r a s e i s
The s e c o n d i s
b ased
f re e ly
d e riv e d .
^ h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e tw e e n t h e s e t h r e e a n d f o u r - n o t e
c o n g l o m e r a t e s i s com m en ted u p o n b y R o b e r t M oevs i n " G e o rg e
Crum b" M u sic f o r a Summer E v e n in g (M ak ro k o sm o s I I I ) , " The
M u sic Q u a r t e r l y b2 ( A p r i l 1 9 7 b ) : 29oT
2F o r a
o f t h e m2 / P4
c e d u re s i n th e
M u sic T h e o r y 3
d i s c u s s i o n o f B a r t o k 's s t r u c t u r a l u t i l i z a t i o n
/ m2 c h o r d , s e e L e o ^ T r e i t l e r , " H a rm o n ic P r o
F o u r th Q u a r te t o f B e la B a r t 6 k , " J o u r n a l o f
(N ovem ber 1 9 5 9 ) : 2 9 2 - 2 9 8 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-9 1 Ex. 2 3 .
F i r s t f l u t e - c e l l o p h r a s e , p a g e s 10 a n d 1 1 ,
s y s te m s 2 a n d 1 r e s p e c t i v e l y , Vox B a l a e n a e
The p i a n o m a t e r i a l o f V a r i a t i o n
m o tiv ic c e l l s
d e riv e d
The i n t e r v a l l i c
/
f ro m t h e
s tru c tu re
M2 r e s p e c t i v e l y ;
IV i s
b a s e d o n tw o
" s ta n d a rd " p e n ta to n ic
s c a le .
o f t h e s e i s M2 / m3 a n d M2 / m3
th e s e g e rm in a l u n i t s
g e n e ra te a l l
p itc h e s
t h r o u g h o u t , b o t h on t h e v e r t i c a l a n d on t h e h o r i z o n t a l
p la n e s .
E x a m p le 24 e m b o d ie s t h e s e c o n d p h r a s e
to o c c u r in
t h e p i a n o p a r t o f t h i s m o v e m e n t; p r i m a r y o c c u r r e n c e s o f
b o t h f o rm s o f t h e
Sx. 2 4 .
s e m in a l i n t e r v a l l i c
S econd p ia n o
p h rase,
T he p r o j e c t i o n o f t h e s e c e l l s
u n it a re
page 11,
by t h e
s y s te m
p ia n o i s
c ir c le d :
1 , Vox B a l a e n a e
tim b ra lly en
h a n c e d by th e p la c e m e n t o f a g l a s s ro d o v e r t h e
fro m o n e - l i n e C t o
reso n a n c e
tw o -lin e F ,
p ia n o s t r i n g s
p ro d u c in g m e t a ll ic - s o u n d in g
(no o t h e r s p e c i a l e f f e c t o c c u r s i n V a r i a t i o n
W ith V a r i a t i o n
IV , t h e r a t e a t w h ic h t h e
IV ).
le v e l of
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-9 2 in te n s lty
re le n tle s s
a s s e rtiv e n e s s .;
o f r h y th m ic
f o r th e f i r s t
p u ls a tio n i s
The r h y th m ic s t r u c t u r e
tim e i n Vox B a l a e n a e , a s e n s e
p e rc e iv a b le
fro m b e g i n n i n g t o e n d .
o f t h i s m o v em en t i s
sh a p ed th ro u g h
t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f a fe w g e r m i n a l g e s t u r e s .
in d iv e rs e
ju x ta p o s itio n s
T hese a r e u n i te d
in b o th t h e i r o r ig i n a l and in
fo rm s ; g r a c e n o t e s o f te n s e rv e to e la b o r a te
d e s ig n .
r h y th m o f V a r i a t i o n
Ex. 25.
The
r h y th m ic d r i v e o f t h e m o v em en t m a g n i f i e s i t s
The f o r m a t i v e i d e a s ,
fro m w h ic h t h e
T V 's p i a n o p a r t e v o l v e s ,
G e n e r a t i v e r h y th m s o f V a r i a t i o n
fo llo w ;
I V 's p i a n o p a r t
JTJ ijj] m
A k i n d o f m o s a ic r e s u l t s
m ic c e l l s
fro m t h e i n t e g r a t i o n
o f e a c h r h y th m ic c o m p o n e n t r e m a in s c o n s t a n t :
e i t h e r one o f th e s e
c e lls
is
Ex. 2 6 .
o f th e s e rh y th
i n t o a n a r r a n g e m e n t i n w h ic h i n t e r v a l l i c
in te rv a ls .
m ake u p
M2 / m3, o r
The o r d e r i n g o f r h y th m ic
fre e .
R h y th m ic c e l l s a n d d e r i v a t i o n s o f t h e s e
c i r c l i n g ) u s e d i n V a r i a t i o n IV
(sh o w n b y
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-9 3 S e v e r a l o f C r u m b 's c o m p o s i t i o n s e m b ra c e t h i s
m e th o d s o f r h y th m ic c o n s t r u c t i o n , a n d t h e
o f g rac e n o te s - - a s
s ty lis tic
o r r e la te d
p ro m in e n t u s a g e
i n e x a m p le 2 6 - - c o n s t i t u t e s a n i m p o r t a n t
com ponent in a l l
o f t h e c o m p o s e r 's a c k n o w le d g e d
m u sic .
In th e
second
m id d l e o f s y s te m 2 ,
firs t
se c tio n a re
s tr o n g c lim a x i s
The n o t a t i o n
( A l ) s e c t i o n , w h ic h b e g i n s n e a r t h e
pag e 1 1 , th e m o tiv ic e le m e n ts o f th e
e la b o r a te d and i n te n s if i e d , u n t i l a
r e a c h e d on a s u s ta i n e d c h o rd in
of th is
s im u lta n e ity i s u n u su a l in
th e
p ia n o .
th a t i t
a p p e a r s a t th e b e g in n in g o f V a r ia t io n V i n th e s c o r e ;
n e v e rth e le s s ,
t h e c h o r d f u n c t i o n s a t t h e sam e t im e t o c o n
c lu d e th e f o u r t h
v a r i a ti o n and to
T h is b i - f u n c t i o n a l c h o rd i s
m a te ria ls
Sx. 27.
in tr o d u c e
th e f i f t h .
show n b e lo w , a l o n g w i t h t h e
t h a t im m e d ia te ly p re c e d e a n d f o llo w
it:
C lim a x o f V a r i a t i o n IV ( w h ic h a l s o s e r v e s t o b e g i n
V a r i a t i o n V ) , sh o w n w i t h i n i t s im m e d ia te c o n t e x t ,
p a g e 1 2 , s y s t e m 1 , Vox B a l a e n a e
/ f f CT r n
C e n o z o lc
( V a r i a t i o n V)
The h i g h e s t l e v e l o f i n t e n s i t y
t o o c c u r i n Vox
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-9 4 B a la e n a e o c c u rs in V a r ia tio n V.
b e lo w i s
Shown i n
t h e e x a m p le
t h e a p e x o f a t e x t u r a l a n d d y n a m ic c r e s c e n d o
w h ic h b e g a n s u b t l y w i t h V o c a l i s e , a n d c o n t i n u e d w i t h i n
c r e a s in g r a p i d i ty :
E x. 2 8 .
C lim a x o f V a r i a t i o n V a n d o f Vox B a l a e n a e . p a g e
1 2 , s y s te m 3
( C lim a x )
N o te t h a t t h e f o u r s i x - n o t e c h o r d s i n t h e a r e a o f t h e
c l i m a x a r e d e r i v e d fro m tw o f o u r - n o t e B a r t o k c e l l s :
C - s h a r p , C - N a t u r a l , G, a n d A , E , E - f l a t ,
use o f t h is
c e ll,
su ch a s i s
o f C r u m b 's c o m p o s i t i o n s
In t h i s
th e c a se h e r e ,
o c c u r s i n m any
v a r i a t i o n Crum b r e w o r k s m any a s p e c t s f ro m
f ro m o t h e r m o v e m e n ts .
to c e r ta in m a te ria ls
The S t r a u s s p a r o d y r e t u r n s h e r e i n
a much m o re o r n a m e n t a l g u i s e
f if th
P -sh arp ,
S tru c tu ra l
(se e page 8 9 ).
th e B s e c ti o n o f V o c a lis e , in a d d it io n
th e r is i n g
B - f la t.
( s e e e x a m p le 2 9 ) ; Crumb m im ic s
and f o u r th a t th e b e g in n in g o f th e o r i g i n a l
w i t h a f l u t t e r - t o n g u e d f l u t e m o ti v e b a s e d i n p i t c h on t h e
B a r to k c h o r d .
An e l a b o r a t e c o m m e n ta ry b a s e d o n t h r e e
( s e e e x a m p le 2 9 ) .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-9 5 Ex . 2 9 .
O r n a m e n ta l v e r s i o n o f A ls o S p r a c h Z a r a t h u s t r a
p a r o d y , p a g e 1 2 , s y s te m 2 , Vox B a la e n a e '
" ip
fat, wltti iim
(N o te t h e u s e o f f l u t t e r - t o n g u e d g r a c e n o t e s i n e x a m p le 2 9 . )
I t i s a v a rie d re s ta te m e n t o f t h i s p h ra se in th e c e llo
le a d s in to
t h e p r im a r y c l i m a x o f t h e m o v em en t
th a t
( s e e e x a m p le 2 8 ) .
F o l l o w i n g t h e m a t e r i a l show n I n e x a m p le 2 9 i s a
fa irly
l i t e r a l p r e s e n t a t i o n o f t h e m u t e d - p i a n o m o ti v e
I n e x a m p le 5 ) fro m V o c a l i s e .
T h is i n t u r n
is
(sh o w n
s u c c e e d e d by
s e v e r a l v a r i e d s ta t e m e n t s o f th e m o d o -o r d in a r io f l u t e m o tiv e ,
a ls o
fro m V o c a l i s e
4 ) ; th e
(sh o w n a s i t
l a t t e r m o ti v e i s
o rig in a lly
o c c u r r e d i n e x a m p le
c o n t r a p u n t a l l y c o m b in e d w i t h m a t e r i a l
d e r i v e d fro m t h e m o l t o - v i b r a t o m o tiv e o f V a r i a t i o n
i n e x a m p le 1 2 ) .
g e s tu re s a re
(sh o w n
C o m p le t in g t h e i n v e n t o r y o f r e c a p i t u l a t o r y
tw o s t a t e m e n t s , a t r i t o n e a p a r t ,
p a r t i a l h a r m o n ic c h o r d s fro m V a r i a t i o n
III
of f if th
( s e e e x a m p le 2 1 ) ,
e a c h a p p e a r i n g w i t h a n i n s i d e - t h e - p i a n o g l i s s a n d o fro m
V o c a lis e
( s e e e x a m p le 5 ) .
A t th e end o f t h i s v a r i a t i o n ,
th e f l u t i s t i s
r e q u i r e d t o w h i s tl e a s i n g l e t h r e e - l i n e D - s h a rp w ith
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
q u a rte r-to n e
f lu c tu a tio n s ;
u n iso n w ith a s in g le
t h is w h is tlin g e n te r s in
t o n e s t r u c k b y t h e c e l l i s t on a n
a n tiq u e cym b al (a c r o t a l e ) .
c ro ta le ,
and th e m e ta llic
( W h is tlin g , u s e o f th e
so u n d s p ro d u c e d by th e p la c e
m e n t o f a g l a s s r o d on c e r t a i n
th e o n ly n o v e l s o n o r i t i e s i n
To t h i s a n a l y s t ,
in tr o d u c tio n
p ia n o
th is
th e w h is tlin g s e rv e s
its
p o s itio n in th e
rep re se n t
p r im a r ily a s an
t o S e a - N o c t u r n e , w h ic h i t
c e d es, d e s p ite
im m e d ia te ly p r e
s c o re a t th e
c o n c l u s i o n o f V a r i a t i o n V; t h e f l f t n
c h o r d s i n t h e p i a n o se em t o c l o s e t h e
Sx. 30.
s tr in g s
p ie c e n o t h e a rd e a r l i e r . )
p a r t i a l h a r m o n ic
l a t t e r m o v em e n t;
C o n c l u d in g g e s t u r e s o f V a r i a t i o n V, p a g e 1 3 ,
s y s te m 2 , Vox B a l a e n a e
whitH(sMx)
with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-9 7 S e a - N o c tu r n e
(.
. f o r th e en d o f tim e )
I n S e a - N o c t u r n e , Crum b a d r o i t l y m e r g e s t h e u n d e r
l y in g t e x t u r a l c r e s c e n d o -d e c r e s c e n d o w ith c o n s tr u c ti o n o f
th e g e s tu r e -d e c a y v a r i e t y .
A s t r o n g m e l o d i c im p u l s e a l s o
u n d e rlie s
th e p i e c e 's m u s ic a l c o n c e p tio n .
m u s ic i s ,
in
t h i s w r i t e r 's
o p in io n ,
The r e s u l t i n g
some o f t h e m o st
p o e t i c Crum b h a s p r o d u c e d .
S tru c tu ra lly ,
S e a - N o c tu r n e c o n s i s t s o f a o n e - p a r t
f o rm p l u s c o d a t h e c o d a b e g i n n i n g a f t e r t h e f i v e - s e c o n d
f e r m a t a i n t h e s e c o n d s y s te m o f p a g e 1 5 .
Crumb u t i l i z e s
d e v e l o p m e n t a l a n d e x p a n s i o n a l m e t h o d o lo g y d e r i v e d fro m
th e t r a d i t i o n
I n s h a p i n g m uch o f h i s m u s i c .
in h a rm o n ic s ) s u p p lie s
in
th e m e .
assu m es th e
v e rs io n o f t h is
fa c t,
o p e n s w ith a
I n S e a - N o c tu r n e
g u i s e o f a d i a l o g u e b e tw e e n tw o w h i s t l e r s .
Of i n t e r e s t i s
th e f a c t t h a t th e
accom pany t h i s
d ia lo g u e
p i a n o m o ti v e u s e d t o
( th e f i r s t
m o v em e n t) i s a t r a n s p o s e d
g e s tu r e
f in a l
th e fu n d a m e n ta l th e m a tic
n u c le u s f o r S e a -N o c tu r n e , w h ic h ,
it
In t h i s
p la y e d by th e
p ia n o so u n d s o f th e
r e s ta te m e n t o f th e
l a s t p ia n o
t o o c c u r I n t h e p r e v i o u s m o v em en t ( s e e e x a m p le s
30 a n d 3 1 ) .
The u s e o f w h i s t l i n g a l s o
b eg an a t th e c lo s e
o f V a r i a t i o n V, a n d c o n t i n u e s s m o o t h ly i n t o
f u r t h e r a d d in g to
S e a -N o c tu r n e .
t h e sm o o th j u x t a p o s i t i o n o f t h e s e tw o p i e c e s .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
Ex. 3 1 .
V a r i e d r e s t a t e m e n t o f m e lo d y f ro m S e a Theme a t
com m encem ent o f S e a - N o c t u r n e , p a g e 1 3 , s y s te m 3 ,
Vox B a l a e n a e
E.FI.
E.Vc.
E le m e n ts fro m t h e S e a Theme m e lo d y ,
sequence,
v a rie d
th ro u g h r e p e t it i o n ,
re s ta te m e n t, and s u b tle
a c c o u n t f o r n e a r ly e v e ry n o te in
th is
tra n s fo rm a tio n ,
f i n a l m o v em e n t.
B o th t h e S e a Theme a n d t h e S e a - N o c tu r n e s h a r e
w h a t Crumb r e f e r s
to
" lu m i n o u s " t o n a l i t y
( in th e re c o rd
o f B m a jo r.
j a c k e t n o t e s ) a s th e
When a s k e d why h e c o n
s id e r e d
th e k ey o f B m a jo r to be
o ffe re d
th e f o llo w in g o b s e r v a tio n s :
. . . a l l th e p ie c e s t h a t one th in k s o f in
a p a r t i c u l a r k e y , c o l o r o n e 's s e n s e o f w h at t h a t
key m eans.
One t h i n k s o f t h e L i e b e s t o d o f T r i s t a n ,
o f t h e s e c o n d m ovem en t o f t h e E m p e ro r C o n c e r t o ,
an d e s p e c i a l l y o f th e p ia n o p ie c e s o f C h o p in - -in
w h ic h B m a j o r i s a lw a y s a v e r y s p e c i a l k e y . l
in te rv ie w ,
14 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-9 9 The m i x t u r e o f e l e m e n t s f ro m t h e t o n a l t r a d i t i o n w i t h
t h o s e o f a m ore t w e n t i e t h - c e n t u r y c h a r a c t e r se em s h e r e
p a rtic u la rly
fe lic ito u s .
W ith in th e c o u rs e o f S e a -N o c tu r n e , s e v e r a l
s p e c i a l m ea n s o f p r o d u c t i o n a r e
p la y in g i s
done in
re q u ire d ,
th e o r d in a r y f a s h io n .
th o u g h m o s t
T hose d e v ic e s
e m p lo y e d w e re a l s o u s e d i n e a r l i e r m o v e m e n ts , a n d h e r e
th e y c o n s is te n tly
occur in
c lo s e a s s o c i a t i o n w ith
t h e o r i g i n a l m o tiv e s th e y c a r r i e d
(su ch a c lo s e
b e tw e e n s o n i c a n d r h y t h m i c - i n t e r v a l l l c
m u sic a l id e a s i s a c o n s is te n t s t y l i s t i c
c o n n e c tio n
a s p e c t s o f C r u m b 's
tra it).
The
p r o v i d e s S e a - N o c tu r n e w i t h a d i s t i n c
so u n d c h a r a c t e r .
rnodo o r d i n a r i o
The f l u t i s t a n d c e l l i s t c o m b in e
p r o d u c tio n w ith c e r t a i n
t h a t w i l l be p o in te d o u t a s
s p e c ia l e ff e c ts
th e y o c c u r.
A m o n o p h o n ic d i a l o g u e b e tw e e n tw o w h i s t l e r s
t i s t and c e l l i s t )
(flu
a c c o m p a n ie d b y c l u s t e r p i a n o c h o r d s
o p e n s t h e m o v e m e n t.
F o llo w in g t h i s
C h o p in e s q u e f i g u r a t i o n
e n te rs
in
th e
b r ie f d ia lo g u e , a
p i a n o , w h ic h t h e n
b e c o m e s t h e a c c o m p a n im e n t o f a m e l o d i o u s t e x t u r e e n g e n
d e re d by th e f l u t e ,
p ia n o a t t a c k s .
a n tiq u e
c y m b a ls , a n d h ig h s fo r z a n d o
The n e x t m a j o r t e x t u r a l c h a n g e t a k e s
p la c e in
th e
page 14;
tw o -p a rt c o u n te r p o in t,
s c o r e n e a r t h e m id d l e o f t h e s e c o n d s y s te m o f
a t th e o c ta v e ,
is
s ta te d
b e g in n in g w ith a b r i e f can o n
by th e c e ll o and f l u t e
a g a in s t
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 0 0 a c c o m p a n y ln g m a t e r i a l i n t h e p i a n o .
The t e x t u r e
so o n b e
com es m uch t h i n n e r a n d l e s s c o m p le x , a n d g r a d u a l l y d i e s
aw ay d u r i n g t h e r e m a i n d e r o f t h e c o m p o s i t i o n .
F o l lo w in g a b r i e f e x t e n s i o n o f t h e o p e n in g
d ia lo g u e f o r w h is tle r s ,
t h e p ia n o s t a t e s
e i g h t i m p o r t a n t a c c o m p a n im e n ta l m o t i v e s ;
m o tiv ic c e l l s
its
seco n d o f
in t h i s
p o s s e s s i n g t h e sam e i n t e r v a l l i c
in sta n c e ,
s tru c tu r e
a s t h e tw o o p e n in g m o ti v e s o f S e a Theme ( s e e e x a m p le 3 1 )
M2 / m3 a n d M2 / P 4 r e s p e c t i v e l y g e n e r a t e p i t c h a l m o s t
e n tire ly .
I n t h e f o l l o w i n g e x a m p le , t h e i n i t i a l s t a t e
m en t o f t h i s
s e c o n d p i a n o m o tiv e i s g i v e n w i t h M2 / m3
d e r i v a t i o n s c i r c l e d a n d M2 /
P4 d e r i v a t i o n s
sq u a re d
( n o tic e
th e o v e rla p p in g o f c e l l s ) ;
Ex. 3 2 .
S e c o n d o f s e v e n a c c o m p a n im e n ta l p i a n o m o t i v e s ,
p a g e 1 3 , s y s te m 3* Vox B a la e n a e
it>
JJcUl
T h i s c o n f i g u r a t i o n c o n s i s t s o f t h e p i t c h e s B, C - s h a r p , Ds h a r p , F - s h a r p , and G -s h a rp ; ta k e n in t h i s
can c le a r ly
be s e e n to c o n s t i t u t e
o rd er,
th e y
th e s ta n d a r d p e n ta to n ic
s c a l e a l s o a n im p o r ta n t c o n s t r u c t i o n a l d e v ic e i n e a r l i e r
m o v e m e n ts .
The q u i n t u p l e t r h y th m u s e d h e r e b e a r s a s u b t l e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 0 1 n u m e ric a l r e l a t i o n s h i p
to th e p e n ta to n ic
N ot to be o v e rlo o k e d a r e
th e d ro n e f i f t h s
B a n d F - s h a r p w h ic h s t r e n g t h e n
a n d s u p p ly h a rm o n ic s o l i d i t y .
s c a le
it
su p p o rts .
in th e b a s s - -
th e u n d e rly in g t o n a l i t y
S ix s i m i l a r s ta te m e n ts o f
t h i s m o ti v e o c c u r b e f o r e a s l i g h t l y n ew g e s t u r e e n t e r s
in th e p ia n o ; a g a in s t th e s e
th e f l u t e an d c e llo
p la y
m a t e r i a l f r o m t h e tw o i n i t i a l S e a Theme m o t i v e s .
T he t h i r d
once; i t
s e rv e s to
m o ti v e I ,
th e
o f e i g h t p ia n o m o tiv e s ta k e s p la c e o n ly
b r e a k t h e s t e a d y q u i n t u p l e t r h y th m o f
p itc h e s
o f w h ic h a r e r e t a i n e d .
I t assu m es
s o m e w h at t h e c h a r a c t e r o f a n o r n a m e n t a l v e r s i o n o f m o ti v e
II,
r a t h e r th a n a s s e r t i n g an e n ti r e l y
s e p a ra te
id e n tity .
A s t a t e m e n t o f t h e o p e n i n g m o ti v e o f S e a Theme i s a c t u a l l y
p a r t o f t h i s m o tiv e , a n d i s
Ex. 33 .
d o u b le d by a n ti q u e c y m b a ls .
M o tiv e I I I i n p i a n o p a r t o f S e a - N o c t u r n e , p a g e 1 4 ,
s y s t e m 1 , V ox B a l a e n a e
I n m o ti v e IV o f t h e
m o re d i s s o n a n t t e x t u r e
p i a n o p a r t , Crum b I n t r o d u c e s a
b a s e d u p o n t h e i m p o r t a n t M2 / m3
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 0 2 I n te r v a lllc
c e ll.
The s o u r c e o f t h a t c e l l ,
th e I n i t i a l
t h r e e - n o t e m o ti v e o f S e a Theme ( s e e e x a m p le 9 ) i s
r e s ta te d
is
by a n tiq u e
s ta te d
Ex. 3 4 .
p i a n o m o ti v e i s
c h a ra c te r iz e d
r h y th m ic p a t t e r n .
The b a s i c
p r e s e n t e d f o u r t im e s i n c l o s e
p r o g r e s s i v e l y m o re a l t e r e d
P r im a r y m e l o d i c
m o ti v e a r e
Ex. 3 5 .
III
h e re
t h i s m o tiv e
M o tiv e IV i n p i a n o p a r t o f S e a - N o c tu r n e ( m a jo r
o c c u r r e n c e s o f t h e M2 / m3 c e l l a r e c i r c l e d ,
p a g e 1 4 , s y s te m s 1 a n d 2 , Vox B a l a e n a e
A fifth
is
L i k e m o ti v e
but once.
tw o a g a i n s t t h r e e
tio n
c y m b a ls .
in
c o n fig u ra
s u c c e s s io n ,
b e c o m in g
w ith e a c h o c c u r r e n c e .
to n e s o f th e f i r s t
d e lin e a te d
by a s te a d y
r e p r e s e n ta tio n o f th is
t h e e x a m p le b e lo w w i t h a r r o w s :
M o tiv e V i n p i a n o p a r t o f S e a - N o c t u m e , p a g e 1 4 ,
s y s te m 2 , Vox B a l a e n a e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 0 3 Its
d e r i v a t i o n b e c o m e s c l e a r w hen c o m p a re d w i t h t h e
f o l l o w i n g e x c e r p t fro m S e a T h e m e :
Ex. 36 .
E x c e r p t f ro m S e a Them e ( c o m p a re c i r c l e d p i t c h e d
w i t h t h o s e m a rk e d b y a r r o w s i n e x a m p le 3 5 )* p a g e
8 , s y s te m 2 , Vox B a l a e n a e
E.Vc.
T he t w o - p a r t c o u n t e r p o i n t b e tw e e n c e l l o a n d f l u t e m e n tio n e d
e a r l i e r b e g in s a b o v e th e e x te n d e d f o u r t h
fifth
s ta te m e n t o f t h is
m o tiv e .
As t h e t w o - p a r t c o u n t e r p o i n t c o n t i n u e s , a s i x t h
m o ti v e e n t e r s
s u c c e s s io n .
in th e
p ia n o , and i s
T h i s m o ti v e i s
s ta te d
a r o u n d c o m b i n a t i o n s o f m in o r s i x t h s
M2 / m3 i n t e r v a l l i c
re c e iv e s
th e f i r s t
c e ll.
s e p a r a te d by th e
The f o u r - n o t e B a r t o k c e l l
p r o m in e n c e i n t h e l e f t - h a n d
tw o o c c u r r e n c e s .
t h r e e tim e s i n
o r g a n iz e d i n th e r i g h t ha^d
p a rt,
b u t o n ly w ith in
The s e c o n d p r e s e n t a t i o n o f
m o ti v e V I m a r k s t h e c e s s a t i o n o f t w o - p a r t c o n t r a p u n t a l
te x tu re .
In th e
t h i r d a n d f i n a l a p p e a r a n c e o f t h i s m o ti v e ,
p e n t a t o n i c e l e m e n t s com e t o
th e f o re
in th e
l e f t hand.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 0 4 Ex. 37 .
M o tiv e V I i n p i a n o p a r t o f S e a - N o c tu r n e ( f i r s t
o c c u r r e n c e ) p a g e 1 4 , s y s te m 3 . Vox B a la e n a e
T he s e v e n t h m o ti v e t o a p p e a r i n t h e p i a n o p a r t i s
r e s ta te d
t h r e e tim e s c o n s e c u t i v e l y , w ith s l i g h t v a r i a t i o n s .
T h i s m o ti v e e v o k e s a n u n u s u a l e m o t i o n a l q u a l i t y a k i n d
of b itte r
s w e e tn e s s ; one r e g r e t s
m o re e x t e n s i v e
re lie s
tre a tm e n t.
th a t i t
does n o t re c e iv e
I n c o n s t r u c t i o n , m o ti v e V I I
h e a v i l y o n t h e f a m i l i a r M2 / m3 m o t i v i c c e l l i n
th e r i g h t h a n d , w h ile th e l e f t h a n d d o u b le s c e r t a i n to n e s
o c c u rin g in th e r i g h t , and in tr o d u c e s
to n e s ,
G -d o u b le -s h a rp and E -s h a rp .
th e d iss o n a n t
( T h e s e fo rm d i s s o
n a n c e s w i t h t h e r i g h t h a n d 's G - s h a r p a n d E - s h a r p . )
I m m e d ia t e l y f o l l o w i n g t h e s e v e n t h p i a n o m o ti v e t h e r e
ap p ear th re e
s ta te m e n ts o f an a l t e r e d
s i o n o f m o ti v e I I ,
a n d e x te n d e d v e r
w h ic h i n t u r n a r e f o l l o w e d b y th e
e ig h t h a n d f i n a l p ia n o m o tiv e .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 0 5 E x. 3 8 .
M o tiv e V I I i n p ia n o p a r t o f S e a - N o c t u r n e . p a g e 1 5 ,
s y s te m 1 , Vox B a la e n a e
M o tiv e V I I I i s a c o m p o s i te c o n s t r u c t i o n , w h ic h
in c lu d e s a s ta te m e n t o f th e
" a e o l i a n h a r p " e f f e c t f ro m S e a
Theme ( s e e e x a m p le 1 0 ) ; a p r e s e n t a t i o n o f t h e m u te d p i a n o
m o tiv e o f V o c a l i s e
( s e e e x a m p le 5 h
b u t h e re w ith f i f t h
p a r t i a l h a r m o n i c s s u b s t i t u t e d f o r m u te d t o n e s ; a n d a
f i n a l a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e i m p o r t a n t g l i s s a n d o m o ti v e
o r i g i n a l l y o c c u r r i n g i n V o c a l l3 e
( s e e e x a m p le 5 ) .
B a l a e n a e c o n c l u d e s t h e m a in b o d y o f i t s
p a r t p r e c e d in g th e c o d a ) w ith th r e e
f o rm
( i.e .
Vox
th a t
v a rie d re s ta te m e n ts
o f t h i s e ig h th m o tiv e .
E x . 39*
M o tiv e V I I I I n p i a n o p a r t o f S e a - N o c t u r n e , p a g e 1 5 ,
s y s te m 2 , Vox B a l a e n a e
rtif)
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 106 T he c o d a , b a s e d e n t i r e l y o n
second
t h e S e a Theme a n d
th e
p i a n o m o ti v e o f S e a N o c t u r n e ,b e g i n s s o f t l y a n d
g r a d u a l ly d i e s c o m p le te ly aw ay;
fo rm e d
in
p a n to m im e
th e
f i n a l g e s tu r e i s
p er
( s e e e x a m p le 6 ) . I n p r e p a r i n g a
r e c o r d i n g o f Vox B a l a e n a e , t h e c o m p o s e r s t a t e s i n t h e s c o r e
th a t th is
o u t"
(to
c o n c lu d in g g e s tu r e s h o u ld b e p la y e d a s a
r e p l a c e th e m is s in g v i s u a l e f f e c t ) ;
in g r e c o r d in g ,
th is
"fad e -
in th e e x i s t
p ro v es to be an a p t s u b s ti tu t io n .
I n S e a - N o c t u r n e , Crum b e v o k e s i n t h e p e r e e i v e r a
p s y c h o lo g ic a l s ta t e
flo a tin g
in
th e
d i f f i c u l t t o d e s c r i b e a k in d o f
o r w e ig h tle s s su sp en d ed s e n s a tio n .
rec o rd
ja c k e t n o te s ,
Crumb m a k e s ,
th e f o llo w in g r e v e a l in g re m a rk :
" I n c o m p o s in g S e a - N o c tu r n e I w a n t e d t o
su g g est
rh y th m o f n a t u r e ' a n d a s e n s e o f s u s p e n s i o n i n
'a
la rg e r
tim e ."
The p e c u l i a r a n d e n c h a n t i n g e m o t i o n a l c h a r a c t e r o f S e a N o c t u m e m ay i n p a r t b e e x p l a i n e d b y c e r t a i n
is tic s :
r h y th m ;
s u b t l e an d f r e q u e n t r h y th m ic an d i n t e r v a l l i c
r e p e titio n
a n d t r a n s f o r m a t i o n ; a v o id a n c e o f s t r o n g o r
ra m ific a tio n s in h e re n t
p e r v a d i n g g e s t u r e - d e c a y s o u n d c o n ti n u u m .
h o w e v e r, an i m p o s s ib i li t y
th is
c h a ra c te r
t h e s te a d y s tr e a m o f n o n p r o g r e s s io n a l f lo w in g
It
is ,
to a d e q u a te ly e x p la in o r a n a ly z e
e lu s iv e a s p e c t o f th e p ie c e .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
CHAPTER IV
LUX AETERNA
E x tra m u 3 lc a l C o n s i d e r a t io n s
I n p e rf o r m a n c e , Lux A e t e m a r e q u i r e s f i v e m asked
m u s ic ia n s :
s ita ris t,
so p ra n o , b a s s f l u t i s t
a n d tw o p e r c u s s i o n i s t s .
(d o u b lin g on r e c o r d e r ) ,
The i n c o r p o r a t i o n o f
m a s k s a n d o t h e r t h e a t r i c a l d e v i c e s , b o t h i n t h i s w o rk a n d
i n C r u m b 's o t h e r m u s i c , w as d i s c u s s e d i n C h a p t e r I
pages 1 5 -3 3 );
d ram a .
th e s e
A m e d i t a t iv e a tm o s p h e re r e m i n is c e n t o f E a s te r n
m u s ic p e r v a d e s L ux A e t e m a , r e s u l t i n g
p r e d o m in a n c e o f w h o l e - t o n e m a t e r i a l ,
m o tiv ic
(see
p ro d u ce a p o w e rfu l se n se o f r i t u a l and
re s ta te m e n t,
f o u rth s and f i f t h s ,
l a r g e l y f ro m t h e
f ro m t h e p e r s i s t e n t
f ro m t h e p r o m in e n c e o f d r o n e s i n o p e n
a n d e s p e c i a l l y f ro m t h e i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n .
The s e l e c t i o n a n d t r e a t m e n t o f p e r c u s s i o n i n s t r u m e n t s i s
tic u la rly
T a b le I I .
p a r
s u g g e s tiv e o f an E a s te rn K la n g ld e a l.
P e r c u s s i o n i n s t r u m e n t s u s e d i n Lux A e t e m a
C r o t a l e s , T i m p a n i , F i n g e r C y m b a ls , T u b u l a r B e l l s , V i b r a p h o n e ,
B e l l T r e e , L a r g e C y m b a ls (o n s t a n d s ) , L a r g e D e t a c h e d C y m b a l,
I n d i a n T a b l a s , L a r g e S u s p e n d e d T a m -ta m , S m a ll S u s p e n d e d Tam
tam , I n d ia n E le p h a n t B e l l s
-1 0 7 -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 0 8 The p r i m a r y c o n c e p t u a l s t i m u l u s f o r t h i s
c o m p o s i t i o n w a s p r o v i d e d b y a p h i l o s o p h i c a l im a g e e x
p r e s s e d by th e co m p o ser a s f o llo w s :
I am o f t e n h a u n t e d b y t h e i d e a t h a t a i l o f
t h e m any m u s i c s o f t h e w o r l d a r e c o m in g t o g e t h e r
t o f o rm o n e m u s i c .
Lux !A !etem a w as w r i t t e n i n t h e s p i r i t o f t h i s
i d e a Z1
To Crumb t h e s e w o rd s d e n o t e t h e c o n v i c t i o n
. . .
c o m p o s e r c a n d ra w f ro m a n y s o u r c e a n y t h i n g i s
th a t a
p o te n tia lly
m e a n in g fu l, a n d th u s c o u ld c o n c e iv a b ly be u t i l i z e d
a g i v e n s t y l e . 2
w ith in
T h i s c o n c e p t u a l f a c t o r w as c r u c i a l i n t h e
d e t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h i s m u s i c 's n o n - W e s t e m c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s .
T he L a t i n t e x t ,
t a k e n fro m t h e R e q u ie m r e s p o n s o r y , a l s o
iC r u m b , p r o g ra m n o t e s on t h e c o m p o s e r 's L u x A e t e m a
f o r a p r o g ra m g i v e n i n P a r i s , F r a n c e ^ u n d e r t h e d i r e c t i o n o f
B o r i s d e V in o g r a d o v (2 0 N o v em b er 1 9 7 5 ) .
2 I n te r v ie w ,
14 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 0 9 T he w o r k 's d e d i c a t i o n e v i d e n c e s a n o t h e r e m b r y o n ic g e n e r
a tiv e
fo rc e ;
"f o r t h e C h i l d r e n o f t h e N i g h t . "
c o m p o se r, t h i s
th a t th is
in s c rip tio n c a rr ie s
i s a poem t o i n s p i r e
to c o n s id e r th e p o s s i b i l i t y
little
To t h e
th e c o n n o ta tio n
" . . .
p e o p le who a r e n o t w i l l i n g
o f e t e r n a l l i g h t p e o p le o f
f a ith ." 1
L a r g e - S c a le S t r u c t u r e
F o r m a l l y , Lux A e t e m a i s
tra s tin g
s e c tio n s in
B 2, A 3 , B 3 , c o d a .
s h a p e d b y tw o b r i e f c o n
f o rm a n c e i n d i c a t i o n s c l e a r l y d e l i n e a t e
th e se
s e c tio n s In th e s c o r e .)
a p p a r e n t am ong t h e r e l a t e d
of th is b ip a r tite
lo w in g d i r e c t i v e :
tim e ;
A, B, A l , B l , A 2 ,
(D o u b le b a r l i n e s , a n d tem p o a n d p e r
s e c tio n s
s tr u c tu r e .
th e
lo c a tio n o f
S tro n g u n if y in g b o n d s a r e
( e . g . A, A l , A 2 , e t c . )
T he A s e c t i o n s b e a r t h e f o l
" V e ry s lo w , w i t h a s e n s e o f m e d i t a t i v e
p r e g n a n t w i t h m y s t e r y ; " h o w e v e r , t h e y do n o t b e a r
a c tu a l t i t l e s .
( T h i s c o n s t i t u t e s a r a r e i n s t a n c e am ong
C r u m b 's c o m p o s i t i o n s o f a p r o m i n e n t f o r m a l d i v i s i o n w h ic h
does n o t re c e iv e a t i t l e
s h a r e a common t i t l e :
P rin c e . '"
of its
o w n .)
The B s e c t i o n s
E le g y f o r a D ead
I n t h e s e l a t t e r s e c t i o n s , t h e m u s ic i s
iF ro m a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b,
to be
14 J u n e 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 1 0 o f a "g rav e,
so m b e r c h a r a c t e r .
L ux A e t e m a a n d C ru m b s m o s t r e c e n t c o m p o s i t i o n ,
S t a r - C h i ld 1 ( s c o r e d f o r s o lo s o p ra n o , c h i l d r e n 's c h o ru s ,
a n d l a r g e o r c h e s t r a a n d c o m p l e te d i n 1 9 7 7 ) h a v e c e r t a i n
in te r e s tin g a f f i n it ie s :
b o th c o n ta in L a t in t e x t s , a n d
a r e t h e o n l y Crumb w o rk s t o do s o ; b o t h u t i l i z e
R e q u ie m
r e s p o n s o r i e s a s a t e x t s o u r c e ; b o t h m ake c o n s i d e r a b l e u s e
o f th e w h o le -to n e s c a l e ;
to
Lux A e t e m a c o n t a i n s a d e d i c a t i o n
a re fe re n c e to
",
. th e c h ild r e n o f l i g h t " ;
o v e r a l l fo rm o f b o t h f lo w s i n
b e g in n in g to
and th e
s m o o th c o n t i n u i t y fro m
e n d ( C r u m b 's o t h e r c o m p o s i t i o n s a r e e x t r e m e l y
s e c tio n a liz e d ).
When t h i s a n a l y s t m e n t i o n e d t h e s e b r o a d
s t r u c t u r a l l i n k s b e tw e e n Lux A e t e m a a n d S t a r - C h i l d
c o m p o se r, h e e x p re s s e d s u r p r i s e :
s c io u s c o n n e c tio n .
to
th e
t h e r e h ad b e e n no c o n
N e v e r t h e l e s s , h e a c k n o w le d g e d t h a t a
c lo s e c o m p a r a tiv e e x a m in a tio n c o u ld v e ry p o s s ib l y u n c o v e r
o th e r s u b lim in a l a s s o c i a t i o n s . 2
Crum b h o l d s t h e c o n v i c t i o n t h a t c e r t a i n
te x ts ,
L a tin
s u c h a s t h o s e o f t h e w o rk s u n d e r d i s c u s s i o n ,
" . . .
h a v e m e a n in g s t h a t t r a n s c e n d d o c t r i n a l i n t e r p r e t a t i o n .
^Crumb, S t a r - C h i l d
tio n ,
(New Y o r k :
On
C .P . P e t e r s C o r p o r a
1977) .
2From a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C ru m b , 1 0 J u n e 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 1 1 th e c o n tr a r y ,
tio n ,
is
t h e y c o n v e y u n i v e r s a l m e a n i n g ." 1
th e com poser b e li e v e s
" . . .
In a d d i
t h a t w hen a L a t i n
in v o lv e d , a la r g e m o n o lith ic q u a li t y i s
in v o lv e d .
te x t
.
. "2
T h is l a t t e r i m p l i c a t i o n o f L a t in t e x t s e x p la i n s th e n o n s e c tio n a liz e d ,
c o n tin u o u s fo rm a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f b o th
Lux A e t e m a a n d S t a r - C h i l d .
w o rk s d o n o t c o n t a i n
s e p a r a te
T h is i s n o t t o s a y t h a t t h e s e
s e c tio n s.
s e c t i o n s a r e s o s m o o t h ly j u x t a p o s e d ,
im p re ss io n i s
B o th d o , b u t t h e s e
t h a t th e m o st b a s ic
one o f c o n ti n u i ty .
L ux A e t e m a c o n t a i n s e i g h t s m o o t h ly c o n n e c t e d p a r t s
p l u s a c o d a , t h e l o c a t i o n s o f w h ic h a r e g i v e n i n
T a b l e IV :
T a b le IV . L o c a t i o n s o f e i g h t s m o o t h ly
c o n n e c t e d p a r t s i n Lux A e t e m a ( L e t
t e r s i n d ic a te fo rm a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s )
P a r t I (S e c tio n A ):
P a rt I I
P a rt I I I
(S e c tio n B ):
From t h e b e g i n n i n g o f p a g e 4 ,
e n d i n g on p a g e 5* e n d o f s y s te m
3 , a t th e d o u b le b a r l i n e
From t h e d o u b l e b a r l i n e a t e n d i n g o f
P a r t I , to th e d o u b le b a r l i n e a t th e
e n d o f s y s te m 2 o n p a g e 6
( S e c t i o n A l ) : From t h e d o u b l e b a r l i n e a t e n d i n g o f
P a r t I I , to th e d o u b le b a r l i n e n e a r
t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 1 o n p a g e 8
P a r t IV ( S e c t i o n B l ) :
From t h e d o u b l e b a r l i n e a t e n d i n g o f
P a r t I I I , to th e d o u b le b a r l i n e a t
t h e e n d o f s y s te m 2 o n p a g e 8
^ r u m b , P r o g ra m n o t e s o n t h e c o m p o s e r 's S t a r - C h i l d f o r
c o n c e r t g i v e n b y t h e New Y o rk P h i l h a r m o n i c O r c h e s t r a ,
2Ib id .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
112( T a b l e IV c o n t i n u e d )
P a r t V ( S e c tio n A 2 ):
P a r t V I ( S e c tio n B 2 ):
Fro m t h e d o u b l e b a r l i n e a t e n d i n g o f
P a r t IV , t o t h e d o u b l e b a r l i n e
n e a r t h e e n d o f s y s te m 1 o n p a g e 9
From t h e d o u b l e b a r l i n e a t e n d i n g
o f P a r t V, t o t h e d o u b l e b a r l i n e
n e a r t h e m id d l e o f s y s te m 2 o n p a g e 9
P a r t V II
( S e c tio n A 3 ):
From t h e d o u b l e b a r l i n e a t e n d i n g o f
P a r t V I, t o th e d o u b le b a r l i n e n e a r
t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 1 o n p a g e 10
P a rt V III
(S e c tio n B 3 ):
F ro m t h e d o u b l e b a r l i n e a t e n d i n g o f
P a r t V I I , t o th e d o u b le b a r l i n e n e a r
t h e m id d l e o f s y s t e m 1 o n p a g e 10
Co d a :
Rema i n d e r
The m a t e r i a l s o f P a r t s
u la tio n s ,
r e s p e c tiv e ly ;
a lte rn a tin g
and I I ) .
tiv e ly
I and I I ,
t h r o u g h c o m p o s i t i o n a l m a n ip
f o rm t h e b a s i s o f t h e r e m a i n i n g A a n d B s e c t i o n s
th u s,
W h ile t h e
c o n s ta n t,
se v en , f iv e ,
t h e f o rm m ig h t b e d e s c r i b e d a s a s e t o f
v a r i a t i o n s o n tw o th e m e s
th e m e s P a r t s
e a c h B s e c t i o n becom es p r o g r e s s iv e l y S h o r te r ;
s e c t i o n a l l e n g t h s im p a r ts d i r e c t i o n
s itio n .
( i.e .
l e n g t h o f t h e A s e c t i o n s r e m a in s r e l a
T h is d im in u tio n o f
to
th e
f lo w o f t h e com po
B ecau se o f t h e i r g e n e ra tiv e c a p a c i ti e s ,
t h e o p e n in g
tw o p a r t s o f L ux A e t e m a r e q u i r e m o re s c r u t i n y a n d d e t a i l e d
a n a ly t ic a l o b s e rv a tio n s
tiv e
t h a n do t h e r e m a i n i n g m o re d e r i v a
s e c t i o n s o f t h e w o rk .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 1 3 S tru c tu ra l D e ta ils
F art I
( S e c t i o n A)
. w i t h a s e n s e o f m e d i t a t i v e tim e "
Lux A e t e m a t e n d s t o f a l l i n t o
do t h e m a j o r i t y o f C r u m b 's c o m p o s i t i o n s .
ta in s
te n r e la tiv e ly
lo n g e r p h ra s e s th a n
The
se c tio n con
l e n g t h y p h r a s e s ; e a c h o f t h e s e i s e x a m in e d
in th e fo llo w in g p a ra g ra p h s .
PHRASE I
In sound, t h is
p h ra se c o n s is ts o f th e b e l l - l i k e
t o n e s o f f o u r c r o t a l e s , w h ic h a r e p o s i t i o n e d u p o n t im p a n i
m e m b ra n e s f o r t i m b r a l f l u c t u a t i o n s
t h r o u g h t h e r h y th m ic
m a n ip u la tio n s o f th e tim p a n i p e d a ls .
Ex. 40.
F i r s t p h rase o f P a rt I
s y s te m 1 , Lux A e t e m a
( S e c tio n A ), page 4 ,
T he s o u n d s t r u c t u r e o f P h r a s e I i s
v a rie ty , as is
th a t of a l l
o f th e g e s tu re -d e c a y
s e c tio n s .
The n o t a t i o n o f
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 1 4 la s c ia re
v ib ra re
p a u s e s I n h e r e n t in su ch c o n s tr u c ti o n ,
h e r e t a k e s t h e fo rm o f p r e c i s e l y w r i t t e n - o u t r e s t s ,
ra th e r
t h a n t h e f e r m a t a s m o re f r e q u e n t i n C r u m b 's o t h e r w o r k s .
The b e g i n n i n g o f t h e w o rk i s m ark e d by a s t r i k i n g , u n u s u a l
so n o rity a d e lin e a tiv e
p e ls th e a tt e n ti o n
fo rm a l d e v ic e t h a t l i t e r a l l y
The p i t c h e s o f t h i s c r o t a l e
in te rv a llic
e n tir e
f ro m w h ic h t h i s
in t h is
ro le
firs t
M2 /
th e
M3 / M2; t h e w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e
c e l l d e riv e s a ls o s e rv e s a c r u c ia l d e te r
th ro u g h o u t i n d e fin in g p itc h c o n te n t.
p h rase ,
t h a t t h e tw o c r o t a l e
g r o u p e d t o f o rm tw o m a j o r s e c o n d s :
ris e s ;
p h rase c o n s titu te an
c e l l o f c r i t i c a l s tr u c tu r a l re le v a n c e to
c o m p o s itio n :
m in i t i v e
com
o f th e l i s t e n e r .
th e secon d a t r i to n e
N o tic e
p itc h e s a re
th e f i r s t o f th e s e
re m o v e d fro m t h e f i r s t f a l l s ;
a s t r o n g s e n s e o f s y m m e tr ic a l b a la n c e r e s u l t s .
R h y th m ic a lly ,
of th is
t h e v e r y s lo w , s u s p e n d e d c h a r a c t e r
p h r a s e r e m a in s c o n s t a n t i n a l l
The w r i t t e n - o u t r i t a r d a n d o
r h y th m o f t h e c r o t a l e
tim b ra l
f l u c t u a t i o n s f u n c t i o n s a s a n i m p o r t a n t g e n e r a t i v e r h y th m ic
s o u r c e i n m uch o f L ux A e t e m a .
PHRASE I I
P h r a s e I I e n c o m p a s s e s tw o s p e c i a l t i m b r a l d e v i c e s .
F irs t,
a trill
o n a l a r g e c y m b a l i s a l t e r e d b y t im p a n o
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 1 5 p ed al flu c tu a tio n s
( a s w ere th e c r o t a l e
The s e c o n d e f f e c t , a ta m - ta m h a r m o n ic
m uch t h i c k e r t a m - ta m f u n d a m e n t a l ) i s
s m a l l ta m - ta m w i t h a c o n t r a b a s s bow,,
of th is
p h ra se o b v io u sly d e riv e s i t s
to n e s o f P h ra se I ) .
( a s d i s t i n c t fro m t h e
p r o d u c e d b y b o w in g a
The cy m b al s o n o r i t y
r h y th m a n d so u n d fro m
P h rase I .
Ex. 4 l .
Second p h ra se o f P a r t I
s y s te m 1 , Lux A e t e m a
( S e c tio n A ),
page 4 ,
PHRASE I I I
T he b a s s f l u t e m ak e s i t s
w i t h tw o r i s i n g m a j o r s e c o n d s ;
e n tr a n c e
th e s e
w h o le -to n e s c a l e
e s ta b lis h e d
A c o n t r o l l e d , s lo w v i b r a t o d i s t i n g u i s h e s
th e f l u t e
to n e s o f t h i s
p assag e.
th e f i r s t
in P h rase I I I
w i t h i n t h e sam e
new p i t c h i s
F.
in
lie
p h r a s e th e o n ly
S o f t c y m b a l a n d ta m - ta m
s tr o k e s e n g e n d e r a n im p o r ta n t d e c a y f a c t o r .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 116 -
Ex . 4 2 .
T h ird p h r a s e o f P a r t I ( S e c tio n A ),
s y s te m s 1 a n d 2 , Lux A e t e m a
page 4 ,
(raihtr W vibroV)
PHRASE IV
P h ra se
IV i 3
c o n v e n tio n a l m an n er.
p e rfo rm e d by th e b a s s f l u t e
in
th e
(V e ry fe w p h r a s e s i n L ux A e t e m a
c o n ta in no s p e c i a l t im b r a l d e v ic e .)
T h is p a s s a g e c o n ti n u e s
th e w h o le -to n e s c a l e e s t a b l i s h e d by P h ra s e s I an d I I I .
Ex. 4 3 .
F o u r th p h ra s e o f P a r t I
s y s te m 2 , L ux A e t e m a
The s i n g l e d e g r e e o f t h i s
(S e c tio n A ), page 4 ,
s ix - to n e
s c a l e n o t y e t s t a t e d , B,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 1 7 a p p e a rs h e re w ith s p e c i a l e m p h a s is.
e x p lo its
Crum b c o n s c i o u s l y
th e c o n s t r u c t i o n a l d e v ic e o f s a v in g " f r e s h
( t o n e s n o t h e a r d f o r a s i g n i f i c a n t t im e i n t e r v a l )
p ro m in e n t c o n t e x t u a l s t a t e m e n t s .
to n e s "
fo r
The c o m p o s e r f e e l s
t h a t s u c h t o n e s a r e a v e ry r e a l s o u r c e o f p o t e n t i a l m u si
c a l I n t e r e s t f u n c t i o n i n g i n m uch t h e
sam e m a n n e r a s a n
When a t o n e w h ic h h a s n o t b e e n
l e a s t h a s n o t ap p e are d w ith in a
g iv e n s t r u c t u r a l c o n te x t,
fu n c tio n s,
upon b e in g s t a t e d ,
a s th e c o m p le tio n o f a f a m i l i a r s c a l e
(o r i n t e r v a l l i c
c e ll),
an even s tr o n g e r s e n se o f a u r a l f u lf il l m e n t m a n ife s ts i t
s e l f th a n i s
t h e c a s e w i t h a s im p le f r e s h
The e x p a n d in g r h y th m s o f t h i s
w e ll a s i t s
so u rc e ,
fifth
t h e r h y th m ic n u c l e u s o f P h r a s e I .
p h rase I s a tr a n s p o s itio n
(h e n c e fo rth ,
I").
p h rase, as
t r i p l e t and q u in tu p le t v a lu e s , have a s
w h o le -to n e s c a le o f p h ra s e s
s c a le
to n e .
fo u rth
th is
I,
o f P h ra se I ; a g a in
III,
a n d IV i s
s c a le w i l l be r e f e r r e d
N e x t, t h e r e
th e ir
P re c e d in g th e
to a s
th e
re ta in e d
" w h o le -to n e
o c c u rs a s l i g h t v a r i a ti o n o f P h rase I .
PHRASE V
T he f i f t h
p h rase i s
v a rie d
^ r o m a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b, 30 J u n e 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
o f P h rase I I I ,
w ith th e b a ss f l u t e
t h a t p h ra s e ta k e n by a s o p ra n o ; to
m o ti v e g e n e r a t e d
fro m P h r a s e IV i s a d d e d .
e n te r s w ith th e c o l o r i s t i c
p a rt of
th is , a s o ft f lu te
b u t s u b tle
The s o p r a n o
so und p ro d u ce d
b y m o d u l a t i n g f ro m o n e p u r e v o w e l t o t h e n e x t .
Ex. 44.
F i f t h p h rase o f P a rt I
s y s te m 1 , Lux A e t e m a
( S e c t i o n A ) , p a g e 5*
u.
U
r,eTomtarn
w
CBFI)
-r
*
(T he a r r o w s i n t h e t e x t l i n e
s ig n if y
The d e t a c h e d v o w e ls a n d s y l l a b l e s
vow el m o d u la tio n .)
i n L u x A e t e m a w e re c h o s e n
f o r t h e i r s o n ic c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s ; no s t r i c t
s y s te m o f c o n s t r u c
t i o n w as e m p l o y e d . 1
s till
W h o le - to n e s c a l e
s o u rc e , h e re re d u c ib le
in to
I is
th e p itc h
t h e M2 / M3 / M2 i n t e r v a l l i c
c e l l o f P h rase I .
^From a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b. 3 0 J u n e 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 1 9 PHRASE V I
The 3 i x t h p h r a s e i s a n e x te n d e d t r a n s f o r m a t i o n
o f t h e f i r s t m e a s u r e o f P h r a s e IV .
N o ta b le h e re i s
th e
em p lo y m e n t o f g r a c e n o t e s i n t h e v o c a l p a r t , a n d t h e
c o n t i n u e d e x p l o i t a t i o n o f d e t a c h e d v o w e ls a n d s y l l a b l e s .
T he p i t c h e s o f t h i s
Ex. 4 5 .
p a s sa g e a r e th o s e o f w h o le -to n e s c a l e
S ix th p h rase o f P a rt I
s y s te m 1 , L ux A e t e m a
S o p ran o
|a
.i-u ea -i- o
I.
( S e c t i o n A ) , p a g e 5>
lo
a---------------- . i - u ----------
PHRASE V I I
T h i s p h r a s e f e a t u r e s t h e s h im m e r in g s o u n d o f t h e
b ass f lu te
r a p i d l y o s c i l l a t i n g b e tw e e n d i f f e r e n t p a r t i a l s
o f t h e sam e h a rm o n ic p i t c h .
I t a ls o
p re s e n ts th e f i r s t
u s e o f th e t u b u l a r b e l l s and v ib ra p h o n e .
Ex. 4 6 .
S e v e n th p h r a s e o f P a r t I ( S e c t i o n A ) , p a g e 5>
s y s te m 2 , Lux A e t e m a
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 2 0 The t h r e e
v a llic
p itc h e s o f th e f l u t e
c e ll,
m o ti v e fo rm a n i n t e r -
m2 / m 2, t h a t r e c u r s r e p e a t e d l y d u r i n g t h e
c o u r s e o f L ux A e t e m a .
An a b b r e v i a t e d d i a l o g u e i n
m a j o r s e c o n d s b e tw e e n t h e
t u b u l a r b e l l s a n d v ib ra p h o n e
p r o v id e s t h e r e m a in in g m a t e r i a l o f t h i s
p itc h c o n te n t o f th e s e
tw o s l i g h t l y
i n e a c h c a s e d e p i c t s a M2 / M3 /
The f i r s t o c c u r r e n c e o f t h i s
th e i d e n t i c a l p itc h
c la s s e s
p a rt
th e f i r s t
sc a le
M2 i n t e r v a l l i c
p itc h c la s s to
s tr u c tu r e .
( p it c h e s w ith o u t r e g a r d to
T he E w h ic h c o n c l u d e s
c o n c lu d e s th e f i r s t
(A -B ) f o r m , w i t h i n t h e
th e
d i a l o g u e d m o ti v e p o s s e s s e s
o c ta v e p o s i t i o n ) a s P h ra se I .
P h ra se V II a ls o
p assag e;
s e p a r a te d g e s tu r e s
p a rtitio n
la r g e r s e c tio n :
o f a tw o th is
is
o c c u r o u t s i d e o f w h o le -to n e
I.
PHRASE V I I I
The s e c o n d f o r m a l d i v i s i o n o f P a r t I , a f t e r
an in tr o d u c to r y f f z
c lu s te r - lik e a tta c k
b e ll s and c r o t a le s ,
com m en ces w i t h t h e f i r s t s u n g p h r a s e
of te x t,
w h ic h i n
tra n s la tio n
l i g h t s h i n e u p o n th e m
d is c u s s io n .
In L a t in ,
."
is
in
ren d e re d
th e t u b u l a r
"May e t e r n a l
The t e x t p a i n t i n g h e r e m e r i t s
t h e f i r s t w o rd i s L ux ( l i g h t ) ;
th e h ig h e s t p itc h e s o f a s t e a d i l y d e s c e n d in g p h ra s e a re
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 2 1 a p p ro p rla te d to
th is ;
p s y c h o lo g ic a lly i s
th e e f f e c t v i s u a l ly , a u r a l l y , and
o n e o f a b e a c o n b e a m in g o u t o v e r t h e
re m a in d e r o f t h e p h r a s e
Ex. 4 7 .
(n o te th e d o t te d
E ig h th p h r a s e o f P a r t I
s y s t e m 2 , L ux A e t e m a
p h rase in d ic a tio n ) .
( S e c tio n A ),
page 5,
S o p ran o
G ra c e n o te s a g a in s tr o n g l y c o lo r th e v o c a l l i n e , a s i s
c h a ra c te ris tic
i n C r u m b 's w r i t i n g f o r v o i c e ) .
The a n t e c e d e n t o f P h r a s e V I I I i n t r o d u c e s t h e
f i v e re m a in in g to n e s o f t h e c h r o m a tic ; i t
i s c o n s tr u c te d
p r i m a r i l y f ro m t h e m2 / m2 c e l l i n t r o d u c e d i n P h r a s e V I .
The p h r a s e ' s c o n s e q u e n t r e v e r t s t o w h o l e - t o n e m a t e r i a l s ;
th e s e l i e
w i t h i n a new s c a l e , w h ic h f o r r e a s o n s o f a n a
l y t i c a l e x p e d ie n c y , w i l l b e te rm e d " w h o le -to n e s c a l e
I I."
PHRASE IX
I n t h e s o p r a n o p a r t o f P h r a s e IX , t h e w o rd D om ine
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 2 2 (L o rd ) I s
g e s tu r e s .
a lly
s e t tw ic e i n b a la n c e d a n te c e d e n t a n d c o n s e q u e n t
A p p r o p r ia te ly ,
of trip le ts
I n te r m s o f p i t c h ,
th is
v o cal lin e
th e s e g e s t u r e s c o n s i s t rh y th m ic
( i n s y m b o l ic r e f e r e n c e
lie s
t h e H o ly T r i n i t y ) .
e n t i r e l y w ith in w h o le -to n e s c a le
T he a c c o m p a n y in g p e r c u s s i o n p a r t c a l l s
c ro ta le
to
v ib ra to a s u b tle
s o n i c e v e n t p r o d u c e d b y m o v in g a
c u p p e d h a n d u p a n d down o v e r a r e s o n a t i n g c r o t a l e .
m2 / m2 c e l l ,
p l u s t o n e s f ro m w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e
p itc h c o n te n t in
Ex. 4 8 .
I.
f o r th e e f f e c t o f a
I,
The
d e fin e s
t h e a c c o m p a n im e n t.
N in th p h ra s e o f P a r t I
s y s te m 3 , L u x A e t e m a
( S e c tio n A ),
page 5,
PHRASE X
T he w o rd D om lne i s a g a i n s e t i n
r h y th m , t h i s
t im e e n t i r e l y
p re d o m in a n tly t r i p l e t
w ith in w h o le -to n e s c a le
I.
T h is i s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-123f o l l o w e d b y a c o n c i s e hummed f r a g m e n t , w h ic h c o n c l u d e s t h e
vocal p a rt of th is
p h rase .
H e re a g a i n ,
th e c o n c lu s io n o f
a s e c t i o n c o in c id e s w ith a n e x c e p tio n a l t im b r a l i d e a .
The
f i n a l c a d e n t i a l to n e o f P h ra se X i s e li d e d w ith th e i n t r o
d u c tio n o f P a r t I I ,
in c r e a s in g th e se n se o f c o n tin u ity
b e tw e e n s e c t i o n s .
T e n th p h r a s e o f P a r t I ( S e c t i o n A ) , p a g e 5,
s y s te m 3, Plus t h e b e g i n n i n g o f P a r t I I ,
Lux A e t e m a
Ex. 4 9 .
Soprano
Vbph.
PART I I
( S e c t i o n B) M asked D a n c e :
E l e g y f o r a D ead P r i n c e
An e v e r - p r e s e n t d r o n e b a s s , b u i l t u p o n a r e c u r
r i n g r h y th m ic p a t t e r n , c h a r a c t e r i z e s
s e c tio n s;
th ro u g h a s s e r t i o n ,
m a n ife s ts i t s e l f
in
th e s e
t h i s and a l l B
th e t o n a l i t y
s im p le o n e - p a r t f o r m s , s e r v i n g a s r e f r a i n s
e la b o r a te
s e c tio n s ).
o f F s tr o n g ly
"m a sk e d d a n c e " p a s s a g e s
( a ll a re
f o r t h e m o re
The s i t a r d r o n e f u n c t i o n s a s
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-1 2 4 a n u n d e rp in n in g f o r s o n ic c o n s tr u c ti o n o f th e g e s t u r e pause v a r ie ty
( s e e e x a m p le 4 9 , a f t e r t h e d o u b l e b a r l i n e ) .
The o n l y u n u s u a l t i m b r a l d e v i c e s e m p lo y e d i n P a r t I I a r e
th e s i t a r g lis s a n d o
p ro d u c e d b y p lu c k in g th e s to p p e d
s t r i n g , and
t h e r e q u i r e m e n t o f v o w e l - m o d u l a t e d s i n g i n g fro m t h e p e r
c u s sio n ists .
of th is
p o r t i o n o f t h e w o rk i s
in stru m e n ta l f a b r ic
th e in c lu s io n w ith in th e
o f tw o t a b l a s a n d a s o p r a n o r e c o r d e r
( n e i t h e r o f w h ic h a p p e a r e d i n P a r t I ) .
E x c e p tin g th e o p e n - f i f t h
s c a le
I a c c o u n ts f o r p itc h
(A b r i e f p e n t a t o n i c
p assag e in
e m b o d ie s a n o t a b l e e x c e p t i o n . )
m e n t'7- t h e r e o f ,
s i t a r d ro n e , w h o le -to n e
c o n te n t a lm o s t i n i t s
e n tire ty .
th e so p ra n o r e c o r d e r
A bove t h e d r o n e , a n d o r n a
r a t h e r c o n c is e f i l i g r e e
f lo u r is h e s in
s o p r a n o r e c o r d e r , w i t h a n e m p h a s is on g r a c e n o t e s ,
n a te
th e
d o m i
th e m e lo d ic a s p e c t o f th e t e x t u r e .
Ex. 50.
C o n c is e f i l i g r e e r e c o r d e r p a s s a g e , w ith s i t a r
d r o n e a n d t a b l a o r n a m e n t a t i o n , p a g e 6 , s y s te m 2 ,
L ux A e t e m a ( p e n t a t o n i c m a t e r i a l i s b o x e d )
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 2 5 P a rt I I I
(S e c tio n A l)
".
. w ith a s e n se o f m e d it a t iv e
P a r t I I I com m ences w i t h a n i n t r o d u c t i o n
In
t im e "
th e
b a s s f l u t e , a g e s t u r e c l o s e l y d e r i v e d f ro m t h e b a s s f l u t e
p a rt o f P h ra se I I I ,
P a rt I .
g r e s s io n o f P h ra se I ,
m o u n te d o n t i m p a n i .
P art I ,
A g a in s t t h i s , a f r e e
is
An a c c o m p a n im e n ta l v i b r a p h o n e
a d d s s o f t s h im m e r in g w h o le t o n e s , m uch a s i t
E x . 51*
re tro
re so u n d e d by c r o t a l e s
I n tr o d u c tio n o f P a rt I I I
s y s te m 3* L u x A e t e m a
d id
(S e c tio n A l) ,
in
p a rt
P art I .
page 6,
The s o p r a n o 's e n t r a n c e m a rk s t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e
t o r s o o f S e c t i o n A 2 's i n t r o d u c t i o n
The f i r s t
p i t c h a n d r h y th m t o
P a rt I .
p lu s o n e -p a r t fo rm .
v o c a l p h ra se c o n ta in s s t r i k i n g
(L ig h t
th e v o c a l lin e
in
s im ila ritie s
th e f i f t h
in
P h ra se of
( L u x ) h e r e r e c e i v e s s y m b o l ic r e p r e s e n t a t i o n
t h r o u g h t h e m ea n s o f p r o d u c t i o n :
w ith a se n z a v i b r a t o
th e
p h rase i s
to
be sung
" w h i te t o n e . "
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 126 Ex . 5 2 .
B e g i n n i n g o f m a in b o d y o f o n e - p a r t f o rm
I I I ) , p a g e 6 , s y s te m 3 , Lux A e t e m a
snu vibr
(P a rt
ft*/)
(Sopr.
P itc h c la s s e s o u ts id e
s c a le
I do n o t s o u n d i n
p h rase .
of th is
The f i r s t
tw o m e a s u r e s , a s w e l l a s t h e
p h rase have t h e i r o r ig in s
th e t h i r d m easu re i s
Ex. 53-
th e b o u n d a rie s o f w h o le -to n e
P a r t I I I u n t i l t h e s o p r a n o 's s e c o n d
in
l a s t m ea su re,
P h ra se V III o f P a r t I ;
f ro m P h r a s e IX ( o f P a r t I ) .
S econd so p ra n o p h r a s e ,
1 , L ux A e t e m a
The q u i n t u p l e t f i g u r e , w i t h i t s
P a rt I I I ,
p a g e 7* s y s te m
r i s i n g m a jo r s e c o n d , a s
s e c tio n ;
c o m p r i s e s t h e n u c l e u s o f a n e x t e n d e d s e q u e n c e w h ic h
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 2 7 r is e s
in
a c h ie v e d .
In te rm s o f p i t c h , a l l
and r e la te d
up to
c o n f i g u r a t i o n s e m a n a te f ro m w h o l e - t o n e S c a l e I ,
th e c lim a x .
te n s ify in g
p la te a u i s
se q u e n c in g q u in tu p le ts
In f a c t ,
f ro m t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h i s
s e q u e n c e o n p a g e 7 , s y s te m
o f c l i m a x o n t h e sam e p a g e ,
in
1 , t o t h e a c h ie v e m e n t
th e o n ly p i tc h c la s s e s o th e r
t h a n t h o s e o f w h o l e - t o n e S c a l e I a r e a fe w o r n a m e n ta l g r a c e
n o te s su n g by th e s o p ra n o ,
th e ir a u x ilia rie s ,
/
th e s e ,
m3 c e l l a s e t w h ic h o r i g i n a l l y
c u s s io n c h o rd o f P h ra se V I I I ,
E x. 5 4 .
w hen c o n s i d e r e d w i t h
c o n s is t in te r v a llic a lly
c h i e f l y o f a m2
o c c u rre d in th e p e r
P a rt I
( s e e e x a m p le 4 7 ) .
P a rt I I I ,
F o llo w in g th e c lim a x ,
t h e s e c t i o n q u i c k l y w in d s down i n
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 128 i n te n s it y , and i s
t h e n c o n c l u d e d ; d y n a m ic s , r h y th m , a n d
te x tu re a re re la x e d .
L ik e t h e o t h e r "A" s e c t i o n s ,
I I I c l o s e s on a n F / C / F c h o r d , w h ic h i s
th e n e x t fo rm a l d i v is io n
P a r t IV ( S e c t i o n B l )
P a rt
e lid e d w ith
( s e e e x a m p le 4 9 ) .
"M ask ed D a n c e :
E le g y f o r a D ead P r i n c e
P a r t IV i s a c l o s e v a r i a n t o f t h e f i r s t r e f r a i n
in a l l r e s p e c ts .
A m o re e l a b o r a t e
ta b la p a rt c o n s titu te s
o n e o f t h e m in o r d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n s .
R h y th m ic a lly , q u i n t u p l e t s
r e c e i v e a d d i t i o n a l e m p h a s is i n t h i s
s e c tio n ;
t h r o u g h o u t Lux
A e t e m a , t r i p l e t an d q u i n t u p l e t c o n f i g u r a t i o n s s u p p ly th e
p r e d o m i n a n t r h y th m ic i m p e t u s .
Ex. 5 5 .
B e g i n n in g o f P a r t IV ( S e c t i o n B l ) ,
s y s te m 1 , L ux A e t e m a
page 8 ,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 2 9 P a r t V ( S e c t i o n A 2)
F o r m a lly ,
. . .
t im e "
S e c t i o n A2 c o n s i s t s o f a o n e - p a r t c o n
s t r u c t i o n w ith i n t r o d u c t i o n .
The s i x o p e n in g p i t c h c l a s s e s
o f t h i s s e c t i o n , a n d t h e o r d e r i n g t h e r e o f , a r e t h e sam e t h a t
o p e n e d Lux A e t e m a .
N e x t, t h e r e o c c u r s e v e r a l s ta t e m e n t s
o f s i x t e e n t h n o t e s g r o u p e d i n q u i n t u p l e t s , w h ic h e x p o u n d
t h e m2 / m3 i n t e r v a l l i c
c e ll
(e x p lo ite d in th e p re v io u s
A"
s e c tio n ).
E x. 5 6 .
E x c e r p t f ro m i n t r o d u c t i o n o f P a r t V ( S e c t i o n A 2 ) ,
p a g e 8 , s y s te m 3> Lux A e t e m a
T.U.r
.
if t>
v-._r ,-i~
--- - 4"- j -
3- p ^
-re---------- -
- - -
11
A c l o s e d e r i v a t i o n o f t h e c o n c l u d i n g tw o m e a s u r e s o f P h r a s e
III,
P a r t Ij b e g i n s t h e m a in b o d y o f t h e o n e - p a r t f o r m .
to n e s c a l e
o f th e
W h o le -
I c o n t i n u e s t o s u p p ly a n o v e rw h e lm in g p r o p o r t i o n
p i t c h c o n t e n t i n S e c t i o n A 2 ; i n t h e f o l l o w i n g e x a m p le ,
d e s c e n d i n g p i t c h e s f ro m t h i s
s c a l e e x e m p lif y th e im p o r ta n t
w r i t t e n - o u t r i t a r d a n d o g e s t u r e w h ic h w as i n t r o d u c e d w i t h t h e
v e ry f i r s t g e s tu r e
o f th e c o m p o s itio n :
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 3 0 Ex. 5 7 .
W ritte n -o u t r ita r d a n d o g e s tu r e ,
A 2 ) , p a g e 9 , s y s te m 1 ,
P a r ts VI and V I I I
P a rt V (S e c tio n
( S e c t i o n s B2 a n d B 3)
B r e v ity d i s t in g u i s h e s
d e riv e t h e i r c o n te n t e n t i r e l y
th e s e f in a l r e f r a in s ,
f ro m P a r t I I .
p a tte rn
a s s e rts
its e lf
Ex. 5 8 .
w h ic h
The c o n s i s t e n t
w ith th e s ta te m e n t o f P a r ts VI a n d V I I I .
P a r t V I I I ( S e c t i o n B 3 ) j p a g e 1 0 , s y s te m 2 , L u x
A e t e m a (sh o w n w i t h t h e c o n c l u d i n g b a s s f l u t e
g e s tu re o f P a rt V II)
14
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 3 1 P a r t V II
( S e c t i o n A 3) " .
S e c tio n
in tr o d u c tio n , a s
A3 i s
s tr u c tu r e d
w e re S e c ti o n s A l
i n t o a o n e - p a r t f o rm w i t h
an d A 2.
E s p e c i a l l y p r o m i
n e n t i n t h i s a n d o t h e r "A '1 s e c t i o n s h a v e b e e n d i v e r s e v a r i
a n ts o f P a r t I s f i r s t
P a r t V II p r o v id e
E x. 59.
p h rase;
t h e o p e n in g m e a s u r e s o f
a n e x a m p le :
O p e n in g m e a s u r e s o f P a r t
p a g e 9 > s y s te m 2 , L u x A e t e m a
T he e m p h a s is Crum b r e l e g a t e s t o
p h rase a t t h is
la te
V II( S e c tio n A 3 ),
th e c o m p o s itio n ^
firs t
ju n c tu re en g en d ers a r e c a p itu la to r y
fu n c tio n fo r t h is m a te ria l.
B o th t h i s a n d t h e
p re v io u s
i n com
c h a r a c t e r i z e s a l l c o n c lu d in g p o r tio n s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 3 2 f Lux A e t e m a
(i.e .
t h e m u s ic f o l l o w i n g t h e o v e r a l l
c l i m a x w h ic h a p p e a r e d i n
S e c tio n A l) .
C oda
The c o n c l u s i o n o f L u x A e t e m a , i n v e r y s u b j e c
tiv e
te rm s,
conveys to
th is
e m b o d y in g i n t e r r o g a t o r y
l i s t e n e r an e m o tio n a l q u a li t y
o v e rto n e s .
e x p e c t e d s o u n d in g o f t h r e e
S p e c if ic a lly ,
th e un
I n d ia n e le p h a n t b e l l s a t th e
v e r y t e r m i n a t i o n o f t h e c o m p o s i t i o n se em s t o f u n c t i o n a s
an in te r ro g a tio n
p o in t as i f
e x is te n c e o f e te r n a l l ig h t
to
e x p re ss d o u b t a s to th e
(lu x a e te m a ) .
e le p h a n t b e l l s do n o t o c c u r e ls e w h e r e in
w o u ld t e n d t o
s u b je c tiv e
Ex. 60 .
s ta rtle
th e l i s t e n e r ,
I n d ia n
th e w o rk , a n d
ir r e s p e c tiv e o f any
i n t e r p r e t a t i o n w h ic h m ig h t b e a f f i x e d .
C oda, page 1 0 ,
s y s te m 2 , Lux A e t e m a
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
CHAPTER V
THE MAKROKOSMOS TRILOGY
E x tra m u s ic a l C o n s id e r a tio n s
T h is c h a p te r d e a ls w ith c e r t a i n b ro a d i n t e r
c o n n e c t i o n s l i n k i n g M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
V o l. I I ,
I,
M a k ro k o s m o s ,
a n d M a k ro k o sm o s I I I ; c h a p t e r s V I , V I I , a n d
te c h n ic a l a n a ly s is o f th e s e
The c o m p o s e r c o n s i d e r s a l l t h r e e
s e t s o f M ak ro
k o sm o s p i e c e s t o b e v e r y c l o s e l y r e l a t e d , a n d h a s r e f e r r e d
to
th e m c o l l e c t i v e l y a s a t r i l o g y :
M u sic f o r a Summer E v e n in g /M a k ro k o s m o s I I l 7
in r e s p e c t to s t y l e and c o m p o s itio n a l te c h n iq u e , i s
v e r y m uch r e l a t e d t o my M a k ro k o s m o s , V o lu m es I a n d
I I f o r s o lo a m p l i f i e d p ia n o (com posed i n 1972 an d
19 7 3 r e s p e c t i v e l y ) .
I t h i n k o f t h e t h r e e w o rk s a s
f o r m in g a t r i l o g y , e s p e c i a l l y i n v ie w o f t h e f a c t
t h a t th e y s h a re s e v e r a l im p o r ta n t th e m a tic e le m e n ts .!
A c c o r d in g t o W e b s t e r 's S e v e n th New C o l l e g e D ic
t i o n a r y , t h e w o rd " m a k ro k o sm o s" d e n o t e s a l a r g e ,
s e lf-in c lu s iv e
s y s te m a d e f i n i t i o n
c o m p le x ,
t h a t w o u ld seem t o
c o in c i d e w ith th e s y m m e tric a l b a la n c e p e rv a d in g th e o v e r
a ll
l a r g e a n d s m a l l - s c a l e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e M ak ro k o sm o s
trilo g y .
The a s t r o l o g i c a l - a s t r o n o m i c a l i m p l i c a t i o n s c a r r i e d
by th e t i t l e ,
M a k ro k o s m o s, a r e
p e rfo rm a n c e d i r e c t i v e s ,
to
som e e x t e n t r e f l e c t e d
in
th e
i n t h e s y m b o l ic n o t a t i o n , a n d i n t h e
^ R e c o rd j a c k e t n o t e s t o M a k ro k o sm o s I I I .
-1 3 3 -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 3 4 z o d l a c a l r e f e r e n c e s fo u n d i n t h e f i r s t
v o lu m e s .
title
tw o M ak ro k o sm o s
P e rh a p s t h e m o st c r i t i c a l d e te r m in a n t o f th e
w as B a r t o k '3
s ix - v o l u m e s e t o f p i a n o p i e c e s , w h ic h
a r e c o l l e c t i v e l y e n t i t l e d M lk r o k o s m o s . ^
C o m p a r a tiv e a n a l y
s i s c o n f i r m s a s t r o n g i n t e r c o n n e c t i o n b e tw e e n t h e c o m p o s i
t i o n s c o m p r i s i n g t h e M akro k o sm o s t r i l o g y .
R e f e r e n c e h a s a l r e a d y b e e n m ade t o
f u n c t i o n w h ic h tw o l i t e r a r y
e x c e rp ts
th e c o n c e p tu a l
(b y R i l k e a n d P a s c a l )
m a n i f e s t i n e a c h vo lu m e o f t h e w o rk s u n d e r d i s c u s s i o n
(se e p ag es 3 1 -3 2 ).
T h is s h a r i n g o f f o u n d a t i o n a l i d e a s
a c c o u n t s f o r a t l e a s t a s i g n i f i c a n t p o r t i o n o f t h e p o w e r
f u l u n i ty i n te r tw in i n g th e s e w o rk s.
M ak ro k o sm o s I I I c o n t a i n s a t h i r d g e r m i n a l l i t e r a r y
t a t i o n n o t in c o rp o ra te d in to
th is
quo
t h e e a r l i e r tw o v o lu m e s ; i n
c a s e , th e p o e tic s e n tim e n t i s
b y Q u a sim o d o :
" 'O d o
r is o n a n z e e f f i m e r e , o b lio d i p le n a n o t t e n e l l ' a c a u a S t e l
l a t a 1 ( I h e a r ep h e m eral e c h o e s , o b l iv i o n o f f u l l n i g h t
i n th e s t a r r e d w a t e r ')
b e e n m ade t o
. ' 1,2
R e fe re n c e h as a ls o
t h e i n f l u e n c e o f a s t r o l o g y , n u m e r o lo g y , a n d
f a c e ts o f th e s u p e rn a tu ra l in
th e s e t h r e e c o m p o s itio n s ,
^F rom a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b, 27 N o v em b er
1976.
p
R e c o r d j a c k e t n o t e s t o M a k ro k o sm o s I I I .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 3 5 a n d i n C r u m b 's m u s ic g e n e r a l l y
(se e pages 2 5 -2 7 ).
The t w e l v e s i g n s o f t h e z o d i a c s e r v e a s i n f l u e n
t i a l g e r m i n a l i d e a s i n M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l s . I a n d I I
r e f e r e n c e i s m ade t o th e m i n M ak ro k o sm o s I I I ) .
p le te s e t o f s ig n s i s
e a c h v o lu m e
(o n e t o
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l s .
in itia ls
a tta c h e d
to an d a s s o c i a t e d w ith
each p ie c e ).
I and I I ,
A ll tw e n ty - f o u r p ie c e s o f
a re a ls o
in s c r ib e d w ith th e
o f p e rs o n s , b o rn u n d er each a tta c h e d
In th e re c o rd
s ig n ,
to
th e m an n er o f E l g a r 's
ja c k e t n o te s
c o r d i n g o f M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I , Crum b r e v e a l e d
".
(n o
A com
to
th e r e
t h a t he
. h a d w h i m s i c a l l y w a n te d t o p o s e a n e n ig m a / e m p h a s i s
m in e 7 w i t h t h e s e
s u b s c rip t i n i t i a l s
."
When a s k e d
a b o u t a n y c o n c e p t u a l f u n c t i o n w h ic h t h e p e r s o n a l i t i e s
r e p r e s e n t e d by t h e d e d i c a t o r y i n i t i a l s
m ig h t h a v e m a n i
f e s te d a s f a r a s th e a c tu a l g e n e ra tio n o f m u sic a l id e a s ,
Crumb a c k n o w le d g e d t h a t t h e s e h a d b e e n i n t e g r a l m a n i f e s
ta t i o n s o f th e i n i t i a l
th o u g h m o re o f t e n ,
fro m t h e
little
c o n c e p tio n
I th in k th e
" I n som e c a s e s
z o d ia c a l s ig n s th e m s e lv e s .
fa n c ifu l;
I d i d n 't
C o u ld i t h a v e b e e n t h e
p r im a r y i m p u l s e d e r i v e d
The w h o le s e t w as a
im p ly a n y l i t e r a l a s s o c i a t i o n s . " 1
im m en se f o r c e
o f L o r c a 's p o e t i c
1I n te r v ie w , 7 A p r il 1977.
(N .B . A t t h e b e g i n n i n g
o f v o lu m e s I a n d I I t h e r e a p p e a r t h e d e s i g n a t i o n s " B .B . I n
M emorium A R IE S ," a n d "G .M .
I n M em orium CANCER, " r e s p e c
t i v e l y ; t h e s e r e f e r t o B e l a B a r t o k a n d G u s ta v M a h le r , t o
whom t h e w o r k s , t a k e n a s c o m p l e te e n t i t i e s , a r e d e d i c a t e d . J
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 3 6 p e rs o n a lity
th a t c re a te d
th e c lo s e
p a r a lle l in
p itc h ,
h a rm o n y , f o r m a l c o n s t r u c t i o n , a n d e t h o s b e tw e e n M ak ro
ko sm o s . V o l . I F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I1 ( d e d i c a t e d
to L o rca)
and T odas l a s
p ie c e o f
T a rd e s i n G ra n a d a th e f o u r t h
A n c ie n t V o ic e s o f C h ild r e n
(a s e t o f p ie c e s f o r so p ra n o
a n d c h a m b e r e n s e m b le o n L o r c a t e x t s ) ?
When t h e r e l a t i o n
s h i p b e tw e e n t h e s e p i e c e s w as p o i n t e d o u t t o
h e seem ed s t a r t l e d
s ta te d
by th e
th e c o m p o ser,
s tr o n g m u sic a l c o n n e c tio n , b u t
t h a t t h i s w as a p h e n o m e n o n o f w h ic h h e h a d n o t p r e -
v io u s ly been c o g n iz a n t.
I n T a b l e s V I a n d V I I ( w h ic h f o l l o w )
p e rfo rm a n c e d i r e c t i v e s ,
in itia ls
z o d ia c a l r e f e r e n c e s ,
th e t i t l e s ,
d e d ic a to ry
( w i t h a s s o c i a t e d n a m e s )^, a n d f o r m a l d i v i s i o n s
o f M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l s . I a n d I I a r e
g iv e n :
^-Both M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I a n d M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
a r e s u b t i t l e d T w e lv e F a n t a s y - P i e c e s a f t e r t h e Z o d ia c f o r
A m p l i f i e d P ia n o T *
^F rom a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C ru m b , 30 J u l y 1 9 7 7 .
^T he l i s t o f p e r s o n a l i t i e s (n am e s) r e p r e s e n te d by
t h e d e d i c a t o r y i n i t i a l s o f M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I w as t a k e n fro m
S u z a n n e M acL ean H a r k i n s A S tu d y o f C o n s t r u c t i o n a l P r i n c i p l e s
i n G e o rg e C ru m b s " M a k ro k o s m o s , V olum e I , H a n u n p u b l i s h e d
M a s t e r 's t h e s i s , T he A m e ric a n U n i v e r s i t y , 1 9 7 ^ .
T h is l i s t
w as v e r i f i e d b y G e o r g e Crum b i n a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h t h e c u r r e n t
w r i t e r o n t h e t e n t h o f O c t o b e r , 1 9 7 6 ; i n t h i s sam e c o n v e r s a t i o n ,
t h e c o m p o se r s u p p li e d th e e n ig m a tic nam es f o r t h e i n i t i a l s o f
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I ( l i s t e d i n T a b le V I I ) .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 3 7 T a b l e V Io
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
PART ONE
I
II
III
P r im e v a l S o u n d s
C ancer
P ro te u s
P is c e s
( G e n e s i s I ) " D a r k ly m y s t e r i o u s "
G .R .
G e o rg e R o c h b e r g
" V e ry f a s t ; v o l a t i l e "
W .R .C .
W il l ia m R eed Crumb
( t h e c o m p o s e r 's b r o t h e r )
P a s t o r a l e ( f r o m t h e K in g d o m o f A t l a n t i s , c a .
1 0 ,0 0 0 B . C . ) " M o d e r a t e l y , w i t h i n c i s i v e r h y th m "
T au ru s
J .B .
J o h a n n e s B rah m s
C r u c l f l x u s /gYM B0L7 " D a r k ly m y s t e r i o u s "
C a p r ic o r n
R .L .F .
R o ss L e e F i n n e y
PART TWO
VI
V II
T he P h a n to m G o n d o l i e r " E e r i l y , w i t h a s e n s e o f
m a lig n a n t e v il "
S c o r p io
G .H .C .
G e o rg e H e n ry Crumb
N ig h t-S p e ll I
S a g itta riu s
" P o ise d ,
A.W .
e x p e c ta n tly "
A n to n W eb ern
M u s ic o f S h ad o w s ( f o r A e o l i a n H a r p ) " G r a c e f u l l y ,
w i t h e l a s t i c r h y th m "
P .Z .
P a u l Z u k o fsk y
L ib ra
V III
The M a g ic C i r c l e o f I n f i n i t y (M oto P e r p e t u o ) /5 Y M B 0 I7
" J o y o u s l y , l i k e a c o s m ic c l o c k - w o r k ;
w i t h m e c h a n i c a l l y p r e c i s e r h y th m "
L eo
C .D .
C la u d e D e b u s s y
PART THREE
IX
X
XI
T he A b y s s o f T im e " D a r k , w i t h a s e n s e o f p r o f o u n d m y s t e r y "
V irg o
A .S .
A rn o ld S c h o e n b e rg
S p r in g - F lre
A rie s
D ream I m a g e s ( L o v e - D e a t h M u s ic ) " M u s in g ly , l i k e t h e
g e n t l e c a r e s s o f a f a i n t l y re m e m b e re d m u s i c "
G e m in i
F .G .L .
F e d e r ic o G a r c ia L o rc a
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-138X II
S p i r a l G a la x y / Y M B 0 l7 " V a s t , l o n e l y , t i m e l e s s "
A q u a r iu s
B.W .
B e a t r i c e W e m ie k
T a b le V I I .
M ak ro k o sm o s V o l . I I
PART I
M o rn in g M u sic
C ancer
II
( G e n e s is I I ) " E x u b e r a n t l y , w i t h
p r im itiv e e n e rg y "
J . DeG . W.
J a n D e G a e ta n i W est
The M y s ti c C h o rd " A d a g io m o l t o ; s e r e n e , d e s i r e l e s s ,
l i k e a N irv a n a -tra n c e "
R.M .
R o b ert M ille r
S a g itta riu s
III
IV
R a ln -D e a th V a r ia t io n s
P is c e s
!f .C .
T w in S u n s ( D o p p e lg a n g e r a u s d e r E w l g k e l t ) " M a j e s t i c "
Hymn f o r t h e A d v e n t o f t h e S t a r - C h i l d /SYMBOL/ " S o le m n "
G e m in i
E .A .C .
E l i z a b e t h Ann Crumb
( t h e c o m p o s e r 's d a u g h t e r )
PART TWO
VI
V II
G h o 3 t - N o c t u r n e s : f o r t h e D r u i d s o f S to n e h e n g e
S p e l l I 'D
"D a rk , f a n t a s t i c , s u b lim in a l"
V irg o
A .B .
A n to n B r u c k n e r
G a r g o y le s
T a u ru s
( N ig h t-
" M a rc ia g r o t t e s c a :
s a v a g e ly , w ith iro n y "
P .P .
P a u l P a r m o le e
T o r a l T o r a l T o r a j (C a d e n z a A p o c a l i t t i c a ) " D r a m a t ic ,
w ith g r e a t i n t e n s i t y ; v i o le n t , r e l e n t l e s s "
L .C .
L e w is C a p l i n
S c o r p io
V III
p o w e r f u l;
A rie s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 3 9 pa rt
IX
X
THREE
A q u a r iu s
XI
X II
z o d ia c a l s ig n s c o n s ti tu t e
g e n e r a t i v e b u i l d i n g b l o c k s i n M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l s .
th e o rd e rin g o f th e p ie c e s , a c c o rd in g to
s ig n s , b e a rs no a p p a re n t r e l a ti o n s h ip
sequence.
re s u lte d
p e rtin e n t
I and I I ,
t h e i r r e s p e c tiv e
to th e a s t r o l o g i c a l
Crum b h a s e x p l a i n e d t h a t t h e e x t a n t o r d e r i n g s
fro m p u r e l y m u s i c a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n s ,
o f a s tr o lo g ic a l in flu e n c e s .1
irre s p e c tiv e
U pon a n e x a m i n a t i o n o f C r u m b 's
s k e t c h b o o k , t h i s a n a l y s t d i s c o v e r e d t h a t w h i l e c o m p o s in g
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I , Crum b c o n t e m p l a t e d a t l e a s t f i v e
s i x v a r ie d a rra n g e m e n ts b e fo r e s e t t l i n g
one; th is
se em e d t o i n d i c a t e
or
on a d e f i n i t i v e
t h a t th e com poser f i r s t w ro te
th e in d iv i d u a l p ie c e s , b e fo re g iv in g s e r io u s c o n s id e r a tio n
to an y g ran d d e s ig n .
When q u e s t i o n e d a s t o t h e p r o c e s s
b y w h ic h t h e o r d e r i n g o f M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I w as a r r i v e d
^ r o m a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b, 20 May 1977*
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 4 0 a t,
th e com poser re sp o n d e d :
I c o m p l e t e d s e v e r a l o f t h e M a k ro k o sm o s7
p ie c e s a n d th e n r e a l i z e d a m u s ic a l c u rv e f o r th e
w h o le w o r k .
In o t h e r w o rd s, I d i d n 't w r i te a l l
t w e l v e p i e c e s , a n d t h e n e x p e r i m e n t w i t h w ay s o f
c o m b in in g th e m ; I b e g a n t o t h i n k in te rm s o f th e
l a r g e r c u rv e so o n a f t e r t h e f i r s t c o u p le o f p i e c e s
w ere w r i t t e n .
A ls o , th e c o n c e p tu a l in flu e n c e o f
t h e z o d i a c s i g n s w o u ld a u t o m a t i c a l l y p r o v i d e a
k in d o f u n i t y . 1
I n a d i f f e r e n t c o n t e x t , when Crum b w as a s k e d w h e t h e r h e
f e l t a m o m e n t-to -m o m e n t a p p r o a c h t o m u s i c a l c o m p o s i t i o n ,
i n w h ic h t h e
th e p ro c e s s
i n w h ic h t h e
f o rm o f t h e w o rk w as a l l o w e d t o e v o l v e fro m
o f w o r k i n g , w o u ld b e a s v i a b l e a s a n a p p r o a c h
f o rm w as a r r i v e d a t w i t h t h e v e r y f i r s t
o f a c o m p o s itio n ,
th e com poser o f f e r e d
id e a s
t h e f o l l o w i n g c o m m e n ts :
I s u s p e c t t h a t m o st c o m p o se rs u s e b o th m e th o d s ,
o r a c o m b in a tio n o f t h e s e .
I w o u ld t h i n k a n y p r e
p l a n n i n g w o u ld h a v e t o b e v e r y f l e x i b l e .
A com
p o s e r m ig h t v e r y w e l l s t a r t w i t h a g e n e r a l i d e a o f
w h a t t h e o v e r a l l f o rm o f a p i e c e w i l l e v e n t u a l l y
t u r n o u t t o b e , b u t a t t h e sam e t i m e , h e w o u ld n e e d
t o f e e l f r e e t o m o d if y t h i s a t a n y p o i n t d u r i n g t h e
w o r k i n g p r o c e s s o r e v e n a f t e r t h e w o rk h a d b e e n
c o n s id e r e d c o m p le te d , i f l a t e r p e rh a p s a f t e r th e
f i r s t h e a r i n g t h e f o rm d o e s n 't se em r i g h t .
It
m ig h t a l s o h a p p e n t h a t a c o m p o s e r m ig h t b e g i n w o rk
i n g o n a p i e c e w i t h o u t a n y i d e a a s t o w h a t t h e f o rm
i s g o i n g t o b e ; a t som e p o i n t i n t h e p i e c e p e r h a p s
a t m i d p o i n t h e may s u d d e n l y b e a b l e t o s e e t h e
e v e n t u a l f o rm a s a w h o l e .
W ith r e g a r d t o M a k ro k o sm o s I I I , Crumb h a s e x p l a i n e d :
1In te r v ie w ,
2 0 May 1 9 7 7 .
^ In te rv ie w ,
19 J u l y 1 9 7 7 -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 4 1 T he c o m b i n a t i o n o f tw o p i a n o s a n d p e r c u s s i o n
in s tr u m e n ts w a s, o f c o u r s e , f i r s t f o rm u la te d by
B e la B a r to k i n h i s s o n a ta o f 1 9 3 7 , a n d i t i s
c u r io u s t h a t o t h e r co m p o se rs d id n o t s u b s e q u e n tly
c o n tr ib u te to th e g e n re . 1
I h a d f o r q u i t e a w h i l e , w a n te d t o w r i t e a w o rk
f o r t h i s m ed iu m , a n d f o u n d i t s u r p r i s i n g t h a t
t o t h e b e s t o f my k n o w le d g e n o o t h e r w o rk s h a d
b e e n w r i t t e n f o r t h i s c o m b in a tio n o f i n s t r u m e n t s .
I d o n 't b e l i e v e t h a t t h e B a r to k s o n a ta h ad a n y
in flu e n c e o th e r th a n th e in s tr u m e n ta tio n .
I
t h i n k t h a t t h e m u s i c a l i m p u l s e f o r M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
d e v e l o p e d t o a g r e a t e x t e n t f ro m t h e tw o e a r l i e r
s e t s o f M a k ro k o sm o s p i e c e s . 2
D e s p i t e t h e f a c t t h a t M a k ro k o sm o s I I I m a k e s n o o v e r t r e f
e re n c e s to a s tr o lo g y ,
th e com poser s u g g e s ts t h a t i t
m ig h t b e i n t e r p r e t e d a s a k i n d o f
ask ed to e la b o r a te
on w hat he m ean t by t h i s ,
".
When
th e com poser
g ave th e fo llo w in g re s p o n s e :
T h i s w as t h e r e s u l t o f a s s o c i a t i o n s I h a d
m ade w i t h a k i n d o f c o s m ic m u s ic i n som e o f t h e
d e s c r i p t i v e te rm s and t i t l e s w ith in th e w o rk .
I
t h i n k t h e r e i s a c e r t a i n q u a l i t y Jin a l l t h r e e w o r k s ,
w h ic h m ig h t b e t e r m e d
c o s m ic ."
T h e re i s su c h a
t h i n g a s a c o s m ic s o u n d in g m u s i c . A d m i t t e d l y , t h i s
i s a r a t h e r s u b j e c t i v e i d e a , b u t i n c e r t a i n w o rk s
o f B e e th o v e n n o t a b l y i n th e N in th Sym phony, a n d in
c e r t a i n m o v e m e n ts o f t h e l a t e q u a r t e t s , a s e n s e o f
t h e c o s m ic i s e v o k e d .
M a h le r o c c a s i o n a l l y t o u c h e s
t h a t n o t e ; B a c h 's m u s ic i s f i l l e d w i t h w h a t I w o u ld
R e c o rd
j a c k e t n o t e s t o M a k ro k o sm o s I I I .
^ In te rv ie w ,
27 N o v e m b e r 1 9 7 6 .
^ R e c o r d j a c k e t n o t e s t o M a k ro k o sm o s I I I .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 4 2 c a l l " c o s m ic i m p l i c a t i o n s . "
T h is q u a l i t y in
m u s ic o c c u r s i n f r e q u e n t l y ; o n e w o u ld n e v e r c a l l
a n y t h i n g b y C h o p in o r S chum ann c o s m i c .
The
c o s m ic q u a l i t y i n m u s ic i s d i f f i c u l t t o o b j e c
t i v e l y d e f i n e ; s u c h m u s ic e m b o d ie s c e r t a i n m ys
t i c a l , s p i r i t u a l i s t i c c o n n o ta tio n s , evokes a se n se
o f v a s t d is ta n c e s , s u g g e sts th e f a t e f u l . 1
A n o t h e r f a c t o r w h ic h l i n k s a l l
v o lu m e s i s
sound.
t h r e e M ak ro k o sm o s
th e in c o r p o r a tio n o f e le c t r o n i c a l l y a m p lifie d
When a s k e d t o s a y a fe w w o rd s c o n c e r n i n g h i s
u tiliz a tio n
o f a m p l i f i c a t i o n , b o th i n t h e s e w o rk s, an d
I n h i s o t h e r m u s i c , Crum b o f f e r e d t h e f o l l o w i n g r e m a r k s :
One o f t h e m a in t h i n g s t h a t l e d me i n t o t h e
u s e o f a m p l i f i c a t i o n w as my d e s i r e t o p r o j e c t d e l i
c a te tim b re s .
I t h e n b e c am e i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e " l a r
g e r t h a n l i f e " s o u n d t h a t y o u c a n g e t f ro m a m p l i f i
c a tio n .
I w as n e v e r i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e d i s t o r t i o n
a s p e c t s a n d p o s s i b i l i t i e s , e x c e p t f o r som e r e v e r b e r a
t i o n i n B l a c k A n g e l s . When a n i n s t r u m e n t i s a m p l i f i e d
t h e r e i s a c u r i o u s a m b i e n c e ; i t i s m o re t h a n j u s t a
l a r g e r r e a l o r n a t u r a l s o u n d a n o t h e r d im e n s io n h a s
been added.
I d o n 't s e e a m p l i f i c a t i o n a s n e c e s s a r i l y
t h e o n l y , o r e v e n t h e p r im a r y m ode o f p e r f o r m a n c e f o r
m u s ic o f t h e f u t u r e .
I s im p ly f e l t I n e e d e d i t f o r
c e r t a in w o rk s.
I a c t u a l l y h a v e n 't u s e d a n y a m p l i f i
c a t i o n s i n c e M u sic f o r a Summer E v e n i n g / i . e . M a k ro
k o sm o s IIl7 .2
D e s p i t e t h e m any e x t r a m u s i c a l c o n n e c t i o n s ,
p e rtin e n t r e la tio n s h ip s
th e m o st
f o r t h e p e r c e i v e r b e tw e e n M ak ro k o sm o s
1 I n t e r v i e w , 27 A u g u s t 1977*
2I b id .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 4 3 V o l s . I a n d I I , a n d M a k ro k o sm o s I I I a r e e m b o d ie d i n
t h e m u s ic I t s e l f .
tio n s a re
A n um ber o f th e m u s ic a l in te r c o n n e c
p o in te d o u t d u rin g th e c o u rs e o f t h i s
L a r g e - S c a le
A c le a r ly
p a p e r.
I n te r c o n n e c tio n s
d e m a rc a te d s y m m e tric a l s u p e r s t r u c t u r e
c o n s is t in g o f th re e m a c ro s e c tio n s , e a ch c o n ta in in g f o u r
f a n ta s y p ie c e s
(as in d ic a te d
i n T a b le V I ) ,
s c a le fo rm a l u n ity an d s t a b i l i t y
and I I .
T hese f i r s t
p r o v id e s l a r g e -
i n M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l s . I
tw o M ak ro k o sm o s s e t s
each c o n ta in
c e r t a i n a n a l o g o u s c o n s t r u c t i o n a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s , w h ic h a r e
im p o r ta n t i n d e l i n e a t i n g
F o r e x a m p le :
w ith a f a n ta s y
t h e i r b a s ic
trip a rtite
fo rm s.
e a c h m a c r o s e c t i o n ( o f b o t h v o lu m e s )
b e g in s
p i e c e w h ic h i n v o k e s a n e x t e r n a l o b j e c t t o
c o l o r t h e K l a n g id e a l ; t h e c o n c lu s io n o f e a c h m a c r o s e c tio n
i s n o ta te d s y m b o lic a lly ;
th e f a n ta s y
p ie c e s w ith in each
(i.e .
th e y
p e r f o r m e d a t t a c c a ) ; a n d t h e f a n t a s y p i e c e s w h ic h i n t r o
s tr o n g ly r e la te d
t o M ak ro k o sm o s,
V o ls . I an d I I in t e r n s o f c o n s tr u c ti o n , g e n e r a l s t y l e , and
th e m a tic m a t e r i a l .
In a d d itio n ,
it
is
in te r e s tin g th a t
tw o o f t h e f i v e m o v e m e n ts c o m p r i s i n g M a k ro k o sm o s I I I w e re
o r i g i n a l l y c o n c e i v e d f o r M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I ;
in th e
w o rd s o f t h e c o m p o s e r :
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 4 4 The m o 3 t e g r e g i o u s e x a m p le o f s e l f - p l a g i a r i s m
w o u ld b e Th_e_ A d v e n t /M o v e m e n t IIl7 o f Summer
E v e n i n g , w h ic h i s s im p ly a n e l a b o r a t i o n o f t h e
T w in S m s p i e c e o f M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l . I I .
I
m ig h t m e n t i o n , t o o , t h a t M u s ic o f t h e S t a r r y
N i g h t M o v e m e n t X / w as o r i g i n a l l y s k e t c h e d o u t
f o r s o l o p i a n o f o r i n c l u s i o n i n M a k ro k o s m o s ,
V o l. I I ; h o w e v e r, a s th e s k e tc h e v o lv e d , i t
r e a d i l y b ecam e a p p a r e n t t h a t my " c o s m i c " c o n
c e p t i o n w as q u i t e b e y o n d t h e c a p a b i l i t i e s o f
te n f in g e r s ! I
P rom t h e a b o v e q u o t a t i o n , i n f e r e n c e s c a n b e d ra w n a s t o
th e n a tu r e o f th e v e ry in ti m a t e c o n c e p tu a l c h a in
lin k in g
t h e M ak ro k o sm o s t r i l o g y .
I n t h e p e r f o r m a n c e n o t e s t o M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
Crum b s u g g e s t s t h e p o s s i b i l i t y
th e
o f d e ta c h in g c e r t a in
II,
of
" m a c r o s e c t i o n s , 11 a n d o f p e r f o r m i n g t h e s e a s s e l f -
s u ffic ie n t u n its .
b ilitie s ,
C o n c e r n in g t h i s ,
and r e la te d
p o s s i
th e com poser h a s s t a t e d :
When I o r i g i n a l l y d e s i g n e d t h e s e t s o f M ak ro
k o sm o s p i e c e s , I w as t h i n k i n g o f a l l o f t h e p i e c e s
b e in g e x t r a c t a b l e a 3 a r e th e D eb u ssy p r e lu d e s b u t
i t d i d n ' t r e a l l y w o rk o u t t h a t w a y . My p i e c e s a r e
s h o r t e r , f o r o n e t h i n g , a n d a ra n d o m s e l e c t i o n
w o u l d n 't m ake much s e n s e , b u t t h e f o u r - p i e c e / p E c r o s e c t i o n a i 7 g r o u p i n g s o f t h e v a r i o u s s e c t i o n s w o u ld
p r o v id e e x p r e s s iv e c u r v e s .
Of th e s i x p o s s ib le
g r o u p i n g s w i t h i n t h e tw o v o l u m e s , som e w o u ld n o
d o u b t w o rk b e t t e r t h a n o t h e r s .
I n t h e f i r s t v o lu m e ,
I w o u ld t h i n k t h a t t h e m id d l e f o u r p i e c e s w o u ld b e
th e m o st e f f e c t i v e g r o u p in g . . . .
In th e seco n d
v o lu m e , t h e f i r s t f o u r p i e c e s w o u ld b e t h e m o s t d e
s ira b le . . . .
C e r ta i n s i n g l e p i e c e s c o u ld a l s o be
-R ecord j a c k e t n o t e s t o M a k ro k o sm o s I I I .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 4 5 e x t r a c t e d , b u t I am n o t s u r e how m uch t h e y w o u ld
g a i n t h e g r o u p i n g s o f f o u r p i e c e s w o u ld b e m o re
s a tis fa c to r y .
I w o u ld l o v e t o w r i t e a n o t h e r p i a n o
w o rk o n e d a y , w i t h l o n g e r p i e c e s t h a t w o u ld s t a n d
a lo n e .1
A n o t h e r g r o u p i n g p o s s i b i l i t y w h ic h o c c u r s t o t h i s w r i t e r
w o u ld b e t o
ta k e e i t h e r th e f i r s t o r th e l a s t p ie c e s o f
e a ch m a c ro s e c tio n ,
t h u s f o r m in g g r o u p s o f t h r e e
When a s k e d a b o u t t h i s
r u le
it
p o s s ib ility ,
p ie c e s .
th e co m p o ser d id n o t
o u t ; h e f e l t h e n e e d e d t o e x a m in e t h e v o lu m e s
fu rth e r,
b e fo re o f f e r in g an o p in io n .2
R e m a rk a b le c o n s i s t e n c y a n d econom y o f m a t e r i a l s
c h a ra c te r iz e
th e
k osm o s, V o ls .
tw e n ty - f o u r f a n ta s y
I and I I ,
M a k ro k o sm o s I I I .
u tiliz a tio n
is
p e d a l,
F o r e x a m p le , w i t h i n a n y g i v e n p i e c e ,
t y p i c a l l y m ade o f b u t o n e o r tw o h a r m o n ic
c o n fig u ra tio n s,
u sag e o f th e
o n e o r tw o p r im a r y m o t i v i c c e l l s ,
pedal
( i.e .
e i t h e r dam per p e d a l,
o r una c o rd a p e d a l) ,
p re s e n t),
e tc .;
possesses i ts
one
s o s te n u to
one ty p e o f c l u s t e r
e a c h m o v em en t o f t h e s e
( w h e re
t h r e e c o m p o s itio n s
own t i m b r a l i d e n t i t y , a n d t h u s , a p r im a r y
d e t e r m i n a n t o f o v e r a l l f o rm i s
re g is te r,
p i e c e s w i t h i n M a k ro -
a s w e l l a s t h e f i v e m o v em e n ts o f
th e r e l a t i o n s h ip o f tim b re ,
t e x t u r e , a n d d y n a m ic s b e tw e e n v a r i o u s p i e c e s
I n t e r v i e w , 27 A u g u s t 1 9 7 7 .
2 Ib id .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 4 6 and s e c t io n s .
T h r o u g h s u c h m e a n s , Crum b i m p a r t s c l a r i t y
upon h i s m u s ic a l i d e a s ;
. . . t h a t m u s ic s h o u l d h a v e c l a r i t y ; I d o n ' t
t h i n k i t i s s o i m p o r t a n t a s t o w h e t h e r t h e m u s ic
i s s im p le o r c o m p le x , a s i s t h e f a c t o r o f w h e t h e r
o r n o t i t i s c l e a r ; i t m ig h t b e a s c o m p le x a s
B a c h , a n d a s s i m p l e a s B a c h a t t h e sam e t i m e .
C l a r i t y i s im p o rta n t in any s t y l e . 1
. . . t h e r e a r e m any u n s u c c e s s f u l c o n te m p o r a r y
w o rk s w h ic h I h a v e h e a r d t h a t f a i l l a r g e l y a s a
r e s u l t o f t r y i n g to p u l l in e v e r y th in g , an d you
a r e l e f t u p o n h e a r i n g th e m w i t h a n i m p r e s s i o n o f
d is o r g a n iz a tio n .
M aybe t h e r e a r e t o o m any t i m b r e s ,
o r m aybe t o o m any t h e m a t i c i d e a s , o r m ay b e t h e
r h y th m s a r e m u d d le d t h r o u g h c o m p l e x i t y a n d o v e r
abu n d an ce ; in su c h c a s e s th e p ro p e r h ie r a r c h y o f
m u s i c a l i d e a s w o u ld b e o b s c u r e d , p e r h a p s l o s t .
I n t e r m s o f B a c h , m any o f h i s c o m p o s i t i o n s a r e
o f a h ig h o r d e r o f c o m p le x ity , in te rm s o f con
s t r u c t i o n , a n d y e t e x p r e s s i v e l y h i s w o rk s n e a r l y
a lw a y s a r e v e r y c l e a r a n d d i r e c t ; t h e y m ig h t be
m y s te rio u s o r p r o v o c a tiv e , b u t th e y a r e s t i l l
c l e a r in s u g g e s tin g th e s e q u a lit ie s .2
C o m p o s i t i o n a l M e th o d o lo g y
C o n c e r n in g t h e m u s i c a l l a n g u a g e o f t h e M a k ro k o s mos t r i l o g y ,
th e f o llo w in g t e x t ,
fro m a n i n t e r v i e w w h ic h
t r a n s p i r e d b e tw e e n t h i s a n a l y s t a n d t h e c o m p o s e r , s h e d s
m uch l i g h t :
R .S .
23 J u ly 1 9 7 6 .
2 In te r v ie w ,
27 A u g u s t 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 4 7 ( R .S .)
of
" m o s a ic d e s i g n ? "
G .C .
T h o se w o rd s a p p l y n o t o n l y t o M ak ro k o sm o s I I I .
b u t t o m any o f my c o m p o s itio n s " !
B a s ic a lly t h is
m e th o d o f c o n s t r u c t i o n c o n s i s t s o f t h e e l a b o r a
t i o n a n d e x p a n s i o n o f m in u t e p i t c h a n d r h y th m ic
e le m e n ts .
F rom t h e s e , I t e n d t o b u i l d l a r g e r
s h a p e s , a s o p p o se d to b e g in n in g w ith , and
w o r k in g w i t h l a r g e r u n i t s .
R .S .
I n my a n a l y s i s o f y o u r m u s i c , I h a v e f o u n d tw o
l e v e l s o f m o s a ic c o n s t r u c t i o n :
On t h e f i r s t
l e v e l , p i t c h a n d r h y th m a r e t r e a t e d i n a m a n n e r
r e m i n i s c e n t o f t h e e a r l y a t o n a l m u s ic o f S c h o e n
b e r g , B e r g , a n d W e b ern ; o n t h i s l e v e l , a p i t c h
c e l l o f t h r e e o r f o u r n o t e s , o r a r h y th m ic c e l l
o f a l i m i t e d n u m b e r o f a t t a c k s , o r a c o m b i n a ti o n
o f t h e s e , k e e p s r e c u r r in g in d e p e n d e n tly o f
l a r g e r o r g a n i z a t i o n a l g r o u p i n g s , s u c h a s m o ti v e s
and p h r a s e s .
On t h e s e c o n d l e v e l , a l i m i t e d
n u m b e r o f e v e n t s w h ic h a r e c o m p l e te i n t h e m s e l v e s
( t h e s e c o u l d v a r y , e . g . , a s i n g l e a t t a c k on a
p e rc u s s io n in s tr u m e n t, a s in g l e g lis s a n d o , a
m o ti v e i n t h e t r a d i t i o n a l s e n s e , o r a p h r a s e )
o f t e n c o m p r i s e d o f " l e v e l I " p i t c h a n d r h y th m ic
u n i t s a r e c o m b in e d a n d r e c o m b in e d ( o f t e n i n
v a r ie d fo rm s ), and th u s in la r g e p a r t , g e n e ra te
th e s u b je c t m a tte r o f a g iv e n c o m p o s itio n .
G .C .
I th in k y o u r d e s c r i p tio n o f t h i s g e n re o f con
s tr u c tio n is c o rr e c t.
S u c h a m e th o d o f w o r k in g
i s d i s t i n c t f ro m t h e t r a d i t i o n a l p r a c t i c e o f
b u i l d i n g a r o u n d l o n g e r th e m e s . . .
The a b o v e p a r a g r a p h s i n e f f e c t s u m m a riz e a n d p i n p o i n t t h a t
m ode o f c o m p o s i t i o n a l p r o c e d u r e w h ic h p e r v a d e s m o s t o f
t h e t w e n t y - n i n e p i e c e s w i t h i n t h e M a k ro k o sm o s t r i l o g y .
In
llb id .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-148o t h e r w o rd s, In te rm s o f s t r u c t u r a l a r c h i t e c t u r e , each
p i e c e w i t h i n t h e M akrok o sm o s t r i l o g y
is
sh a p e d th ro u g h
th e d e v e lo p m e n ta l m a n ip u la tio n o f a b a s ic s e t o f m u s ic a l
id e a s .
H e n c e fo rth th e s e id e a s w i l l be r e f e r r e d to a s
" s o n ic e n t i t i e s , "
o r s im p ly " e n t i t i e s . " 1
(T h ese a re th e
" l e v e l I I " e v e n t s d e s c r i b e d i n t h e q u o t a t i o n o n p ag e l 4 ? ) .
W h ile s o n i c e n t i t i e s
m a te ria ls
can f r e q u e n tly be tr a c e d to e a r l i e r
i n d e r i v a t i o n , e a c h p i e c e a lw a y s p o s s e s s e s i t s
own s p e c i f i c
s e t;
ex act e n tity
to a n o th e r o c c u rs b u t r a r e ly .
t r a n s f e r fro m o n e p i e c e
The n u m b e r o f s o n ic
e n t i t i e s c o n t a i n e d w i t h i n a g i v e n p i e c e i s a lw a y s s m a l l ,
but v a rie s ;
i n M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l s .
I and I I ,
p i e c e c o n t a i n s fro m f o u r t o t h i r t e e n .
each fa n ta s y
W h e th e r c o n s i s t i n g
o f a g l i s s a n d o , a s i n g l e s t r o k e on a p e r c u s s i o n i n s t r u
m e n t , a m o ti v e o r p h r a s e i n t h e t r a d i t i o n a l s e n s e , o r
a n y th in g e l s e ,
tin c t
id e n tity .
e a ch s o n ic e n t i t y a s s e r t s
S e p a ra tio n s r e s u l t i n g
o r g e s t u r e - p a u s e so u n d s t r u c t u r e
s u c c e s s iv e e n t i t i e s
f m o tio n
o r g ro u p s o f e n t i t i e s
and s e c tio n s o f p ie c e s .
it
its
O nce a n e n t i t y
i s a l m o s t a lw a y s r e s t a t e d ,
own d i s
f ro m g e s t u r e - d e c a y
to d e lin e a te
i n m o st p i e c e s
h a s been s ta t e d ,
o f te n r e p e a te d ly .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 4 9 R e s t a t e m e n t s may b e e x a c t ,
a b b re v ia te d ,
o r r h y th m
tra n s p o s e d , e n lo n g a te d ,
i n v e r t e d , a u g m e n te d , s u b t l y v a r i e d i n
(o r b o th ),
e tc .;
p itc h
t h e c o n t e x t i n w h ic h t h e s e
b u i l d i n g b l o c k s r e c u r may o r m ay n o t b e r e l a t e d
to
th e
c o n te x t o f th e i n i t i a l o c c u rre n c e .
A lth o u g h t h i s
g e n re o f c o n s tr u c tio n i s
e v id e n t
i t a s s u m e s m o re s t r u c t u r a l m om ent
a n d i n t r i c a c y , a n d b e c o m e s m o re p e r v a s i v e
k osm os t r i l o g y
m u sic .
T h e refo re , in
tio n
fo cu se d upon t h i s
is
in
t h e M a k ro
t h a n i n a n y o f t h e c o m p o s e r 's e a r l i e r
t h e f o l l o w i n g c h a p t e r s , m uch a t t e n
g e n re o f c o m p o s itio n a l p r o c e d u r e .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
CHAPTER V I
MAKROKOSMOS, VOLUME I
F a n ta s y -P ie c e
The m y s t e r i o u s s o u n d e n v ir o n m e n t o f P r im e v a l
Sounds i s
ena:
p r i m a r i l y d e t e r m i n e d b y s p e c i a l s o n i c phenom
t h e p r e d o m i n a n t l y lo w r e g i s t e r ;
th e dam per p e d a l th ro u g h o u t;
s tru c tio n ;
th e s u p p re s s io n o f
th e g e s tu r e -d e c a y sound co n
and c e r t a in u n u s u a l e f f e c ts
( i . e . m u te d s t r i n g s ,
s e c o n d - p a r t i a l h a rm o n ic s ; a c h a in d ro p p e d o n to v i b r a t i n g
s tr in g s
i n t h e lo w r e g i s t e r ; a n d s e v e r a l o c c u r r e n c e s o f
th e A lp h a -G lis s a n d o - - a rtic u la te d a lt e r n a t iv e l y
f i n g e r t i p and th u m b n a il).
t h e r e a p p e a rs th e f o llo w in g n o t e :
c i s e l y w ith g l is s a n d o I " ;
o f a g la s s ro d ,
to
"Rem ove g l a s s r o d p r e
s in c e th e r e
th is d ire c tiv e
i s no e a r l i e r m e n tio n
p o s e s a n e n ig m a .
t h e c o m p o se r, t h i s n o t e s h o u ld r e a d :
c h a in p r e c i s e ly w ith g l is s a n d o I "
o rig in a lly
c a lle d
fo r,
by th e
J k t th e c o n c lu s io n o f t h i s p ie c e ,
A c c o r d in g
"Rem ove m e t a l
The g l a s s r o d w as
b u t l a t e r i t w as d i s c o v e r e d b y D a v id
B u rg e t h a t on a f u l l c o n c e r t g r a n d , t h e r e s o n a t i n g s t r i n g s
in
th e
p le te ly
lo w r e g i s t e r w o u ld c a u s e t h e g l a s s r o d t o f l y
o u t o f th e
by a m e ta l c h a in ;
p ia n o .
com
I t w as f o r t h a t r e a s o n r e p l a c e d
th e c o m p o se r s im p ly n e g le c t e d t o
change
-1 5 0 -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 5 1 th e d i r e c ti v e
in q u e s tio n ^ 1
H a r m o n ic a lly , th e m o st d e c i s i v e d e te r m in a n t i s a
c o n ti n u u m o f r e s o n a t i n g l o w - r e g i s t e r t o n e s r e s u l t i n g
f ro m
W ith r e g a r d t o
v e r t i c a l s im u lta n e itie s , F a n ta s y -P ie c e
c o lo re d p r im a r ily
I is
by s u c c e s s i o n s o f m a j o r s e v e n t h s , m in o r t r i a d s , a n d t h r e e
o th e r c h o rd s;
M6 /
M3, ?5 / A 4 , a n d P5 /
o r d e r o f t o n e s f ro m b o t t o n t o
c o in c id e n c e s a r e
s o n o r itie s a ls o
tra n s p o s e d f r e e l y .
occur v e rtic a lly
m any o f t h e o t h e r t r i l o g y
o u t F a n ta s y -P ie c e
in s id e -th e -p ia n o
m uch t h e
p ie c e s .
in
S e m ito n e -c lu s te r
th is
p ie c e , and in
T hese f u n c tio n th ro u g h
I , a lo n g w ith f r e q u e n t l y e n c o u n te re d
g lis s a n d i,
to
c o l o r th e K la n g ld e a l in
f re e ly
S i m u l t a n e o u s o c t a v e s a r e a l s o u s e d m o re
fo r c o lo r is tic
p u rp o se s.
The m o s t p r o m i n e n t h o r i z o n t a l l y
v a llic
in
sam e w ay a s a s t r o k e o n a n y r e s o n a n t p e r c u s s i o n
in s tr u m e n t m ig h t.
or le ss
P4 ( c o n s i d e r e d
to p ); a l l o f th e s e v e r t i c a l
c e lls
a re :
M2 / M3, M2 /
o u t t h e M a k ro k o sm o s t r i l o g y ,
g r e a t fre q u e n c y , b u t t h is
t h e M2 /
is a ls o
C r u m b 's o t h e r c o m p o s i t i o n s .
o c c u rr in g i n t e r -
P 4 , a n d m3 / m 3.
th e
T h ro u g h
M3 c e l l o c c u r s w i t h
c a s e w i t h m any o f
When a s k e d a b o u t t h i s c e l l ,
th e - - c o m p o s e r e x p l a i n e d t h a t h e h a d n o t u s e d i t
to con
s c i o u s l y u n i f y t h e v a r i o u s p i e c e s o f t h e M ak ro k o sm o s
trilo g y ,
but th a t th is
s tr u c tu r e ,
i n M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
I,
iF ro m a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o r g e C rum b, 2 3 J u l y 1 9 7 6 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 5 2 . . . w as b u i l t i n t o som e o f t h e t h e m a ti c m a t e r i a l ,
and te n d s to o c c u r f a i r l y o f te n .
I t d e r i v e s fro m
t h e w h o le -to n e s c a l e , a n d I f i n d t h a t such c o n f ig u
r a t i o n s o c c u r f r e q u e n t l y i n c e r t a i n w o rk s o f m i n e . 1
B ecause o f th e
w h ic h F a n t a s y - P i e c e
p r e d o m i n a n t l y lo w r e g i s t e r w i t h i n
I lie s ,
in th e t r a d i ti o n a l s e n s e .
o n e c a n h a r d l y s p e a k o f m e lo d y
The r h y th m , l i k e t h a t o f m o st
o f C r u m b 's m u s i c ,
i s n o n p r o g re s s io n a l; in d iv id u a l a r t i c u
la tio n s a re o fte n
im p o s s ib le to p e rc e iv e becau se o f th e
c o n s t a n t lo w , s u s t a i n e d , a l m o s t t a m - t a m - l i k e s o n i c c o n ti n u u m .
T he a r c h i t e c t u r a l s h a p e o f t h i s
p ie c e i s b a s i c a l l y :
I n t r o d u c t i o n , A, A l , C oda ( i n C r u m b 's m u s i c , d e s i g n s s u c h
a s A , A l , o r A , B , o f t e n w i t h i n t r o d u c t i o n o r c o d a t a k e
p re c e d e n c e ).
T h e s e f o r m a l p a r t i t i o n s a r e c o n f i r m e d by l o n g
p a u s e s , c o n tr a s t o f m a t e r i a l , an d o th e r t r a d i t i o n a l m ean s.
The l o c a t i o n s o f s t r u c t u r a l u n i t s
In tro d u c tio n
in
P r im e v a l S o u n d s f o l l o w :
M ade u p o f t h e e n t i r e t y
o f s y s te m 1 ,
page 6
S e c tio n A
From t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 2 ,
t h e e n d o f s y s te m k } p a g e 6
S e c tio n B
F rom t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 1 , p a g e 7 ,
t h r o u g h t h e t h i r t e e n - s e c o n d t r e m o lo i n t h e
m i d d l e o f s y s te m 3 , p a g e 7
C oda
page 6 , to
R e m a in d e r
T h e r e f o l l o w s a b r i e f c o m m e n ta ry on e a c h s o n i c e n t i t y
a p p e a r i n P r im e v a l S o u n d s .
th is
to
(T h e a n a l y t i c a l f o r m a t u s e d f o r
p i e c e w i l l b e m a i n t a i n e d f o r t h e r e m a in i n g p i e c e s
I n t e r v i e w , 7 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
*153w i t h i n t h e M a k ro k o sm o s t r i l o g y . )
COMMENTARY ON INDIVIDUAL SONIC ENTITIES
S o n ic -E n tity I
C om m encing F a n t a s y - P i e c e i s a s y m m e t r i c a l e n t i t y
b u i l t f ro m a s e r i e s o f s e v e n r i s i n g
tria d s ,
in a lt e r n a t in g
s e c o n d -in v e rs io n .
Each t r i a d
l o w - r e g i s t e r m in o r
r o o t- p o s itio n ,
f i r s t - i n v e r s i o n , and
T h is e v e n t e x p r e s s e s th e t o t a l c h r o m a tic .
o f th e s e r i e s
is
p re c e d e d by a p a r a l l e l g r a c e -
n o te t r i a d a t th e tr a n s p o s itio n of a t r i t o n e .
u p w a rd d i r e c t i o n
tra c tio n
of th is
o f th e r o o ts
(in
D e s p ite th e
s e r i e s , o ne d i s c o v e r s , u p o n e x
t h e m a n n e r o f t r a d i t i o n a l h a rm o n y ) ,
t h a t th e s e d e s c e n d c h r o m a tic a lly th ro u g h th e t r i t o n e
th e r o o ts o f th e g ra c e - n o te
G, F - s h a r p , a n d F ;
( e .g .
t r i a d s a r e B, B - f l a t , A, G -s h a rp ,
t h o s e o f t h e f u n d a m e n ta l t r i a d s a r e F , E,
D, C - s h a r p , a n d B ) .
Ex. 6 l .
S o n i c - E n t i t y I , p a g e 6 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
I,
[Psrt Qss]
1. Primeval Sounds (Genesis I)
ICamerl
'Cz. (holddowotitrwthwT)
[KIM.- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
S M p rc ]
t h i s tim e tr a n s p o s e d a t r i t o n e
h ig h e r.
Such
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 5 4 trito n e
s a tu r a te d
s y m m e tr y , a s w e l l a s s t r u c t u r a l s y m m e try
in g e n e ra l, f re q u e n tly f ig u r e
C o n c e r n in g h i s p r e d i l e c t i o n
p r o m i n e n t l y i n C r u m b 's m u s i c .
f o r s y m m e tr y , Crumb b e l i e v e s
B a r to k i s a p rim a ry i n f l u e n c e . . . .
H i s m u s ic
i s a lw a y s i n v o l v e d w i t h s y m m e tr i e s o f m any k i n d s
r h y t h m i c , p t c h , a n d f o r m a l s y m m e tr i e s a b o u n d . . .
s o m e tim e s t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f a n e n t i r e w o rk w i l l b e
i n som e k i n d o f a r c h d e s i g n .
S y m m etry i s J u s t o n e
m eans o f o r g a n i z in g a w o rk ; i t i s n e c e s s a r y t o h a v e
s o m e t h in g m o re t h a n J u s t a n a b s t r a c t s y m m e t r i c a l
schem e. 1
C o n c e r n in g h i s
th e t r i t o n e ,
tra n s p o s itio n
is,
te n d e n c y t o
tra n sp o se e n ti t ie s
Crum b r e c o g n i z e s t h a t a
by
. . c h o rd a t th e
i s a f r e s h so u n d e n t i r e l y m o st c h o r d s ,
a n d m any s t r u c t u r e s . " 2
Though c e r t a i n
th a t
t r i t o n e s m ay a t
t i m e s s e e m t o a p p e a r m o re f r e q u e n t l y t h a n o t h e r s , t h e com
p o s e r d o e s n o t c o n s c i o u s l y s t r u c t u r e h i s m u s ic i n t h i s w a y .3
S o n ic -E n tity
c a n c e ,i n
th a t i t
I ta k e s
r e p r e s e n ts
m o tiv ic t r a n s f e r e n c e
on s p e c i a l s t r u c t u r a l s i g n i f i
one o f th e r a r e
to o c c u r in
e x a m p le s o f e x a c t
t h e M a k ro k o sm o s t r i l o g y :
it
a l s o a p p e a r s a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e s IV a n d IX .
S o n ic -E n tity
II
T he p r e v i o u s l y m e n t i o n e d A l p h a - G l i s s a n d o , h e r e f u n c
tio n in g to
is
s e p a r a te
S o n ic -E n tity
II.
t h e tw o u t t e r a n c e s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y
A t v a r i e d d y n a m ic l e v e l s ,
1I n te rv ie w ,
27 N o v e m b e r 1 9 7 6 .
2 I n te rv ie w ,
14 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
it
is
I,
s ta te d
3prom a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o r g e C ru m b , 14 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 5 5 once in th e in tr o d u c ti o n ,
s ix
tim e s i n s e c t i o n A, f i v e
tim e s in s e c t i o n A l, and tw ic e i n
th e c o d a .
m ent f u n c t i o n s in a c a p a c i ty s i m i l a r t o
E ach s t a t e
t h a t o f th e
in itia l
a p p e ara n c e .
Ex. 6 2 .
S o n i c - E n t i ty I I , f o llo w e d by th e se c o n d s ta te m e n t
o f S o n ic -E n tity I , and th e n , by th e seco n d s t a t e
m e n t o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I I , p a g e 6 , s y s te m 1 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e I , M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l . I
A m e t a l c h a i n i s d r o p p e d on t h e
lo w e r p ia n o s t r i n g s ,
p re c e d in g th e seco n d s ta te m e n t o f t h i s
t h e e x a m p le a b o v e ) ; a s a r e s u l t , n e a r l y
t a k e s o n a m a rk e d m e t a l l i c
e n tity
th e e n ti r e
so u n d c h a r a c te r c
ju st
(sh o w n i n
p ie c e
The c h a i n i s
r e m o v e d n e a r t h e e n d o f t h e m o v em en t ( e x p l a i n e d o n p a g e s
1 5 0 -1 5 1 .
As w as m e n t i o n e d e a r l i e r ,
a g lis s a n d o a r e n o t im p o r ta n t to
th e
p itc h e s o f such
t h e c o m p o s e r , who t r e a t s
s u c h e n t i t i e s m o re o r l e s s a s h e w o u ld t r e a t s t r o k e s on
n o n p itc h e d
p e rc u s s io n in s tr u m e n ts .
Sonic-Entity III
Beginning the first main section of Primeval Sounds
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 5 6 is a se rie s
o f se v en c h o rd s ( S o n ic - E n tity I I I ) ,
w h ic h
s o u n d i n c o m b i n a t i o n w i t h tw o o t h e r b r i e f e n t i t i e s .
The
h a r m o n ic c o n s t r u c t i o n o f t h e s e c h o r d s m e n t i o n e d on
page 151 i s
M6 /
o c c u rre n c e i s
M3, P5 / A 4 , a n d P5 /
m e n ts ; e a c h o f th e t h r e e
th e fo llo w in g p a t t e r n :
A l p h a - G r li s s a n d o
s u c c e s s iv e
The i n i t i a l
s ta te m e n ts a d h e re s to
( a ) tw o c h o r d s ;
(S o n ic - E n tity I I ) ;
d iv is iv e r e p e a te d -n o te g e s tu re
Ex.
P 4 ).
f o l l o w e d i m m e d i a t e l y b y tw o v a r i e d r e s t a t e
(b ) in te r r u p tiv e
(c) f iv e
c h o rd s;
(d )
(S o n ic - E n tity IV ).
6 3 . S o n i c - E n t i ty I I I , w ith f i r s t v a r i e d r e s ta te m e n t
o f s a m e , show n w i t h S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I I a n d IV ,
p a g e 6 , s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e I , M a k ro k o sm o s,
V o l. I
-b -
-d -
aH o r iz o n ta lly ,
th e u p p e r p itc h e s o f S o n ic -E n tity I I I e x p re ss
p r i m a r i l y t h e m3 / m 3, a n d M2 /
i n e n t i n C r u m b 's m u s i c .
s ta te m e n ts o f t h i s
is
b u i l t on th e
E n tity I I I ;
M3 i n t e r v a l l i c
c e lls
s o prom
I m m e d ia t e l y a f t e r t h e i n i t i a l
e n tity ,
a t r e m o l o v a r i a n t o c c u r s , w h ic h
p itc h e s o f th e f i r s t
f o u r c h o rd s o f S o n ic -
th e s e a r e th e n tra n s p o s e d up a h a lf s te p .
The
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 157r e m a in i n g t r e m o l i a r e f r e e l y d e r i v e d ,
b u t m a in ta in th e
e s t a b l i s h e d h a rm o n ic c o n s i s t e n c y .
E x. 6 4 .
T re m o lo v a r i a n t o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I ( f i r s t p a r t ,
b a s e d on f i r s t f o u r c h o r d s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I
and t h e i r t r a n s p o s it io n u p a h a l f s te p ) , page 6 ,
s y s te m 3> F a n t a s y - P i e c e I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
A t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e s e c o n d m a in s e c t i o n
(A l),
a p p e a rs a f i n a l v a r ia n t o f S o n ic -E n tity I I I .
th e re
H ere, th e
p i t c h e s a n d h a r m o n ic s t r u c t u r e o f t h e o r i g i n a l t h r e e
( s u c c e s s i v e ) o c c u r r e n c e s r e m a in b a s i c a l l y u n a l t e r e d ; how
e v e r,
t h e o r i g i n a l r h y th m h a s b e e n c o m p l e t e l y t r a n s f o r m e d ,
la r g e ly th ro u g h i n te r p o la t e d g ra c e - n o te c h o rd s
( f i r s t and
s ta te m e n t).
F i r s t o f f i n a l th re e o c c u rre n c e s o f S o n ic -E n tity I I I ,
p a g e 7 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y P i e c e I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
wz
& ii
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 5 8 Sonlc-Entity IV
R e p e a te d - n o te c o n f i g u r a t i o n s ,
e x a m p le 6 3 , c o n s t i t u t e
th is
s u c h a s t h a t show n i n
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV ; i n P r i m e v a l S o u n d s ,
e n t i t y a n d v a r i a n t s t h e r e o f a p p e a r b e tw e e n s u c c e s s i v e
re s ta te m e n ts o f S o n ic -E n tity
to d e lin e a te
III,
th e se o c c u rre n c e s.
s e rv in g to d i v id e , and th u s
Ih e s in g le e x c e p tio n , an
i n d e p e n d e n t p r o n o u n c e m e n t, a p p e a r s i n
th e c o d a .
M u s ic a l
i d e a s c o n s i s t i n g p r im a r i ly o f r e p e a te d to n e s c o n s t i t u t e a n
e s s e n t i a l c o m p o n e n t o f C r u m b 's c o n s i s t e n t s t y l i s t i c
u la ry :
vocab
a l l o f t h e c o m p o s e r 's m a t u r e w o rk s m ake s i g n i f i c a n t
u se o f su ch e n t i t i e s .
Sonic-Entity V
S o n ic -E n tity V ( c ir c le d
i n e x a m p le 6 5 ) , a c l u s t e r
p l a y e d w i t h t h e p a lm o f t h e r i g h t h a n d , i s
w ith in th e f i r s t
E n t it y I I I i n s e c t i o n A l.
f lo w o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I ,
m e n t.
tw ic e u t i l i z e d
tw o o f t h e t h r e e a p p e a r a n c e s o f S o n i c -
In th e c o d a,
I t f u n c tio n s to i n t e r r u p t th e
and a ls o
p r o v id e s so u n d e n r i c h
t h i s e v e n t a p p e a r s f o r th e t h i r d and
f i n a l tim e , in d e p e n d e n t o f S o n ic -E n tity I I I .
Sonic-Entity VI
Five very rapid utterances of a rising and falling
whole-tone scale, along with its parallel complement a major
seventh lower, follow the tremolo variants of Sonic-Entity
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 5 9 III,
a n d b e g i n a r a p i d c li m b t o
M a jo r s e v e n t h s
in g re d ie n t o f t h is
in te r v a l( s )
th e c lim a x o f s e c t i o n A .
( a n d m in o r s e c o n d s ) ,
event
th e c o n s ta n t v e r t i c a l
( S o n ic -E n tity V I), a re
o f t h e e n t i r e M a k ro k o sm o s t r i l o g y ,
th e
Crumb t e n d s t o m a i n t a i n a g o o d l e v e l o f i n t e r v a l l i c
Ex. 6 6 .
d o m in a n t
a lth o u g h
v a rie ty .
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I , p a g e 6 , s y s te m 4 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
__^j>____
___
T h i s e n t i t y a g a i n e m b o d ie s t h e t o t a l c h r o m a t i c , a s
S o n ic -E n tity I .
I,
A trito n e -re m o v e d
tra n s p o s itio n
d id
o f S o n ic -
E n t i t y V I t a k e s p l a c e n e a r t h e e n d o f t h e s e c o n d m a in
s e c tio n ,
th is
t im e b e g i n n i n g a r i s e
c u lm in a te s i n th e
i n i n t e n s i t y w h ic h
s e c o n d a n d p r im a r y c l i m a x o f t h e
p ie c e .
S o n ic -E n tity V II
F u r th e r s tre n g th e n in g and f i n a l l y
c lim a c tic
in te n s if ic a tio n
a tre m o lo c l u s t e r
o f f o u r s e m ito n e s :
B, C .
c u lm in a tin g th e
begun by S o n ic - E n tity V I i s
( S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I ) I n v o l v i n g tw o s e t s
D -s h a rp , E, F , F - s h a r p , an d A,
A t th e te r m in a tio n o f t h i s
c o n c lu d e s s e c t i o n A ),
B - f la t,
s e v e n -s e c o n d tre m o lo
( w h ic h
th e f i r s t c lim a x o f P rim e v a l S o u n d s i s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 160 a tta in e d .
a ls o
A som ew hat a l t e r e d
c lo s e s s e c tio n A l; t h i s
recu rren ce o f th is
e n tity
s e c o n d c l u s t e r t r e m o l o g ro w s
t o t h e m a in c l i m a x , w h ic h o c c u r s o n t h e A l p h a - G l i s s a n d o
w h ic h f o l l o w s , b e g i n n i n g t h e c o d a .
Ex. 67.
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I , s e c o n d a p p e a r a n c e , show n w i t h
c l i m a c t i c A l p h a - G l i s s a n d o , p a g e 'J, s y s te m 3 j
F a n t a s y - P i e c e I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
13
S o n ic -E n tity V III
A f o r c e f u l s e v e n -to n e g r a c e - n o te c o n f ig u r a t io n ,
f irs t
th e
f o u r t o n e s o f w h ic h i n t r o d u c e t h e p e r v a s i v e B a r t o k
c h o r d , m ak e s u p S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I I .
th is
i n t e n s i f i e s and
c o n f i r m s t h e p o w e r f u l c l i m a x w h ic h i m m e d i a t e l y p r e c e d e s .
Ex. 6 8 .
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I I , show n w i t h p r e c e d i n g c l i m a c t i c
A l p h a - G l i s s a n d o , p a g e 7 , s y s te m 3 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e I ,
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- l6 lS o n ic -E n tity
IX
A t th e c o n c lu s io n o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
I,
th e p i a n i s t
d e p re s s e s w ith h i s fo re a rm s a l l o f th e k ey s w ith in th e
l o w e s t tw o o c t a v e s o f t h e i n s t r u m e n t ; a f t e r t h i s
a c c o m p lis h e d ,
th e dam per p e d a l i s
tim e ), and th e s o s te n u to
o f th e s e a c tio n s
pedal is
( fo r th e f i r s t
lo w e re d .
The f u n c t i o n
( S o n i c - E n t i t y IX ) i s
th re e fo ld :
a l t e r t h e re m a in in g s u s t a i n e d r e s o n a n c e ;
e ffe c t,
P ie c e I I
to s u b tly
f o r th e v is u a l
w h ic h g i v e s a s e n s e o f c o n n e c t i o n w i t h F a n t a s y ( th is
sam e s o s t e n u t o
th ro u g h o u t F a n ta s y - P ie c e s
p ia n o f o r a n a t t a c c a
Ex. 69 .
h as been
re le a se d
p e d a l s e t t i n g a ls o m a in ta in s
I I I and IV ); an d to p r e p a r e th e
p e rfo rm a n c e o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e
II.
S o n i c - E n t i t y IX , sh o w n w i t h p r e c e d i n g A l p h a G lis s a n d o , an d w ith th e f i r s t s o n ic e n t i t y o f
F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I , p a g e 7 , s y s te m s 3 a n d 4 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e s I a n d I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
2. Proteus IPiscesI
Very fast; whimsical, volatile
1521
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 162 SUMMARY
P r im e v a l S o u n d s i s
s tr u c tio n
e x e m p la r y o f t h a t m ode o f c o n
( d e t a i l e d o n p a g e s 1 4 6 - 1 4 9 ) w h ic h p e r v a d e s t h e
e n t i r e M a k ro k o sm o s t r i l o g y .
The f o l l o w i n g t a b l e c l a r i f i e s
t h e m o s a i c - l i k e m o d u la r s t r u c t u r e o f t h i s f i r s t
fa n ta s y
p ie c e .
T a b le V I I I . 1 O v e r a ll s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e I
i n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
Formal Unit:
I n tr o d u c tio n = I ,
S e c tio n
S e c tio n A l
II,
la ,
II,
= I I I (b e g u n ). I I , I I I ( c o m p le te d ), IV .
THa
(b eg u n ), I I , I l i a (c o m p le te d ), IV a ,
Illb
( b e g u n ) , I I , I l l b ( c o m p l e t e d ) , IV b ,
IIIc
( b e g u n ) , I I , i i , I I I c ( c o m p l e t e d ) , V,
= H id
Ille
Illf
(begun)
(b eg u n ),
(b eg u n ),
V I,
I I , V, H i d
I I , IV b ,
I I , V, I l l e ( c o m p l e t e d ) , I I , IV c
I i , I l l f (c o m p le te d ), V ia , V ila ,
= V ^ /E .H .7 ( b e g u n ) /
-----
I I / R . H . 7 , V I I I , V (com
p leted !, rvd, i i , i x
I n t h i s t a b l e a n d i n t h o s e l i k e i t ( w h ic h f o l l o w
t h e a n a l y s i s o f e a c h p i e c e w i t h i n t h e M ak ro k o sm o s t r i l o g y )
u n d e r l i n i n g i n d i c a t e s s o n i c e n t i t i e s w h ic h a r e c o n s i s t e n t l y
j u x t a p o s e d ; b r a c k e t e d " L .H ." a n d " R .H ." i n d i c a t e e x e c u t i o n
b y t h e l e f t o r r i g h t h a n d , w h e re m o re t h a n o n e e n t i t y s o u n d s
s i m u l t a n e o u s l y ; t h e w o rd s " b e g u n " a n d 'c o m p l e te d " a r e u s e d
w hen i n t e r v e n i n g m a t e r i a l i n t e r s e c t s t h e b e g i n n i n g a n d com
p le tio n o f an e n ti t y .
U n d e r lin in g i n d i c a t e s a r e c u r r in g
e n ti t y p a tte r n o r g ro u p .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 163-
chromatic semitones.
5 ),
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 6 4 c o n s tr u c tio n ;
in te r v e n in g p au ses a re
seconds o r l e s s .
ju n c t,
o f a p p ro x im a te ly f o u r
The m e l o d i c f a b r i c ,
th o u g h b a s i c a l l y
con
r e m a in s e s s e n t i a l l y n o n l y r i c a l i n c h a r a c t e r , w i t h i n
a fie ld
o f n o n p r o g r e s s i o n a l r h y th m .
P r o te u s a p p a r e n t ly
p r o v id e d s o u r c e m a t e r i a l s f o r
tw o o t h e r p i e c e s w i t h i n t h e M a k ro k o sm o s t r i l o g y .
In th e
a n a l y s e s o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e X o f M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I a n d o f
t h e f i r s t m ovem ent o f M a k ro k o sm o s I I I ,
r e l a t i o n s h i p s b e tw e e n t h e s e
c e rta in
p ie c e s an d th e
c o n n e c tiv e
p ie c e u n d e r
d is c u s s io n a re e lu c id a te d .
Crum b f r e q u e n t l y c h o o s e s t r a d i t i o n a l l y
fo rm a l schem es, su ch a s th e
d e s ig n o f P r o te u s .
o r ie n te d
I n t r o d u c t i o n , A , B, A l , C oda
C o n c e r n in g t h e
fre e
fo rm s o f t e n
p l o y e d by c o m p o s e r s o f t o d a y , Crum b f e e l s
em
th a t
Th e s e c a n b e v e r y e f f e c t i v e .
I h a v e n 't
d o n e m uch i n t h a t a r e a .
My own m u s i c t e n d s t o
in v o lv e r e p e t i t i o n an d r e c u r r e n c e o f s ta t e d
e le m e n ts , b u t o t h e r co m p o se rs I 'v e a d m ire d , have
s u c c e s s f u lly u sed t h i s s o r t o f s p in n in g o u t . . .
P r im a r y f o r m a l u n i t s
In tr o d u c tio n
in F a n ta s y -P ie c e
M e asu re s 1 - 5 ,
I I a re :
page 7,
s y s te m 4
From m e a s u r e 6 o f p a g e 7 ,
s y s te m 4 ,
t h r o u g h m e a s u r e 2 , p a g e 8 , s y s te m 1
From m e a s u r e 3 o f p a g e 8 ,
s y s te m 1 ,
to th e en d o f s y s te m 2 , p ag e 8
C oda
R e m a in d e r
1I n te r v ie w ,
23 J u l y 1 9 7 6 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
165Al
From t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 3 o n
p ag e 8 , th ro u g h th e r e m a in d e r
e x c e p t f o r th e f i n a l m ea su re
C oda
F i n a l m ea su re
I and I I
A s y m m e tr ic a l p i t c h
a s w as a l s o
th e c a s e w ith
th irte e n -n o te
s tru c tu re
g r a c e -n o te f lo u r is h
g e rm f ro m w h ic h t h e
co m m en ces P r o t e u s ,
P r im e v a l S o u n d s .
The o p e n in g
(S o n ic - E n tity
r e m a in d e r o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e
I)
is
th e
I I e v o lv e s .
S i x c h r o m a t i c s e m i t o n e s l y i n g b e tw e e n a n d i n c l u d i n g o n e l i n e A a n d t w o - l i n e D, p l u s tw o a d d i t i o n a l p i t c h e s
s y m m e tr ic a lly l o c a t e d a m a jo r t h i r d
b e lo w
and a m a jo r t h i r d
above th e s e r i e s o f s ix
te r m in e th e p i t c h
s tru c tu re
of th is
(i.e .
F - n a tu r a l)
s e m ito n e s , d e
i n it ia l e n tity .
l a s t f o u r p itc h e s c o n s id e re d s e p a r a te ly -- c o m p ris e
The
th e
p e r v a s iv e B a rto k c h o rd .
E x. 7 0 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I a n d I I , p a g e 7* s y s te m 4 , F a n t a s y P i e c e I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
2. Proteus
iPiscesj
Very last; whimsical, volatile
TUI.
1521
[tinstxj
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 166 T he s e c o n d s o n i c e n t i t y
o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e I I ,
c o n c i s e e v e n t c o n t a i n i n g b u t tw o p i t c h
th e I n tr o d u c tio n .
by th e s e
p itc h
o f th e f i r s t )
The m2 / m3 i n t e r v a l l i c
g ro u p s
c o r r e s p o n d s t o t h e c o n t e n t p o s s e s s e d b y tw o
in itia l
p re s e n ta tio n
I I a p p e a rs tw ic e a g a in - - b o th
s y s te m 2 ) .
re ta in s
th e
tim e s i n
t h e o r i g i n a l m2 / m3 i n t e r v a l l i c
M2 / M3 m o t i v i c c e l l ,
a n e l e m e n t w h ic h a l s o
I I o f P r im e v a l S o u n d s
S o n ic -E n tity
III
F o llo w in g a t r a n s p o s e d
I I I e n te rs :
s u c c e s s io n o f m a jo r s e c o n d s i n
re p e a te d
to n e in
c e l l o f th re e
in tr o d u c e d by th e
P ie c e I ,
of
but
The
th e im p o r ta n t
tra n s p ir e d
in
( s e e e x a m p le 7 0 ) .
re s ta te m e n t o f th e i n i t i a l
w h ic h b e g i n s s e c t i o n A , t h e e v e n t w h ic h r e p r e
s e n ts S o n ic -E n tity
a s in g le
s tru c tu re .
s ta te m e n ts re d u c e to
S o n ic -E n tity
s o n ic e n t i t y ,
I.
s e c t i o n A (p a g e 8 ,
a tra n s p o s itio n
s e c o n d i s m o re e x t e n s i v e l y v a r i e d ,
to p to n e s o f a l l th re e
v a llic
F a n ta s y -P ie c e
in P r o te u s , S o n ic -E n tity
The f i r s t r e s t a t e m e n t i s
th e o r i g i n a l ;
c o n te n t e x p re s s e d
( t h e 3 e c o n d o f w h ic h i s a t r a n s p o s i t i o n
g r o u p s , c o n c lu d e s
a q u ic k , m e tr ic a lly i r r e g u la r
th e r ig h t h and,
th e l e f t h an d ,
s e m ito n e s
(m2 /
m 2 ).
s ta te m e n t o f S o n ic -E n tity
o c c u r r i n g on p a g e 7 , s y s te m
c o m b in e d w i t h
p ro d u c in g a n i n t e r
T h i s c e l l w as
IV , F a n t a s y -
1.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 6 7 S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I , p a g e 7 , s y s te m 4 , F a n t a s y P i e c e I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
Ex. 71.
An a l t e r e d ,
b u t n e v e rth e le s s c le a r ly d e riv e d v a r ia n t o f
S o n ic -E n tity I I I i n i t i a t e s
m e n t, i n t e r v a l l i c
d e s p ite
Ex. 7 2 .
s e c tio n B.
s tru c tu re
In t h is
p ro n o u n ce
r e m a in s e s s e n t i a l l y u n a l t e r e d ,
th e o b v io u s d i f f e r e n c e s .
V a r i a n t o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I , p a g e 8 , s y s te m 1 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
N ear th e c o n c lu s io n o f P r o te u s . S o n ic -E n tity
th e f i n a l tim e ;
in
th is c a se , i t
III
13 n o t a l t e r e d ,
sound3 f o r
except
f o r tra n s p o s itio n .
S o n ic -E n titie s
IV , V, a n d VI
S o n ic -E n titie s
s ta te m e n t,
o c c u rre n c e.
IV , V, a n d V I , u p o n t h e i r o n l y r e
r e m a in c o n n e c t e d i n t h e i r o r i g i n a l o r d e r o f
R e ta in e d e n t i t y a s s o c i a t i o n s o f t h i s n a tu r e a r e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 168 r a t h e r e x c e p t i o n a l i n C r u m b 's m u s i c .
te n -n o te c lu s t e r - li k e
c r e a s e s i n num ber o f a t t a c k s .
t e n - n o t e c h o rd i s
Ex. 7 3.
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV , a
c h o r d , g ro w s i n i n t e n s i t y a s i t d e
One n o t e o f t h e o r i g i n a l
d ro p p ed w ith e a c h o f te n a t t a c k s .
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV , p a g e 7 , s y s te m 4 , F a n t a s y P i e c e I I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
I
T h e r e i m m e d ia te l y f o l l o w s a v e r y b r i e f e m b e l l i s h e d - t r i l l
g e s tu re
( S o n ic - E n tity V ), r e d u c i b le in p i tc h c o n te n t to
f o u r c h ro m a tic s e m ito n e s .
Ex. 7 4 .
S o n i c - E n t i t y V, p a g e 8 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e
I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
The s i x t h
s o n ic e n t i t y
o f g rac e n o te s , and i s
a n d B a r to k
(m2 /
i s a t w e n ty - f o u r to n e f l o u r i s h
s a t u r a t e d w i t h c h r o m a ti c
P4) i n t e r v a l l i c
(m2 / m2 e t c . )
c e lls .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
1 6 9 Ex . 7 5 .
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I , sh o w n w i t h c h r o m a t i c c e l l s
c i r c l e d ( - A - ) , a n d w ith B a r to k c e l l s ( i . e . c e l l s
c o n s i s t i n g o f th o s e i n t e r v a l s c o m p risin g th e
p r e v i o u s ly d e f i n e d B a rto k c h o rd ) c i r c l e d ( - B - ) ,
p a g e 8 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I , M a k ro k o s m o s,
V o l. I
-A -
-B -
U pon t h e i r - r e s t a t e m e n t ,
a lte re d :
IV i s
s lig h tly
S o n ic -E n titie s
v a rie d
in
IV , V , a n d V I a r e
p itc h c o n te n t, and th e
f in a l fiv e a tta c k s a re re p e a te d ; V is
tra n s p o s e d , and ta k e s
on a n a d d i t i o n a l p i t c h ; V I i s m e r e ly t r a n s p o s e d .
Ex. 7 6 .
R e s t a t e m e n t o f S o n i c - E n t i t i e s IV , V, a n d V I , p a g e
8 , s y s te m h, F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I , M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l . I
S o n ic -E n tity V II
F o l l o w i n g t h e v a r i a n t o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I w h ic h
b e g in s s e c t i o n B, t h e r e a p p e a r s a n o th e r g r a c e - n o te f i g u r e ,
( S o n ic - E n t it y V I I ) , h a v in g s e v e n a t t a c k s ,
a n d b u i l t fro m
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-170f iv e
s e m ito n e s .
T h re e t r a n s p o s e d r e s ta te m e n ts
o fth is
e v e n t t r a n s p i r e n e a r th e c o n c lu s io n o f s e c tio n B.
E x. 7 7 .
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I , p a g e 8 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e
I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
S o n ic -E n titie s V III,
IX , X, a n d X I
The f i n a l f o u r s o n i c e n t i t i e s
p r e s e n t t h e m s e l v e s b u t o n e t im e e a c h .
o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
II
S o n ic -E n tity V III
e m a n a t e s f o r t h e m o s t p a r t f ro m t h e M2 / M3 i n t e r v a l l i c
c e l l , w i t h som e r e f e r e n c e
th e
le f t hand.
S o n ic -E n tity
Ex. 7 8 .
It
re la te s
t o t h e m2 /
P4 ( B a r t o k ) c e l l i n
i n t e r v a l l i c a l l y and
In sh ap e to
III.
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I I , p a g e 8 , s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e
I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
A w h o le -to n e s o n o r it y o f f iv e
p itc h e s ,
p re c e d e d by
a c o m p le m e n ta r y w h o l e - t o n e g r a c e - n o t e e m b e l l i s h m e n t , c o n
s titu te s
th e n in th
s o n ic e n t i t y .
The c o m p o n e n ts o f t h i s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 7 1 e v e n t,
b e c a u s e o f a m o m e n ta ry d e p r e s s i o n o f t h e d a m p e r
p e d a l, a c t u a l l y
Ex. 7 9 .
T h is i s
in
en co m p ass a s in g l e
te n -to n e
so n o rity .
S o n i c - E n t i t y IX , p a g e 8 , s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e
I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
one o f th re e d i s t i n c t te n - to n e s o n o r itie s h e a rd
P ro te u s
(tw o a p p e a r w i t h i n S o n i c - E n t i t y I V ) ; a l l r e l a t e
c lo s e ly to one a n o th e r , b u t th e r e a re
i n h a r m o n ic c o n s t r u c t i o n .
s u b tle d iff e re n c e s
When a s k e d a b o u t t h e r a t i o n a l e
b e h in d t h e s e d i f f e r e n c e s , Crum b e x p l a i n e d t h a t e a c h h a d
been ch o sen i n t u i t i v e l y ,
s o n ic
la r g e ly
f o r t h e i r in d iv id u a l
p ro p e rtie s . 1
S o n ic -E n tity X c o n s is ts o f a n in e ty - s ix
n o te c o n f ig u r a tio n ,
c h ro m a tic c e l l s
p a rt,
o f v a ry in g le n g th s ;
shaped in to
is
p re v io u s ly s t a t e d .
th e s e a r e ,
A ls o a p a r t o f t h i s
F4 ( B a r t o k )
to n e g r a c e -
p r i m a r i l y m ade u p o f
p a t t e r n s r e s e m b lin g c e r t a i n
v e r s i o n s o f t h e m2 /
Ex. 8 0.
w h ic h i n p i t c h
f o r t h e m o st
s o n ic e n t i t i e s
e n t i t y a r e tw o
in te rv a llic
c e ll.
S o n i c - E n t i t y X, w i t h i n t e r v a l l i c c e l l s b a s e d o n ,
s e m i t o n e s c i r c l e d , a n d t h o s e b a s e d o n t h e B a r t 6k
c h o r d b o x e d , p a g e 8 , s y s te m 3* F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I ,
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I ( s e e t h e t o p o f p a g e 1 7 2 )
^ ro m
a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b, 27 A u g u s t 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 7 2 -
A s y m m e tr ic a l c h o rd ,
page 1 5 1 ,
lo c a te d
p r e v i o u s l y m e n t i o n e d on
tw o m e a s u r e s f ro m t h e p i e c e s c o n c l u s i o n ,
r e p r e s e n t s S o n i c - E n t i t y X I, a n d c o m p l e t e s t h e e n t i t y
u la r y o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
II.
T h is i s
vocab
f o l l o w e d by a r e s t a t e
m en t o f S o n i c - E n t i ty V I I a n o th e r s y m m e tr ic a l i d e a .
T hese
tw o c o n c l u d i n g s y m m e t r i c a l i d e a s s h a r e t h e sam e a x i s o f
sy m m e try
(i.e .
d i s t a n t to th e
I t is
t h a t t o n e w h ic h l i e s
b e tw e e n , a n d i s
p i t c h m em b ers o f b o t h ) :
in te r e s tin g
o n e -lin e
e q u a lly
G -sh a rp .
t o n o te t h a t b o th th e o p e n in g a n d th e
c lo s i n g e v e n ts o f P r o te u s a r e
s y m m e tric a l p i t c h s t r u c t u r e s .
SUMMARY
T a b le IX . O v e r a ll s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I
i n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
(se e th e to p o f page 173)
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 7 3 Formal Unit:
In tro d u c tio n = I ,
II,
S e c tio n A
= la ,
S e c tio n B
= I l i a , V II, lb , H a , V I I I, V ila ,
l i b , IX , V l l b , V I I c ,
S e c t i o n A1
= Ic,
C oda
= V lld
F a n ta s y -P ie c e
III
III,
X, I V a , V a, V i a ,
Illb ,
The s o s t e n u t o
pedal s e ttin g
p r e v io u s ly e s ta b lis h e d
P a s t o r a l e , p r o d u c i n g t h e sam e g e n r e
r e s o n a n c e w h ic h c o l o r e d F a n t a s y - P i e c e
o n ly to u c h e s o f dam per p e d a l c o n tr i b u te
m e n t.
X I,
( P a s t o r a l e ) ( fr o m t h e Kingdom o f
A t l a n t i s T c a '.' 1 0 ,0 0 0 B .c T) " T a u r u s "
r e m a in s u n a l t e r e d i n
o f d e lic a te
IV , V, V I ,
H o w e v e r, u n l i k e F a n t a s y = P i e c e
to
II,
o n e m o d u la r u n i t w h ic h s o u n d s w i t h i n
P a s to r a le f e a tu r e s
p e d a l:
p a ra lle l p e rfe c t f if th s ,
a m a j o r s e c o n d re m o v e d .
( S o n ic - E n tity
M2 / m3 /
III),
M2 i n t e r v a l l i c
tw o s l i g h t l y
s e p a r a te d
T h i s com
w h ic h r e d u c e s t o a s y m m e t r i c a l
s tru c tu re ,
e x e rts
an o v e r a ll D to n a l c e n te r , and r e p r e s e n ts
t u r a l fo rc e w ith in F a n ta s y -P ie c e
of th is
a g a in ,
th e r e g i s t r a l sp an
c o v e re d by th e s o s te n u to
ponent
II;
th e so u n d e n v ir o n
III.
th ro u g h a s s e r t i o n
t h e p r im e s t r u c
The s o n i c s t r u c t u r e
p ie c e i s o f th e g e s tu r e - p a u s e v a r i e t y .
B e in g p r e d o m i n a n t l y m e l o d i c i n
c o n c e p tio n ,
P a s to ra le
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174c o n ta i n s n o v e r t i c a l s i m u l t a n e i t i e s o t h e r th a n th e p e r f e c t
f ifth s
o f S o n ic -E n tity
III,
f o u r- n o te B a rt^ k c h o rd .
th e f a l l i n g
f if th s
e x p re s s iv e ,
re p e a te d
s e v e r a l m a jo r s e c o n d s , a n d one
The m a j o r s e c o n d w h ic h s e p a r a t e s
o f S o n ic -E n tity I I I
in te rv a l.
i s h e a rd a s an
O n ly o n e m o t i v i c c e l l
w h ic h d i d n o t p r e v i o u s l y a p p e a r i n F a n t a s y - P i e c e
o c c u rs in t h i s
p ie c e :
I or II
t h e M2 / m3 c e l l o f S o n i c - E n t i t i e s
I and V II.
The f o r m a l d e s i g n o f P a s t o r a l e , a n d l o c a t i o n s o f
th e d iv is io n s
th e re o f a re
g i v e n b e lo w :
F rom t h e b e g i n n i n g t h r o u g h m e a s u r e 2 , s y s te m 2 ,
p a g e 10
From m e a s u r e 3 s y s te m 2 , t h r o u g h s y s te m 3*
p a g e 10
A1
F rom t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 4 ,
m e a s u r e 2 , s y s te m 2 , p a g e 10
C oda
th ro u g h
R e m a in d e r
I,
The f i r s t
P ie c e I I I u n i t e
to
a lw a y s a s s o c i a t e d
II,
and I I I
th re e
s t r u c t u r a l c o m p o n e n ts o f F a n t a s y -
f o rm a n e n t i t y
g ro u p ,
w ith one a n o th e r .
t i o n s A a n d A1 d e r i v e
s o l e l y f ro m t h e s e
S o n ic -E n tity I c o n ta in s th e
in t h a t th e y a r e
The e n t i r e t i e s
of sec
t h r e e c o m p o n e n ts .
i n i t i a l a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e M2 / m3
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 7 5 m o tiv lc c e l l
c e ll
( m e n t io n e d a b o v e ) ,
(m2 ^ P 4 )
is a rtic u la te d
s e v e n tim e s i n
s e c t i o n A, t h r e e
in th e co d a .
p lu s a t h r e e - n o t e B a r to k
T h is e n t i t y , a n d i t s
tim e s i n
c le a r d e riv a tiv e s ,
P a s to ra le :
th re e
tim e s in
s e c t i o n A l , a n d a f i n a l t im e
The c o n s t i t u e n t p i t c h
c e lls
r e ta in
th e ir
S o n i c - E n t i t y I , f i r s t o c c u r r e n c e , p a g e 9,
s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
A s e r i e s o f tw e lv e r e p e a t e d D - s h a r p s ,
tw o g r a c e n o t e s
m a jo r t h i r d
S o n ic -E n tity
p r e c e d e d by
(F a n d E ) , a n d f o l l o w e d b y a n a c c e n t e d
(B ) c o m b in e t o f o rm t h e f i r s t u t t e r a n c e o f
II.
L ik e S o n ic - E n tity
id e a so u n d s se v e n tim e s :
th is
fo u n d a tio n a l
tw ic e in s e c t i o n A, th r e e
tim e s in s e c t i o n A l, an d tw ic e i n
w h ic h a lw a y s f o l l o w
I,
S o n ic -E n tity
th e c o d a .
I,
R e s ta te m e n ts ,
in e v e ry in s ta n c e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 7 6 c o n t a i n a m2 /
m2 i n t e r v a l l i c
c e ll,
c o n c lu d e w i t h e i t h e r
a M3 o r a m 3, a n d m ay c o n t a i n a m2 /
c e ll.
P4 ( B a r t o k ) i n t e r v a l l i c
D y n a m ic s a n d t o t a l n u m b e r o f a t t a c k s v a r y c o n s i d e r
a b l y f ro m o n e p r e s e n t a t i o n t o a n o t h e r .
Ex. 8 2 .
S o n i c - E n t l t y I I , f i r s t o c c u r r e n c e , p a g e 9, s y s te m
1 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
S o n ic -E n tity
III
( a l r e a d y d i s c u s s e d i n som e d e t a i l
on p a g e s 174 a n d 1 7 5 ) e v e n t u a t e s t w i c e i n A, t w i c e i n A l ,
o n c e a s a l i n k b e tw e e n B a n d A l , a n d o n c e i n t h e c o d a .
T h i s e le m e n t a lw a y s p r e s e n t s i t s e l f
e ith e r a g a in s t o r
im m e d ia te ly a f t e r S o n i c - E n t i ty I I .
One w o n d e r s i f
lo w p a r a l l e l f i f t h s
Sunken C a th e d r a l
Ex. 8 3 .
o f th is
(A tla n tis
e n tity
th e
owe a d e b t t o D e b u s s y 's
i s a "sunken" c it y
o f m y th o lo g y ).
S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I , f i r s t o c c u r r e n c e , p a g e 9,
s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-177Sonic-Entities IV and V
A g r a c e -n o te c o n fig u r a tio n o f sev en to n e s
E n t i t y IV ) d e l i n e a t e s
s u c c e s s iv e ,
(S o n ic -
t r a n s p o s e d B a rto k
c lu d in g p e r f e c t f o u rth
(m2 /
P4) c e l l s ,
c o m p rise i t s
p lu s a con
in te rv a llic
c o n s titu e n ts .
T h i s m o d u la r c o m p o n e n t a lw a y s p r e c e d e s S o n i c - E n t i t y V .
Ex. 8 4 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s IV , a n d V, p a g e 9, s y s te m 2 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
I
(StacteTi,,.)
El--------------- *
A c o n c is e w h o le -to n e p a t t e r n
(fe a tu rin g
filig re e
t h e M2 /
p a tte rn
s o n ic e n t i t y .
M3 I n t e r v a l l i c
in th e
in
th e l e f t hand
c e ll),
p lu s an o s c i l l a t i n g
r i g h t hand^ c o n s t i t u t e
A lw a y s o c c u r r i n g t o g e t h e r ,
th e f i f t h
th e c o m b in a tio n
o f S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V I a n d V t a k e s p la c e f o u r tim e s i n
th e
s e c o n d s e c t i o n , a n d o n c e i n t h e c o d a ( s e e e x a m p le 8 4 ) .
S o n i c - E n t i ti e s VI an d V II
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I , a r i s i n g g e s t u r e b u i l t fro m t h e
B a rto k c h o rd , s e r v e s t o
s e p a r a t e tw o i d e n t i c a l o c c u r r e n c e s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 7 8 o f th e f o u r th and f i f t h
e n tity
E x. 8 5 .
u tiliz e s
e n titie s .
A lth o u g h b r i e f ,
th is
th e t o t a l c h ro m a tic .
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I , p a g e 9, s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y P i e c e I I I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
L ik e th e s i x t h
s o n ic e n t i t y ,
S o n ic - E n tity V II so u n d s
b u t o n e t i m e , a n d i n t e r v e n e s b e tw e e n s t a t e m e n t s o f t h e com
b i n a t i o n o f S o n i c - E n t i t i e s IV a n d V .
M e lo d ic a lly ,
th is
event
d i s p l a y s p r o m i n e n t l y t h e M2 / m3 m o t i v i c c e l l i n t r o d u c e d b y
S o n ic -E n tity
Ex. 8 6 .
I.
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I , p a g e 9, s y s te m Z> F a n t a s y P i e c e I I I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
SUMMARY
Table X. Overall structural design of Fantasy-Piece III
in relation to complete sonic-entity content and ordering
(see the top of page 179)
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 7 9 F o rm a l U n i t :
S e c tio n A
S o n ic - E n tlty C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g :
= I, I I ,
l a , { b e g u n ),
lb , Ilb T m T
Ilia ,
S e c tio n B
= IV , V , V I ,
(B rid g e )
= H I.
S e c tio n A l
= Ic, I I,
T d T b e g u n ), I l i a ,
Ie, lid , tlT,
C oda
Ex. 8 7 .
(c o m p le te d ),
IV , V, IV ,
= IV a, V c, I l i a ,
I ll b , I lg
F a n ta s y -P ie c e
la
If,
Id
Illb ,
IV a, V a , V I I ,
(c o m p le te d ),
I la
Ila ,
IV b , V b ,
I llb ,
lie ,
Ilf
IV ( C r u c i f i x u s ) " C a p r i c o r n "
F a n t a s y - P i e c e IV ( i n i t s
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
J
c
e n tire ty ),
page 10,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 180 -
It seems interesting
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-181F a n t a s y - P i e c e IV c o n s i s t s o f tw o c o n t r a s t i n g
s e c tio n s :
th e f i r s t
( sy s te m s A a n d B i n
v e r y lo w i n r e g i s t e r ,
is tic
in fu n c tio n ;
t h e s c o r e ) , b e in g
i s n o n m e lo d ic i n c h a r a c t e r a n d c o l o r -
th e second
(sy s te m C i n th e s c o r e ) i s
m e lo d ic in n a tu r e an d g r e a t e r i n
le n g th .
B o th i n v o l v e n o n -
m e t r i c a l r h y th m .
COMMENTARY ON INDIVIDUAL SONIC EN TITIES
S o n ic -E n titie s
I and I I
o r i g i n a l f o r m , b e g i n s F a n t a s y - P i e c e IV .
F a n ta s y -P ie c e
I a ls o ,
As i n
I , a trito n e -re m o v e d r e s ta te m e n t o f t h i s
e v e n t so u n d s a f t e r th e i n te r v e n t i o n o f a b r i e f g e s tu r e ;
in th e
II)
p ie c e u n d e r c o n s id e r a tio n t h i s
e x p r e s s e s t h e f o u n d a t i o n a l M2 /
t h e m edium o f f i f t h
Ex. 8 8 .
g e s tu re
( S o n ic -E n tity
M3 m o t i v i c c e l l t h r o u g h
p a r t i a l h a rm o n ic s .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
(S o n ic -E n tity
c o m m e n te d u p o n ( s e e p a g e
th re e
in
l8 o ).
e a c h h a n d c o m p rise th e
s o n ic e n t i t y . )
S o n ic -E n titie s
III)
h a s a lr e a d y been
(S ix c h ro m a tic s e m ito n e s - p i t c h m ak e u p o f t h e t h i r d
IV a n d V d e r i v e t h e i r p i t c h
c o n t e n t f ro m t h e sam e w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e ;
c lo s e ly
e n tity .
re la te d ,
B o th t h e f o u r t h a n d f i f t h
by g r a c e - n o te
th e s e e v e n ts a r e
a n d c o u ld e a s i l y be th o u g h t o f a s a s i n g l e
e n t i t i e s a r e e m b e llis h e d
s o n o r i t i e s o f e i t h e r tw o o r f o u r p i t c h e s ;
th e
p i t c h e s o f th e s e e m b e llis h m e n ts ta k e n by th e l e f t hand a r e
a lw a y s m em b e rs o f t h e c o m p le m e n ta ry w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e .
E x. 8 9 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I I I , IV , a n d V ( f i r s t o c c u r r e n c e s ) ,
b e g in n in g o f v e r t i c a l s y s te m , p a g e 1 0 , F a n ta s y P i e c e IV , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
Adagio molto
A p ause o f in d e te rm in a te
le n g th s e p a r a te s F a n ta s y -P ie c e
IV
f ro m F a n t a s y - P i e c e V, t h u s d e l i n e a t i n g t h e c o n c l u s i o n a n d
com m encem ent o f t h e
f i r s t and se co n d m a c r o s e c tio n s r e s p e c t i v e l y .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 8 3 -
SUMMARY
T a b le X I I .
O v e r a l l s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e IV
i n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm a l U n i t :
S o n ic - E n tity C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g :
S e c tio n A
= I,
S e c tio n B
I I , la ,
III,
Ila ,
IV , V, V a, V a ,
IV b , V b , IVc
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V (T he P h a n to m G o n d o l i e r ) " S c o r p i o "
A m y s te rio u s a c o u s t i c a l a m b ia n c e , r e s u l t i n g
s t a n t i a l d e g r e e f ro m t h e e x p l o i t a t i o n
tim b ra l r e s o u r c e s ,
P h a n to m G o n d o l i e r .
p e rv a d e s th e so n o ro u s f a b r i c
U tiliz a tio n
s i n g i n g , a n d m o a n in g ;
p ie c e :
p iz z a c a to
s tr in g s
v o c a l in c a n
to n e p r o d u c tio n ;
s c r a p e d b y m e t a l t h im
b l e s ; u n is o n a n d tw o - to n e o n - t h e - s t r i n g
trills ,
w ith th im b le - c a p p e d f i n g e r s ; a n d a s o - c a l l e d
e ffe c t,"
o f The
o f th e fo llo w in g d e v ic e s
t r a n s p i r e s d u r in g th e c o u rs e o f th e
ta tio n ,
in sub
o f e x tra o rd in a ry
p ro d u ce d
" r is in g - f a llin g
p r o d u c e d b y m o v in g t h e h a n d f ro m t h e m id d l e t o
th e
e n d o f two s t r i n g s a m in o r s e c o n d re m o v e d , w h i l e t r i l l i n g
v e ry q u ic k ly an d l i g h t l y on th e s e
capped f in g e r s .
s t r i n g s w ith th im b le -
A ll o f th e s e s p e c i a l e f f e c t s happen
w i t h i n a r e s o n a n t c o n tin u u m s e t u p b y g e s t u r e - d e c a y s o u n d
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 8 4 s tr u c tu r e
( t h e d a m p e r r e m a in s d e p r e s s e d t h r o u g h o u t ) .
W it h i n a l a r g e l y n o n p r o g r e s s i o n a l r h y th m ic c o n
te x t,
r a t h e r l e n g t h y s u c c e s s i o n s o f t h e m2 /
c h o rd
( S o n ie - E n tity
p e rfe c t f if th s ,
P i e c e V; t h e s e
III),
d o m in a t e t h e h a rm o n ic s t r u c t u r e
3 e rv e an e s s e n t i a l r o le
o f o v e r a ll fo rm a l c o n s tr u c tio n .
b in a tio n s a re
P4 / m2 ( B a r t o k )
im p lie d by p a i r s o f c o n s e c u tiv e
o f F a n ta s y -
in th e d e te r m in a tio n
The o n l y o t h e r v e r t i c a l com
t h r e e m a jo r s e c o n d s , a n d t h r e e t h r e e - n o t e
c h o r d s b u i l t fro m c h r o m a t i c
s e m ito n e s .
H o r i z o n t a l l y , The
P h a n to m G o n d o l i e r u n f o l d s a l m o s t e x c l u s i v e l y t h r o u g h t h e
o p e r a t io n o f th e f o llo w in g m o tiv ic c e l l s :
M2 /
m 2, a n d m2 ( / m2) /
M3 ( p a r e n t h e s e s I n d i c a t e
e n c lo s e d
o p tio n a l).
in te r v a l is
From t h e e a r l y m om ents o f t h i s
p ie c e ,
M3, m2 /
t h a t th e
one becom es
a w a r e o f a g r a d u a l b u t s t e a d y c r e s c e n d o o f b o t h rh y th m a n d
d y n a m ic s ;
th is
b u ild
c u lm in a te s a t th e a p e x o f i n t e n s i t y ,
n e a r t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e w o rk l o c a t e d
t h e m id d l e o f s y s te m 1 , p a g e 1 2 .
V and th e
to
p o s itio n in g o f th e u n i ts
th e s c o re , a re
in d ic a te d
in th e s c o re in
The fo rm o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e
t h e r e o f , w ith r e f e r e n c e
b e lo w :
In tr o d u c tio n
From t h e b e g i n n i n g , t o a n d i n c l u d i n g
t h e A l p h a - G l i s s a n d o , s y s te m 1 , p a g e 11
From c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e a b o v e t o a n d i n
c l u d i n g t h e A l p h a - G l i s s a n d o , s y s te m 2 ,
p a g e 11
Al
From c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e a b o v e t h r o u g h
s y s te m 3 , p a g e 11
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 8 5 A2
From t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 4 , p a g e 1 1 ,
t h r o u g h t h e s e v e n s e c o n d f e r m a t a , s y s te m
1 , p a g e 12
C oda
R e m a in d e r
I and I I
T he i n i t i a l e v e n t i s
t i o n , an d tw ic e a g a in in
th re e
h e a rd tw ic e in th e in tr o d u c
th e c o d a .
Though i t
c o n ta in s b u t
p i t c h e s e x p r e s s i n g t h e M2 / M3 m o t i v i c c e l l S o n i c -
E n tity
I c o n s is ts , a c o u s tic a lly ,
n a m e ly , t h o s e s o n o r i t i e s
s c ra p in g
o f t h r e e s p e c i a l tim b re s :
p ro d u c e d th ro u g h p i z z i c a t o ,
th ro u g h
l o w - r e g i s t e r s t r i n g s w ith a m e ta l th im b le , and
th ro u g h a u n iso n o n - t h e - s t r i n g
v a tio n o f th i3
e le m e n t i s
I I o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
th im b le t r i l l .
c le a r ly
tra c e a b le
IV ( s e e e x a m p le 8 8 ) .
in tr o d u c ti o n and th e c o d a ,
to
T he d e r i
S o n ic -E n tity
In b o th th e
tw o s u c c e s s i v e s t a t e m e n t s o f
S o n i c - E n t i t y I a r e f o l l o w e d by a n A l p h a - G l i s s a n d o , w h ic h
in
th is
p ie c e r e p r e s e n ts
why t h e c om poser- n o t a t e d
b lo c k d i f f e r e n t l y
I
S o n ic -E n tity
th is
II.
One w o n d e rs
p e r v a s i v e m o d u la r b u i l d i n g
h e r e t h a n w as t h e c a s e i n F a n t a s y - P i e c e
( s e e e x a m p le 6 2 ) .
A lp h a -G lis s a n d i a r e
im p o r ta n t s o n ic
i n g r e d i e n t s o f The P h a n to m G o n d o l i e r t h e y o c c u r i n e a c h
o f th e f iv e
f o rm a l p a r t i t i o n s o f t h e w o rk , o f t e n
s e rv in g a
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
g ro u p s.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I a n d I I , p a g e 1 1 , s y s te m 1 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V, M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
[PartTwo]
5. The Phantom Gondolier |St:orpio|
Eerily, wilh a sense of malignant evil [/=(>()]
S o n ic -E n titie s
III,
S o n ic -E n tity
IV , a n d V
III
( e a r l i e r d i s c u s s e d on p a g e 1 8 4 )
m ak e s p r o m i n e n t s t r u c t u r a l u s e o f t h e f r e q u e n t l y e n c o u n
t e r e d B a rto k c h o r d .
A th ric e
p e rfe c t f if th s
in to
fa lls
re p e a te d s u c c e s s io n o f s ix
th e fo llo w in g p a t t e r n :
t r i t o n e , down a M6, u p a t r i t o n e ,
to n e .
An i m p o r t a n t p a r t o f t h i s
up a
down a D 7, a n d u p a t r i
s tr u c tu r a l e v e n t i s an
p ia n is t.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 8 7 Ex . 9 1 .
S o n l c - E n t i t y I I I ( f i r s t tw o o f t h r e e c y c l e s o f
s i x p e r f e c t f i f t h s ) , P i e c e V, M ak ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
tt
y f lJ 1"1 y
A bove t h e t h i r d
1t L
1 "nr h J t y L j . r g j f j
s o n ic e n t i t y ,
th e r ig h t hand s t a t e s
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s IV a n d V; d u r i n g t h e e n t i r e t y o f F a n t a s y P i e c e V, t h e s e t h r e e m o d u la r c o m p o n e n ts m a i n t a i n t h e i r
c lo s e a s s o c ia tio n .
The f o u r t h
m2 /
c e l l t h r o u g h t h e m edium o f t h i m b l e d
M3 i n t e r v a l l i c
e n t i t y e x p r e s s e s a m2 /
p ro d u c tio n .
An a b b r e v i a t e d v e r
s i o n o f S o n i c - E n t i t y IV e n u n c i a t i n g a m2 / m2 m o t i v i c
c e ll-- c o n s titu te s
th e f i f t h
f o u r th , anu f i f t h
s tr u c tu r a l u n its
an e n tity
In a d d itio n ,
th e f i f t h
e n tity
re c e iv e s
s e q u e n t i a l m a n i p u l a t i o n i n s e c t i o n A 2; a n a b b r e
v ia te d v e rs io n o f S o n ic -E n tity
Ex. 92 .
The t h i r d ,
i n c o m b i n a ti o n c o m p r i s e
g r o u p w h ic h co m m ences e a c h o f t h e w o r k 's t h r e e
m a in s e c t i o n s .
e x te n s iv e
s o n ic e n t i t y .
I I I is
s ta te d
in th e co d a.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s IV a n d V, s y s te m 1 , p a g e 1 1 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V, M a k ro k o s m o s , V0 i . I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
( S o n l c - E n t i t y V I) e n t e r s
o f s y s te m 2 ( p a g e 1 1 ) .
s ix th
im m e d ia te ly f o llo w in g th e
p ro n o u n ce m e n t o f S o n i c - E n t i ty
II,
In te rv a llic a lly
c o n s t r u c t i v e e le m e n t d i r e c t l y
n e a r th e b e g in n in g
and s o n ic a lly ,
re la te s
th e
to S o n ic -E n tity
I ; a l t h o u g h m ade u p o f o n l y tw o p i t c h e s A a n d D - s h a r p ,
th is u n it
(lik e
o f sou n d :
S o n ic -E n tity
a fifth
I ) c o n ta in s th re e
p a r t i a l h a rm o n ic ,
m a lly p ro d u c e d t o n e s .
It is
v a rie tie s
p iz z ic a to , and n o r
p e rfo rm e d e n t i r e l y
by th e
le f t hand.
O c c u r rin g s im u lta n e o u s ly w ith th e s i x t h
e n tity a re
tw o t r i t o n e - r e m o v e d u n i s o n t r i l l s
( S o n lc - E n tity V I I ),
du ced by th im b le c a p p ed f i n g e r s .
The s e c o n d o f t h e s e
trills
so u n d s in c o n ju n c tio n w ith a
( m e n t io n e d o n p a g e 1 8 3 ) .
m o d u le s r e m a in i n
to p e rfo rm t h i s
la b le s
"I
ri
mi
th a t th e v o c a liz a tio n
c a n ta tio n ."
ru
W h ile t h e s i x t h a n d s e v e n t h
p ro g re ss,
g e s tu r e ,
p ro
S o n ic -E n tity V III ta k e s p la c e ;
th e p i a n i s t m u st c h a n t th e s y l
The c o m p o s e r s p e c i f i e s
s h o u ld b e " h a l f - s u n g ,
( A c c o rd in g t o t h e r e c o r d
lik e an in
ja c k e t n o te s ,
th e
t e x t e l e m e n t s o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e V w e r e t a k e n f ro m B e r l i o z 1
La D a m n a tio n d e F a u s t . )
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 8 9 S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V I , V I I , a n d V I I I c o m b in e t o
f o rm a n i m p o r t a n t e n t i t y
c ia te d
f o u r tim e s :
g ro u p .
T h is t o t a l i t y
is
enun
th e seco n d e n u n c ia tio n a p p e a rs in
s e c t i o n A , a n d f o llo w s im m e d ia te ly a f t e r t h e f i r s t ;
t h ir d and f o u rth e n u n c ia tio n s lik e w is e
ta k e p la c e in
s e c tio n A l.
th e
ju x ta p o s e d
U n lik e th e f i r s t an d t h i r d ,
th e
s e c o n d a n d f o u r t h u n i t s c o n c lu d e w ith a n A lp h a -G lis s a n d o
( S o n ic - E n tity
II);
h o w e v e r , a l l s t a t e m e n t s o f t h i s m o d u la r
g ro u p m a in ta in c l e a r i d e n t i t y ,
d e s p ite
th is and o th e r
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V I , V I I , a n d V I I I , f i r s t tw o
o c c u r r e n c e s , p a g e 1 1 , s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e
V, M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
V II-V II-;
- V I - .;
I fi ii; - I"! $ 5 |J
-V III-
S o n ic -E n tity
fr-klty)
-V III-
IX
T he P h a n to m G o n d o l i e r ' s
c o m p le tio n w ith t h e u t t e r a n c e
on th e s y l l a b l e
" a h ."
e n tity
v o c a b u la r y r e a c h e s
o f a th re e -to n e
T h is n i n t h
v o c a liz a tio n
s o n ic e n t i t y ,
w h ic h s o u n d s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 9 0 a t tw o t r i t o n e - r e m o v e d p i t c h
th e
l e v e l s , h e lp s to b u i ld up to
p i e c e ' s m a in c l i m a x , t h r o u g h a g r a d u a l c r e s c e n d o o f
d y n a m ic i n t e n s i t y .
T h ere i s a l s o a g r e a t d e a l o f c li m a c t ic
te n s io n tr a n s m itte d a s a r e s u l t o f th e u n u su a l t h e a t r i c a l
c h a r a c te r o f S o n ic -E n tity
IX .
SUMMARY
T a b le X I I .
in r e la tio n
F o rm a l U n it:
O v e r a ll s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e V
t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
S o n lc - B n tlty C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g :
I n tr o d u c tio n = I ,
la ,
II,
S e c tio n A
= I I I /L.H.71/ IV , V. Va /R.H.7
V I /L .H .// V I I / F . H . y .
V illa . H a ,
V i a /L.H.7 7 V T lc / R . H . / . V I I I c . l i b ,
S e c t i o n A2
* I l l b /L.H.7 / IV b , Vc /R.H.7 ( s e q u e n t i a l )
IX , IX a ( r e p e t i t i v e ) , l i e ( r e p e t i t i v e )
( A l t e r n a t i o n a n d c o m b i n a t i o n o f V c , IX , a n d l i e ) ,
C oda
= I,
lb ,
H a , IIIc
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 9 1 F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I (N l g h t - S p e l l I ) " S a g i t t a r i u s "
The s o n o r o u s c h a r a c t e r o f N l g h t - S p e l l I l a r g e l y
ow es i t s
d is tin c t id e n tity
t o t h e e m p lo y m e n t, w i t h i n a
g e s tu r e - d e c a y sound c o n te x t , o f th e f o llo w in g e x c e p t i o n a l
m odes o f p r o d u c t i o n :
s trik in g
p iz z ic a to ,
se co n d p a r t i a l h a rm o n ic s ,
th e p i a n o s so u n d b o a rd an d m e ta l c ro s s b e a m s , o n -
th e -s trin g s
tre m o lo , o n - t h e - s t r i n g s m a r t e l l a t o c l u s t e r s ,
and w h i s tl in g .
A c r i t i c a l seg m en t o f th e i n i t i a l c o n
c e p t i o n w as S o n i c - E n t i t y X I I I , w h ic h c o n s i s t s o f w h i s t l e d
e x c e r p t s fro m a n A p p a l a c h i a n f o l k s o n g f a m i l i a r t o Crum b
fro m h i s y o u t h :
E x. 9k.
S o n i c - E n t i t y X I I I , p a g e 1 3 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y P i e c e V I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
The c o m p o s e r f e l t a c o m p u ls io n t o i n c l u d e t h i s q u o t a t i o n
f ro m t h e e a r l i e s t s t a g e s i n t h e c o n c e p t u a l l i f e
k o sm o s, V o l.
I .1
o f M a k ro
S o n ic -E n tity X III i s a v i t a l d e te rm in a n t
o f p i t c h an d i n t e r v a l s u c c e s s io n th ro u g h o u t F a n ta s y - P ie c e
V I,
la rg e ly
th ro u g h c e l l u l a r i n t e r a c t i o n
o f t h e M2 /
M2 / m3
^From a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b, 2 7 A u g u s t 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 9 2 in te rv a llic
p itc h e s
c e l l e x p re sse d by i t s
f i r s t fo u r d is c re te
(F , E - f l a t , D - f l a t , an d A -i a t ) ;
th e l a s t th re e
o f t h e s e p i t c h e s c o n s i d e r e d s e p a r a t e l y , c o m b in e t o fo rm a
M2 /
P4 c e l l
( e x p r e s s a b le th ro u g h re a rra n g e m e n t a s th re e
p e r f e c t f o u r t h s ) a n o t h e r i m p o r t a n t g e n e r a t i v e m o d u le i n
N ig h t-S p e ll I .
E x c e p t f o r t h e M2 / M2 / m3 a n d t h e M2 /
P4 c e l l s ,
w h ic h a p p e a r f o r t h e f i r s t
V I, p i tc h
d e r i v e s e x c l u s i v e l y fro m f a m i l i a r c e l l s
t im e i n F a n t a s y - P i e c e
in tro
duced in e a r l i e r fa n ta s y p ie c e s .
The b r o a d s e g m e n ts o f N l g h t - S p e l l 1 *3 c o m p o s i te
t w o - p a r t f o rm c a n b e fo u n d i n t h e s c o r e a s f o l l o w s :
A
From t h e b e g i n n i n g t h r o u g h p a g e 12
B e g i n n in g o f p a g e 13 t h r o u g h t h e r e m a i n d e r o f p i e c e
I and I I
The s u c c e s s i v e p e r f e c t f o u r t h s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I
d e riv e
fro m t h e M2 /
P4 c e l l m e n t i o n e d a b o v e .
p i t c h a n E c o m p le m e n ts t h i s
d e lic a te
shades o f to n a l d if f e r e n t ia t io n .
S o n i c - E n t i t y I I , w h ic h c o n s i s t s o f f o u r
p a rtia l)
A fo u rth
i n i t i a l u n i t, and f e a tu re s
h a r m o n i c s , c o m p l e te s t h e f i r s t
s e c tio n A.
(se c o n d
p a rtitio n
(a) of
N o te t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e tw e e n t h e i n t e r v a l l i c
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
193c o n te n t o f t h i s
by th e f i r s t
e n tity
(M2 / m3 / M2) a n d t h a t e x p r e s s e d
f o u r p i t c h e s o f S o n i c - E n t l t y X I I (M2 / M2 /
m 3 ); t h e p i t c h e s o f S o n l c - E n t i t y
I I m ay b e r e a r r a n g e d t o
fo rm a s e r i e s o f p e r f e c t f o u r t h s :
s h a rp , an d B.
S o n ic -E n titie s
in te r v e n in g g e s tu re s in
G -sh a rp , C -sh a rp , F-
I and I I r e c u r a f t e r s e v e r a l
th e f i n a l p o r tio n
( a l) o f s e c tio n
A; o n ly s l i g h t v a ria n c e s a r e a p p a r e n t.
Ex. 9 5 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I a n d I I , p a g e 1 2 , s y s te m 2 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
6. N ight-Spcl! I |Sagittarius]
II'
S o n ic -E n titie s
III,
IV , V, V I , a n d V I I
T he s e c o n d u n i t o f f o rm
s e rie s
(b ) s t a r t s
o u t w ith a
o f f o u r r h y th m ic g e r m s , w h ic h c o m b in e t o y i e l d
th e t h i r d
s o n ic e n t i t y .
g e rm s r e a p p e a r s ,
b e g in n in g o f b l .
f ro m t h e a l t e r n a t e
tw o o f i t s
O n ly t h e
t h i s o c c u rr in g
f i r s t o f th e s e fo u r
l a t e r in b an d a t th e
The r h y th m s o f S o n l c - E n t i t y I I I e m a n a te
s trik in g
o f th e
p i a n o 's s o u n d b o a rd a n d
m id d l e c r o s s b e a m s .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
19^Ex. 96.
S c n i c - E n t i t y I I I , p a g e 1 2 , s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y P i e c e V I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
-n Si
A r a p i d tre m o lo on th e s t r i n g s , u s in g a l l f i n g e r s ,
c o m p rise s th e f o u r t h s o n ic
e n tity
th e end o f fo rm a l u n i t c ) .
E n tity
firs t
( w h ic h s o u n d s a g a i n a t
B o th p r o n o u n c e m e n ts o f S o n i c -
IV o c c u r c o i n c i d e n t a l l y w i t h S o n i c - E n t i t y V t h e
o f s e v e r a l e v e n t s w h ic h t h e p i a n i s t m u s t w h i s t l e .
Ex. 97.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s IV a n d V, p a g e 1 2 , s y s te m 2 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
[ nightbirc S song]
S o n ic -E n tity V i s
in a d d itio n to
th e s ix t h
its
h e a rd a t h ir d
t im e i n f o r m a l u n i t b l ,
tw o u t t e r a n c e s i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h
s o n ic e n t i t y ;
th is
th ird
p re s e n ta tio n
is
p la y e d
r a t h e r th a n w h is tle d .
S o n lc -E n tity VI i s
c o m p rise d i n t e r v a l l i c a i l y
o f th e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 9 5 p e r v a s i v e M2 /
M3 m o t i v i c c e l l .
W h is tlin g a g a in r e p
re s e n ts
t h e m edium o f p e r f o r m a n c e f o r t h i 3 , a s w e l l a s
f o r th e
s e v e n th u n i t o f c o n s tr u c tio n .
l a t i n g m a jo r s e c o n d
A ra p id ly o s c il
( S o n ic - E n t it y V I I ) c o m p le te s th e b
s e c t o r o f s e c ti o n A; s e c t o r b l c o n ta in s a rh y th m ic a lly
a lte re d
Ex. 9 8 .
v e rs io n o f t h is
e v e n t.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V I a n d V I I , p a g e 1 2 , s y s te m 3 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
O p e n in g t h e t h i r d
la rg e
s e c tio n
is
fo rm a l u n i t
(c ) o f th e f i r s t
S o n ic -E n tity V I I I , a r i s i n g
e ig h t- to n e
g r a c e - n o t e f l o u r i s h w h ic h e m b e l l i s h e s a r e p e a t e d
The r i s i n g
g r a c e -n o te s a r e c o n s tr u c te d
f ro m a B a r t o k c h o r d a n d i t s
to n e .
in te rv a llic a lly
t r a n s p o s i t i o n u p a m a jo r s e c o n d .
The s e c o n d a n d f i n a l s t a t e m e n t o f S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I i s
p o s e d down a m in o r t h i r d ,
firs t;
tra n s
a n d f o llo w s im m e d ia te ly a f t e r th e
t a k e n t o g e t h e r t h e s e s u c c e s s i v e s t a t e m e n t s c o m p l e te
an u n f o ld in g o f th e t o t a l c h ro m a tic .
Ex. 9 9 .
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I I , p a g e 1 2 , s y s te m 3* F a n t a s y P i e c e V I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 9 6 A w h is tle d n in th
s o n ic e n t i t y g e n e r a te s m o st o f
th e m u s ic a l s u b s ta n c e o f fo rm a l u n i t b l .
t h is k e rn e l s p rin g s e n ti r e l y
In te rv a llic a lly ,
f ro m t h e M2 / M3 c e l l .
S o n ic -
E n t i t y IX c o n c l u d e s w i t h a r a p i d l y r e p e a t i n g m a j o r s e c o n d
a g e s t u r e d e r i v e d fro m S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I ;
in f a c t ,
th e n in th
s o n i c e n t i t y c a n b e v ie w e d a s a r e d u c t i o n o f S o n i c - E n t i t y
VI p lu s S o n ic -E n tity V II.
In a d d itio n
o c c u rre n c e ,
e n u n c ia te d th r e e s u b s e q u e n t
t h i s m o ti v e i s
to i t s
in itia l
tim e s in b l .
Ex. 100.
S o n i c - E n t i t y IX , p a g e 1 2 , s y s te m s 3 a n d 4 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X, X I , X I I , a n d X I I I
The s e c o n d l a r g e f o r m a l d i v i s i o n b e g i n s w i t h S o n i c E n t i t y X a b r i e f g e s t u r e
i d e n t i c a l in i n t e r v a l l i c
c o n te n t
The t e n t h e n t i t y
to S o n ic -E n tity I I ,
in t h a t i t s
tw o d e s c e n d i n g f o u r t h s a r e b u i l t on t h r e e o f t h e f o u r p i t c h
c l a s s e s c o n ta in e d w ith in th e se co n d e n t i t y .
An a b b r e v i a t e d
v a ria n t o f t h i s g e s tu re r e c u r s r e p e a te d ly th ro u g h o u t s e c tio n
B, f u n c t i o n in g a s a k in d o f r e f e r e n t i a l p e d a l.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 9 7 -
Ex . 1 0 1 .
S o n i c - E n t i t y X, p a g e 1 3 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y P i e c e V I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
An F - m in o r t r i a d t h e e l e v e n t h s o n i c e n t i t y
so u n d s tw ic e in t h i s f i n a l s e c t i o n ,
to n a l re fe re n c e in
p r o v id in g p o in ts o f
S o n i c - E n t i t y X I I r e p r e s e n t s a r h y th m ic a n d i n t e r v a llic
v a ria n t o f th e c o n c e p tu a l t h ir te e n t h
r e p e a ts once in i t s
The t w e l f t h e n t i t y
s e rv e s a s f r e e ly
it
fo rm .
i m i ta t iv e c o u n te r
p o i n t t o t h e c r i t i c a l e v e n t w h ic h f o l l o w s .
is
e n tity ;
e n t i r e t y and once in a b b re v ia te d
th e e x c e p tio n r a t h e r th a n th e r u le
C o u n te rp o in t
i n C r u m b 's m u s i c .
N o te t h e o r i g i n a l p e r f o r m a n c e d i r e c t i v e w h ic h a p p e a r s
above t h i s
Ex. 102.
e v e n t:
S o n i c - E n t i t y X I I (sh o w n i n r e l a t i o n w i t h S o n i c E n t i t y X I ) , p a g e 1 3 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I ,
M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
Serene, hauntingly; echoing [like
an Appalachian valley acoustic]
The c o n c e p t u a l a n d i n t e r v a l l i c
E n tity X III,
r e le v a n c e o f S o n ic -
th e w h is tle d A p p a la c h ia n f o lk so n g , h a s been
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-198p r e v io u s ly n o te d on page 19 1 .
tin c tiv e
T h is e v e n t p r o v id e s a d i s
c o n c lu s io n to N ig h t-S p e ll I .
SUMMARY
T a b le X I I I .
O v e r a ll s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e VI
i n r e l a t i c - , t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm al U n i t :
S o n lc - E n tity C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g :
S e c t i o n A ( N .B .
S m a ll l e t t e r s
= I,
U n it
= V III, V illa ,
U n it b l
U n it
II,
b e lo w i n d i c a t e
U n it
= Ilia ,
a l = la ,
U n it b = I I I ,
IX ,
in te r n a l u n its ) :
IV , V, I l i a ,
V I,
V II,
IV a , V a ,
IX?., IX b , V b ,
IX c,
H a;
= X / R .H /7 / XI / L .
X I I /Jt.H _ J7 /
X I I I / W h i s t l e d / ; Xa
/ X I I J r . kJ J
/ X I " /L .H /7 / " X H I a / W h i s t l e ^ ;
Xb / T T h
/ X Ila
/ X IIIb ^ W h ls tle d 7
S e c tio n B
F a n ta s y -P ie c e V II
T he " a e o l i a n h a r p " e f f e c t a n d p i z z i c a t o
c o n s titu te
t h e s o l e m ea n s o f s o u n d p r o d u c t i o n e m p lo y e d i n M u sic o f
Shadow s; a s th e s u b t i t l e
n a t e d by t h e
in d ic a te s ,
s o n ic
te x tu re
i s d o m i
T he r e s u l t a n t a m b ie n c e
i s a v a r i a t i o n o f th e f r e q u e n tl y e n c o u n te r e d g e s tu r e - d e c a y
v a rie ty .
fo rth
H a r m o n ic a lly , f o u r i n t e r v a l l i c
c o m b in a tio n s , h e n c e
l a b e l e d W, X, Y, a n d Z , p e r v a d e t h e e n t i r e
p ie c e .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-1 9 9 T h e i r r e s p e c t i v e c o n s t i t u e n t s c o n s i d e r e d f ro m b o tto m
t o t o p a r e m3 /
m3 /
M2 / m2 / m3 / M2; M2 / M2 /
m3 / m3 / M2; a n d m2 /
s o u n d s t e n tim e s a t 4 p i t c h
a t fo u r p itc h
P4 /
M2 / M2;
m2 ( B a r t o k c h o r d ) .
le v e ls ;
X so u n d s f iv e
l e v e l s ; Y so u n d s 9 tim e s a t 6 p i t c h
an d Z sounds f iv e
t i m e s a t t h e sam e p i t c h
" c h o rd s " p r o v id e f o rm a l d e l i n e a t i o n
z a tio n ; W sounds in a l l
th re e
le v e l.
t im e s
le v e ls ;
T h ese
th ro u g h th e L r o r g a n i
s e c t i o n s , X so u n d s in
s e c t i o n s A an d A l, an d b o th Y an d Z sound o n ly in s e c t i o n
B.
in
The f o r m a l d i v i s i o n s o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I a p p e a r
th e s c o re a s f o ll o w s :
A
From t h e b e g i n n i n g t h r o u g h f e r m a t a i n s y s te m 3
From c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e a b o v e t h r o u g h f i v e s e c o n d f e r m a t a i n s y s te m 4
R e m a in d e r
I and I I
T he e n t i r e m u s i c a l s u b s t a n c e o f s e c t i o n s A a n d
A l c o n s i s t o f s t a t e m e n t s o f t h e i n i t i a l tw o e n t i t i e s , a n d
v a ria n ts th e r e o f.
S o n ic -E n tity I ,
in i t s
a n c e , c o n ta i n s W p lu 3 a h i g h e r p i z z i c a t o
s itio n
i n i t i a l ap p ear
to n e .
o f t h i s f o rm o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I a p p e a r s i n
An e x p a n d e d v e r s i o n o f t h i s
so u n d s t h r e e
id e a ,
A tra n s p o
s e c tio n A l
c o n t a i n i n g b o t h X a n d W,
tim e s i n A, a n d tw ic e i n A l.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-200Ex. 103.
E x p an ,
__, pn.(U)
*i
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-201-
formulation, Z.
M u s ic o f S h a d o w s ' m o s t c o m p le x u n i t o f c o n s t r u c
t io n S o n ic -E n tity
m e lo d ic a lly ,
IV e x p r e s s e s Y h a r m o n i c a l l y , w h i l e
tw o o v e r l a p p i n g M2 /
M3 c e l l s
a re
s ta te d .
T h i s e v e n t m ak e s b u t o n e a p p e a r a n c e , b e i n g f o l l o w e d
im m e d ia te ly by a b r id g e
B and A l.
In p itc h ,
to n e c h ro m a tic c e l l ;
fre e
r ita rd a n d o
( S o n i c - E n t i t y V) l i n k i n g s e c t i o n s
t h i s b r i d g e e m a n a te s f ro m a t h r e e r h y th m ic a lly ,
f ig u r e
it
e x p r e s s e s a ty p e o f
f r e q u e n t l y e n c o u n t e r e d i n C r u m b 's
m u s ic .
Ex. 106.
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV , p a g e 1 3 , s y s te m s 3 a n d 4 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-202S o n i c - E n t i t y V ( b r i d g e ) , p a g e 1 3 , s y s te m k,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l. I
Ex. 107.
SUMMARY
T a b l e X IV . O v e r a l l s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I
i n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm a l U n i t :
S o n i c - E n t i ty C o n te n t a n d O r d e r in g :
S e c tio n A
I,
S e c tio n B
III,
I I , la ,
S e c tio n A l
Id ,
F a n ta s y -P ie c e V III
Ilia ,
I l a , lb ,
Ic,
IV , V,
l i b , Ie,
If
(T he M ag ic C i r c l e o f I n f i n i t y )
/ M o l to P e r p e t u o / " L e o n
The M agic C i r c l e o f I n f i n i t y
i d e n t i t y o f u n iq u e lu m in e s c e n c e ,
p o s s e s s e s a s o n ic
re s u ltin g
t o a m a rk e d
d e g r e e fro m r a p i d c o n t i n u o u s p l a y i n g i n t h e u p p e r r e g i s
t e r o f th e k e y b o a rd w ith th e dam per p e d a l d e p re s s e d
th ro u g h o u t;
t h e r e s o n a t i n g h a rm o n ic r e s u l t a n t p r o d u c e d
by th e a c ti v a te d
d a m p e r m e c h a n ism a l s o c o n s t i t u t e s a
p r im a r y d e t e r m i n a n t .
of th is
p ie c e i s
The l a c k o f p a u s e s i n t h e m a in b o d y
r a t h e r e x c e p t i o n a l f o r C ru m b .
The o n l y
e le m e n t w h ic h m ig h t i n a n y way b e c o n s i d e r e d a s p e c i a l
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 0 3 e ffe c t is
t h e o r i g i n a l e m p lo y m e n t o f e x t r e m e l y l o u d a n d
e x p lo s iv e to n e s in
th e h i g h e s t o c ta v e o f th e in s tr u m e n t.
As t h e c o n c l u d i n g p i e c e o f p a r t tw o , t h e n o t a t i o n
a g a in ta k e s on s p e c i a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
th e
title
Ex. 108.
(as i s
re fle c te d
in
in each in s ta n c e ) .
F a n ta s y -P ie c e V III ( in
M a k ro k o s m o s, V o l . I
its
e n tir e ty ) ,
14,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 0 4 The c o m p o s e r e x p l a i n e d
in th e re c o rd
ja c k e t n o te s t h a t
t o h im , t h e c i r c u l a r d e s i g n u s e d h e r e c o n s t i t u t e s
p e rh a p s th e m o st a e s t h e t i c a l l y
" . . .
s a tis fy in g n o ta tio n fo r
a m o to p e r p e t u o . "
T he f o r m a l d e s i g n o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I I i s
I n tr o d u c tio n ,
H*A, A l , A2^| A; t h e p o s i t i o n o f A s e c t i o n s
in th e s c o re i s
e a s ily
d e te r m in e d ,
s in c e
th e s e a r e c o n c lu d e d w ith a d i s t i n c t i v e
in each in s ta n c e ,
common s t r u c t u r e
(S o n ic -E n tity V I I ) .
COMMENTARY ON INDIVIDUAL SONIC EN TITIES
S o n ic -E n tity
T h re e s i x - n o t e w h o le -to n e c h o r d s , e a c h p re c e d e d
b y a c o m p le m e n ta r y g r a c e - n o t e c h o r d a t t h e t r a n s p o s i t i o n
o f th e f i f t h
e n tity .
c o m p l e te t h e
is
b e lo w , c o m b in e t o
fo rm t h e f i r s t
(E a c h c h o r d c o m b in e s w i t h i t s
t o t a l c h ro m a tic .)
T h i s g e s t u r e , m a rk e d f f f ,
f o llo w e d im m e d ia te ly by a s o f t ,
re la te d
s o n ic
e m b e llis h m e n t to
tra n sp o se d ,
M e lc d ic a lly ,
c lo s e ly
S o n ic -E n tity
I e x p r e s s e s t h e M2 /
M3 m o t i v i c c e l l ,
r e c e i v e s e m p h a s is i n
s e v e r a l o f t h e m o ti v e s w h ic h f o l l o w .
a u n it th a t a ls o
T h is e n t i t y a s w i l l b e p o in te d o u t l a t e r a l s o m akes a p
p e a r a n c e s i n M a k ro k o s m o s , V olum e I I ,
a n d M ak ro k o sm o s I I I .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 0 5 Ex. 109.
S o n i c - E n t i t y I , h o r i z o n t a l s y s te m , p a g e 1 4 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
S o n ic -E n titie s
II,
III,
S o n ic -E n tity I I
c h ro m a tic c e l l s ,
IV , V, V I , a n d V I I
is
fo rm e d a lm o s t e x c l u s i v e l y fro m
p o s s e s s i n g v a r i e d n u m b e rs o f s e m i t o n e s ,
a n d f ro m t h e t h r e e - t o n e B a r t o k c e l l .
o f th re e a p p e a ra n c e s,
a b b re v ia te d and a l t e r e d ,
F a n ta s y -P ie c e V III in
th ird
e n tity
th r e e e x p lo s iv e
o ccur in
E n tity
te rm s o f s u b s e q u e n t v a r i a t i o n .
th e seco n d i s
a s an in te r r u p tiv e
of
The
c o m p l e te d , a n d
e v e n t, s in c e
p i t c h e s B , A , a n d F (M2 /
th e m id s t o f a n o th e r e n t i t y .
a n o th e r e n t i t y ,
M2 /
s u b s ta n tia lly
th e f r e e s t e n t i t y
its
M3) g e n e r a l l y
The p i t c h e s o f S o n i c -
I I I a r e a lw a y s s e p a r a t e d by a t l e a s t a p o r t i o n o f
W ith r e g a r d
th ird
m a k in g t h i s
b e g in s b e f o r e
m ig h t b e c l a s s i f i e d
In th e seco n d and t h i r d
t h e o r i g i n a l fo rm i s
to
a n d s o m e tim e s b y s e v e r a l c o m p l e te e n t i t i e s .
th e o r ig i n a l p r e s e n ta tio n ,
p i t c h m em b e rs a r e
s ta te d
th e seco n d and
d u rin g S o n ic -E n tity V I.
The
M3 c e l l I n t r o d u c e d b y t h e o p e n in g g e s t u r e c o m p r i s e s
v irtu a lly
th e e n t i r e
s u b s ta n c e o f t h i s
th ird
s tr u c tu r a l u n it.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
206 Ex . 1 0 9 .
S o n i c - E n t i ty I I and S o n ic - E n tity I I I , th e l a t t e r
show n w i t h I t s c o m p l e t i o n i n S o n i c - E n t i t y V I ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I I , p a g e 1 4 , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
-ei-
e *
KiJ
------
In the following
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
2 0 7 Ex. 110.
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV , i n i t i a l a n d s u b s e q u e n t o c c u r
r e n c e s , F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I I , p a g e 1 4 , M a k ro k o s m o s,
V o l. I
The f i f t h
s o n ic e n t i t y , a f o r t i s s i m o ,
tre m o lo -lik e f ig u r e ,
ta k e s
its
m e n ta r y w h o l e - t o n e m a t e r i a l .
e x te n d e d i n d u r a t i o n ,
Ex. 111.
R e c u rre n c e s o f t h i s u n i t a re
b u t a re n o t tra n s p o s e d .
S o n i c - E n t i t y V, F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I I ,
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
S o n ic -E n tity VI b a s e s i t s
on t h e p r e v i o u s l y e s t a b l i s h e d
In g e n e ra l e f f e c t ,
E n tity
II.
h ig h r e g i s t e r
p i t c h c o n t e n t fro m c o m p le
th is
e n tity
E ach o f t h e t h r e e
c o n t a i n s tw o i n t e r r u p t i v e
page 14,
p itc h c o n te n t p r im a rily
t h r e e - s e m ito n e c h ro m a tic c e l l .
sh o w s a r e s e m b la n c e t o S o n i c o c c u rre n c e s o f S o n ic -E n tity VI
p i t c h e s fro m S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I ,
s e r v i n g t o c o m p l e te c h r o m a t i c c e l l s ,
a s d id S o n ic -E n tity
th e s e
II;
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 208 t h e r e c u r r e n c e s o f t h i s g e s t u r e a r e m uch l e s s c l o s e l y
re la te d
to
E n titie s
th e o r ig i n a l th a n i s
III,
Ex. 112.
S o n i c - E n t i ty V I, F a n ta s y - P ie c e V I I I ,
1 4 , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
T he l a s t m o d u le t o
a r is in g
to n e s .
th e c a s e w ith S o n ic -
I V , V, a n d V I I .
g r a c e -n o te
E ach o f th e t h r e e
d ire c tly
II:
tio n ,
le v e ls
p itc h
u n i t b e g in ,
F -sh arp ,
i n t e g r a l M2 /
le ft-h a n d
(S o n ic - E n tity V II) i s
o f e ig h t a tt a c k s and n in e
s ta t e m e n t s o f S o n i c - E n t i ty V II
p r e c e d e s a n d th u s e m b e l li s h e s a d i f f e r e n t to n e
o f S o n ic -E n tity
th e
sound
f lo u r is h
page
B, A , a n d F r e s p e c t i v e l y .
E, and C r e s p e c ti v e ly ,
M3 m o t i v i c c e l l .
th o s e
th e
fro m o n e w h o le -
in th e r ig h t hand a re
m e n ta ry w h o le - to n e s c a l e .
e x p r e s s th e
T he f o u r p i t c h e s i n
p a r t o f S o n ic -E n tity V II a re
to n e s c a l e ;
In a d d i
on w h ic h t h e a p p e a r a n c e s o f t h i s
f ro m t h e c o m p le
R e c u rre n c e s o f t h i s
event
a re n o t v a rie d e x c ep t f o r tr a n s p o s itio n .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 0 9 Ex. 113.
S o n ic -E n tity V II, F a n ta s y -P ie c e V I I I,
M a k ro k o s m o s, V o l . I
T a b l e XV.
page 14,
O v e r a ll s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e V I I I ,
p a g e 1 4 , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
F o rm a l U n i t ;
S o n i c - E n t i ty C o n te n t a n d O r d e r in g :
In tro d u c tio n
= I,
S e c tio n A
= II,
( i l l b e g u n ) , IV . V, V , V I ( i l l com
p le te d ) , V II, ( I l i a b e g u n ),
la ,
S e c tio n A l
= H a,
IV a , V a , V i a , ( i l i a
( I l l b b e g u n ), V i l a /
S e c t i o n A2
= lib ,
( i l l b c o m p l e t e d ) , IV b , V b, V I b ,
( I I I c b e g u n ), V llb ( I I I c c o m p le te d )
c o m p le te d ),
F a n t a s y - P i e c e IX (T he A b y s s o f T im e ) " V i r g o "
An u n u s u a l s o u n d e n v ir o n m e n t i s
fre q u e n t u t il iz a ti o n
d u c tio n
sc ra p in g
i n t h e A b y s s o f T im e :
v a rio u s r a t e s
(w ith a m e ta l p l e c t r u m ) ,
th e - s tr in g
c r e a t e d by th e
o f e x c e p t i o n a l m eans o f a u d i t o r y
p ro
o f s tr in g
h a rm o n ic s , s in g l e and m u ltip le
s c r a p e d h a r m o n ic s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-210( w i t h a m e t a l p l e c t r u m ) , w in d a n d s u s t a i n e d
p ro d u ced o r a l l y
w o rd s, w h is p e rin g ,
c o n s titu te
b y t h e p e rf o r m e r , c h a n te d a n d s h o u te d L a tin
p i z z i c a t o , m u te d s t r i n g s , a n d g l i s s a n d i
th e s p e c ia liz e d
s o n i c v o c a b u l a r y , w h ic h t r a n s p i r e s
w ith in a c o n te x t o f g e s tu re -d e c a y s tr u c tu r e
( th e dam per p e d a l
r e m a in s d e p r e s s e d t h r o u g h o u t ) a n d n o n p r o g r e s s i o n a l r h y th m .
It
f o llo w s t h a t t h e d o m in a tin g s t r u c t u r a l f o r c e i s
P itc h g e n e ra te s
c h ro m a tic m o tiv ic c e l l s .
w h ic h com m ence t h e
(i.e .
so u n d .
t o a s u b s t a n t i a l e x t e n t f ro m M2 / M3 a n d
L ik e t h e o t h e r f a n t a s y p i e c e s
l a r g e r p a r t s o f M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
F a n ta s y -P ie c e s
I an d V ), t h i s
on a n e x t e r n a l d e v i c e ,
p ie c e r e l i e s
h e a v ily
in t h i s c a se a m e ta l p le c tru m ,
fo r
so u n d p r o d u c tio n .
In te rm s o f s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n ,
is
a rra n g e d in to
a b in a ry p a tte rn ,
The A b y s s o f Time
p lu s c o d a .
P art I I
(33)
b e g i n s a t t h e d o u b l e b a r l i n e i n s y s te m tw o , a n d c o n t i n u e s
t h r o u g h t h e f i v e - s e c o n d f e r m a t a i n s y s te m t h r e e .
is
The p i e c e
th e n c o n c lu d e d w ith a b r i e f c o d a .
In
o n ly s u b s e q u e n t s ta te m e n t, S o n i c - E n tity I a p p e a r s
a g a i n s t S o n i c - E n t i t y V, a " w in d s o u n d " p l u s t h e m y s t e r i o u s
c h a n e d L a t i n w o r d s te m p u s , a n im u s , v e r i t a s , m o rs
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-211( tim e ,
life ,
E x. 1 1 4 .
tru th ,
d e a th ) .
S o n l c - E n t i t y I ( s e c o n d a p p e a r a n c e ) show n w i t h
a c c o m p a n y in g v o c a l s o u n d s ( S o n i c - E n t l t y V ) , p a g e
1 5 , s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e IX , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
winjwwnj
[f=3s\] J
sPi /
mI
[la, pJ.cfr^rr
S o n ic -E n tltle s
II,
III,
IV , a n d V
S o n i c - E n t i ty I I c o n s i s t s o f th e f o llo w in g s u c c e s
s io n o f e x tr a o r d in a r y s o n ic e v e n ts :
a s lo w ly s c ra p e d
c o n t r a A, a q u i c k l y s c r a p e d c o n t r a A, a p i z z i c a t o c o n t r a
D - s h a r p , a n d a t h r e e - s e m i t o n e h a rm o n ic c l u s t e r
s m a ll B, a n d o n e - l i n e C ) .
posed se co n d s ta te m e n t,
s e c tio n o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
Ex. 115.
S o n ic -E n tity
II,
( s m a l l A,
in a t r a n s
s e r v e s t o c o m p l e te t h e f i r s t
IX .
S o n i c - E n t i t y I I , p a g e 1 5 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y P i e c e IX , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
[r.h. wiHiweWpleetnm]
(jt 5,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-212S o n ic -E n tity I I I ,
c o n fig u ra tio n ,
a r a t h e r le n g th y a c c e le ra n d o
c o n tin u e s to s t a t e
th e f i f t h - p a r t i a l
h a rm o n ic e s t a b l i s h e d b y S o n i c - E n t i t y I I
and C ).
th is
( A - s h a r p , B,
I t r e c u r s a s th e p i e c e 's c o n c lu d in g g e s tu r e ,
t im e i n t r a n s p o s e d r e t r o g r a d e
in v e r s io n an d w ith
t h e o r i g i n a l rh y th m r e v e r s e d .
Ex. 116.
S o n i c - E n t i ty I I I (b o th o c c u r r e n c e s ) , p ag e 1 5 ,
s y s te m s 1 a n d 3 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e IX , M a k ro
k o s m o s , V o l. I
(Sti
amt*
I*
-)
F o llo w in g th e f i r s t p r e s e n t a t i o n o f S o n i c - E n t i ty
III,
an a c c e le ra n d o -rita rd a n d o f ig u r e
g e n e r a t e d fro m t h e M2 /
a p p e a ra n c e ; th e sev en s tr in g s
s e t in to
( S o n ic E n t i t y
M3 m o t i v i c c e l l m ak e s i t s
IV )
o n ly
i n v o l v e d i n t h i s m o ti v e a r e
v i b r a t i o n by th e s c r a p in g o f a m e ta l p le c tru m .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 1 3 E x. 1 1 ?.
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV , p a g e 1 5 , s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y P i e c e IX , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
(E l. umprt)
S o n l c - E n t l t y V w as m e n t i o n e d I n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h
th e f i r s t
s o n ic
e n tity .
It
s o u n d s a s e c o n d t im e i n
s e c tio n
B a g a in s t s e v e r a l a lte r e d
r e c u r r e n c e s o f S o n i c - E n t i ty V I;
in
r h y th m h a s b e e n s l i g h t l y
th is
second u tte r a n c e ,
and th e
d e le te d
( s e e e x a m p le 1 1 4 ) .
E x. 11 8 .
re a d a p te d ,
o f th e o r ig i n a l a re
S o n i c - E n t i t y V, sh o w n a b o v e f o u r a l t e r e d r e c u r
r e n c e s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y V I, p a g e 1 5 , s y s te m 3 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e IX , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
S o n ic -E n tity VI
S e c t i o n B d e r i v e s m o s t l y f ro m S o n i c - E n t i t y V I ,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 1 4 a m o d u la r u n i t c o n t a i n i n g e i g h t d i s t i n c t i v e
In t h e i r o rd e r o f o c c u rre n c e ,
( 1 ) a m u te d o n - t h e - k e y s c l u s t e r o f t h r e e
tra
B, g r e a t C a n d g r e a t D - f l a t ) ,
n o t e c o n t r a G,
s trin g s
A t o c o n t r a B,
c lu s te r
(3 ) a p i z z i c a t o
g lis s a n d o
c o m p o n e n ts .
t h e s e c o m p o n e n ts i n c l u d e
s e m ito n e s
c o n t r a G,
(4 ) an o n - th e -
s p a n n i n g t h e m in o r n i n t h
(5 ) a th r e e - t o n e
fro m s u b c o n t r a
l o w - r e g i s t e r h a r m o n ic
( s m a l l A, s m a l l B , a n d o n e - l i n e C ) ,
c a t o g r a c e - n o t e c o n t r a A,
(6 ) a p i z z i
(7 ) a r a p id b ack and f o r t h
s c r a p i n g o f c o n tr a A ( tr e m o lo e f f e c t ) ,
g ra c e -n o te c o n tra A.
(co n
(2 ) a sc ra p e d g ra c e -
(8 ) a sc ra p e d
S o n ic -E n tity VI i s
im m e d ia te ly
s u c c e e d e d by f o u r a l t e r e d
( m a i n ly t h r o u g h t r a n s p o s i t i o n ) ,
a b b re v ia te d d e r i v a ti v e s :
th e f i r s t
o f e le m e n ts 1 ( t r a n s p o s e d ) ,
4,
o f th e s e
i s m ade u p
5 (tra n s p o s e d ),
6 ( tra n s
th e seco n d and
t h i r d a r e m ade u p o f e l e m e n t s 3 ( t r a n s p o s e d a n d e x p a n d e d ) ,
and 4 ; and th e f o u rth
s im p l y c o n s i s t s o f e le m e n t 4 .
A g a in s t th e s e f o u r d e r i v a ti v e s ,
th e p i a n i s t i n te r p o la t e s
t h e L a t i n w o rd s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y V ( s e e e x a m p le 1 1 8 ) .
E x. 119.
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I ( i n i t i a l p r e s e n t a t i o n ) , p a g e 15*
s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e IX , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 1 5 SUMMARY
T a b l e X V I.
in r e l a ti o n
O v e r a l l s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e IX
t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm a l U n i t :
S o n ic - E n tity C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g :
S e c tio n A
= 1 , II,
I la ,
III,
IV ; V / w h i s p e r e d 7 /
la /o n
keys7,
S e c tio n A l
= V I , (V b e g u n ) , V i a , V I b , V i c , (V c o m p l e t e d ) ,
V Id ,
C oda
= Ilia
on t h e k e y b o a rd ,
e x c e p t f o r tw o r e l a t i v e l y u n i m p o r t a n t i n s i d e - t h e - p i a n o
c lu s te rs ,
p r o d u c e d by s c r a p i n g t h e s t r i n g s w i t h t h e
f i n g e r n a i l s o f th e l e f t hand
( s e e e x a m p le 1 2 0 ) .
t h e u s u a l c h a i n o f e v e n t s i n C r u m b 's m u s i c ,
e n titie s
U n lik e
th e s o n ic
o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e X f o r th e m o st p a r t f o llo w one
a n o th e r in
r a p i d , u n b ro k en s u c c e s s io n .
The c o n s t a n t
d e p r e s s io n o f th e d am per p e d a l a c c o m p lis h e s a k in d o f
b l u r r e d h a rm o n ic c o n ti n u u m , w h ic h a lw a y s u n d e r l i e s t h e
q u i c k l y m o v in g h o r i z o n t a l p r o g r e s s i o n o f t o n e s .
T h ro u g h o u t th e p ie c e ,
m a te ria ls a re
tra c e a b le
v a llic
p a rtic u la rly
c e lls ;
o f fro m t h r e e t o
h a rm o n ic a n d m e lo d ic
to c h ro m a tic a n d B a rt6 k I n t e r p r e v a l e n t a r e c h r o m a ti c c e l l s
f iv e to n e s .
W it h i n a n o n p r o g r e s s i o n a l
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 216r h y th m ic c o n t e x t ,
t h e m a jo r p o r ti o n
be e x e c u te d a s q u ic k ly a s p o s s ib le .
r a p i d i ty an d n o te d e n s ity ,
w i t h i n M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l s .
th is
o f S p r i n g - F i r e m u st
B ecause o f i t s
e x tr e m e
p i e c e s u r p a s s e s m o st o t h e r s
I and I I ,
i n te rm s o f p e rfo rm a n c e
d iffic u lty .
T he o v e r a l l fo rm
(a n d l o c a t i o n
in th e s c o re ) o f
F a n ta s y -P ie c e X i s :
I n tro d u c tio n
A
O p e n in g g e s t u r e o n l y
From t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e a b o v e , u p
t o t r e m o l o - l i k e e v e n t ( S o n i c - E n t i t y IV )
i n s y s te m 2 , p a g e 16 ( m id d le o f p a g e )
Al
From t h e t r e m o l o - l i k e e v e n t m e n tio n e d
a b o v e, up to th e r e l a te d tre m o lo - lik e
e v e n t ( S o n i c - E n t i t y IV a ) i n s y s te m 4 ,
p a g e l 6 ( m i d d le o f p a g e )
A2
From t h e t r e m o l o - l i k e e v e n t ( S o n ic E n t i t y IV a ) i n s y s te m 4 , p a g e 1 6 , u p
t o th e f i r s t p a i r o f fo re a rm c l u s t e r s
( S o n i c - E n t i t y I ) i n s y s te m 1 , p a g e 17
A3
From t h e f o r e a r m c l u s t e r s m e n tio n e d
a b o v e , th ro u g h th e r e m a in d e r , e x c e p t
f o r th e c o n c lu d in g g e s tu r e
C oda
C o n c l u d in g g e s t u r e o n l y
I and I I
F a n ta s y -P ie c e X i n i t i a t e s
u n i t s w ith a p a i r o f t r i p l e - f o r t e
its
s u c c e s s i o n o f m o d u la r
fo re a r m c l u s t e r s in th e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 1 7 m id d l e a n d h i g h r e g i s t e r s o f t h e k e y b o a r d ; t h e s e a r e
p l a y e d on t h e w h i t e a n d b l a c k k e y s r e s p e c t i v e l y .
to be
T hough
t h e o u t e r p i t c h e s a r e r e f l e c t e d b y t h e n o t a t i o n , no s t r u c
t u r a l i n f e r e n c e s s h o u ld be d raw n ; t h i s n o t a t i o n
i s in te n d e d
o n ly t o
p r o v id e a n a p p ro x im a tio n o f th e o u t e r r a n g e . 1
The
in itia l
s t a t e m e n t o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I f o rm s t h e p i e c e ' s
in tro
d u c t i o n ; e i g h t v a r i e d r e s t a t e m e n t s f u n c t i o n a s d y n a m ic
i n t e n s i f i e r s n e a r th e p r i n c i p a l c lim a x i n s e c t i o n A 3.
th e s e ,
th e c l u s t e r s
ta k e n by e a ch fo re a rm
In
s h if t sev era l
t i m e s fro m b l a c k t o w h i t e k e y s , o r v i c e v e r s a .
S e c tio n A b e g in s w ith a f a l l i n g
o f f iv e
to n e s
t i m e s ; a m2 /
( S o n ic -E n tity I I ) ,
M2 /
w h ic h i s
M2 / m2 i n t e r v a l l i c
r e v e a l s C r u m b 's p e n c h a n t f o r p i t c h
re p e a te d f iv e
c o n s tr u c ti o n a g a in
s y m m e tr y .
T h is f i r s t
a p p e a r a n c e i s a s s o c i a t e d w ith a n o r n a m e n ta l c l u s t e r ,
is
p ro d u ce d by s c r a p i n g th e p ia n o s t r i n g s ,
t o e m p h a s iz e t h e d y n a m ic p e a k .
S o n ic -E n tity
s e c o n d tim e I n s e c t i o n A l , a t h i r d a n d f o u r t h
t i o n A 2, a n d a f i f t h
and s ix th
II
Is s ta te d a
t im e I n s e c
t im e i n s e c t i o n A 3 .
t h e r e c u r r e n c e s em body s l i g h t a l t e r a t i o n s
E ach o f
fro m t h e o r i g i n a l ,
a lth o u g h b a s ic
in te r v a llic
E xcept f o r i t s
i n i t i a l a p p e a r a n c e , w h ic h i s m e r e ly f o l l o w e d
by S o n ic - E n tity
III,
s tru c tu re
w h ic h
a n d w h ic h s e r v e s
r e m a in s c o n s t a n t .
ap p earan ces o f th is
p re c e d e d a n d fo llo w e d by th e t h i r d
Id e a a r e b o th
u n it of e n tity
c o n s tru c tio n .
-*-From a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b, 3 F e b r u a r y
1978.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 218Ex . 1 2 0 .
S o n i c - E n t i t l e s I a n d I I , p a g e 1 5 , s y s te m 4 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e X, M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
S o n ic -E n tity
III
S o n ic -E n tity
b ro k en s e r i e s
p o s s ib le .
I II is
c o m p rise d o f a le n g th y u n
o f t o n e s , w h ic h a r e e x e c u t e d a s q u i c k l y a s
W it h i n t h i s
a lm o s t e n t i r e l y
f lo u r is h ,
p itc h c o n te n t r e s u l t s
fro m tw o g e n r e s o f m o t i v i c c e l l ,
w h ic h h a v e p l a y e d a p r o m i n e n t r o l e
n a m e ly ,
e n tity
th e c h ro m a tic a n d B a rto k v a r i e t i e s .
p e rv a d e s a l l
th u s r e p r e s e n t s
b o th o f
i n t h e w o rk a s a w h o le ;
The t h i r d
t h r e e m a in s e c t i o n s o f S p r i n g - F i r e , a n d
th e m o st e s s e n t i a l com ponent o f i t s
con
s tru c tio n .
The p i t c h e s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I a r e
o rg a n iz e d and n o ta te d
in v a ria b ly
in d i s t i n c t o v e rla p p in g g ro u p s,
e a c h c o n ta i n in g a c e r t a i n num ber o f a t t a c k s .
For in sta n c e ,
t h e o p e n in g o f t h e f i r s t o c c u r r e n c e ,
th e f o llo w in g
e x a m p le , i s n o t a t e d
in
show n i n
g ro u p s o f e ig h t e e n ,
s e v e n , e le v e n ,
a n d t w e lv e t o n e s .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 1 9 Ex. 121.
S o n ic -E n tity I I I , i n i t i a l g ro u p s o f e ig h te e n ,
s e v e n , e l e v e n , a n d t w e l v e a t t a c k s , p a g e 15*
s y s te m 4 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e X, M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
T h ro u g h o u t th e p ie c e , a l l g ro u p s a r e
sh ap e,
in t h a t th e y e a c h r i s e
o f f a t t h e i r c o n c lu s io n .
th e r e l a ti o n s h ip s
ta in in g
p itc h
th o u g h t r a n s p o s e d ,
i n v a r i a n t d u r in g th e e n t i r e
The o n l y o t h e r f r e q u e n t l y o c c u r r i n g g r o u p s ,
n in e , a lt e r n a t e
g ro u p s con
T hose g ro u p s c o n ta in
e le v e n , and e ig h t p itc h e s ,
r e m a in i n t e r v a l l i c a l l y
in b a s ic
P e r h a p s e v e n m o re i m p o r t a n t a r e
e x i s t i n g b e tw e e n t h o s e
t h e sam e n u m b e r o f a t t a c k s .
in g t h ir te e n ,
re la te d
to a p e a k , a n d th e n l e v e l
b e tw e e n s e v e r a l d e f i n i t e
p ie c e .
t w e lv e a n d
in te r v a llic
p a tte rn s .
In each p r e s e n ta tio n o f S o n ic -E n tity
III,
th e
p i t c h e s , -when c o n t e m p l a t e d i n d e p e n d e n t l y o f g r o u p i n g ,
r e v e a l a n o t h e r c u r i o u s f o rm o f o r g a n i z a t i o n .
p itc h c o n te n t o f th e
in itia l
re d u c e s to a th r e e - n o te
p itc h
c h ro m a tic c e l l a p p e a r in g a t f iv e
l e v e l s , p lu s a f o u r - n o t e B a r to k c e l l , a p p e a r in g
a t a s in g le
in
The t o t a l
s ta te m e n t o f S o n ic -E n tity I I I
le v e l of p itc h .
T hese s i x
t h e ir o r ig in a l o rd e r o f p re s e n ta tio n , a r e :
G, A - f l a t ;
I I = A, B - f la t ,
C - f la t;
I ** F - s h a r p ,
I I I = D, C -sh a rp ,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-220A - f la t,
G (B a rto k c e l l ) ;
IV = D - s h a r p , S , P ; V = G,
G -s h a rp , A ; V I = A - s h a rp , B, C .
An u n d e r l y i n g b i p a r t i t e
(A , A l ) p i t c h o r g a n i z a t i o n b a s e d o n p i t c h u n i t s I t h r o u g h
V I becom es a p p a r e n t upon c lo s e s c r u t i n y :
T a b l e X V II. O r g a n i z a t i o n o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I a c c o r d i n g
to " p itc h u n i t s
I th ro u g h V I.
T h is t a b l e r e p r e s e n ts th e
c o m p l e te p i t c h c o n t e n t o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I i n i t s i n i t i a l
o c c u rre n c e .
F i r s t D iv is io n o f P itc h
(A ):
a.
= 1,
II,
III,
IV ,
b.
= I,
II,
II,
III,
IV ,
II,
III
a l.
= I.
II,
I,
II,
III,
IV ,
c.
s i ,
II,
V,
VI
d.
= I,
II,
V,
VI
Second D iv is io n o f P itc h
a.
= I,
II,
III,
IV ,
b.
= I,
II,
I,
II,
III,
c.
= I,
II,
V,
VI
d.
= I,
II,
V,
VI
V,
V )
( l i n k = V,
(A l):
IV ,
II,
I t h a s b eco m e o b v i o u s t h a t t h e c o m p o s e r r e n o t a t e d t h e
p itc h e s o f t h is
s ta te m e n t o f S o n ic -E n tity I I I ,
p la c in g
th e m i n d i f f e r e n t g r o u p s u p o n t h e i r s e c o n d u t t e r a n c e .
A ll s u b se q u e n t u n f o ld in g s o f S o n ic -E n tity
I I I d isp la y
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-221p itc h
s t r u c t u r i n g on th e o r d e r o f t h a t c o n ta in e d w ith in
t h e o r i g i n a l p r o n o u n c e m e n t; h o w e v e r , i n e a c h i n s t a n c e ,
th e ty p e o f o r g a n i z a ti o n d i f f e r s
t o some e x t e n t .
C o n c e r n in g t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e tw e e n F a n t a s y F ie c e X and F a n ta s y - P ie c e I I ,
p e rf e c t fo u rth
is
t h e sam e p i t c h c e l l s
even f a l l in g
t h e c h r o m a ti c a s c e n t o f a
p ro m in e n t i n b o th p i e c e s .
p e rv a d e b o th p i e c e s ,
in s im il a r s u c c e s s io n s .
In a d d itio n ,
t h e s e s o m e tim e s
The c l o s i n g s e v e n
to n e s o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e X a re i d e n tic a l in i n t e r v a l l i c
c o n s tr u c tio n
P le c e I I .
c e lls ,
to th o se
s e v e n t o n e s w h ic h c l o s e F a n t a s y -
In te rm s o f e x te n s iv e u t i l i z a t i o n
F a n ta s y -P ie c e V m
a ls o
r e la te d
o f c h ro m a tic
to th e seco n d and
te n th fa n ta s y p ie c e s .
S o n ic -E n tity
IV
T he s e c o n d s e c t i o n
( A l) o f w h a t i s
f u n d a m e n ta lly
a n e x p a n d in g s e t o f v a r i a t i o n s on t h e f i r s t
w ith th e i n i t i a l p r e s e n t a t i o n
lik e
s e c tio n ,
b e g in s
o f S o n i c - E n t i t y IV a t r e m o l o
s e x t u p l e t f i g u r e e x p r e s s in g a t h r e e - n o t e c h ro m a tic c e l l
on tw o p i t c h
le v e ls .
In tr a n s p o s itio n ,
s e r v e s t o com m ence s e c t i o n A 2 .
t h i r d m a in s e c t i o n ,
o f th e
fo u rth
s e p a ra te d
t h i s m o d u le a l s o
N ear th e b e g in n in g o f th e
th r e e expanded, tra n s p o s e d v e rs io n s
s o n ic e n t i t y
so u n d i n q u ic k s u c c e s s io n , b e in g
p r i n c i p a l l y by S o n ic - E n tity
I.
The f i r s t
o f th e s e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-222expanded r e c u r r e n c e s i s
e n la rg e d to f iv e
seco n d to e ig h t , and th e t h i r d
to e le v e n .
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV c o n t r i b u t e s s i g n i f i c a n t l y
s e m ito n e s ,
th e
I n s e c t i o n A 3,
to th e p r in c i p a l
c l i m a x , w h ic h o c c u r s n e a r t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 2 on
page 17.
T hese e x p a n s io n s o f th e f o u r t h e v e n t b r in g to
m in d t h e c o n t r a c t i o n o f S o n i c - E n t i t y IV o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e
II
( s e e e x a m p le 7 3 ) , w h ic h b e g a n w i t h t e n s e m i t o n e s , a n d
p r o g r e s s iv e l y d ro p p ed one to n e f o r e a c h o f n in e s u c c e e d in g
a tta c k s .
Ex. 122.
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV , show n i n o r i g i n a l ( p a g e 1 6 ,
s y s te m 2 ) a n d e x p a n d e d fo rm ( p a g e 17 , s y s te m s
1 a n d 2 ) , F a n t a s y - P i e c e X, M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
S o n ic -E n tity V
S o n ic - E n tity V r e p e a t s a r i s i n g w h o le -to n e id e a
c o n ta in in g f iv e
p itc h e s in
v e ry r a p i d
s u c c e s s io n .
It
f i r s t a p p e a r s c o m b in e d i n o v e r l a p p i n g r h y th m ic u n i s o n
w i t h tw o s t a t e m e n t s o f t h e s e c o n d u n i t o f c o n s t r u c t i o n .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 2 3 Ex. 123.
S o n i c - E n t i t y V ( f i r s t p r e s e n t a t i o n ) , show n i n
r e l a t i o n s h i p w ith S o n ic - E n tity I I , page 16,
s y s te m s 5 a n d 6 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e X, M a k ro k o sm o s,
V o l. I
The f i f t h
e n tity
is
s t a t e d tw ic e a g a in
( tr a n s p o s e d ) in th e
c o n te x t o f S o n ic - E n tity I I in s e c tio n A 3.
a lte re d
its
Two i n d e p e n d e n t
s t a t e m e n t s o c c u r i n s e c t i o n A 2, a n d a n o t h e r m ak es
a p p e a ra n c e n e a r th e end o f s e c t i o n A 3.
T hese a l t e r e d
s ta te m e n ts s u b s t i t u t e a v e r t i c a l s im u lta n e ity f o r th e f i r s t
to n e o f e a c h g r o u p o f f i v e .
In a d d i t i o n ,
th e r i g h t hand
p a r t d o e s n o t c o n t i n u e r e p e a t i n g t h e sam e t o n e s ,
s e q u e n tia lly
i n a n u p w a rd d i r e c t i o n ;
to n e c o n s tr u c ti o n o f th e o r i g i n a l i s
b u t m o v es
a t t i m e s t h e w h o le re lin q u is h e d .
The
l e f t h a n d s s i m u l t a n e i t i e s a lw a y s i n v o l v e b l a c k k e y s , w h i l e
t h e r i g h t h a n d 's
r is in g
s c a le s u t i l i z e
o n ly th e w h ite o n e s
a f r e q u e n t d i c h o t o m y i n C r u m b 's p i a n o m u s i c .
Ex. 12 4 .
S o n i c - E n t i ty V ( in d e p e n d e n t p r e s e n t a t i o n ) , p age
1 7 , s y s te m 4 ( t h i r d o c c u r r e n c e ) , F a n t a s y - P i e c e
X, M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
The f i r s t o f t h e s e ,
S o n i c - E n t i ty V I, f u n c
i n c r e a s e d y n a m ic t e n s i o n
p e a k c lim a x
( s e c t io n A 3 ).
j u s t p re c e d in g th e
An u p w a r d , o n - t h e - k e y s ,
g lis s a n d o d e f in e s th e c o n s t i t u t i o n
Of th e f o u r s ta te m e n ts
a re expanded in
show n i n
th e
p itc h
it
re c e iv e s ,
ran g e
(th e
of th is
th e
firs t
tw o s t a t e m e n t s a r e
s e c o n d p a r t o f e x a m p le 2 2 2 ,
S o n ic -E n titie s
I,
in c o n te x t w ith
and V I).
A w h o le -to n e
(D t o E ) t r i l l
re p e a te d D -sh a rp c o n s ti tu t e s
s o u n d in g o v e r a
S o n ic -E n tity V II.
i d e a , w h ic h e x p r e s s e s a m2 / m2 m o t i v i c
c e ll,
o n ly a p p e a r a n c e n e a r th e c o n c lu s io n o f th e
Ex. 123.
s ix th e v e n t.
th ir d and fo u rth
T h is
m ak e s i t s
p ie c e .
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I , p a g e 1 7 , s y s te m 4 , F a n t a s y P i e c e X, M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 2 5 SUMMARY
T a b le X V III.
O v e r a ll s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e X
i n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm a l U n i t :
S o n i c - E n t l ty C o n te n t and O r d e r in g :
In tr o d u c tio n = I ,
S e c tio n A
= II,
III,
S e c tio n A l
= IV ,
Ila ,
S e c t i o n A2
= IV a,
S e c t i o n A3
= IV b , I , l a , V I , IV c , I , V I , IV d , I , l a ,
V i a , l a , V i a , I l l e , Vc J L .
/ I Id
/ Vd / L .H J / H e
I I I f ' V I 1 ' V e* z >
C oda
= IH g
Ilia ,
I l l b , l i b JR.HJ7 / V / L . H . 7 /
J r .H7 / y I I I c , V a, H i d , V b, I ,
N o te t h e s y s t e m a t i c
lie
p r o g r e s s i o n o f e x p a n d e d s e c t i o n s , w h ic h
i s h i g h l i g h t e d by T a b l e X V I I I .
F a n t a s y - P i e c e XI (D ream I m a g e s ) /L o v e - D e a th M u s ic 7 " G e m in i"
A g e n tle
ly ric is m
l a r g e l y d e te r m in e s i t s
w h ic h p e r m e a te s D ream Im a g e s
e s s e n tia l c h a ra c te r a c h a ra c te r
h in te d a t by S o n ic -E n tity V o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
E n t it y X II o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e V I.
d e t e r m i n a n t s o f m ood a r e t h e
tria d s
IV , a n d S o n i c -
Two o t h e r d i s t i n g u i s h i n g
lo w r e g i s t e r r e c u r r i n g m a j o r
( p r i n c i p a l l y B an d F - s h a r p ) , and th e i n c o r p o r a t i o n
o f q u o t a t i o n s fro m C h o p i n 's F a n t a l s l e
Im p r o m p tu .
Upon
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-226i n t e r v i e w i n g C rum b, i t w as l e a r n e d t h a t t h e C h o p in f r a g m e n t s
w e re n o t p a r t o f t h e i n i t i a l c o n c e p t i o n , b u t r a t h e r w e re a
la s t-m in u te
s u b s titu tio n
f o r R a c h m a n i n o f f 's V a r i a t i o n X V III
f ro m R h a p s o d ie o n a Theme o f P a g a n i n i ; i n d e e d ,
T he f i r s t p e rf o r m a n c e d i d , i n f a c t , i n c l u d e
th e R a c h m a n in o ff; l a t e r , I l e a r n e d t h a t I c o u l d n 't
g e t th e c le a ra n c e f o r t h is p ie c e , so I had to fin d
a s u b s t i t u t i o n , w h ic h t u r n e d o u t t o b e C h o p i n 's
F a n t a l s i e I m p r o m p tu . The m a in c o n s i d e r a t i o n w as
t h a t t h e s u b s t i t u t i o n h a d t o b e i n t h e r o m a n t ic
s t y l e o f t h e R a c h m a n in o f f , a n d h a d t o b e i n t h e
k e y o f D - f l a t , a s w as t h e R a c h m a n i n o f f .1
When a s k e d i f h e w o u ld r e i n c o r p o r a t e t h e o r i g i n a l q u o t a
t i o n s when t h e R a c h m a n in o f f becam e a v a i l a b l e
in th e p u b lic
d o m a in , t h e c o m p o s e r r e p l i e d :
I 'm r e a l l y n o t s u r e I ' v e
C h o p in ; m aybe o n e d a y a d o u b l e
th e s o lu tio n .
I t w o u ld b e n i c e
t h e R a c h m a n i n o f f , s i n c e i t w as
c o n c e p tio n .2
becom e f o n d o f t h e
v e r s i o n w i l l be
to be a b le to u se
p a rt o f th e i n i t i a l
The p r o g r e s s i o n o f m o s a ic c o n s t i t u e n t s i n D ream
Im a g e s m oves p r i m a r i l y w i t h i n a g e s t u r e - p a u s e s o u n d
c o n te x t.
E x e c u tio n t a k e s
th e o n ly n o v e l e f f e c t i s
pedal
p l a c e e n t i r e l y on t h e k e y b o a r d ;
th e g r a d u a l r e l e a s e o f th e dam per
(o n p a g e 1 8 , s y s te m 2 ) , w h ic h p r o d u c e s a s u b t l e
change in th e v ib ra tin g r e s u l ta n t .
1I n te r v ie w ,
F a m ilia r c e l l s
19 J u l y 1 9 7 7 .
2 I n te r v ie w , 7 A p r il 1977.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 2 7 d o m in a te t h e h o r i z o n t a l a n d v e r t i c a l p l a i n s o f p i t c h ,
w h ic h m o v e, w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n o f t h e C h o p in q u o t a t i o n s ,
w ith in a n o n p u ls a tin g f i e l d
o f r h y th m .
T he l a r g e r f o r m a l d i v i s i o n s a r e
lo c a te d a s fo llo w s :
From t h e b e g i n n i n g t h r o u g h s y s te m 2 ,
From t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 3 , p a g e 1 8 , u p t o
t h e C h o p in q u o t a t i o n i n s y s te m 4 , p a g e 18
p a g e 18
Al
F rom t h e e n t r a n c e o f t h e C h o p in q u o t a t i o n i n
s y s te m 4 , p a g e 1 8 , t h r o u g h t h e r e m a i n d e r
I and I I
An o p e n i n g B - m a jo r t r i a d
tra n s p o s itio n
( S o n ic - E n tity
I ) and i t s
on F - s h a r p t o g e t h e r a r e u t t e r e d a t o t a l o f
s e v e n tim e s i n s e c t i o n A, p r o v id in g a k in d o f f r e e
p o in t, and e s ta b lis h in g
th ro u g h a s s e r tio n
pedal
a B to n a lity .
s t a t e m e n t s on A, F , a n d E - f l a t r e s p e c t i v e l y ,
f a m i l i a r M2 / M3 i n t e r v a l l i c
p ro n o u n ce m e n t n e a r t h e f a n t a s y
firm s th e B t o n a l i t y
p i e c e 's
c e ll.
A fin a l
c o n c lu s io n re c o n
e s ta b l is h e d e a r l i e r by t h i s
f ir s t
s o n ic e n t i t y .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 228Ex .
124.
S o n i c - E n t i t y I ( i n i t i a l f o u r o c c u r r e n c e s ) show n
in c o n te x t w ith f i r s t th r e e o c c u rre n c e s o f S o n ic E n t i t y I I , p a g e 1 7 , s y s te m 5 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I ,
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
iG em inil,
Musingly,, like the gentle caressi of
< a faintly remembered imusic ^
S o n ic -E n tity
1 2 4 ).
I I p e rv a d e s th e f i r s t
Im ag es, r e c e iv in g t h i r t e e n
s ta te m e n ts o c c u r in
............................ ............................
th e b r ie f t h ir d
s e c tio n
No o n e s t a t e m e n t c o r r e s p o n d s e x a c t l y
th o u g h t h e d i f f e r e n c e s s e p a r a t i n g th e m a r e
in v o lv in g t r a n s p o s it io n ,
s io n .
e v e n t;
th e
s l i g h t u s u a lly
in itia l
c le a rly
fu rn is h e d
t h e o p e n in g t h r e e m e l o d i c t o n e s
o f th e fo rm e r a r e tw o - lin e A - f l a t ,
w h ic h c o n s t i t u t e
( s e e e x a m p le
to a n o th e r ,
o r n a m e n ta tio n , o r m e lo d ic e x p a n
The m i s s i n g R a c h m a n in o f f v a r i a t i o n
th e im p e tu s f o r t h i s
E n tity
s e c t i o n o f D ream
s t a t e m e n t s ; a n a d d i t i o n a l tw o
F , and G - f la t;
th e p itc h e s
p r e s e n ta tio n o f th e l a t t e r
( S o n ic -
I I ) a r e th e sam e e x c e p t t h a t A a n d G a r e n a t u r a l .
The d i a t o n i c m e lo d y o f S o n i c - E n t i t y
I I I h a s c lo s e r e l a t i v e s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 2 9 i n S o n i c - E n t i t y V o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e IV ( s e e e x a m p le 8 9 ) a n d
in
S o n i c - E n t i t y X I I o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I ( s e e e x a m p le 1 0 2 ) ;
th is
r e l a t i o n s h i p e x te n d s to th e a r e a s o f p i tc h c l a s s ,
re g is te r,
so u n d s t r u c t u r e , a n d e s s e n t i a l c h a r a c t e r .
sam e r e l a t i o n s h i p s a r e a l s o
T hese
s h a r e d b y a m o v em en t w i t h i n
a n o t h e r o f C r u m b 's c o m p o s i t i o n s , A n c i e n t V o i c e s o f C h i l d r e n :
"T odas l a s t a r d e s en G ran ad a
w h ic h , i n a d d i t i o n ,
p o in t.
. . . "
(M ovem ent I V ) a p i e c e
ta k e s p la c e o v e r a m a jo r - tr ia d
D ream Im a g e s i s
pedal
d e d ic a t e d t o F e d e r ic o G a r c ia L o rc a ,
a u th o r o f th e t e x t u s e d i n A n c ie n t V o ic e s o f C h i l d r e n .
T o n a lly ,
a s s e rtio n .
p a rtia lly
S o n ic -E n tity
P e rh ap s t h i s
because i t
I I e x p r e s s e s an A c e n t e r by
p a r t i c u l a r p itc h
l e v e l w as c h o s e n
o ffe re d a g re a t d e a l o f to n a l c o n tra s t
III
T he C h o p in q u o t a t i o n
th e e x is t in g
( S o n ic - E n tity
III)
u se d in
v e r s i o n o f D ream Im a g e s d o e s n o t r e q u i r e
f u r t h e r c o m m e n t, e x c e p t t o
q u a te ly to f i t
s a y t h a t th o u g h i t
th e c o n te x t o f th e p ie c e ,
seem s a d e
in t h i s w r i t e r 's
o p in io n th e o r i g i n a l c o n c e p tio n p ro d u c e s a b e t t e r e f f e c t .
Ex. 125.
S o n ic -E n tity I I I ( f i r s t o f th re e s ta te m e n ts ) ,
show n w i t h o v e r l a p p i n g s t a t e m e n t s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y
I I , p a g e 1 8 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I , M a k ro
k osm os, V o l. I (s e e to p o f page 230)
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-230-
S o n i c - E n t i ti e s V, V I, and V II
The f i f t h
s t r u c t u r a l i d e a , w h ic h i n i t i a t e s
se c tio n
B, i n v o l v e s s e v e r a l p r e v i o u s l y i n t r o d u c e d i n t e r v a l l i c
t h e s e i n c l u d e c h r o m a t i c , B a r t o k , a n d M2 /
e n ti t y a s w e ll a s a l l o th e r e n t i t i e s
in
M3 c e l l s .
u n its ;
T h is
th e seco n d s e c tio n ,
so u n d s b u t one tim e .
Two s i m u l t a n e o u s r i s i n g w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e s a m a j o r
s e v e n t h re m o v e d a r e t h e p i t c h c o n s t i t u e n t s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y
V I.
A v e ry c lo s e ly r e l a t e d
e v e n t,
S o n ic -E n tity VI o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e I
in te rm s o f p i t c h ,
is
( s e e e x a m p le 6 6 ) .
A g e s tu r e c lo s e ly d e r iv a tiv e
o f S o n ic -E n tity V III
o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e VI and S o n ic -E n tity V II o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
V III r e p r e s e n ts S o n ic -E n tity V II ( in th e
s i o n ; s e e e x a m p le 9 9 ) .
s tr u c tu r a l u n its a re
in te r v a llic a lly
e x p r e s s i n g a f o u r - n o t e B a r to k c e l l ;
f o r Crumb a r a r e
p ie c e u n d e r d is c u s
The g r a c e n o t e s o f t h e s e t h r e e
id e n tic a l,
each
t h u s , we h a v e w h a t i s
in s ta n c e o f e x a c t e n ti t y
tra n s fe r.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 3 1 E x. 1 2 6 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V, V I , a n d V I I , show n w i t h l i n k
b e tw e e n s e c t i o n s A a n d B ( c o n s i s t i n g o f t r a n s
p o s i t i o n s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I ) , p a g e 1 8 , s y s te m 3 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I , M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l . I
-L in k -
-VI.
-V-
-V II-
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V I I I a n d IX
The f o r w a r d s u c c e s s i o n o f c o n s t r u c t i o n a l e l e m e n t s
c o n tin u e s w ith S o n ic - E n t i ty V I I I , a f i l i g r e e
ta k e s i t s
g e s t u r e w h ic h
p i t c h c o n t e n t fro m a f a l l i n g c h r o m a t i c s c a l e
( s e v e r a l t o n e s o f w h ic h a r e d i s p l a c e d b y o n e o r tw o a t t a c k s ) .
An a c c o m p a n y in g g l i s s a n d o c o n t a i n s t h e l o w e s t p i t c h e s t o
o c c u r i n D ream I m a g e s .
Ex. 127.
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I I , p a g e 1 8 , s y s te m 3> F a n t a s y P i e c e X I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
rbrings(ft.)
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-232S o n i c - E n t i t y IX , t h e
be I n t r o d u c e d ,
i s g e n e ra te d
a n d M2 / M3 c e l l s .
Its
l a s t u n it of s tru c tu re
In p itc h
e n tire ly
s i x c o n s e c u t i v e e x p a n d i n g r h y th m ic
v a lu e s e x p re s s a w r itte n - o u t r it a r d a n d o ,
is
to
f ro m B a r t o k
w h ic h ,
s u rp ris in g ly ,
o v e rrid d e n by an a c tu a l r it a r d a n d o .
Ex. 128.
S o n i c - E n t i t y IX ( m in u s t h e f i r s t tw o b e a t s ) ,
show n w i t h o v e r l a p p i n g e n t r a n c e o f f i n a l C h o p in
q u o t a t i o n , p a g e 1 8 , s y s te m 4 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I ,
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
T a b l e X IX .
in r e la tio n
F o rm a l U n i t ;
O v e r a l l s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e XI
t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g .
S o n lc -E n tity C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g :
S e c tio n A
= I, I I , la , H a , I , I I , la , lib I , l i e ,
I I I (b e g u n ), l i d , l i e , I I I (c o m p le te d ),
I , I l f , l a , I l g , I l h / K . H j 7 / I H a J L .B i
s e c tio n B
= l b , I c , I d ( l i n k ) , IV , V , V I , V I I
V I I I , IX , IX a ( o v e r l a p ) ,
S e c tio n A l
=Illb ;
I,
(B a rto k ),
I I J ; I lk
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 3 3 F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I I ( S p i r a l G a l a x y ) " A q u a r iu s "
Ex. 129.
F a n ta s y - P ie c e X II ( in i t s
1 9 , M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l . I
e n tire ty ),
page
p iz z ic a to ,
h a rm o n ic s , a n d g l i s s a n d i c o m p rise t h e
fifth
p a rtia l
s p e c i a l i z e d m ea n s o f
p r o d u c t i o n e m p lo y e d w i t h i n t h e g e s t u r e - d e c a y s o u n d s t r u c
tu re
o f S p i r a l G a la x y .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 3 4 s u c c e s s io n a g a in r e s u l t s
fro m c h r o m a tic a n d B a r t 6k c e l l s .
A q u i e t , m y s t i c a l c h a r a c t e r , w h ic h i s
su p p o rte d by s u s
p e n d e d n o n p r o g r e s s i o n a l r h y th m , m a k e s S p i r a l G a la x y a n
e ffe c tiv e
c o n c l u s i o n t o M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I .
O v e r a l l f o r m a l d e s i g n c o n s i s t s o f tw o b r i e f c o n
tra s tin g
s e c tio n s ;
n in g u p to
s e c tio n one
(A) e x t e n d s fro m t h e b e g i n
tw o (B ) encom
p a s s e s th e re m a in d e r o f th e p i e c e .
COMMENTARY ON INDIVIDUAL SONIC EN TITIES
S o n ic -E n tity
The u n i q u e t i m b r a l c o n s t i t u t i o n o f t h e o p e n in g
id e a in s u r e s
p e rc e iv e r.
f ifth
it
o f m a k in g a s t r o n g
P iz z ic a to ,
p a r t i a l h a rm o n ic s ,
in tr o d u c e
h ig h e r th an i t s
to n e s to
I m p r e s s i o n on t h e
and
in th a t o rd e r, a re u t il iz e d
sev en s u c c e s s iv e
c o n tr a A, and r i s e
to n e s .
to
T h e s e b e g i n on s u b -
p re d e c e sso r.
The s e c o n d , t h i r d , a n d f o u r t h
be so u n d ed d i s p l a y an in g e n io u s a p p li c a ti o n o f
to n e c o lo r :
th e
th e
th o s e to n e s a r e
f i r 3 t d e lic a te ly a c tiv a te d
and a re
th e n a r t i c u l a te d
v ia
s e c o n d t im e i m m e d i a t e l y a f t e r w a r d s b y m ea n s o f p i z z i c a t o .
Ih e f i n a l to n e o f S o n ic - E n tity
I , a D -sh a rp ,
is
r e ite r a te d
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 3 5 in a m anner r e m in is c e n t o f th e r e p e a te d - to n e
S o n ic -E n tity I I I ,
F a n ta s y -P ie c e
p a tte rn
in
( s e e e x a m p le 6 3 ) , a s
w e ll a s o f s e v e r a l e a r l i e r a c c e le ra n d o - rita r d a n d o g e s
tu re s.
The o n l y r e c u r r e n c e o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I f o l l o w s
i m m e d ia te l y a f t e r t h e i n i t i a l o c c u r r e n c e , a n d i s
lik e
th e f i r s t ,
to n e
( C r u m b 's f a v o r i t e
" c ir c le
except th a t i t
of fifth s "
is
in te r v a l o f tra n s p o s itio n ).
e x p re s s e d by S o n ic -E n tity
s t a t e m e n t b e g i n s o n D - s h a r p , t h e sam e p i t c h
w h ic h t h e o r i g i n a l p r e s e n t a t i o n
E -F la t).
e x a c tly
tra n s p o s e d u p a t r i
T hus, th e e n t i r e
le f t o ff
I 's
The
second
c l a s s on
(D -sh arp =
g a m u t o f t w e lv e t o n e s i s
s y m m e t r i c a l l y e x p o s e d b y t h e c o m b i n a ti o n o f S o n i c - E n t i t i e s
I and l a ,
la ,
w ith r e p e t i t i o n s ,
by th e f i r s t and l a s t to n e s in
o f th e f i r s t and l a s t to n e s o f th e o r i g i n a l
and E - f la c ).
( E - f la t a ls o
( i.e . A
r e p r e s e n t s th e a x is o f
s y m m e try d i v i d i n g t h e tw o u t t e r a n c e s ) .
E x. 130.
S o n i c - E n t i t y I ( b o t h o c c u r r e n c e s ) , p a g e 19,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I
F i r s t O c c u rre n c e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
S o n ic -E n titie s
II and I I I
P a r t I I b e g in s w ith a n i n tr o d u c to r y f l o u r i s h
of
g r a c e n o te s ., e x p r e s s in g a t h r e e - t o n e c h ro m a tic c e l l tw ic e .
( S o n ic E n t i t y
II).
T h is se c o n d s o n ic e n t i t y
by S o n ic - E n tity I I I ,
a u n i t w h ic h c o n s i s t s ,
is
in
f o llo w e d
th e u p p e r
v o ic e , o f a q u in tu p le t c o n f ig u r a tio n b ased on th e
s u c c e s s io n o f h o r iz o n t a l i n te r v a l s :
M2 / m3 /
fo llo w in g
M2.
The
l o w e r v o i c e e x p r e s s e s t h e sam e s u c c e s s i o n o f i n t e r v a l s i n
trip le ts ,
but i ts
th e to p p a r t.
(u p p er)
p i t c h e s a r e a h a l f s t e p b e lo w t h o s e i n
I t Is
o f i n t e r e s t t h a t th e r ig h t-h a n d
p i tc h e s I n v o lv e o n ly w h ite k e y s , w h ile th e p i tc h e s
p l a y e d by t h e
l e f t hand
( lo w e r ) i n v o l v e b l a c k k e y s e x c l u
s i v e l y a p r o c e d u r e t h a t se e m s t o b e a p r e d i l e c t i o n w i t h
C rum b.
The s y m m e t r i c a l M2 / m3 / M2 i n t e r v a l l i c
s tr u c tu re
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 3 7 o f S o n ic - E n tity I I I p e rh a p s a d e r i v a t i v e
to n ic
s c a l e w as a l s o
o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
o f th e
p e n ta -
g i v e n p r o m in e n c e i n S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I
III
( s e e e x a m p le 8 3 ) , a n d S o n i c - E n t i t y X I I
o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I ( s e e e x a m p le 1 0 2 ) .
g e n e ra l sh ap e and d e s ig n , th e r e
F u rth e r m o r e ,
In
e x i s t s a s tr o n g in te r c o n n e c
t i o n b e tw e e n S o n i c - E n t i t y V I o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e
( s e e e x a m p le
6 l ) and th e e v e n t u n d e r d is c u s s io n .
A seco n d p ro n u n c ia tio n o f S o n ic -E n tity
p osed up a p e r f e c t f o u r th ,
o f S o n ic -E n tity
tra n s
IV , a n d t h u s c o n c l u d e s M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
I t i s an i n t e r v a l i i c
s ta te m e n t,
III,
e n te r s a f t e r th e in te r v e n tio n
a n d rh y th m ic d u p l i c a t i o n o f th e
e x c e p t f o r th e e lo n g a tio n
I.
firs t
th ro u g h r e p e t it i o n
o f th e f in a l p a r t i c l e .
Ex. 131.
S o n ic -E n tity
IV
The f o u r t h a n d l a s t c o n s t r u c t i o n a l e le m e n t u t i
liz e d
i n S p i r a l G a la x y i s a n o t h e r s y m m e t r i c a l e n t i t y
s is tin g
o f a sequence o f s ix
tw e lv e -n o te c l u s t e r s ,
con
each
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-238e x p r e s s in g th e t o t a l c h ro m a tic .
in te rv a llic a lly
E ach h a n d m a in ta in s
id e n t i c a l s ix - n o te
s e m i to n e c l u s t e r s ,
th e
p i t c h e s o f w h ic h a r e v a r i e d t h r o u g h s e q u e n t i a l t r a n s p o s i
tio n
th ro u g h o u t.
T he r i g h t a n d l e f t h a n d s b e g i n i n t h e
h i g h e s t an d lo w e s t o c ta v e s r e s p e c t i v e l y o f th e
p ia n o , and
p r o g r e s s t o w a r d s o n e a n o t h e r i n c o n t r a r y m o ti o n w i t h e a c h
s u c c e e d in g a t t a c k .
The r i g h t - h a n d c l u s t e r s a lw a y s f a l l
a p e rfe c t f if th ,
w h ile th o s e o f th e
p e rfe c t fo u rth .
The l o w e s t t o n e s o f t h e f i r s t a n d l a s t
c lu s te rs a re
f r e q u e n tly o c c u rr in g t r i t o n e
I.
o f th e
b o th a p p e a r a n c e s o f S o n ic - E n tity
V o l.
l e f t hand r i s e
(A a n d E - f l a t ) a
t h r o u g h o u t M a k ro k o s m o s ,
The o u t e r m o s t a n d t h e r e f o r e m o s t a u d i b l e
l e f t and r ig h t hand c lu s t e r s
o f B a r to k c h o r d s .
c o n s titu te
p itc h e s
a s e rie s
T he s i x t h a n d f i n a l c l u s t e r c o n s i s t s
o f tw e lv e v e r t i c a l l y
c o n s e c u tiv e s e m ito n e s :
th e
l e f t and
r i g h t h a n d s a r e no lo n g e r s e p a r a te d by i n t e r v a l l i c
A g a in i n
o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
d ista n c e .
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV , a s i n S o n i c - E n t i t y
I
( s e e e x a m p le 6 l ) ,
S o n ic -E n tity
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V ( s e e e x a m p le 9 1 ) , S o n i c - E n t i t y
f a n t a s y p i e c e , a n d i n m any o t h e r i n s t a n c e s ,
a m o st s i g n i f i c a n t s t r u c t u r a l f u n c t i o n .
III of
I of th is
s y m m e try s e r v e s
The f o l l o w i n g
p a r a g r a p h s c o n c e r n i n g sy m m e try a r e f ro m a n i n t e r v i e w
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 3 9 w it h th e c o m p o se r c o n d u c te d by t h i s a n a l y s t :
I b e li e v e t h a t s y m m e tr ic a l id e a s o f te n p o s s e s s
s t r u c t u r a l p o t e n t i a l a f a c t o r w h i c h , w hen p r o p
e r l y u t i l i z e d , c a n a id i n th e s h a p in g o f m u sic .
S y m m etry m ay , o f c o u r s e , b e i n c o r p o r a t e d o n b o t h
t h e m a c ro a n d m ic r o l e v e l s o f a c o m p o s i t i o n f o r
s tr u c tu r a l p u rp o se s.
C e r t a i n o f my p i e c e s c o n
t a i n m o re s y m m e tr y t h a n o t h e r s , b u t i n g e n e r a l ,
a l l o f th e m c o n t a i n a r a t h e r h i g h l e v e l .
I fee l
t h a t s y m m e tr ic a l id e a s h a v e th e p o t e n t i a l o f i n
c r e a s in g c o h e re n c e in m u sic .
N a tu ra lly , th e re
a r e a l s o m any n o n s y m m e t r i c a l m ea n s o f s t r u c t u r i n g
m u s ic w h ic h a l s o l e n d c o h e r e n c e .
In f a c t , th e
t r a d i t i o n a l t o n a l s y s te m i s b a s i c a l l y a s y m m e t r i c a l ;
th e c h o rd s a r e c o n s tr u c te d w ith n o n e q u a l i n t e r v a l s .
T h e r e _is t h e s y m m e t r i c a l c i r c l e o f f i f t h s , b u t
t h a t i s a so m e w h a t a b s t r a c t c o n c e p t .
O b v io u s ly ,
t h e a c t u a l s o u n d s o f t r a d i t i o n a l m u s ic a r e a d e
q u a te ly c o h e s iv e , and f o r re a s o n s o th e r th a n
s y m m e tr y .
C o n c e r n i n g r h y th m ic s y m m e try , t h i s
s e e m s t o b e a p h e n o m e n o n o f t h i s c e n t u r y common
p r a c t i c e m u s ic d o e s n 't m ake m uch u s e o f t h i s .
When y o u t h i n k a b o u t i t , sy m m e try i s s o m e t h in g
t h a t p e rv a d e s a lm o s t e v e r y th in g i n n a tu r e one
t h i n k s o f c r y s t a l f o r m a t i o n s , snow f l a k e s , a n d
l i v i n g o r g a n is m s : i t seem s l i k e a n a t u r a l p ro
c e s s t o c o n s c i o u s l y e m p lo y s y m m e tr i c a l i d e a s i n
m u s i c .1
Ex. 132.
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV , p a g e 1 9 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I I ,
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
^ I n te r v ie w ,
16 N o v e m b e r 1977
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 4 0 I n v ie w o f t h e e m p h a s i s Crum b p l a c e s o n s y m m e t r i c a l s t r u c
tu r a l p ro ce d u re s,
s o n ic e n t i t i e s
it
se e m s f i t t i n g
in tr o d u c e d
t h a t th e f i r s t and l a s t
i n M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l I i n v o l v e
c o m p le x s y m m e t r i c a l c o n s t r u c t i o n s .
SUMMARY
T a b l e XX. O v e r a l l s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I I
i n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm a l U n i t :
S o n i c - E n t i ty C o n te n t and O r d e r in g :
S e c tio n A
= I,
S e c tio n B
=11,
la ,
III,
IV ,
Ilia
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
CHAPTER VII
MAKROKOSMOS. VOLUME I I
F a n ta a y -P le c e
( M o rn in g M u s ic ) / G e n e s i s I l 7
A c c o r d in g t o t h e c o m p o s e r ,
"C a n c e r
th e s u b t i t l e s ,
G e n e s is I
a n d G e n e s is I I , g i v e n t o t h e o p e n in g f a n t a s y p i e c e s o f
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l s . I a n d I I ,
c o n n e c tio n s.
in d ic a tiv e
d o n o t im p ly a n y h i d d e n i n t e r
T hese s u b t i t l e s ,
Crumb e x p l a i n e d ,
o f th e f a c t t h a t th e s e
A s h e e t o f p a p e r,
(a p p ro x im a te ly )
s im p ly a r e
p ie c e s b e g in l a r g e w o r k s .1
p l a c e d on t h e s t r i n g s
s p a n n in g
t h e r a n g e fro m s m a l l E t o t w o - l i n e D,
f o r c e f u l l y d o m in a t e s t h e s o n i c a tm o s p h e r e o f M o rn in g M u 3 ic .
O c c a s i o n a l l y t o n e 3 w h ic h l i e
a ffe c te d
s u b tle
by th e
a b o v e o r b e lo w t h e r a n g e
p ie c e o f p a p e r a r e in tr o d u c e d ,
v a r i a n t s o f to n e c o l o r .
p ro d u c in g
No o t h e r s p e c i a l e f f e c t s
a r e e m p lo y e d , a n d , t h r o u g h o u t M o rn in g M u 3 ic , e n t i t i e s
fo llo w one a n o th e r in d i r e c t s u c c e s s io n , w ith o u t th e u s u a l
la s c ia re
v ib ra re
Rhythm i s
o f r h y th m ic
pauses.
la r g e ly n o n m e tr lc a l.
p u ls a tio n i s c re a te d
v o lv in g e i t h e r r e p e t i t i o n
^ ro m
H o w e v e r, a f e e l i n g
in s e v e ra l p a ssa g e s in
o r th e u se o f o s t i n a t o .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 4 2 A p r e d o m i n a t i n g h a r m o n ic f i e l d
is
v e r t i c a l p r o g re s s io n o f s im u lta n e itie s ,
fo rm e d , n o t by
b u t by a c o ll e c ti v e
b a c k d ro p o f s lo w ly c h a n g in g , d e c a y in g so u n d .
v e rtic a litie s
tim e s ;
o f th re e
th e s e a re a l l
but th re e a re o f th e
o r m o re t o n e s a r e
la rg e
B a r to k g e n r e .
F o u r - n o te B a r to k c h o rd s
w h e re t h e y s e r v e
fo rm a l u n i ts .
The p e n t a t o n i c
a la rg e
t w e n ty
s y m m e tr ic a lly c o n s tr u c te d , an d a l l
a lw a y s o c c u r a t k e y s t r u c t u r a l l o c a l i t i e s ,
to p a r t i ti o n
N e v e rth e le s s ,
s ta te d
s c a le
p i t c h c e l l M2 /
f u n c tio n s in th e m anner o f
M2 / m3 / M2 , a n d d e t e r m i n e s
M o rn in g M u s i c *s h o r i z o n t a l f lo w o f t o n e s a l m o s t e n t i r e l y .
A d i c h o to m y o f b l a c k - k e y p e n t a t o n i c v e r s u s w h i t e - k e y p e n t a
t o n ic o f t e n d o m in a te s o t h e r t e x t u r a l c o n s i d e r a t i o n s ,
p ro
d u c i n g a v e r t i c a l r e s u l t a n t c o n s i s t i n g m a i n l y o f m in o r
se c o n d s and c h ro m a tic c e l l s .
S y m m etry i s
t h e o r g a n i z a t i o n a l p r i n c i p l e w h ic h
g o v e rn s th e fo rm a l d e s ig n o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e
I.
The e s s e n
t i a l c o m p o n e n ts o f t h a t d e s i g n a r e a s f o l l o w s :
A
From t h e b e g i n n i n g u p t o t h e f f f z f o u r - n o t e
c h o r d n e a r t h e e n d o f s y s te m 2 , p a g e 6
Al
F rom t h e B a r t o k c h o r d m e n t i o n e d a b o v e , u p t o t h e
o n e - l i n e C o r n a m e n te d w i t h f o u r g r a c e n o t e s a n d
l o c a t e d n e a r t h e e n d o f s y s te m 4 , p a g e 6
B a r to k
From t h e o n e - l i n e C m e n t i o n e d a b o v e , u p t o t h e f f f z
f o u r - n o t e B a r t o k c h o r d n e a r t h e m id d l e o f s y s te m 3,
page 7
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 4 3 A2
Prom t h e f o u r - n o t e B a r t o k c h o r d m e n t i o n e d a b o v e ,
up to th e r e tu r n o f S o n ic -E n tity I ( o r ig in a l
s t a t e m e n t ) n e a r t h e m id d l e o f s y s te m 5 , p a g e 7
A3
From t h e r e t u r n o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I m e n t i o n e d a b o v e , u p
t o t h e f i r s t f o u r - n o t e B a r t o k c h o r d i n s y s te m 5* p a g e 7
C oda
R e m a in d e r
s o n ic e n t i t y
c o n s is ts of th re e
( 1 ) tw o g r a c e n o t e s l e a d i n g i n t o a s u s t a i n e d t o n e ;
fa llin g
ra p id ly -m o v in g t r i p l e t s ;
e ig h th n o t e s .
firs t
e n tity
W ith r e g a r d t o
fa lls
(3 ) th re e r i s i n g
p itc h ,
th e e n t i r e t y
o c c u rre n c e o f S o n ic -E n tity I ,
of p a rtic le
E x. 1 3 3 .
1 is
(2 )
e x e c u tio n .
tw o
o r n a m e n te d
of th is
w ith in th e c o n v e n tio n a l p e n ta to n ic
an d r e q u i r e s o n ly b la c k k e y s f o r i t s
f irs t
c o m p o n e n ts :
s c a le ,
A g a in s t th e
a s e p a r a te d s ta te m e n t
p la y e d in th e l e f t h an d .
S o n i c - E n t i t y I ( i n i t i a l o c c u r r e n c e ) , show n w i t h
p a r t i c l e 1 ( l e f t h a n d ) , p a g e 6 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y P i e c e I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
[Part One]
I. Morning Music (Genesis II) ICancer)
Exuberantly, with primitive energy
- 66]
Piano
In s e v e r a l s u b s e q u e n t s ta t e m e n t s , S o n i c - E n t l ty
u n d e r g o e s i n t e r e s t i n g m e ta m o r p h o s e s ;
t h e f o l l o w i n g e x a m p le s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 4 4 em body t h e m o s t n o t a b l e o f t h e s e .
tic le
is
th e t h ir d
n o te s
th e f i r s t
th e f i r s t
p a r
r h y th m ic a lly , and
a c q u ir e s an a d d i t i o n a l s e t o f w h ite -k e y g ra c e
( s e e e x a m p le 1 3 4 ) .
a lte re d
In I d ,
d ro p p e d , th e seco n d a l t e r e d
p a rtic le
In th e c a se o f S o n ic -E n tity I e ,
i s a g a in d ro p p e d ,
r h y th m ic a lly , and th e t h i r d
a s e r i e s o f t h r e e B a rto k c h o rd s
v e r te d m e lo d ic i n t e r v a l s ;
s o n ic e n t i t y
tra n s fo rm e d i n to
( o r n a m e n te d a n d w i t h i n
s e e e x a m p le 1 3 4 ) .
so u n d s e ig h t tim e s in
i n e a c h r e m a in in g s e c t i o n .
th e se co n d i s a g a in
is
The f i r s t
s e c t i o n A, a n d t w i c e
O n ly S o n i c - E n t i t y I I e x e r t s
a m o re i m p o r t a n t a n d p e r v a s i v e s t r u c t u r a l r o l e .
Ex. 1 3 4 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I d ( p a g e 6 , s y s te m 2 ) a n d I e ( p a g e
g , s y s te m 3 )* F a n t a s y - P i e c e I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I I
S o n ic -E n tity
II
S o n ic -E n tity
c o n ta in in g th r e e
I I b e g in s a s a q u a d ru p le t fra g m e n t
D, C, a n d A.
The p i t c h e s G a n d E
a r e th e n a d d e d to o rn am e n t a r e p e t i t i o n
o f th e f i n a l a r t i c u
la te d
to n e
E x. 1 3 5 .
(D ),
p itc h e s :
th u s c o m p le tin g a p e n ta t o n ic s c a l e .
S o n ic - E n tity I I ( f i r s t o c c u r r e n c e ) , page 6 , s y s
tem 1 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 4 5 From t h e f o rm o f S o n i c - E n t i t y
(Ila )
e m e r g e s , w h ic h r e t a i n s
th is
II,
an e lo n g a te d d e r i v a ti v e
th e e s ta b lis h e d
s c a le .
In p itc h ,
p a tte rn
( n o t c o u n tin g g ra c e n o t e s )
th e s y m m e tr ic a l d i s p o s i t i o n
to n e to
E x. 1 3 6 .
th e h ig h e s t,
p e n ta to n ic
s t a t e m e n t r e p e a t s t h e sam e n i n e - n o t e
th is
tw ic e
of in te rv a ls :
i s m3 / M2 /
Of i n t e r e s t i s
fro m t h e l o w e s t
m 3.
S o n i c - E n t i t y I l a , p a g e 6 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y P i e c e I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
L ik e S o n i c - E n t i ty I ,
t h e s e c o n d e le m e n t o f c o n
s t r u c t i o n u n d e rg o e s a num ber o f e la b o r a te
p e rm u ta tio n s,
t h e m o s t e x t e n s i v e o f w h ic h a r e d i s c u s s e d b e lo w .
The
p r e s e n t a t i o n w h ic h a p p e a r s a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s e c t i o n A1
( lib )
r e ta in s
w h ic h i s
th e o r ig in a l p itc h
d ro p p ed .
c l a s s e s e x c e p t f o r C,
The i n t e r v a l l i c
f o u r r e m a in in g to n e s a g a in d i s p l a y s
z a tio n :
th re e
o f th e
s y m m e tric a l o r g a n i
M2 / m3 / M2 ( c o n s i d e r e d f ro m b o t t o n t o t o p ) .
M e th o d ic a l c o n s t r u c t i o n
of th is
d is tr ib u tio n
u n it:
i s a p p a re n t in th e o rg a n iz a tio n
th e f i r s t f i f t e e n n o te s
( in c lu d in g th e
g r a c e n o t e s im m e d ia te ly p r e c e d in g th e f i r s t
te e n th -n o te ) a re
id e n tic a l in
p itc h
to
s lx -
th e l a s t f i f t e e n ;
t h e r e m a i n i n g t w e n ty - t w o t o n e s a r e d i v i d e d i n t o
two
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 4 6 i d e n t i c a l g ro u p s o f e le v e n .
H e re a g a i n , s y m m e try f u n c
t i o n s a s a d o m in a tin g o r g a n i z a t i o n a l f o r c e .
Ex. 136.
S o n i c - E n t i t y l i b , p a g e 6 , s y s te m s 2 a n d 3>
F a n t a s y - P i e c e I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I I
The f a c t t h a t l i b
lie s
p a r t i a l l y above th e ran g e o f
s t r i n g s on w h ic h p a p e r h a s b e e n p l a c e d d i s t i n g u i s h e s
its
to n e c o l o r fro m t h a t o f e a r l i e r s t a t e m e n t s .
A n o th e r r e l a t i v e
lie ,
s c a le , a s d id l i b .
u tte ra n c e s in i t s
s tric t
H o w e v e r, i t d i f f e r s
u tiliz a tio n
II,
d is tr ib u tio n
A c c o m p a n y in g l i e
f ro m p r e v i o u s
Its
re la tio n s h ip
in
its
n o n s y m m e tr i c a l
(m3 / M2 / M2 f ro m b o tto m t o
in th e r ig h t hand i s
to n e p a t t e r n o f s e v e n n o te s p la y e d e n t i r e l y
keys.
S o n ic -E n tity
p e n ta to n ic
o f b la c k -k e y s,
p a tte r n o f s ix to n e s , and in i t s
in te rv a llic
to p ).
o f S o n ic -E n tity
c o n t a i n s f o u r t o n e s d e r i v e d f ro m t h e
l i d , a w h o le on t h e w h i t e
t o S o n i c - E n t i t y I I h a s m o re t o do
w ith d e s ig n an d sh a p e th a n w ith i n t e r v a l l i c
s u c c e s s io n .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 4 7 E x. 137.
fcer.Oubife)
N o te t h e d e l i c a t e
a b o v e e x a m p le .
a k in d o f f r e e
h e s io n .
S o n ic - E n t i ty I I f u n c t i o n s th ro u g h o u t a s
o s tin a to ,
p ro v id in g a s tr o n g se n se o f co
I n m y ria d g u i s e s ,
i t m ak e s t h r e e a p p e a r a n c e s i n
e a c h o f s e c t i o n s A, A l , a n d A 2; a t e n t h a n d f i n a l s t a t e
m en t i s u t t e r e d
S o n ic -E n titie s
in A3.
III,
S o n ic -E n tity
in
its
firs t
a b b re v ia te d
III
is a re p e titiv e
fig u r e
e x p re s s in g
o c c u r r e n c e a s i x - t o n e c h ro m a tic c e l l .
fo rm ,
A l, and tw ic e
Ex. 138.
IV , V, a n d V I
In
t h i s u n i t a ls o a p p e a rs once in s e c tio n
i n s e c t i o n B.
S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I , p a g e 6 , s y s te m s 1 a n d 2 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 4 8 A s in g le
f o u r - n o te B a r to k c h o rd
a c t s a s a f o rm d e l i n e a t o r , m a r k i n g i n
( S o n i c - E n t i t y IV )
its
o n ly a p p e a ra n c e s
t h e b e g i n n i n g s o f s e c t i o n s A l a n d A3* a n d c o m p r i s i n g t h e
s o le m a t e r i a l o f th e b r i e f c o n c lu d in g c o d a .
U n lik e th e
m a j o r i t y o f e v e n t s c o n t a i n e d w i t h i n M o rn in g M u s ic , t h e
w id e ly s p a c e d p e r f e c t f i f t h s
b o th
lie
In f a c t ,
c o n s ti tu t in g S o n ic -E n tity
th e P a n d C o f th e
lo w e r f i f t h
p i t c h e s t o s o u n d b e lo w t h e s t r i n g s
C o n tra F i s
m i t h 's
is
th e ro o t o f an y c h o rd ), and th e
to n e ;
p ie c e .
r e p r e s e n t th e o n ly
c o n ta c te d w ith p a p e r.
th e r o o t o f S o n ic -E n tity
th e o ry t h a t th e ro o t o f th e
in th e e n ti r e
fre sh
IV
w e l l a b o v e a n d b e lo w t h e r a n g e s p a n n e d b y p a p e r .
IV ( b a s e d on H i n d e
lo w e s t s tr o n g i n t e r v a l
lo w e s t to n e to o c c u r
F u r t h e r m o r e , t h i s F i s a lw a y s a
in o th e r w o rd s, th e
p itc h
c la s s of F does n o t
sound f o r a s i g n i f i c a n t i n t e r v a l p r i o r to th e p r e s e n t a t i o n
c f th e fo u rth
s o n ic e n t i t y .
T he p i t c h c l a s s e s o f F a n d B
a re h e a rd f o r th e f i r s t
tim e , c o m p le tin g th e t o t a l c h r o
m a tic , w ith th e i n i t i a l
s t a t e m e n t o f S o n i c - E n t i t y IV .
Ex.
139.
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV , p a g e 6 , s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y P i e c e I , M a k ro k o s m o s, V o l . I I
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-2 4 9 S o n ic -E n tity V i s
w h e re i t
fo u n d o n l y i n s e c t i o n B,
so u n d s th r e e tim e s .
The f i r s t u t t e r a n c e ,
w h ic h
c om m ences s e c t i o n B , c o n t a i n s t h r e e e s s e n t i a l c o m p o n e n ts :
( l ) a s in g le
tw o f a l l i n g
to n e ,
t o n e o r n a m e n te d b y f o u r g r a c e n o t e s ;
t h r e e - n o t e B a r to k c h o r d s ;
(2 )
(3 ) a r e p e a te d
p r e c e d e d by f i v e m o s tly c h ro m a tic g r a c e n o t e s .
T he f i r s t t w e l v e t o n e s t o s o u n d em body t h e t o t a l c h r o
m a tic .
The s e c o n d s t a t e m e n t i n v o l v e s a s l i g h t e x t e n s i o n ,
w h ile th e t h i r d
re v e a ls s lig h t i n te r v a l l ic
p e rm u ta tio n s ,
when c o m p a re d w i t h t h e o r i g i n a l .
S o n i c - E n t i t y V, p a g e 6 , s y s te m 4 , F a n t a s y P i e c e I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
Ex. 1 4 0 .
The f i n a l c o n s t r u c t i o n a l e le m e n t c o n t a i n e d w i t h i n
M o rn in g M u s ic c o n c l u d e s s e c t i o n B , n e a r t h e
f iv e
s ta te m e n ts a re
p o ssess th re e
b a s ic
g iv e n .
I n itia lly ,
to n e g ro u p s :
M2, t h e u p p e r n o t e o f w h ic h i s
th e f i r s t
c o n ta in s a
re p e a te d o n ce;
c o n t a i n s a m3 , t h e u p p e r n o t e o f w h ic h i s
th e t h ir d
e n d o f w h ic h
S o n ic - E n tity VI
th e second
re p e a te d
tw ic e ;
c o n t a i n s a n o t h e r M2, t h e u p p e r n o t e o f w h ic h
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-250is
re p e a te d th re e
tim e s .
by a s y m m e tr ic a l c h o rd
The f i r s t g r o u p i s a c c o m p a n ie d
( i . e . M3 /
M2 / m3 / M2 /
M3 fro m
b o t to m t o t o p ) , a n d o r n a m e n te d b y f o u r d e s c e n d i n g w h o le t o n e g r a c e n o t e s , m o v in g s t e p w i s e .
r e c u rre n c e s a d h e re r e l a ti v e ly
t h e f i n a l p ro n o u n c e m e n t i s
m ic a lly .
e lo n g a te d a n d e x te n d e d r h y th
H o w e v e r, e s s e n t i a l p i t c h c o n s t i t u e n t s a n d
r e p e titio n
Ex. l 4 l .
The f o l l o w i n g t h r e e
c lo s e to th e o r ig i n a l, bu t
o f t o n e s r e m a in e s s e n t i a l i n g r e d i e n t s .
S o n i c - E n t i ty V I, i n i t i a l a n d f i n a l o c c u r r e n c e s ,
s y s te m s 2 a n d 3* p a g e 7 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e I ,
M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I I
T a b l e X X I.
in r e la tio n
F o rm a l U n i t :
O v e r a ll s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e I
t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
S o n i c - E n t i ty C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g :
= I /R .H .7 / l a /E .H .7 , I I , I / R . E . 7 , /
lb
I c , I l a , I I I , I /R .H . / / l a
/ L .t t J J / l b j t . Y i J / l i b JJT.kJ T , I c ,
S e c tio n A l
= IV , l i e / L .H .7 / Id / R . H . 7 / I e / R . H . 7 ,
l i d 7 L .H j 7 / " I l f 7 R . H _ .7 r i I I a
^
"
= V, I f , V a , I l l b , V b, I g ,
V I , V i a , V I , V Ib ,
I g , V I,
IIIc ,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 5 1 S e c t i o n A2
= IV , l i e
/ L .H .7 /
= I 3 - E3
C oda
- IV , IV
I e /R .H J 7 .
Id /R .H .7 /
3 .TLJ,
N o te t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e tw e e n s e c t i o n s A a n d A 2 , a n d
b e tw e e n s e c t i o n s A l a n d A 3 .
F a n ta s y -P ie c e I I
The t i t l e
re fe rs
o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
I I The M y s tic C h o r d
t o th e f o u r - n o te B a r to k c h o rd
s o s te n u to
o u t.
(se c u re d by th e
p e d a l ) , w h ic h c a n b e h e a r d r e s o n a t i n g t h r o u g h
B ecause o f th e fre q u e n c y o f t h i s
c h o r d i n m o st o f
C r u m b 's m u s i c , a n d b e c a u s e o f t h e t i t l e
h e re a f f i x e d ,
q u e s ti o n a r i s e s w h e th e r
Crum b a t t a c h e s
s p e c ia ls ig n i f i
cance to
in g e n e ra l.
th is s tr u c tu r e
co m p o se r, t h i s
A c c o r d in g t o
th e
i s n o t th e c a s e , e x c e p t f o r th e f a c t
t h a t i s a s o u rc e c h o rd i n a l o t o f p ie c e s ;
it
th e
".
i s a so u n d
I l i k e a s y m m e tr i c a l s t r u c t u r e . "1
The a u d i t o r y c h a r a c t e r o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e
II is
p r i m a r i l y d e te r m i n e d by t h e c o n t i n u a l p r e s e n c e o f t h e
" m y s t i c " c h o r d a n d t h e e m p lo y m e n t o f c e r t a i n
e ffe c ts
(i.e .
o rd in a r io ,
g lis s a n d i,
s p e c ia l
p i z z i c a t o c o m b in e d w i t h modo
s e c o n d - p a r t i a l p i z z i c a t o h a r m o n i c s , a n d m u te d
1 I n t e r v i e w , 14 A p r i l 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-252s t r i n g s ) w i t h i n a g e s t u r e - d e c a y s o u n d c o n ti n u u m .
Except
f o r one c l u s t e r a n d a s e r i e s o f t h r e e - n o t e B a r to k c h o r d s ,
m o re t h a n o n e t o n e i 3 n e v e r p r o d u c e d v e r t i c a l l y .
m o n i c a l l y a n d r h y t h m i c a l l y T he M y s tic C h o r d ,
w h o le ,
p u r v e y s a n a tm o s p h e r e o f s t a s i s .
H ar
ta k e n a s a
The h o r i z o n t a l
p r o g r e s s i o n o f t o n e s d e r i v e s f ro m a s i n g l e w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e ,
a n d f ro m t h e m e l o d i c p r o j e c t i o n o f t h e u n d e r l y i n g m y s t ic
(B a rto k ) c h o rd .
S o n ic -E n titie s
I and I I
The p i t c h
to
p e d a l:
E, B - f l a t ,
re s u ltin g
is
c o n te n t o f S o n ic -E n tity
I is
id e n tic a l
t h a t o f th e m y s tic c h o rd s e c u r e d by th e s o s te n u t o
f ro m t h e
D -sh a rp , and A.
T he a u g m e n te d t h i r d
a r e s u l t o f C r u m b 's p r e f e r e n c e f o r e x p r e s s i n g a s m any
d i f f e r e n t p itc h e s a s p o s s ib le in h is n o ta tio n o f v e r t i c a l
c o m b in a tio n s .
S l i g h t l y v a rie d r e s ta te m e n ts o f th e f i r s t
s t r u c t u r a l com ponent a r e h e a rd t h r e e
tim e s
( s e e e x a m p le
1 4 2 ).
An o n - t h e - s t r i n g s g l i s s a n d o
s p a n n in g a p p ro x im a te ly
t h e r a n g e f ro m s m a l l D t o t w o - l i n e C c o n s t i t u t e s
E n tity
II.
I t a p p e a rs s ix
tim e s i n t h i s
a n d t w i c e a t a m uch lo w e r p i t c h
o f S o n ic -E n tity
c h o rd i n to
II
in i t s
le v e l.
S o n ic -
o r i g i n a l fo rm ,
The s i x
s ta te m e n ts
o r i g i n a l f o rm e a c h s e t t h e m y s t i c
f u l l r e s o n a n c e i n a m an n er a n a lo g o u s to th e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-253=
" a e o li a n h a rp " te c h n iq u e e n c o u n te re d e a r l i e r .
a ffe c te d
by th e s o s te n u t o
c o l l e c t i v e u n i t b y t h e tw o
trills
Ex.
T hose to n e s
p ed al a re a ls o a c tiv a te d a s a
(id e n tic a l)
o n - th e - s tr in g
( S o n ic - E n tity V I I I ) t h a t c lo s e F a n ta s y - P ie c e
142.
S o n ic -E n titie s
p a g e 8 , s y s te m
V o l. I I
II.
I a n d I I , show n w i t h m y s t i c c h o r d ,
1 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I , M a k ro k o s m o s ,
S o n ic -E n titie s
I I I a n d IV
M e lo d ic t e x t u r e
e n tity ,
is
d o m in a t e d b y t h e t h i r d
w h ic h s o u n d s s e v e n t i m e s .
c o n ta in s b u t th r e e
p itc h
c l a s s e s , and i s
on a p a t t e r n o f t r i p l e t s .
fro m tw o t o
The i n i t i a l
s o n ic
s ta te m e n t
b a se d r h y th m ic a lly
R e s ta te m e n ts a r e
c o m p rise d o f
f o u r p itc h c la s s e s , an d e x p re s s e i t h e r q u in
t u p l e t o r t r i p l e t rh y th m ic g e s t u r e s .
w ith in a s in g le w h o le -to n e s c a l e ,
c o m p l e te d o n l y w i t h
th e t h i r d
p re s e n ta tio n o f A l a ls o
A ll s ta te m e n ts l i e
w h ic h i n
p re s e n ta tio n
c o m p l e te d t h e s c a l e
s e c tio n A is
(th e
in
th ird
th a t
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 5 4 s e c tio n ).
III,
D u rin g th e
th e to p A o f th e m y s tic c h o rd i s a c t i v a t e d
(tw ic e e a c h in
th a t to n e .
I I I and I I I c ) ,
s e v e n t im e s
g i v i n g a d d i t i o n a l m om ent t o
I h e o n ly o t h e r c o n s t i t u e n t o f th e m y s tic c h o rd
t o b e s o u n d e d a p a r t fro m t h e o t h e r m em b ers i s a s i n g l e
o c c u rre n c e o f D -sh a rp in S o n ic -E n tity
Ex. 143.
IIIc .
The f i r s t a n d s e c o n d p r o n o u n c e m e n ts o f S o n i c - E n t i t y
IV p r i m a r i l y c o n s i s t o f e i g h t h - n o t e
lin e
G an d A (so u n d in g p i tc h e s )
h a rm o n ic s .
in
A th ird
and f in a l u tte r a n c e
t h e sam e m a n n e r , r e s u l t i n g
Ex. 144.
s t a t e m e n t s o f tw o -
in seco n d p a r t i a l p iz z ic a to
s t a t e s a tw o - lin e B
i n a s e n s e o f c o m p le tio n .
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV , p a g e 8 , s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e
I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 5 5 -
I s m ade u p o f
s t a t e m e n t s o f S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V, V I , a n d V I I .
and s ix th
p ie c e ;
e n t i t i e s do n o t o c c u r e ls e w h e r e i n
The
th e f a n t a s y -
S o n ic - E n tity V II r e c u r s - - s l i g h t l y a l t e r e d in s e c tio n
A l.
S o n i c - E n t i ty V r e v e a l s a s y m m e tr ic a l x - y - y - x d i s t r i b u
tio n
of in te rv a llic
c o m p o n e n ts .
te m p o ra rily d is re g a rd e d ,
tiv e ly :
(y ),
I f th e f i n a l c lu s t e r is
th e s u c c e s s iv e
a f o u r - n o te B a r to k c h o rd
a n d a s e c o n d B a r to k c h o r d .
(x ),
to n e s y ie ld re s p e c
tw o d i m i n i s h e d t r i a d s
The f i n a l c l u s t e r may be
v ie w e d a s a f o u r - n o t e B a r t o k c h o r d ,
p l u s a n a d d i t i o n a l to n e
( s e e e x a m p le 1 4 5 ) .
S o n ic -E n tity VI i s a s e r i e s
o f h e a v ily a c c e n te d
t h r e e - n o t e B a rto k c h o r d s .
The h o r i z o n t a l m o tio n o f t h i s
u n i t r e f l e c t s a p e n ta to n ic
in flu e n c e .
I t Is of in te re s t
t h a t d i s g u i s e d f o rm s o f t h e m y s t i c c h o r d m a i n t a i n s t r u c -
i-his
t u r a l p r o m in e n c e i n / l s e c t i o n ,
a lte re d ,
b u t t h a t t h e s e t a k e on a n
m o re d y n a m ic c h a r a c t e r
( s e e e x a m p le 1 4 5 ) .
The s e v e n t h c o n s t r u c t i o n a l i d e a , a r e p e t i t i v e
s tru c tu re
p l a y e d p r i m a r i l y o n m u te d s t r i n g s ,
th e
seco n d fo rm a l d i v is io n .
E x.
145.
c o m p l e te s
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V, V I , a n d V I I , p a g e 8 , s y s te m 2 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I I
-v -
-V I-
- V I I - .____ .
s_____
Musicof Strife"]
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 256Sonic-Entity VIII
The f i n a l e v e n t o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e
r is in g o n -th e -s trin g s t r i l l ,
m y s tic c h o rd i n t o
of th is
g e s tu re
v ib ra tio n .
b e tw e e n S o n i c - E n t i t i e s
I I i s a s lo w ly
th e to n e s o f th e
The tw o i d e n t i c a l s t a t e m e n t s
( S o n ic -E n tity V I I I)
M y s tic C h o rd t o a c o n c l u s i o n .
Ex. 1 4 6.
w h ic h s e t s
s e r v e t o b r i n g The
A c lo s e r e l a ti o n s h ip e x is t s
I I and V I I I.
S o n i c - E n t i ty V I I I (b o th s ta t e m e n t s ) , p ag e 8 , s y s
te m 3 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
(MTOtl.)
(at+acca)
T a b le X X II.
O v e r a ll s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e I I
i n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm al U n i t :
S o n i c - E n t i ty C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g ;
S e c tio n A
=I,
S e c tio n B
= V, V I ,
II,
S e c tio n A l
=la ,
C oda
=Ila ,
III,
II,
H id ,
V ila ,
II, Ilia ,
I,I llb ,
IIIc ,
IV , I I ,
V II
II,
Ille ,I llf ,
IV a , l b , I l l g ,
IV b ,
Ila
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 5 7 F a n ta s y -P ie c e
III
( R a in - D e a t h V a r i a t i o n s ) " P i s c e s "
R a in -D e a th V a r ia t io n s t a k e s i t s
s e c o n d m ovem ent o f M a d r i g a l s , B ook I ,
e n title d
ev e r,
title
f ro m t h e
w h ic h h a s s e c t i o n s
e x c e p t f o r th e u se o f s ta c c a to m a te r ia l o f a r e p e t i
tiv e n a tu re
b a s e d on t h r e e - n o t e B a r t o k c e l l s ,
th e re a re
n o a p p a r e n t s t r u c t u r a l c o r r e l a t i o n s b e tw e e n t h e p i e c e s .
A c o rre la tio n
ra in -lik e
in e th o s d o es e x i s t ,
c h a ra c te rs ,
s in c e b o th p ie c e s p o r tr a y
in a c c o rd a n c e w ith t h e i r t i t l e s .
B e f o r e c o m m e n c in g F a n t a s y - P i e c e
III,
th e p i a n i s t
d e p r e s s e s w ith h i s f o re a r m s th e k e y s s p a n n in g t h e lo w e s t
tw o o c t a v e s o f t h e p i a n o , a n d s e c u r e s t h e s e w i t h t h e s o s te n u to
h e re ,
p e d a l.
A k in d o f e n t i t y
s o s te n u to
is
i n e v id e n c e
p e d a l th ro u g h o u t F a n ta s y -P ie c e s I I and I I I o f
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
s u b tle
tra n s fe re n c e
s i n c e t h e i d e n t i c a l r a n g e o f k e y s w as s e c u r e d b y t h e
I.
reso n an ce is
In a l l th r e e
e n t i r e l y above th e se c u re d ran g e
I I I o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
c a s e s , a b a c k g ro u n d o f
c r e a t e d b y t h e f a c t t h a t t h e m u s ic l i e s
III,
(e x c e p t f o r S o n ic -E n tity
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I ) .
The c h a i n o f e v e n t s i n R a i n - D e a t h V a r i a t i o n s
p ro ceed s in
re s ts ,
r a p i d s u c c e s s io n , w ith e i t h e r no s e p a r a ti n g
o r v e ry b r ie f o n e s .
The r a i n - l i k e
fro m a p r e d o m i n a t i n g t e x t u r e o f r a p i d
te x tu re r e s u lts
s ta c c a to
m o tio n .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 5 8 In p itc h ,
d e riv e
th e m a te r ia ls o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e I I I
to a h ig h d e g re e fro m B a r to k ,
to n e c e l l s .
c h r o m a t i c , a n d w h o le -
o f e it h e r th e s in g le
i n t e r v a l o f a w h o le
tone,
o r o f th re e
s e m ito n e s .
C o m p le m e n ta r y w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e m a t e r i a l s a p p e a r
f re q u e n tly ,
s e p a r a t e d b e tw e e n t h e l e f t a n d r i g h t h a n d s .
R h y th m ic a lly , b e c a u s e o f t h e
p a tte r n s , th e p e r c e iv e r i s
ly in g s ix te e n th - n o te
F o r m a lly ,
p ro fu s io n o f r e g u la r r e p e a tin g
o f t e n aw a re o f a s te a d y u n d e r
p u lse .
R a in -D e a th V a r ia tio n s
is
p a rtitio n e d
i n t o a s e r i e s o f v a r i a t i o n s o n t h e o p e n in g s e c t i o n
th e th e m e ), a s s tr o n g l y
s u g g e s te d by th e t i t l e .
m en t o f f o r m a l d i v i s i o n s i n
Theme
( i.e .
The p l a c e
th e s c o re fo llo w s :
From t h e b e g i n n i n g t h r o u g h t h e o v e r l a p p i n g
s e q u e n t i a l m o tiv e ( S o n ic - E n t it y V I) n e a r t h e
m id d l e o f s y s t e m 2
From t h e c o m p l e t i o n
o f th e abo v e th ro u g h S o n ic E n t i t y V i a , n e a r t h e m id d l e o f s y s t e m 3
Al
From t h e c o m p l e t i o n
o f th e above th ro u g h S o n ic E n t i t y V I b , w h ic h c o n c l u d e s a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f
s y s te m 5
A2
From t h e c o m p l e t i o n
f o u r-s e c o n d fe rm a ta
C oda
o f th e above th ro u g h th e
i n s y s te m 5
R e m a in d e r
I and I I
A re p e a tin g
s t a c c a t i s s i m o m a jo r s e c o n d
(n o ta te d a s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 5 9 a d im in is h e d t h i r d )
D e a th V a r i a t i o n s .
e n tity a re
in itia te s
t h e f lo w o f e v e n t s i n R a in
S ix r e c u r r e n c e s o f th e f i r s t s o n ic
s ta te d
d u r in g th e c o u rs e o f th e f a n t a s y p ie c e ;
th e s e u n d e rg o t r a n s p o s i t i o n an d i n t e r v a l l i c
In p itc h ,
th e t h ir d
o f tw o f o u r - n o t e
p e n ta to n ic
p a tte rn s
(M2 / m2 /
M2) d e r i v e d fro m t h e
s c a l e , u n t i l t h e s e r i e s o f r e p e a t e d t o n e s w h ic h
c o n c lu d e d t h e s t a t e m e n t i s
Ex. 1 47.
p e rm u ta tio n .
o c c u r r e n c e g r a d u a l l y a s c e n d s , b y way
reach ed .
S im ila r ly ,
th e f o u r th e n u n c ia tio n
o f re p e a te d to n e s ,
a re d e riv e d
(Ic ) r is e s
t o a s u c c e s s io n
b u t th e a s c e n d in g p i tc h e s i n t h i s c a se
f ro m t h e w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e .
T he f i f t h
v a ria n t
( Id ) c o n s i s t s o n ly o f r e p e a te d to n e s a s in tr o d u c e d in l b .
The r e m a i n i n g a p p e a r a n c e s c o n t a i n l e s s e x t e n s i v e d e v i a t i o n s .
The s e c o n d s o n i c e n t i t y e n t e r s w h i l e t h e f i r s t i s
s till
in p ro g re s s .
L ik e S o n i c - E n t i t y I ' s
t h i s u n i t c o n t a i n s b u t tw o p i t c h e s ,
i n i t i a l s ta te m e n t,
th e s e e x p re s s in g a
r e c u r r i n g m a jo r s e c o n d ; th e s e p i tc h e s a r e a r r a n g e d w ith in
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-260p a t t e r n s o f t r i p l e t s i x t e e n t h - n o t e s , and in tr o d u c e d in
g ro u p s o f on e,
is
tw o , a n d t h r e e a r t i c u l a t i o n s .
s e p a r a t e d by b r i e f r e s t s
A s e c o n d s ta te m e n t
E ach g r o u p
( s e e e x a m p le 1 4 8 ) .
(Ila )
o f S o n ic -E n tity I I r e
t a i n s t h e o r i g i n a l t r i p l e t r h y th m ic g r o u p i n g s , b u t
re a rra n g e s th e s e , adds g race n o te s , and i s
n in e p itc h e s
m ent
th re e
(lib )
( s e e e x a m p le 1 4 8 ) .
r e t a in s th e f i r s t
p itc h e s o f th e th ir d
ju x ta p o s itio n
trip le t
o s tin a to
Ex. 1 4 8 .
expanded to
The f o l l o w i n g p r o n o u n c e
p itc h
g ro u p p lu s th e i n i t i a l
g r o u p fro m s t a t e m e n t I l a .
The
o f t h e s e c o m p o n e n ts w i t h i n a c o n t e x t o f s t e a d y
s ix te e n th -n o te s r e s u lts
i n th e f o rm a tio n o f a n
p a tte rn .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I I , I l a , a n d l i b , p a g e 9 , s y s te m
1 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l. I I
I n th e f i f t h
s ta te m e n t o f S o n ic - E n tity I I
( lld );
p i t c h c o n te n t c o n s i s t s o f a s i n g l e m a jo r se c o n d , a s in th e
o p e n in g e n u n c i a t i o n , w h i l e r h y th m i s d e f i n e d b y t h e o s t i n a t o
p a tte rn
Ex. 149.
in tro d u c e d in
lib .
S o n i c - E n t i t y l i d , p a g e 9, s y s te m 3* F a n t a s y P i e c e I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l . I I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 261 S ta te m e n ts l i e ,
lid ,
and I l g
and I l f a re
of th is
S o n ic -E n titie s
III,
The t h i r d
IV , V, a n d V I
e n tity
t h r e e - n o t e B a r to k c e l l s ,
f o r m u l a t i o n c o n s i s t s o f tw o
o rg a n iz e d in to
o f fo u r s ix te e n th - n o te s each .
s e n ts i t s e l f
Ex. 15 0 .
v a r i e t y , w h ile l i e ,
r e f e r to th e i n i t i a l p ro n u n c ia tio n .
in th e
re c u r r in g p a tte rn s
One a l t e r e d
f in a l v a ria tio n
(i.e .
rec u rren c e
p re
in A 3 ).
S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I , p a g e 9 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y P i e c e I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
T h r e e a u g m e n te d t r i a d s
c o n s titu e n ts o f S o n ic -E n tity
r e p r e s e n t th e i n t e r v a l l i c
IV ; s y m m e try u n d e r l i e s b o t h
t h e c o m p o n e n ts , a n d th e d i s t r i b u t i o n
th e re o f.
T h is e n t i t y 's
r a p id f l o u r i s h o f c o n s e c u tiv e s ix t y - f o u r th n o te s c o n ta in s
tw o r h y t h m i c a l l y d i s p l a c e d ,
o f t h e a u g m e n te d t r i a d s ;
n a to .
s tr u c tu r e ,
i s a ls o
The s e c o n d s t a t e m e n t
th ird
each re d u c ib le
(in c lu d in g
t o a m2 / m2 i n t e r
p a r t o f th e f o u r th s o n ic e n t i t y .
( w h ic h a p p e a r s i n
re p e titio n s
i s a n o th e r b r i e f o s t i
An a c c o m p a n y in g s u c c e s s i o n o f f o u r c h o r d s
th e i n i t i a l g ra c e n o te ) ,
v a llic
b u t o th e rw is e e x a c t,
th e r e s u l t
e x a c tly
lik e
u tte r a n c e o c c u rs in th e c o d a ; i t
s e c t i o n A 2) i s ,
th e o r ig i n a l.
is
c o n s id e r a b ly
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-262a b b r e v i a t e d , a n d w i t h o u t a c c o m p a n y in g c h o r d s .
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV , p a g e 9 , s y s t e m s 1 a n d 2 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
Ex. 151.
The f i f t h
s o n ic e n t i t y
s e c t i o n s A , A l an d A 2.
fro m t h r e e
o s c illa tin g
o v e rla p one a n o th e r .
se rv e s to
s e m ito n e s ,
In p i tc h ,
t h e e n t r a n c e s o f w h ic h
S o n ic -E n tity V s ta t e s
s e v e n c o n s e c u tiv e c h ro m a tic h a l f s t e p s .
ren c e d i f f e r s
c o n c lu d e
The f i r s t a p p e a r a n c e i s b u i l t
fro m t h e f i r s t
A seco n d o c c u r
o n ly in t r a n s p o s i t i o n ,
th e t h ir d
is
Ex. 152.
S o n i c - E n t i t y V, p a g e 9, s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y P i e c e I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I l l
w h ile
so m e w h at e l a b o r a t e d .
S o n ic -E n tity VI i s
based i n te r v a l l ic a ll y
m a j o r s e c o n d , a s w as S o n i c - E n t i t y
II;
it
a ls o
on th e
c o n ta in s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-263w hat i s
E n tity
e q u iv a l e n t to th e i n i t i a l t r i p l e t u n i t o f S o n ic II.
g e s tu r e ,
fiv e
The r e m a i n i n g c o m p o n e n t i s a q u i n t u p l e t r h y th m ic
s ta te d
tw ic e
p itc h e s o f t h i s
o f a p e n ta to n ic
tw o a r e
(a n d h o u s i n g tw o m a j o r s e c o n d s ) .
fo rm u la tio n a r e
s c a le .
Of t h r e e re m a in in g a p p e a r a n c e s ,
fo rm e d f ro m p e n t a t o n i c
The
sy n o n y m o u s t o t h o s e
(V ic ) i s
to w h o le -to n e i n t e r v a l l i c
tra n s
c o n s tr u c
tio n .
E x . 153*
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I , p a g e 9 , s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y P i e c e I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l . I I
SUMMARY
T a b le X X I I I .
O v e r a ll s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e
I I I i n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm a l U n i t :
S e c tio n A
S o n lc - E n t i ty C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g :
= I
/lT h ^ /
/ I I /R .H .7 , I l a /R .H .7 / I I I
/ l i b / R . H / 7 , l a / l 7 h J ~/ l i e / R . H . 7 ,
S e c tio n A l
= l b / L . H . 7 / V I / R . H . 7 / V ia / R . H .7 / l i d
/ K . H / 7 , V a,
S e c t i o n A2
= Ic /L .H .7 /
I d / E .H T / /
V lb / R . H . 7 / V ic / S . H . 7 , I V a ,
H e / H . hT / . I f * V b,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-264S e c t i o n A3
= I l i a / L .H ^ 7 /
I l h ^ R .H ^ /
C oda
- IVb
I l g /R .H J 7 ,
I e /L .f tJ ? /
F a n t a s y - P i e c e IV ( D o p p e lg a n g e r a u s d e r E w l g k e i t ) " G e m in i"
E x. 154.
F a n t a s y - P i e c e IV ( i n i t s
M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l . I I
e n tir e ty ) ,
page 10,
The t i t l e ,
th e s u b t i t l e , an d th e a s t r o l o g i c a l s ig n
( G e m in i) o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e
IV a r e v i s u a l l y
s y m b o l iz e d b y
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-265by th e p i e c e 's d o u b l e - c ir c le n o t a t i o n .
The b i p a r t i t e
f o r m a l o r g a n i z a t i o n o f D o p p e l g a n g e r a u s d e r E w ig k e lt i s
a l s o r e f l e c t e d by t h e n o t a t i o n .
A p e rv a d in g g e s tu r e - d e c a y sound s t r u c t u r e c o n s t i
t u t e s a p r im a r y d e t e r m i n a n t o f t h e d i s t i n c t i v e a u d i t o r y
c h a r a c t e r p r o j e c t e d b y T w in S u n s .
T he " a e o l i a n - h a r p "
e f f e c t a n d A lp h a -G lis s a n d o a r e
th e o n ly s p e c i a l to n e c o lo r s
to
i s d e f i n e d by t h e f o u r - n o t e
be h e a r d .
H a rm o n ic t e x t u r e
B a r to k c e l l i n s e c t i o n A ( i . e .
i n c i r c l e A ), w h ile t r i a d s
a n d o p e n - f i f t h s o n o r i t i e s c o m p r i s e t h e p r e v a l e n t c o m b in a
tio n s o f th e second s e c tio n
m e lo d ic c o n s id e r a t i o n i s
p h r a s e s w h ic h c o n s t i t u t e
s u b s ta n c e .
Though t h i s
f l a v o r o f o rg a n u m ,
it
( c i r c l e B ).
The m o st r e l e v a n t
th e s u c c e s s io n o f c h a n t- lik e
t h e b u l k o f s e c t i o n B 's m u s i c a l
s u c c e s s i o n s t r o n g l y in v o k e s t h e
is
o r i g i n a l w i t h t h e c o m p o s e r .- 1-
The f i r s t
E n tity I .
fifth s ,
s e c tio n
is
c o n s tru c te d e n ti r e l y
fro m S o n i c -
C h a r a c t e r i s ti c a ll y , q u ic k ly re p e a te d p e rf e c t
w h ic h c o m b in e t o f o rm t r a n s p o s i t i o n s o f t h e f o u r -
n o t e B a r to k c e l l ,
r e p r e s e n t t h e e s s e n t i a l c o m p o n e n ts o f
^From a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e Crum b, 30 J u l y 1 9 7 7 -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 266 of th is
e v e n t.
T he f i r s t
o f s ix
so m e w h at v a r i e d o c c u r
re n c e s c o n s is ts o f a s in g le r e i t e r a te d
p e rfe c t f i f t h ,
s t a t e d a t a h i g h d y n a m ic l e v e l i n t h e u p p e r r e g i s t e r , a n d
e m b e llis h e d by a s ix - t o n e g r a c e - n o te f l o u r i s h
f ro m a t h r e e - n o t e B a r t o k c e l l a n d i t s
c o n s tru c te d
tra n s p o s e d in v e r s io n
( s e e e x a m p le 1 5 5 ) .
T he s e c o n d s t a t e m e n t o f S o n i c - E n t i t y
fifth s
( la )
le v e ls
p r e s e n ts th e
in th e u p p e r p a r t,
o f th e
f irs t
w h ile th e
o n tw o n ew p i t c h
lo w e r p a r t s t a t e s
a n o t h e r p a i r o f p e r f e c t f i f t h s a l s o o n new p i t c h
T hese f o u r s e t s o f p e r f e c t f i f t h s
B a r to k c e l l s a t th e
ance i s
p o in ts o f i n te r s e c t io n .
e m b e llis h e d by a g r a c e - n o te f i g u r e
th a t o f th e f i r s t
b e lo n g s t o
th e
le v e ls .
f o rm tw o
T h i3 a p p e a r
i d e n t i c a l to
s ta te m e n t, e x c e p t f o r t r a n s p o s i t i o n .
An A l p h a - G l i s s a n d o ,
Ex. 1 5 5 .
o v e rla p to
p r o v id in g sound e n ric h m e n t, a l s o
seco n d o c c u rre n c e .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I and l a , p a g e 1 0 , c i r c l e
F a n t a s y - P i e c e IV , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
A,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 6 7 S ta te m e n t n u m b er t h r e e
th e f i r s t ,
( lb )
is
e s s e n tia lly
e x c e p t t h a t e m b e llis h m e n t i s
lik e
p r o v i d e d b y tw o
s i x - n o t e c o m p le m e n ta r y w h o l e - t o n e c h o r d s , r a t h e r t h a n b y
g race n o te s .
r e la te d
to
The f o l l o w i n g e n u n c i a t i o n
la .
I t d iffe rs
o v e rla p p in g f i f t h s
( ic )
o n ly in t h a t i t
s tr o n g ly
p o s s e s s e s th re e
( r a t h e r th a n tw o ), and in t h a t i t
is
e m b e llis h e d by a t r a n s p o s i t i o n o f th e w h o le -to n e c h o rd s
in tro d u c e d
in
th e p re v io u s s ta te m e n t
g race n o te s ) .
( r a t h e r th a n by
Two o v e r l a p p i n g p e r f e c t f i f t h s
b o t h I d a n d I e , w h ic h s e r v e
c o m p rise
to c o n c lu d e s e c t i o n A.
I n t h e m i d s t o f s e c t i o n B, a f i n a l a r t i c u l a t i o n
o f S o n ic -E n tity
th is
(If)
is
reso u n d e d .
T he i n t r u s i o n
e v e n t , w h ic h e n t e r s u n e x p e c t e d l y a n d t e n d s t o
th e l i s t e n e r ,
is
im p o r ta n t to
th e se c o n d s e c t i o n 's
of
s ta r tle
fo rm a l
in te re s t.
Ex. 156 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s l b , I c , I d , a n d I e f ro m p a g e 1 0 ,
c i r c l e A, a n d I f fro m p a g e 1 0 , c i r c l e B , F a n t a s y P i e c e IV , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
-If-
tie
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 268 Sonic-Entity II
S o n ic -E n tity
II,
w h ic h c o n s i s t s o f a s e r i e s o f
o r g a n u m - lik e p h r a s e s , g e n e r a t e s n e a r l y a l l
o f s e c t i o n B.
T he - u n d e r l y in g h a rm o n y o f t h e s e p h r a s e s i s
m ade u p e n
tire ly
o f f i r s t - i n v e r s i o n m in o r t r i a d s a n d o p e n - f i f t h
s im u lta n e itie s ,
s u g g e s t i n g M a c h a u t a s a p o s s i b l e m o d e l.
A D to n a l c e r te r r e s u lts
fro m r e i t e r a t e d
lo w -re g is te r
s o n o r i t i e s c o n t a i n i n g t h e p i t c h e s D, A , a n d D ( f r o m b o tto m
to
to p ).
A rtic u la tio n
m ea n s o f t h e
o f Tw in S u n s , t h e
ti o n w ith I e ,
of th is
f o rm u la tio n
(in
p i a n i s t w as r e q u i r e d
b u t t h i s w as d e l e t e d
to
in th e
is a ffe c te d
th e f i r s t
by
v e rs io n
s in g i n c o n ju n c
f i n a l p r in te d
s c o r e .)
W ith S o n i c - E n t i t y
I lg ,
T w in S u n s co m es t o a c l o s e ,
c a d e n c i n g on a l e a d i n g t o n e s i x - t h r e e C - s h a r p m in o r t r i a d ,
a p r o c e d u r e w h ic h b r i n g s t o m in d a g e n r e o f h a l f c a d e n c e
f r e q u e n t l y f a v o r e d b y M a c h a u t.
Ex. 157.
S o n i c - E n t i ti e s I I , I l a , and I l g , page 10 , c i r c l e
B, F a n t a s y - P i e c e IV , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
269SUMMARY
T a b l e XXIV. O v e r a l l s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e IV
I n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm a l U n i t :
S o n l c - E n t l ty C o n te n t a n d O r d e r in g :
S e c tio n A
= 1,
S e c tio n B
= II,
la ,
lb ,
Ila ,
Ic,
lib ,
Id ,
Ie,
lie ,
If,
lid ,
H e,
Ilf,
I lg
F a n ta s y - P ie c e V (G h o s t- N o c tu m e : f o r th e D ru id s o f S to n e
h e n g e / N i g h t - S p e l l I I / ^ V i r g o '1
M u s ic a l s u b s t a n c e i n G h o s t - N o c tu m e i s
e n tire ly
d e v i c e w h ic h Crumb u s e s f o r t h e f i r s t
re q u ire s th a t g la s s
le n g th w is e a lo n g th e
trill
tra n s m itte d
by e x t r a o r d i n a r y m ean s o f p r o d u c t i o n .
t im e i n
A novel
th is
p ie c e
t u m b l e r s b e p r e s s e d a g a i n s t a n d m oved
s t r i n g s , w h ile th e p i a n i s t p la y s a
in th e ra n g e sp a n n ed by th e g l a s s ; a d i s t i n c t b le n d
in g o f th e r a t h e r m e t a ll ic
a u d ib le c o n seq u e n c e .
poser as
re s u lta n t s o n o ritie s
is
th e
Two t u m b l e r s , d e s i g n a t e d b y t h e com
e m p lo y e d , s p a n n i n g t h e r a n g e s fro m o n e - l i n e C t o o n e - l i n e
B -fla t,
a n d fro m c o n t r a D t o g r e a t C r e s p e c t i v e l y .
O th e r
in c lu d e s in g in g on n e u t r a l s y l l a b l e s ,
p iz z i c a t o , an d v a rio u s ty p e s o f c l u s t e r s ,
som e o f w h ic h a r e
p ro d u c e d i n c o n ju n c t io n w ith th e su p e rim p o s e d g l a s s e s .
B ecause o f i t s
p e r v a s iv e n e s s and d i s t i n c t i v e n e s s ,
t h e so u n d
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
270d i m e n s io n o f G h o s t - N o c tu m e s u p e r s e d e s a l l o t h e r s t r u c t u r a l
p a ra m e te r s i n te rm s o f m u s ic a l im p o r ta n c e .
In o v e r a l l d e s ig n , F a n ta s y -P ie c e V c o n s is t s o f
th re e r e la te d
p a rts :
A, A l, and A 2.
T h ese c o rre s p o n d
r e s p e c t i v e l y t o s y s te m s 1 , 2 , a n d 3 o f p a g e 1 1 .
COMMENTARY ON INDIVIDUAL SONIC EN TITIES
S o n ic -E n titie s I ,
II,
and I I I
The i n i t i a l s o n i c e n t i t y
m e n tio n e d s l i d i n g g l a s s
in v o lv e s th e p r e v io u s ly
tu m b le r e f f e c t .
Of th r e e r e s t a t e
m e n ts , th e se co n d and t h i r d a r e e x a c t l y l i k e th e o r i g i n a l ,
w h ile th e f i n a l e n u n c ia tio n i s
p r e f a c e d by a b r i e f e x t e n
s io n .
E x. 1 5 8 .
S o n i c - E n t i t y I , p a g e 1 1 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y P i e c e V, M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
2 =
in f sj
I* i
HI. (hoMAmtiMojh-t)
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-271S o n ic -E n tity
th e p itc h
I I re q u ire s
th a t
th e p i a n i s t s in g
s m a l l E o n tw o n a s a l s o u n d i n g s y l l a b l e s ;
v o c a liz a tio n i s
t h e sam e p i t c h .
a c c o m p a n ie d b y p i z z i c a t o
T h is s e c o n d s o n ic
th is
r e p e titio n s of
e n tity
is
e n u n c ia te d
fo u r tim e s ; e x c e p t f o r th e a b se n c e o f B - f l a t ,
th e p itc h
l e v e l s o f t h e s e o c c u rr e n c e s a r e e q u iv a l e n t to a w h o le -to n e
s c a le .
A g a in s t th e t h i r d
p re s e n ta tio n ,
th e re a p p e ars an
o r n a m e n ta l c l u s t e r e f f e c t p ro d u c e d by l i g h t l y
G l a s s T u m b le r I I w i t h o u t s t r e t c h e d
E x. 1 5 9 .
S o n i c - E n t i ty I I , pag e 1 1 , s y s te m
P i e c e V, M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
Jit
/*
An o n - t h e - k e y s g r a c e - n o t e c l u s t e r ,
I m m e d ia t e l y f o l l o w i n g t h e
(S o n ic - E n tity
t h i s one
r a n g e s p a n n e d b y G l a s s T u m b le r I I ,
w h ic h a r e b e n t v i a t h e
l y in g w ith in
in itia te s
in itia l c lu s te r,
a seco n d o n - th e - k e y c l u s t e r ;
1, F a n ta s y -
Jh
t h e r a n g e s p a n n e d b y G l a s s T u m b le r I ,
and f i n a l s tr u c tu r a l c o n s titu e n t
s tr ik in g
fin g e rs .
th e t h ir d
III).
th e re
o c c u rs
so u n d s w ith in th e
and s e ts up v ib ra tio n s
" g la s s - tu m b le r e f f e c t . "
a n o t h e r c l u s t e r a n d m o re b e n d i n g , S o n i c - E n t i t y
A fte r
III
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 272 c o n c l u d e s w i t h an. u n u s u a l t h r e e - t o n e
p ro d u c e d by t h r e e
e n tity
r e c e i v e s tw o s l i g h t l y
Ex. l6 0 .
p iz z ic a to
c lu s te r
f in g e r n a i l s o f th e r ig h t h a n d .
T h is
v a rie d r e s ta te m e n ts .
S o n i e - E n t i t y I I I , p a g e 1 1 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y P i e c e V, M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
SUMMARY
T a b l e XXV.
in r e l a t i o n
F o rm a l U n i t :
O v e r a ll s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e V
t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
S o n i c - E n tlty C o n te n t a n d O r d e r in g :
_
S e c t i o n A1
S e c t i o n A2
= .la ,
I la ,
I lia
= lb ,
lib ,
I llb
F a n ta s y - P ie c e VI ( G a r g o y le s ) " T a u ru s"
The t i t l e
G a r g o y le s a c c u r a t e l y
s u g g e s t s t h e K la n g -
i d e a l o f e x tr e m e e x c i t e m e n t a n d d i s s o n a n c e c o n v e y e d by
F a n ta s y - P ie c e V I.
T h i s a tm o s p h e r e i s
r e i n f o r c e d b o t h by
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 7 3 con tin u o u s d r iv in g
p r o g r e s s i o n a l r h y th m , a n d b y t h e
r e l e n tl e s s u se o f s ta c c a to and m a r te lla to a r t i c u l a ti o n
( s p a r s e u s e i s m ade o f t h e d a m p e r p e d a l ) .
o f r e s o n a n t a m b ie n c e i s
A c o n tin u u m
c r e a te d by s e c u r in g th o s e
f ro m s m a l l G t o t w o - l i n e C w i t h t h e s o s t e n u t o
th ro u g h o u t th e
p ie c e .
sando c o n s ti tu t in g
la tio n s
lie
W ith t h e e x c e p t i o n o f t h e g l i s -
S o n ic -E n tity I I ,
a l l e n tity
e i t h e r a b o v e o r b e lo w t h e s t r i n g s
by th e s o s te n u to
to n e s
pedal
p e d a l.
f o rm u
se cu re d
No o t h e r u n u s u a l m ea n s o f p r o
d u c tio n a r e u t i l i z e d .
The v e r t i c a l c o m b i n a t i o n s u s e d i n F a n t a s y - P i e c e
VI a re e ith e r c lu s te rs
o r o f t h e t h r e e - n o t e B art<k v a r i e t y ;
b e c a u s e o f t h e i r e x tr e m e b r e v i t y ,
p e rc u s s iv e ,
th e s e
r a t h e r th a n a s t r u c t u r a l ,
s e rv e
p r im a rily a
h a r m o n ic f u n c t i o n .
U n its o f fo rm a l c o n s tr u c tio n a r e :
I n tr o d u c tio n
F i r s t th r e e m easu res
A1
From t h e f i n a l m e a s u r e o f s y s te m 3 , p a g e 1 2 ,
t h r o u g h t h e f o u r t h m e a s u r e o f s y s te m 1 , p a g e 13
A2
F rom t h e f i f t h m e a s u r e o f s y s te m 1 , p a g e 1 3 ,
th ro u g h th e p e n u ltim a te m ea su re o f th e p ie c e
C oda
R e m a in d e r
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
I and I I
A s e r ie s o f s ix
t h r e e - n o t e B a r t o k c h o r d s on d i f
f e r e n t le v e ls o f p itc h ,
e a c h o r n a m e n te d b y i n t e r v a l l i c a l l y
i d e n t i c a l g r a c e - n o te v e r t i c a l i t i e s
d e fin e
a p e rfe c t f i f t h
t i o n o f e a c h c h o rd a n d i t s
e m b e llis h m e n t r e s u l t s
s y m m e tr ic a l d i s p o s i t i o n o f i n t e r v a l s :
( fr o m b o t to m t o t o p ) .
In p i tc h ,
h ig h e r,
The c o m b in a
in a
P4 / m2 / m2 /
th e f i r s t
P4
s t r u c t u r a l com
fro m S o n i c - E n t i t y V I , F a n t a s y - P i e c e
o f M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l .
II
( s e e e x a m p le 1 4 5 ) .
R h y th m ic a lly ,
i n t e r e s t e m a n a te s fro m t w i c e s e p a r a t i n g s i n g l e c h o r d s
(p lu s
t h e i r e m b e l l i s h m e n t s ) f i r s t b y tw o a n d t h e n b y o n e e i g h t h
re s t,
th u s e s ta b lis h in g a p a tt e r n ;
th is
p a tte rn
is
th e n b ro
k e n b y tw o s u c c e s s i v e c h o r d s , w h ic h c o m p l e te t h e e n t i t y .
V a r ie d d e r i v a t i v e s o f S o n i c - E n t i ty I a p p e a r i n e a c h o f s e c
tio n s A and A l.
A c l o s e r e l a t i o n s h i p e x i s t s b e tw e e n t h i s
id e a and S o n ic -E n tity
Ex. l 6 l .
II.
S o n i c - E n t i t y I , p a g e 1 2 , s y s te m 1 , F a n t a s y P i e c e V I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
6.
Gargoyles ITaurusl
Marcia grottesca; savagely, with irony [/144]
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 7 5 An o s t i n a t o
o f th re e
l o w - r e g i s t e r m a jo r s e v e n t h s
o r n a m e n te d b y a s e r i e s o f e i g h t e m b e l li s h m e n t s
E n tity
II)
com m ences s e c t i o n A .
an o n - th e - s t r in g s g lis s a n d o
( S o n ic -
E xcept fo r a c lu s te r and
m e n t s ) , w h ic h do n o t e x p r e s s d e f i n e d p i t c h r e l a t i o n s h i p s ,
t h e e m b e llis h m e n ts o f t h i s
lie
is
second e n ti t y
fo rm u la tio n
w ith in a s in g l e w h o le -to n e s c a l e ; o n ly th e to n e E
la c k in g .
The o s t i n a t o
i m p l i e d by S o n i c - E n t i t y
o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I I , w h ic h i s
I,
c o n ta in s b u t fo u r p itc h c l a s s e s .
The m a jo r s e v e n t h s o f t h e o r i g i n a l p r e s e n t a t i o n a r e r e
ta in e d
in th e i n i t i a l r e s ta te m e n t
but a th ird
p itc h
is added:
( s till
in s e c tio n A ),
th e r e s u l ti n g o s tin a to
be c o m e s a s u c c e s s i o n o f t h r e e - n o t e B a r t o k c h o r d s
ity
i n t r o d u c e d by S o n i c - E n t i t y I ) .
th u s
(a s o n o r
The a c c o m p a n y in g o r n a
m e n ts o f t h e s e c o n d p r e s e n t a t i o n r e t a i n
th e ir o rig in a l
t e m p o r a l p o s i t i o n s , w h i l e r e m a i n i n g w i t h i n t h e w h o le to n e s c a l e o f th e o r i g i n a l ; h o w e v e r, th e r e i s
p o s itio n , and an E i s added
In itia tin g
E n tity
lib
II
some t r a n s
( c o m p le tin g th e s c a l e ) .
s e c t i o n A1 i s a s e c o n d p e r m u t a t i o n o f S o n i c (lib ).
As w i t h t h e f i r s t
u n d e rg o e s v e r t i c a l e x p a n s io n :
c h o rd o f I l a
p e rm u ta tio n
(ila ),
th e t h r e e - n o t e B a r to k
h e re tr a n s f o r m s i n t o a f o u r - n o te B a r to k c h o rd .
T he d u r a t i o n o f l i b
is
s i g n i f i c a n t l y a b b re v ia te d
(se e
e x a m p le 1 6 2 ) .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-276Ex. 16 2 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I I (sy s te m s 1 a n d 2 ) , I l a ( s y s
te m s 2 a n d 3 )* a n d H b ( s y s t e m s 3 a n d 4 ) , p a g e
1 2 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
mM
jff**
4^-
jiff
ff% ! f *
lib
"7
A f i n a l e n u n c ia tio n o f th e
com m ences s e c t i o n A 2 .
second c o n s tr u c tio n a l u n it
I n te rv a llic a lly
it
(lie )
b o rro w s t h e s u p e r
im p o s e d B a r t o k c h o r d s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I , a n d a l t h o u g h i t
c o n ta in s no o s t i n a t o ,
c e iv e s in g le
g ro u p s o f th r e e and f o u r c h o rd s r e
re p e titio n s .
S o n ic -E n titie s
I I I a n d IV
S o n ic -E n tity
III
m e n ts o f a r e p e a t e d - t o n e
c o n s is ts
o f f iv e u n b ro k en s t a t e
q u i n t u p l e t p a t t e r n , u n d e r w h ic h
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 7 7 th e r e o c c u rs a s e r ie s o f s ix r is i n g
c h o rd s.
th e
th re e -n o te
The q u i n t u p l e t r h y th m ic p a t t e r n
B a r to k
d e r i v e s f ro m
f o u r t h o rn am e n t a s s o c i a te d w ith S o n ic - E n t i ty
e x a m p le 1 6 2 ) .
seco n d h ig h e r th a n i t s
tra n s p o s itio n
p re d e c e sso r;
th u s ,
th e
th e f i r s t
is
e x a c t, w h ile th e
o n ly th e q u i n t u p l e t r e p e a te d - to n e
Ex. 163.
(se e
le v e ls of
e x p r e s s a c o m p l e te w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e .
tw o r e c u r r e n c e s ,
u tiliz e s
II
E ach s u c c e s s iv e B a rto k c h o rd i s a m a jo r
Of
second
p a tte rn .
S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I , p a g e 1 2 , s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y P i e c e V I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
gttaprt
A s e rie s
o f re p e a te d s im u lta n e itie s
p re c e d e d by
o r n a m e n ta l g r a c e n o t e s r e p r e s e n t th e e s s e n t i a l c h a r a c t e r
is tic s
o f S o n ic -E n titie s
e x e c u te d in
r e ite r a tio n s
p lo y e d i n
s e c t i o n A l;
IV a n d T v a .
th e f i r s t
is
B o th s t a t e m e n t s a r e
c o m p rise d o f f i v e
o f a t h r e e - n o t e B a r t o k c h o r d t h e t y p e em
S o n ic -E n tity
I;
th e seco n d c o n s is ts o f f iv e
re p e titio n s
o f a s ix - n o t e w h o le -to n e c h o rd an d th e
v a llic a lly
i d e n t i c a l g r a c e - n o t e c h o r d w h ic h p r e c e d e s i t .
The v e r t i c a l s t r u c t u r e s
of th is
e n ti * ,.
c o m b in e t o
in te r -
e x p re ss
th e t o t a l c h ro m a tic .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 7 8 Ex . 1 6 4 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s IV a n d IV a , p a g e s 12 a n d 13.,
s y s te m s 4 a n d 1 r e s p e c t i v e l y , F a n t a s y - P i e c e
V I , M a k ro k o s m o s, V o l . I I
S o n ic - E n titie s V an d VI
A lte r n a tin g s o n o r itie s
c o m p o se d r e s p e c t i v e l y o f
t h r e e a n d tw o m a j o r s e c o n d s i n c l o s e
t h e e s s e n c e o f S o n i c - E n t i t y V.
e x p re ss f iv e
ju x ta p o s e d s e m ito n e s .
Above th e f i f t h
re p e a te d
( S o n ic - E n tity V I).
r e d u c e s in te rm s o f i n t e r v a l l i c
u n it;
p o s itio n c o n s titu te
The c o m b in e d c o m p o n e n ts
T h is s i x t h s o n i c e n t i t y
s tru c tu re
in o t h e r w o rd s, to a th r e e - n o te
p l u s a m in o r s e c o n d .
com
p a tte rn o f t r i p l e t
t o a m2 / m2 / A4
B a r to k c e l l ,
(m2 / A 4)
S o n ic - E n tity V r e c e iv e s b u t one p ro
n o u n c e m e n t, w h i l e S o n i c - E n t i t y V I i s
re p e a te d in a b b re v ia te d
f o rm i n t h e m e a s u r e f o l l o w i n g t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e i n i t i a l
p re s e n ta tio n .
E x. 1 6 5 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V a n d V I , p a g e 1 2 , s y s te m 4 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l. I I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
279-
T a b l e XXVI. O v e r a l l s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I
i n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm a l U n i t :
S o n l c - B n ti ty C o n te n t a n d O r d e r in g :
In tr o d u c tio n
=I,
S e c tio n A
=II,
S e c t i o n A1
= l i b , I c , IV ,
V, V I , I c
( c o m p l e t e d ) , I d , IV a ,
S e c t i o n A2
=lie ,
C oda
=I lia
F a n ta s y -P ie c e V II
la ,
III,
I la , lb , I I I ,
(b eg u n ) V ia ,
Ic
( T o r a l T o r a l T o r a I ) /G a d e n z a A p o c a l i t t i c a / " S c o rp io "
T o ra l T o ral
T o ra l c r e a t e s a p s y c h o lo g ic a l m ilie u
o f p a s s i o n a t e g r o w i n g i n t e n s i t y b y m ea n s o f a n u n b r o k e n
s u c c e s s io n o f m u s ic a l e v e n ts s t a t e d a t a p r e d o m in a te ly
h i g h d y n a m ic l e v e l ;
f u r t h e r i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n a c c r u e s fro m
t h e c o n t i n u o u s e m p lo y m e n t o f t h e d a m p e r p e d a l , w h ic h
re s u lts
i n a s o n ic t e x t u r e
S p e c ia l e f f e c t s
an d s h o u tin g
b o tto m
to
o f th e
to p ):
d e n s ity .
c lu s te rs
(p la y e d w ith th e f i n g e r
(v o c a l).
H a rm o n ic t e x t u r e
c o n s is tin g
of c lu s te r- lik e
i n c l u d e o n -th e -k e y g l i s s a n d i a n d c l u s t e r s ,
is
p e r m e a te d b y a s i m u l t a n e i t y
f o llo w in g i n t e r v a l s
m3 /
m3 / m3 / M2.
(c o n s id e re d
fro m
The B a r t o k c e l l a n d
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
V er
t i c a l c o in c id e n c e s th ro u g h o u t a re u n u s u a lly la r g e and
p e rv a s iv e ,
d o m in a t in g a n e s s e n t i a l l y n o n m e lo d ic c o n t e x t .
D is tin c t p a ra lle ls
in c o n s tr u c tio n a l m a te ria ls
a n d e t h o s e x i s t s b e tw e e n T o r a l T o r a ! T o r a ! a n d Song o f
t h e R i d e r fro m S o n g s , P r o n e 3 a n d R e f r a i n s o f D e a t h . 1 F o r
e x a m p le , b o t h p i e c e s m ake e x t e n s i v e u s e o f t h e m3 / m3 /
m3 /
M2 h a r m o n ic s t r u c t u r e
(a v e r t i c a l e le m e n t r a r e l y
e n c o u n t e r e d i n C r u m b 's c o m p o s i t i o n s ) ; b o t h r e q u i r e
a f t e r a lo n g r i s e
o n -th e -s trin g
tio n s h ip s
in
i n t e n s i t y ; and b o th u t i l i z e
c lu s te rs
i n s i m i l a r r h y th m s .
r e c e n t w o rk , S t a r - C h i l d .
The c o m p o s e r ,
sc o re ,
Y o rk :
a s th e y a p p e a r in
i s a s f o llo w s :
I n tr o d u c tio n
A
in a c o n v e rs a tio n
w r i t e r , a c k n o w le d g e d t h e s e i n t e r r e l a t i o n s h i p s ,
T he p o s i t i o n i n g o f f o r m a l u n i t s ,
th e
S im ila r r e l a
l i n k t h e p i e c e s u n d e r d i s c u s s i o n t o C r u m b 's m o st
w ith t h i s
b u t s a id
s h o u tin g
m a rte lla to
O p e n in g g e s t u r e
From t h e c o m p l e ti o n o f t h e a b o v e , u p t o t h e
e n t i t y c o n s is t in g o f c l u s t e r s p la y e d w ith th e
p a lm s , o c c u r r i n g n e a r t h e e n d o f s y s te m 1 ,
p a g e 14
l-Crum b, S o n g s , D r o n e s , a n d R e f r a i n s o f D e a th
C .F . P e te r s C o r p o r a tio n , 1 9 7 1 ).
2 From a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b,
(New
14 J u n e 1 9 7 6 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-281A1
F rom t h e c l u s t e r e n t i t y d e s c r i b e d a b o v e , u p
t o t h e s i m i l a r e n t i t y n e a r t h e m id d l e o f
s y s te m 5 , p a g e 14
A2
R e m a in d e r
I and I I
A s e rie s
p a lm s
o f s ix ra p id c lu s t e r s ,
(S o n ic -E n tity
F a n ta s y -P ie c e V II.
in d ic a te d ,
th e s e
g u id e lin e s .
p la y e d w ith th e
fo rm s t h e b r i e f i n t r o d u c t i o n o f
A lth o u g h o u t e r p i tc h e s a r e
a r e in te n d e d o n ly to
p re c is e ly
p r o v id e g e n e r a l
T h is e v e n t r e c e i v e s t h r e e r e s t a te m e n t s ,
tw o o f w h ic h a r e
Ex. 166.
I),
so m e w h at t r a n s m u t e d .
S o n i c - E n t i t y I , p a g e 1 3 , s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y P i e c e V I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
7. Tora! Tora! Tora! (Cadenza Apocalittica) |Scorpio|
Dramatic, with great intensity; violent, relentless
OflMivtl/!
H I. (Hold down Hir.ojhout)
S o n ic -E n tity
II,
se v en w h ite k e y s i n th e
in
a tre m o lo -lik e
p a t t e r n m ade u p o f
to p s ta v e and a l l f iv e b la c k k e y s
th e lo w e r s ta v e f o llo w s im m e d ia te ly a f t e r th e i n i t i a l
s ta te m e n t o f S o n ic -E n tity
I.
W ith in t h i s
second e n tity
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-282fo rm u la tlo n ,
o f th e l e f t an d r i g h t hand
p ro d u c e s a c h ro m a tic c e l l o f t h r e e s e m ito n e s .
E n tity
is
II is
e x a c tly
(I.e .
s ta te d a t o ta l o f f iv e
i d e n t i c a l to a n o th e r.
ra p id a lte r n a tio n
S o n ic -
tim e s ; no p r e s e n ta tio n
I n m ode o f p e rf o r m a n c e
o f t h e h a n d s ) a n d r h y th m , t h i s
m o d u le r e v e a l s a c l o s e c o r r e l a t i o n
to S o n ic -E n titie s
IV
and V I I I.
Ex. 16 7 .
S o n i c - E n t i t y I I , p a g e 1 3 , s y s te m s 1 a n d 2 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
S o n ic -E n titie s
III,
IV , a n d V
D u rin g th e c o u rs e o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e V I I , a s u c c e s
s io n o f f o u r e n t i t i e s
ren c e :
S o n ic -E n titie s
is
I,
th ric e
III,
lin k e d in o r d e r o f o c c u r
IV , a n d V .
S o n ic -E n tity
I I I e n t e r s w i t h tw o s i m u l t a n e o u s d e s c e n d i n g g l i s s a n d i
w h ic h a g a i n i n v o k e t h e w h i t e - b l a c k k e y d i c h o t o m y f i r s t
f e a tu re d
in
S o n ic -E n tity
m e n t s , tw o a r e e x a c t ,
th re e
II.
one i s
Of s i x
in v o lv e a r e v e r s a l in d i r e c ti o n
(a lo n g w ith o th e r s l i g h t c h a n g e s ).
E n tity
subsequent r e s ta te
v a rie d b u t s l i g h t l y ,
I I I a re
and
o f th e g lis s a n d i
A p p e a ra n c e s o f S o n ic -
e i t h e r p r e c e d e d o r f o l l o w e d b y o n e o r tw o
c l u s t e r s a s e c o n d c o m p o n e n t o f t h i s m o d u le
( s e e e x a m p le 1 6 8 ) .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 8 3 The f o u r t h
s o n ic e n t i t y
re q u ire s
th a t th e p i a n i s t
s t r i k e d e s ig n a te d s t r i n g s u s in g a l l f i n g e r n a i l s o f h is
ra p id ly a lte rn a tin g
r i g h t and l e f t h a n d s ; th e r e s u l t i s a
s e r i e s o f m e ta llic - s o u n d in g c lu s t e r s .
tu r a l i n te r e s t and in c r e a s e
in te n s ity .
T h e re i s
T hese p ro v id e t e x
th e p i e c e 's o v e r a l l s e n s e o f
p r im a r y s e c t i o n s .
Ex. 1 6 8 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I I I a n d IV , p a g e 1 3 , s y s te m 3 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I , M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l . I I
-III-
-IV-
An e x t e n d e d s e r i e s
o f to n e s
( n o ta te d a s g ra c e
n o t e s ) to be p la y e d a s q u ic k ly a s p o s s ib l e r e p r e s e n ts
S o n i c - E n t i t y V.
T he e s s e n t i a l e f f e c t o f t h i s u n i t i s a
k in d o f m u ff le d r u m b lin g ; o n ly t h e w id e ly s e p a r a te d
h ig h e s t to n e s , A - f la t ,
p itc h
id e n tity .
n o te B a r to k c h o rd
F i v e c o n s e c u t i v e w h o le t o n e s a n d a f o u r ( u tiliz e d
t h e e s s e n t i a l p i t c h m e m b e rs .
e n tity ,
fo u r,
th e
th re e
B, a n d D ( m 3 / m 3 ), a s s e r t s t r o n g
on th r e e p i tc h l e v e l s ) a r e
D u rin g th e c o u rs e o f t h i s
tw o e s s e n t i a l m em b ers a r e s e p a r a t e d b y tw o ,
and s i x
e x tr a n e o u s p i tc h e s r e s p e c t i v e l y .
An e x a c t
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 8 4 r e s ta te m e n t o f th e f i f t h
m o d u la r f o r m u l a t i o n a p p e a r s i n
b o t h s e c t i o n s A1 a n d A 2 .
Ex. 169.
S o n i c - E n t i t y V, p a g e 1 3 , s y s te m s 3 a n d 4 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I , M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l . I I
( e s s e n t i a l m em b ers a r e b o x e d i n t h e i r
i n i t i a l p re s e n ta tio n )
S o n ic -E n tity VI
As i n i t i a l l y
p r e s e n t e d , S o n i c - E n t i t y V I i s com
p ris e d o f fo u r p a r a l le l te n -n o te c h o rd s .
In each o f th e s e
c h o rd s b o th r i g h t a n d l e f t h a n d s s im u lta n e o u s ly s t a t e
v a llic a lly
id e n tic a l c o n s tr u c tio n s :
th e th r e e e n u n c ia tio n s o f t h i s
of in te r v a ls
e n tity
m3 / m3 /
m3 /
in te r-
m 2.
In
t h e h o r i z o n t a l f lo w
r e m a in s w i t h i n t h e c o n f i n e s o f w h o l e - t o n e
s c a le s .
Ex. 170.
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I , p a g e 1 3 , s y s te m 4 , F a n t a s y P i e c e V I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I l l
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
S o n i c - E n t i ty V II i s a n o rn a m e n ta l
g e s t u r e o f tw o c o m p le m e n ta r y s i x - n o t e w h o l e - t o n e c h o r d s
( th u s s t a t i n g
th e t o t a l c h ro m a tic ).
i n t e r v a l m a k e -u p o f S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I I
The e i g h t h s o n i c e n t i t y
ta n e itie s ,
I t fo re s h a d o w s th e
( s e e e x a m p le 1 7 1 ) .
c o n s i s t s o f s i x s im u l
e a c h o f w h ic h r e c e i v e s e i t h e r tw o o r t h r e e
i m m e d ia te r e i t e r a t i o n s .
A s in g le
to n e in e a c h h and
( tw o - lm e E and t h r e e - l i n e D -s h a rp ) b e g in s t h i s
tu re ;
each o f th e f iv e
s tru c
sym
m e t r i c a l l y a d d s a s in g l e to n e to e a ch hand u n t i l s ix - n o t e
c o m p le m e n ta ry w h o l e - t o n e c h o r d s
a re a rriv e d a t.
(a s in S o n ic -E n tity V I I )
( tr a n s p o s e d )
s e rv e s to c lo s e s e c t i o n A l.
Ex. 1 71 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V I I a n d V I I I , p a g e 1 3 , s y s te m s 5
a n d 6 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
-V II-
-V III-
S o n i c - E n t i t y IX c o n t a i n s s i x c o n s e c u t i v e s e m i t o n e
trills ,
w h ic h h o r i z o n t a l l y ,
and i n d e s c e n d in g s te p w is e o r d e r ,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-286fill
a w h o le -to n e s c a l e .
e q u iv a le n t in p itc h
Ex. 172.
T he w h o le o f t h i s
to th e
A ra p id f i l i g r e e
V ), f o llo w e d by a t r i l l
th e i n t e r v a l l i c
is
s u c c e s s i o n o f t o n e s e m a n a t in g
c o n s t i t u e n t s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y X.
in v e r s io n a t th e
e x a c t) i s
( d e r i v e d fro m S o n i c - E n t l t y
i n v o lv i n g t h r e e s e m ito n e s r e p r e s e n t
rea c h e d in th e u p p e r p a r t ,
m ences w h at c o n s t i t u t e s
in
As t h e
t h e l e f t h a n d com
th e b e g in n in g o f a b r i e f canon
t h i r d b e lo w .
c o n tin u e d i n th e
le a d e r
The c a n o n
( i.e .
by r e p e t it i o n s o f th e i n i t i a l f i l i g r e e
Ex. 173.
is
S o n i c - E n t i t y IX , p a g e 13> s y s te m 5> F a n t a s y P i e c e V I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
fro m a f o u r - n o t e B a r t o k c h o r d
trill
e n tity
t o t a l c h ro m a tic .
in
(w h ic h i s n o t
th e r ig h t h and)
n o te s u c c e s s io n .
S o n i c - E n t i t y X a n d e n s u i n g c a n o n , p a g e s 13 a n d
1 4 , s y s te m s 5 a n d 1 r e s p e c t i v e l y , F a n t a s y P i e c e V I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-287Sonic-Entity XI
S o n ic - E n tity XI i s
c o n s t r u c t e d fro m a r a p i d
g r e s s io n o f fo u r and f iv e - to n e
v a llic
v e rtic a litie s ,
m a k e - u p o f w h ic h c a n b e t r a c e d
to S o n i c - E n t i ty V Ij
in f a c t,
p ro
th e i n t e r -
f o r th e m o st p a r t
except fo r re g is te r ,
th o se
c h o r d s t a k e n b y t h e r i g h t h a n d i n S o n i c - E n t i t y XI a r e
n e a rly id e n t i c a l to
th e r ig h t- h a n d c h o rd s o f S o n ic - E n tity
V I ; t h e m a in d i f f e r e n c e
th e l a t t e r
d is c u s s io n .
e n tity
s lig h tly
v a rie d )
in
Ex. 1 7 2 .
t h a t t h e b o t to m p i t c h e s o f
la c k in g in
Seven c lo s e l y
e le v e n th
tio n
is
s u c c e s s io n a r e
f o rm u la tio n
th e e n ti t y u n d er
ju x ta p o s e d s ta te m e n ts o f th e
( a l l b u t o n e o f w h ic h a r e
p r o v id e a s tr o n g f a c t o r o f i n t e n s i f i c a
s e c tio n A l.
S o n ic -E n tity XI (se c o n d an d t h ir d s ta te m e n ts ) ,
p a g e 1 4 , s y s te m 3, F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I , M ak ro
k o sm o s, V o l. I I
S o n i c - E n t i ti e s X II and X III
S o n ic -E n tity X II i s
o f th e w o rd s "T o ra !
r e p r e s e n t e d by t h e s h o u ti n g
T o r a ! T o r a ! '1; i t
e n te r s in
s e c t i o n A3
a g a i n s t t h e f i n a l p r o n u n c i a t i o n o f S o n i c - E n t i t y V, a n d
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
th e c o n c lu d in g p o r t i o n o f th e p i e c e .
S o n i c - E n t i t y X I I (sh o w n a g a i n s t t h e f i n a l e n u n
c i a t i o n o f S o n i c - E n t i t y V ) , p a g e 1 4 , s y s te m 6 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I , M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l . I I
CEI. Mmprf)
T he f i n a l s t r u c t u r a l i d e a
( S o n l c - E n t i t y XIII) i s
a l o w - r e g i s t e r tre m o lo e x p r e s s in g f o u r c h ro m a tic
a t a h i g h d y n a m ic l e v e l .
d riv e
s e m i to n e s
The c u l m i n a t i o n o f t h e p o w e r f u l
t o w a r d c li m a x f e l t t h r o u g h o u t T o r a l T o r a l T o r a l
c o in c id e s w ith th e
in itia l
s o n ic e n t i t y
o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
V III.
SUMMARY
T a b l e X X V II.
O v e r a ll s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e V II
i n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
Formal Unit;
In tr o d u c tio n =
I,
S e c tio n A
I I , l a . I I I . IV . V. I l i a . V I , V I I , I l a ,
V I I I , IX , l i b , X / R . H jS / Xa j f l . H \ J ( c a n o n i c
c o n tin u a tio n ) , l i e , V illa ,
S e c t i o n A1
= I . I I I . IV . V. I l i a , V i a , I l l b , V I b , X I, X I a ,
X I a , l i d , X I , X I a , l i d , X I , X lb ,
S e c t i o n A2
= lb .
III
I l l , IV , V ^ p l a y e d 7 / X I I ^ s h o u t e d 7 ,
(b eg u n ) X I I I , I I I (c o m p le te d )
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-289-
Except
for the central section (in which the Dies Irae is quoted),
melodic texture is permeated by the interval of a tritone,
and rhythm takes on a march-like character.
With regard to the notation of the piece under
discussion, each system represents a complete section.
As
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 290 a lr e a d y im p lie d , th e fo rm a l c o n s ti tu e n t s a r e a rr a n g e d in to
a s y m m e tric a l a r c h d e s ig n .
la b e le d by c a p i t a l l e t t e r s :
In th e s c o re ,
th e
s y s te m s a r e
s e c t i o n A * s y s te m A; s e c t i o n
B = s y s te m B; s e c t i o n c = s y s te m C; s e c t i o n C l = s y s te m D;
s e c t i o n B1 = s y s te m D ; a n d s e c t i o n A1 * s y s te m E.
COMMENTARY ON INDIVIDUAL SONIC EN TITIES
Sonic-Entity I
The m o d u la r c o n s t r u c t i o n o f A P r o p h e c y o f N o s t r a
dam us i s u n u s u a l ,
in t h a t ea ch la r g e fo rm a l d iv is io n
g e n e ra te d by a s in g le
s tr u c tu r a l e v e n t.
n a t e s fro m t h r e e s t a t e m e n t s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y
o f m in o r t r i a d s
in to
I.
A s e rie s
( w ith v a r i e d o c ta v e d o u b l in g s ) , o r g a n iz e d
fo u r r e p e titiv e
f i r s t e n tity
is
S e c t i o n A em a
g r o u p s , f o rm s t h e e s s e n c e o f t h e
f o rm u la tio n .
A lth o u g h t h e c h o r d a l p r o g r e s
s i o n t h r o u g h o u t s e c t i o n A p r o c e e d s w i t h o u t m a rk e d h e s i
ta tio n ,
it
c o m p o n e n ts
p a rtitio n s
( i.e .
I,
s tr u c tu r a lly
l a , and l b ) .
in to
th o .e e d i s t i n c t
The i n i t i a l c o m p o n e n t,
w h ic h i s h o u s e d w i t h i n t h e f i r s t
th re e m ea su res,
th e f o llo w in g r o o t p r o g r e s s io n :
D5 ( d o w n ) , M6 ( u p ) , a n d
A4 (d o w n ) .
In p i t c h , m e lo d ic s u c c e s s io n i s
ro o t p r o g re s s io n ,
in v o lv e s
i d e n t i c a l to
e x c e p t f o r o c ta v e p o s i t i o n .
S o n ic -E n tity
l a o c c u p ie s th e f i r s t
e le v e n b e a ts o f
t h e f o l l o w i n g m e a s u r e ; a l t h o u g h i n t r o d u c i n g f o u r n ew p i t c h e s ,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 9 1 Its
r o o t p r o g r e s s io n i s an e x a c t i n v e r s io n o f I s .
O c ta v e d o u b l i n g i n
p a tte rn .
la
i s a r e tr o g ra d e o f th e o r ig i n a l
T he r e m a in d e r o f t h e s y s te m c o m p r i s e s l b , a n d ,
a s a l o g ic a l c o n tin u a tio n o f I p lu s l a ,
th e f i r s t
s e c tio n
s e rv e s to b rin g
to a c lo s e .
Except fo r i t s
f i n a l m e a s u r e , s e c t i o n A1 i s a n
e x a c t tr a n s p o s it io n o f s e c tio n A ( a t th e i n te r v a l o f a
trito n e ).
T he c o n c l u d i n g m e a s u r e i s
a tra n s p o s e d r e t r o
g r a d e i n v e r s i o n o f th e m ea su re t h a t c o n c lu d e d s e c t i o n A.
Ex. 17 ^ .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I a n d l a , p a g e 1 5 , s y s te m A
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
S o n ic -E n tity
II
The s e c o n d c o n s t r u c t i o n a l i d e a l i k e
I o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
s e rie s
I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
o f r i s i n g m in o r t r i a d s
an d f i r s t
in v e r s io n ,
The f i r s t
p ro n o u n ce m e n t
t h e m id d l e r e g i s t e r ,
S o n ic -E n tity
I c o n s is ts
in a lte r n a tin g
of a
ro o t p o s itio n
t h e r o o t s o f w h ic h d e s c e n d c h r o m a t i c a l l y .
(II)
c o n ta in s fo u r su ch t r i a d s
in
p r e c e d e d b y a l o w - r e g i s t e r m in o r
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 292tria d
soun d ed a s a n
I I is
f o llo w e d im m e d ia te ly b y a n e x a c t r e p e t i t i o n
t r a n s p o s i t i o n o f a m a jo r se c o n d a b o v e
th e s e c tio n
i s an open f i f t h
s lo w ly w ith i t s
(ila ).
(lib )
is
a t th e
C o n c l u d in g
s o n o r i t y , w h ic h a l t e r n a t e s
c o n c lu d in g g e s tu r e
o f th e
S c n ic -E n tity
b e lo w .
T h is
p r o d u c e d e x c l u s i v e l y b y m ea n s
h a r p " c h o r d s w h ic h b e g a n S o n i c - E n t i t i e s
" a e o lia n -
I I and I l a .
The
c o m b in e d r o o t s o f t h o s e c h o r d s w i t h i n s e c t i o n B p r o d u c e d
by th e
tio n ,
w hen c o n s i d e r e d i n c o m b in a
s e m ito n e s .
S e c tio n B l,
except
is a s tr ic t
S y m m etry t h u s p e r v a d e s S o n i c - E n t i t y
te rm s o f r o o t p r o g r e s s io n ,
and in term s o f
i n v e r s io n a l fo rm a l a rra n g e m e n t.
Ex. 175.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I I , I l a , a n d l i b , p a g e 1 5 , s y s te m
B, F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 9 3 Sonic-Entity III
S o n lc -E n tity
I I I w h ic h i s
sy n o n y m o u s w i t h s e c
t i o n C l i e s a t t h e c o r e o f A P r o p h e c y o f N o s tra d a m u s
b o th i n te rm s o f c o n s t r u c t i o n , an d in
w h e lm in g i n f l u e n c e o f t h e p r o j e c t e d
te rm s o f i t s
e th o s .
o v e r
As was
p r e v i o u s l y p o i n t e d o u t , a b r i e f q u o t a t i o n f ro m t h e
t r a d i t i o n a l D ie s I r a e c h a n t c o n s t i t u t e s
th is
s tru c tu re .
fo rm a r e n o t a t e d ,
The t h i r d
and fo u rth
th e e sse n c e o f
p a rtitio n s of
in a m anner r e m in is
c e n t o f R e n a is s a n c e p u z z le c a n o n t e c h n i q u e .
in o rd e r to re a d th e fo u rth
s e c tio n ,
F o r e x a m p le ,
th e e n ti r e
sc o re
m u s t b e t u r n e d u p s i d e dow n; c h a n g e s o f c l e f a n d k e y
s ig n a t u r e a r e a ls o in v o lv e d .
C and C l,
s u b title d
The c o m b i n a t i o n o f s e c t i o n s
Tema E n i g m a t i c o , w as a c c o m p l is h e d
c o m p o s itio n a lly by u t i l i z i n g
th e r e tr o g r a d e in v e r s io n
( tr a n s p o s e d ) o f th e q u o ta tio n a s i t s
own a c c o m p a n im e n t;
t h u s , b y t u r n i n g t h e m u s ic u p s i d e do w n , b y r e v e r s i n g
th e c l e f s ig n s , by a l t e r i n g
t h e d y n a m i c s , a n d b y c h a n g in g
th e key s ig n a tu r e o f s e c tio n C,
shape.
Such a p r o c e d u r e i s
s e c t i o n C l w as g i v e n i t s
t h e e p it o m e o f s y m m e tr i c a l
m u s ic a l c o n s tr u c ti o n , and r e v e a l s a f f i n i t i e s
a s p e c ts o f s e r i a l te c h n iq u e .
and C l i s
in flu e n c e d by th e
s p a n n i n g n e a r l y tw o o c t a v e s
w ith c e r t a i n
The a m b ie n c e o f s e c t i o n s C
s e c u r in g o f a ra n g e o f keys,
in th e lo w e st r e g i s t e r o f th e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 9 4 k e y b o a rd , w ith th e s o s te n u to
p e d a l; o n ly w h ite k e y s a r e
d e p r e s s e d d u r i n g s e c t i o n C, w h i l e t h e s e a r e c h a r a c t e r
is tic a lly
r e p la c e d by b la c k k ey s in s e c tio n C l.
o n - th e -s trin g 3
g lis s a n d o
by th e s o s te n u to p e d a l s e t t i n g s a ls o
tio n ,
p rec e d e s each se c
s u p p l y i n g w h a t m ig h t b e t e r m e d a " f a t e f u l "
Ex. 176.
A s in g le
ly in g w ith in th e ra n g e a f f e c te d
e le m e n t.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I I I a n d I l i a (sy n o n y m o u s w i t h
s e c t i o n s C a n d C l ) , p a g e 1 5 , s y s te m s C a n d D,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I I , M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l. I I
50
Fitefe* l<T- )
Tema eni
T a b l e X X V III. O v e r a l l s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e
V I I I i n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm a l U n it:
S o n i c - E n t i ty C o n te n t and O r d e r in g :
S e c tio n A
=I,
S e c tio n B
=II,
S e c tio n C
=III
la ,
lb
Ila ,
S e c tio n C l * I l i a ,
lib
S e c t i o n B1 = l i e ,
S e c t i o n A1 = I c ,
lid ,
Id ,
He
Ie
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 9 5 F a n ta s y -P ie c e
IX (C o sm ic W in d ) " L i b r a "
The p a r a m e t e r o f t i m b r e I s o f c r i t i c a l i m p o r t a n c e
t h r o u g h o u t C o sm ic W in d ; t h e n o r m a l v a r i e t y o f o n - t h e - k e y s
p la y in g i s n o t c a lle d
fo r.
O n - t n e - s tr in g g l is s a n d i w ith
o r w i t h o u t t h e a i d o f a w i r e b r u s h , w in d s o u n d s p r o
duced o r a lly ,
v e ry r a p id
sc ra p e d s tr i n g s ,
b ru sh a re
a b le
p iz z ic a to
p itc h
th e m eans o f p r o d u c ti o n r e q u i r e d .
p itc h e s a r e a rra n g e d in d i s c r e te
o r th re e .
p ro d u c tio n ,
a n d c l u s t e r t r e m o l i e m p lo y in g a w i r e
H o w e v e r, t h e i n t e r e s t o f t h i s
f o r th e m o st p a r t ,
lie
A ll p e rc e iv
g r o u p s o f e i t h e r tw o
p ie c e d o es n o t,
w i t h in th e d im e n s io n s o f p i tc h
o r r h y th m , b u t i n t h a t o f s o n o r i t y .
F o r m a l l y , F a n t a s y - P i e c e IX b r e a k s down i n t o
c lo s e ly r e la te d
s e c tio n s
(A a n d A l ) ,
tw o
t h e s e c o n d o f w h ic h
b e g i n s n e a r t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f s y s te m 2 , w i t h t h e r e t u r n o f
th e i n i t i a l e v e n t a p p e a rin g in
r e tu r n o f S o n ic -E n tity
th e u p p e r p a rt
( w ith th e
II).
I,
II,
III,
IV , a n d V
O p e n in g F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I I i s a l o w - r e g i s t e r
o n -th e -s trin g s
g lis s a n d o
o f a w ire b r u s h .
( S o n ic -E n tity
T h is i n i t i a l id e a i s ,
su b seq u en t ap p e ara n c e s,
I)
e f f e c t e d b y m ean s
in fo u r o f seven
p ro d u ce d by l a t e r a l l y
m o v in g t h e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-296hand o v e r th e s t r i n g s ,
w h i l e a t t h e sam e t im e e x e c u t i n g
a r a p i d and c o n tin u o u s a l t e r n a t i o n o f a l l f in g e r s
(see
e x a m p le 1 7 7 ) .
S o n ic -E n tity I I i s
e s s e n tia lly
a r a t h e r e x te n d e d
tre m o lo p la y e d w ith a w ir e b r u s h , c o n t a i n i n g a r e c u r r i n g
p a t t e r n o f s w e l li n g a n d d im in is h in g d y n a m ic s .
At i ts
c o n c lu s io n ,
III,
it
is
o v e rla p p e d w ith S o n ic - E n t i ty
e v e n t w h ic h u t i l i z e s
th e ra p id f in g e r a lt e r n a t io n
duced by S o n ic -E n tity
f a llin g
g lis s a n d i
The f o u r t h
I to e x e c u te a s e r i e s o f r is i n g
se rie s
o f th re e
o f th re e
s o n ic e n t i t y
is a s e rie s
E x. 17 7 .
e n tity
p iz z ic a to
is
o f u n v o ic e d
The
o v e r l a p p e d by a r e p e a t i n g
p i t c h e s f o r m in g a c h r o m a t i c c e l l
s e m ito n e s , and n o t a b l e f o r i t s
E n t it y V ).
and
( s e e e x a m p le 1 7 7 )*
p honem s p r o d u c e d b y e x p e l l i n g a i r f ro m t h e m o u th .
c o n c lu s io n o f t h i s
an
in tr o
The I n i t i a l f i v e
r a p id ity
( S o n ic -
e n t i t i e s a r e show n b e lo w :
-IV-
-II-
-III.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-297Sonic-Entity VI
The f i n a l c o m p o n e n t o f s t r u c t u r e
to be in tro d u c e d ,
S o n ic - E n tity V I, c o n s i s t s b a s i c a l l y o f a s e r i e s o f th r e e
p iz z ic a to
s e m ito n e s ,
an in te r ru p tiv e
e n tir e ty
s trin g s
th e t h ir d
o f w h ic h i s
re p e a te d a f t e r
s ta te m e n t o f S o n ic -E n tity I l i a .
o f S o n ic -E n tity VI i s
The
o v e r la id by an o n - th e -
tre m o lo c l u s t e r p la y e d w ith a w ir e b r u s h , a n d
w h ic h r e p r e s e n t s t h e h i g h e s t s o u n d t o o c c u r i n C o sm ic
W in d .
U n lik e th e o t h e r s o n ic
e v e n ts in t h i s
p ie c e ,
S o n ic -
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I , p a g e 1 6 , s y s te m 2 , F a n t a s y P i e c e IX , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
SUMMARY
T a b l e XXIX. O v e r a l l s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e IX
i n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p le te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n te n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm a l U n i t :
S o n l c - E n t i ty C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g :
S e c tio n A
= 1 , I I , I I I , IV , V , l a , I V a , V a, l a ,
Vb, I l i a , I , V I ( b e g u n ) I l i a , V I ( c o m p l e t e d )
S e c t i o n A1
= II,
Ic,
Illb ,
V c,
IV b , l a , V d , IV c ,
la ,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 298F a n t a s y - P i e c e X ( V o i c e s f ro m
G e s tu re -d e c a y sound s tr u c t u r e d e fin e s th e a c o u s
t i c a l e n v ir o n m e n t i n w h ic h V o i c e s fro m "C o ro n a B o r e a l i s "
tra n s p ire s
( t h e d a m p e r p e d a l r e m a in s d e p r e s s e d t h r o u g h o u t ) .
L i k e F a n t a s y - P i e c e IX , t h i s
a rr e s tin g
s o n o rity as i t s
s o u rc e o f i n t e r e s t .
f a n ta s y p ie c e u t i l i z e s u n u s u a l
p r i n c i p a l s h a p in g f o r c e a n d
F a n t a s y - P i e c e X m akes s t r e n u o u s
d e m a n d s o n a n y w o u ld - b e p e r f o r m e r 's a b i l i t y
T h ree g e n re s o f w h i s tl in g a r e re q u ir e d .
senza v ib r." ;
" w a r b lin g
(2 )
( l)
to w h is tle .
" fla u ta n d o ,
" m o lto v i b r .
(q u a s i T h e re m in )" ;
(3 )
'p r o d u c e d b y a r a p i d
s e r ie s of s ta c c a to
e je c
tio n s o f b re a th
(lik e
t h e M o n te v e r d i t r i l l ) ' " .
A ll
w h is tle d to n e s a re
p r o je c te d in to
s u b tle
v ib ra tio n s and an e f f e c t o f le g a to .
s y m p a th e tic
E ach w h i s tl e d
t o n e h a s i n common a b r i e f c r e s c e n d o - d e c r e s -
c e n d o d y n a m ic c o n t o u r .
T hus, t h i s
i n e f f e c t a th em e a n d v a r i a t i o n s
w ith s p e c i a l e f f e c t s
f if th
te n th f a n ta s y p ie c e i s
f o r w h i s t l e r , a c c o m p a n ie d
fro m t h e p i a n o ; t h e s e e f f e c t s
p a r t i a l h a rm o n ic s e i t h e r s c ra p e d ,
on t h e k e y s , s t r i k i n g
trillin g
on th e
p iz z ic a to ,
in c lu d e
or
t h e p i a n o 's m e ta l c r o s s beam s, a n d
p i a n o 's m e ta l c r o s s beam s.
M elo d y i s a l s o
tio n
th e p ia n o , s e t t i n g up
an im p o r ta n t s t r u c t u r a l c o n s id e r a
t h r o u g h o u t , w h i l e r h y th m i s
la r g e ly n o n p r o g re s s io n a l.
F o r m a l p a r t i t i o n s may b e d e s i g n a t e d a n d l o c a t e d a s f o l l o w s :
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-2 9 9 Theme
(A )
From t h e b e g i n n i n g t o t h e d o u b l e
b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 1 , p a g e 17
b a r l i n e n e a r th e
A1
From t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f
th e a b o v e to th e d o u b le
b a r l i n e n e a r t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f s y s te m 1 , p a g e 17
A2
From t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f
th e ab o v e t o th e d o u b le
b a r l i n e n e a r t h e m id d l e o f s y s te m 2 , p a g e 17
A3
From t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f
th e a b o v e to th e d o u b le
b a r l i n e n e a r t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 3, p a g e 17
A4
R e m a in d e r
c o n s tr u c tio n con
t h e p r im a r y t h e m a t i c u n i t o f t h i s
c o n s tru c tio n .
p i e c e 's fo rm a l
S u b s e q u e n t v a r i a t i o n s d e a l for- t h e m o st
p a r t w i t h t h e a c c o m p a n im e n ts a p p e a r i n g u n d e r t h i s
th e m e .
S o n ic -E n tity I i s a s u c c e s s io n o f s ix te e n w h is tle d to n e s
a r r a n g e d i n g r o u p s o f o n e , tw o , a n d t h r e e ;
s e p a r a t e d by r e s t s
o f v a ry in g le n g th .
th e m e r e c e i v e s f i v e
s ta te m e n ts ,
e a c h g ro u p i s
T h is s ix t e e n - n o t e
w h ic h a r e n o t v a r i e d
e x c e p t f o r t h e f l u c t u a t i o n s i n mode o f e m i s s i o n a l r e a d y
m e n tio n e d .
itia l
firs t,
The t o t a l c h r o m a t i c i s c o m p l e te d b y t h e i n
tw e lv e t o n e s .
a D -sh a rp , i s
Of t h e r e m a i n i n g f o u r t o n e s ,
re q u ire d
to a l o g i c a l c o n c lu s io n ;
th e
t o b r i n g t h e p r e c e d i n g t w e lv e
th e r e m a in in g t h r e e to n e s a r e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
r e la te d
The f i r s t
to th e th r e e
f iv e to n e s l i e
o f a w h o le -to n e s c a l e ,
Is c o n s titu te d
p re
t h e c o m p l e te c o m p le m e n t o f w h ic h
by th e n e x t s i x
th r o u g h e l e v e n ) .
p itc h e s d i r e c t l y
w ith in th e b o u n d a rie s
The M2 /
to n e s
( i.e .
M3 i n t e r v a l l i c
to n e s s ix
c e ll,
so f r e
q u e n t l y f o u n d i n C r u m b 's h a rm o n ic a n d m e l o d i c i d e a s ,
p e rm e a te s t h i s
f ir s t
s o n ic e n t i t y ;
o c c u rre n c e s a re
b r a c k e t e d i n t h e e x a m p le w h ic h f o l l o w s :
Ex. 1 7 8 .
S o n ic -E n tity I ,
1 re s p e c tiv e ly ,
V o l. I I
S o n ic -E n titie s
II a n d III
A c c o m p a n y in g t h e
E n tity
se co n d p r e s e n t a t i o n o f S o n ic -
I i s S o n i c - E n t i t y II, a r e l a t e d s e r i e s o f t h i r t e e n
to n e s a rra n g e d in to
p itc h e s
p a g e s 1 6 a n d 1 7 , s y s te m s 3 a n d
F a n t a s y - P i e c e X, M a k ro k o s m o s,
g r o u p s o f tw o , f o u r ,
re s p e c tiv e ly ,
c a to h a rm o n ic s .
fo u r, and th re e
an d p ro d u c e d a s f i f t h
c a n o n ic r e l a t i o n s h i p w ith th e f i r s t
th irte e n
S o n i c - E n t i t y I; w hen t h e t o n e s o f t h e f i r s t
a r e c o n s id e r e d
r e s p e c tiv e ly ,
p a rtia l p iz z i
T h i s s e c o n d s t r u c t u r a l m o d u le i s
in
it
g r o u p s o f tw o , f o u r ,
fo u r,
in f r e e
to n e s o f
s o n ic e n t i t y
and th re e
becom es a p p a r e n t t h a t a can o n i s
fo rm e d
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 0 1 b y t h e c o m b i n a t i o n o f t h e tw o , w h ic h i s
ra th e r fre e
t e r m s o f p i t c h , b u t e x a c t w i t h r e g a r d t o r h y th m .
firs t,
in
The
t r a n s p o s it io n s o f th e c o rre s p o n d in g g ro u p s o f S o n ic -E n tity
I;
h o w ev er,
th e s e tr a n s p o s itio n s each o c c u r a t d if f e r e n t
le v e ls o f p itc h .
To b e s p e c i f i c
(an d a llo w in g f o r o c ta v e
d is p la c e m e n t) , g ro u p I o f S o n ic -E n tity I I i s
r e la te d
to
g r o u p I o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I a t t h e i n t e r v a l o f a m3 b e lo w ;
g ro u p I I o f S o n ic - E n tity
S o n ic -E n tity
II is
r e la te d
to g ro u p I I o f
I a t t h e i n t e r v a l o f a P4 b e lo w ; a n d g r o u p
IV o f S o n i c - E n t i t y
II is
re la te d
t o g r o u p IV o f S o n i c -
E n t i t y I a t t h e I n t e r v a l o f a M2 b e lo w .
v a llic
p e rm u ta tio n s e p a r a te s th e
th o u g h b a s ic
s h a p e r e m a in s u n a l t e r e d
The t h i r d
s o n ic e n t i t y
c o n c lu s io n o f s e c ti o n A.
c r o s s b eam s, an d s e r v e s t o
te x tu re .
S lig h t i n te r p itc h g ro u p s,
( s e e e x a m p le 1 7 9 ) .
e n te r s i n i t i a l l y
n e a r th e
I t c o n s i s t s o f tw o s h a r p l y
a r t i c u l a te d a tta c k s p lu s a t r i l l
th e s o n ic
th ird
on t h e p i a n o ' s m e t a l
p r o v id e tim b r a l i n t e r e s t to
The a c c o m p a n im e n ts o f s u b s e q u e n t
v a r i a t i o n s c o n s i s t o f c o m b in a tio n s o f v a r io u s p o r ti o n s
o f S o n ic -E n titie s
I I and I I I ;
i s n o t in e v id e n c e .
c a n o n ic
In te rv a llic a lly ,
p ro ce d u re in th e s e
th e s t r u c t u r e and
m e l o d i c s h a p e o f t h e t h e m e 's s e v e n t h , e i g h t h , a n d n i n t h
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-302p i t c h e s a r e g iv e n p r o m in e n c e .
(A 3 ), f i f t h
In th e
p a r t i a l h a rm o n ic s a r e
th e in v o lv e d s t r i n g s ,
th ir d
v a ria tio n
p ro d u ced by s c ra p in g
w h ile .in th e f o u r t h ,
h a rm o n ic s
a r e a c t i v a t e d a t th e k e y b o a rd .
E x . 179*
1.1
i
u.
| ,
s.r r :- f , f
j
t-
^ * .
1
.
n ----------- ----
.1
.- j
**>
CB.
-
jFf* * ------------
nY"
CB.
rl*#f]
T a b l e XXX.
in r e l a ti o n
F o rm a l U n i t :
........H
[*F b*
I#
b?]
7
(bntkf)
O v e r a ll s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e X
t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
S o n l c - E n t i ty C o n te n t a n d O r d e r in g ;
Theme
= I,
S e c tio n A
= la / R . K j
S e c t i o n A1
= lb
/ f r a g m e n t s d e r i v e d f ro m
e q u iv a le n t to ) I I and I I I
/ II
I I I ^ L .H ^ ,
(o r
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 0 3 S e c t i o n A2
= l a / R . H j 7 / f r a g m e n t s d e r i v e d f ro m
e q u i v a l e n t t o ) I I a n d I I I JZ. l l JJ,
S e c t i o n A3
= I ^ R .H J
(o r
f r a g m e n t s d e r i v e d fro m I I I J Z . K j
in L ita n y o f th e
B e l l s e v e n t u a t e s w i t h i n a n a c o u s t i c a l a m b ie n c e
in d u c e d by so u n d s t r u c t u r e o f th e g e s tu r e - d e c a y v a r i e t y ;
th e dam per p e d a l i s a c tiv a te d
fro m b e g i n n i n g t o e n d .
m o st p r e v a l e n t c o n c e p tu a l id e a s o p e r a t i n g i n t h i s
a re q u o ta tio n s:
E n tity
The
p ie c e
S o n i c - E n t i t y I w as t a k e n f ro m S o n i c -
I o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I ;
S o n ic -E n tity
II is
th e p e rv a s iv e A lp h a -G lis s a n d o e n c o u n
t e r e d s o f r e q u e n t l y i n M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l s .
E n titie s
I and I I ;
S o n ic -
I I I a n d IV c o n s t i t u t e a p a r a p h r a s e fro m t h e
fro m B e e t h o v e n 's H a m m e r k la v le r S o n a t a ; a n d
S o n i c - E n t i ty VI o r i g i n a l l y o c c u rr e d In F a n ta s y - P ie c e VI
o f M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l. I , a s S o n i c - E n t i t y X I I .
e n tir e ty
tio n s ;
its
N e a rly th e
o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e XI e m a n a t e s fro m t h e s e q u o t a
t h e r e s u l t i s a u n iq u e s t r u c t u r e ,
own d i s t i n c t c h a r a c t e r d e s p i t e
its
th a t p r o je c ts
q u o d lib e t-lik e
c o n s tru c tio n .
The f o r m a l c o n s t i t u t i o n o f L i t a n y o f t h e G a l a c t i c
B e l l s m ay b e o u t l i n e d a s f o l l o w s :
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
F rom t h e b e g i n n i n g t h r o u g h t h e s e c o n d f o u r s e c o n d f e r m a t a i n s y s te m 4 , p a g e 17
From t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e a b o v e t h r o u g h t h e
r e m a i n d e r o f s y s te m 4 , p a g e 17
From t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 1 , p a g e 1 8 , u p
t o t h e B e e th o v e n q u o t a t i o n I n s y s te m 2 , p a g e 18
B1
The e n t i r e t y o f t h e B e e th o v e n q u o t a t i o n ,
s y s te m 2 , p a g e 18
A1
From t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e a b o v e u p t o t h e
f i v e - s e c o n d f e r m a t a i n s y s te m 3 > p a g e 18
A2
From t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e a b o v e u p t o t h e
f i v e - s e c o n d f e r m a t a i n s y s te m 4 , p a g e 18
C oda
R e m a in d e r
S o n ic -E n titie s
I,
II,
III,
a n d IV
The o r i g i n a n d c o n s t r u c t i o n
S o n ic -E n titie s
I t h r o u g h IV r e q u i r e s
( g iv e n on page 303) o f
little
S o n ic - E n tity I o c c u rs b u t once p r io r to
f u r t h e r co m m en t.
th e i n tr o d u c ti o n ,
p r o v id in g a g e s tu r e o f c o n tr a s t in s e c t io n B.
II
S o n ic -E n tity
so u n d s r e p e a t e d l y a t v a rio u s l e v e l s o f p i t c h , and s e rv e s
c h i e f l y a s a n e le m e n t o f s o u n d e n r i c h m e n t .
Ex. 180.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I a n d I I , p a g e 1 7 , s y s te m 4 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I, M a k ro k o sm o st V o l . I I
II. Litany of the Galactic Bells ILeol
Jubilant; metallic, incisive, echoing [J-52]
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 0 5 In a d d itio n
to th e o b v io u s r e f e r e n c e t o
G odunov a l r e a d y p o i n t e d o u t ,
S o n ic -E n tity
re la te
tio n
it
B l.
III,
a lo n g w ith i t s
c o n c lu d in g f a l l i n g
s e v e n th s ,
t o t h e H a m m e rk 3 .a v ie r q u o t a t i o n o c c u r r i n g I n s e c
N e a rly th e e n t i r e
g e n e r a t e d by t h e t h i r d
E x. l 8l .
B o ris
th e p u ls a tin g c h a r a c te r o f
s o n ic
s u b s t a n c e o f s e c t i o n A1 I s
e n tity .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I I I a n d IV , p a g e 1 7 , s y s te m 4 ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
)$
(
S o n ic - E n titie s V an d VI
T he f i f t h
d e riv e s d ir e c tl y
s e c t i o n B l;
s o n ic
in f a c t i t
o f th a t q u o ta tio n ,
th a t a trito n e
s e p a r a te s
c o m m en ces s e c t i o n
is
i d e n t i c a l to
th e
B.
It
o p e n in g p o r ti o n
except fo r le v e l o f p itc h ,
( r a t h e r th a n a p e r f e c t f i f t h )
th e c o n se q u e n t
e x a m p le , n o t i c e
th e
e n tity
f ro m t h e B e e th o v e n q u o t a t i o n c o n s t i t u t i n g
( lo w e r ) p o r t i o n .
and e x c ep t
tra n s p o s itio n
In th e fo llo w in g
t h e tw o f o u r - n o t e B a r t o k c e l l s
fo rm e d by
p i t c h c o n s t i t u e n t s o f th e o r i g i n a l p ro n o u n c e m e n t o f
S o n i c - E n t i t y V.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-306Ex . 1 8 2 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V a n d V c , p a g e 1 8 , s y s te m s 1 a n d
2 r e s p e c t i v e l y , F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I , M a k ro k o s m o s,
V o l. I I
th e m e lo d ic
s u c c e s s io n o f S o n ic -E n tity VI i s a d i r e c t d u p l ic a te
of
t h a t c o n t a i n e d I n F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I o f M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I ,
a s S o n ic -E n tity X II.
n in g i s new .
e n tity
O n ly t h e p a r a l l e l h a rm o n ic u n d e r p i n
Two s u b s e q u e n t p r e s e n t a t i o n s o f t h e s i x t h
fo rm u la tio n
down a w h o le t o n e ;
o f s e c t i o n B, w h ile
tra n s p ire ,
each s u c c e s s iv e ly
tra n s p o s e d
one o f th e s e e n te r s n e a r th e c o n c lu s io n
th e o t h e r c o m p rise s th e c o d a .
s l i g h t d e v i a t i o n s f ro m t h e o r i g i n a l a r e a p p a r e n t
O th e r
(see
e x a m p le 1 8 3 ) .
S o n ic -E n tity V II
T he o n l y r e m a i n i n g c o m p o n e n t o f s t r u c t u r e
to be
d is c u s s e d S o n ic -E n tity V II c o n ta in s th re e a c c e n te d ,
s lig h tly
M2 /
s e p a ra te d ,
e m b e llis h e d to n e s
m3 m o t i v i c c e l l a r t i c u l a t e d
(A , G, a n d F ) .
by t h e s e
The
p i t c h e s w as a n
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 0 7 e s s e n t i a l d e te rm in a n t o f i n t e r v a l l i c
num ber o f f a n t a s y
f irs t
tw o p r im a r y t o n e s a r e
g ra c e -n o te s .
c o n s tr u c tio n in a
p i e c e s o f M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I .
p re c e d e d by f o u r e m b e llis h in g
T h e s e tw o f i v e - n o t e c o m b i n a t i o n s a r e e a c h
p r im a ry to n e i s
i d e n t i c a l in c o n s tr u c tio n
( w h ic h i s
F a n ta s y -P ie c e V I I I,
in te r ru p tiv e
E x. 1 8 3 .
s e m ito n e s .
The
p r e c e d e d b y tw o l a r g e g r a c e - n o t e
c h o r d s , e a c h c o n t a i n i n g s i x w h o le t o n e s ;
E n tity V II
The
th e s e c h o rd s a r e
to th o s e o f S o n ic -E n tity I .
r e m in is c e n t o f S o n ic -E n tity
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
I)
S o n ic -
I I I of
fu n c tio n s in an
-V II-
-V I-
The f i n a l u t t e r a n c e o f S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I
(V ila ) i s
c o m b in e d w i t h t h e f i n a l s t a t e m e n t s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I ,
an d u n d e rg o e s e x te n s iv e
a c c e n te d
p e rm u ta tio n s.
to n e s o f th e o r ig i n a l a re
H ere, th e
th re e
ex p a n d ed to f o u r m a jo r
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
is
p r e c e d e d b y tw o e m b e l l i s h i n g
(a s w ith th e t h ir d
s ta te m e n t).
p r im a r y t o n e o f t h e
Two o v e r l a p p i n g M2 /
M3 c e l l s a r e
e n u n c ia te d by th e f o u r a c c e n te d m a jo r se c o n d s
( th e s e a re
b r a c k e t e d i n e x a m p le 1 8 4 ) .
Ex. 1 8 4 .
S o n i c - E n t i t y V i l a (sh o w n i n r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h
th e f i n a l o c c u rre n c e s o f S o n ic -E n tity I I I ) ,
p a g e 1 8 , s y s te m 3 , F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I, M a k ro
k o sm o s, V o l. I I
SUMMARY
T a b le XXXI.
O v e r a ll s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n o f F a n ta s y - P ie c e XI
i n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm al U n i t :
S o n l c - E n t l ty C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g :
In tro d u c tio n = I ,
la
, IV / L . % 7 ,
S e c tio n A
= I I I / R .H j T ( b e g u n ) / I I
I l a / L . Y L / , I I I (c o m p le te d ),
S e c tio n B
= V, V I ( b e g u n ) V I I ( b e g u n ) V I I ( c o m p l e t e d )
V I ( c o m p l e t e d ) , V a, I , V ia ( b e g u n ) V i l a ( b e
g u n ) V i l a ( c o m p l e t e d ) V ia ( c o m p l e t e d ) , V b,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 0 9 S e c tio n B l
= V c,
S e c t i o n A1
= (A r e c u r r e n c e
S e c t i o n A2
= V I I (b e g u n ) I l i a
(b eg u n ) l i b , V II (c o m p le te d ),
H e , I l i a ( c o m p le te d ,
C oda
* V Ib
o f s e c t i o n A)
F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I I (A gnus D e l ) " C a p r i c o r n
Ex. 185.
F a n ta s y - P ie c e X II ( in i t s
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l. I I
e n tir e ty ) ,
page 19,
[R.YV! V*)
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-310The p e a c e f u l s e r e n i t y
p r o j e c t e d by Agnus D ei i n
d i c a t e s w h a t m u st h a v e b een t h i s
c o n c e p tu a l im p e tu s:
sen se o f tr a n q u ility .
s ta te d
fa n ta s y
p i e c e 's
p r im a r y
th e m u sic a l p o r tr a y a l o f a m y s tic a l
The c o m p l e t e
v ia c h a n tin g an d w h is p e rin g d u r in g th e c o u rs e o f
F a n ta s y -P ie c e X II;
p a r t i c u l a r e m p h a s is i s
w h is p e re d p h ra s e
T h i s e m p h a s is i s
re fle c te d
th e p eace s ig n
is
s y m b o l ic
g iv e n t o
th e
g ra n t us p e a ce ).
v i s u a l ly a s w e ll a s a u r a l ly :
p ic to ria lly
r e p r e s e n t e d b y s y m b o l ic
n o t a t i o n a l d e s ig n o f t h e w h o le .
a b o u t th e
(i.e .
O ne i s
s ig n if ic a n c e o f th e
le d to w onder
p e rs is te n t fo u r-
se c o n d f e r m a ta s , an d o f th e e x tr e m e ly s m a ll u n i t o f b e a t
( th irty - s e c o n d n o te = 7 6 ).
A r e s o n a n t c o n tin u u m
in d u c e d by g e s t u r e - d e c a y
so u n d s t r u c t u r e d o m in a te s th e a u d i t o r y
te x tu re .
W it h i n
t h i s a m b ie n c e s e v e r a l u n u s u a l t i m b r e s r e s u l t fro m e x t r a
o r d i n a r y p r o c e d u r e s on t h e p a r t o f t h e p i a n i s t :
w h is p e rin g ,
p iz z ic a to ,
and th e
s in g in g ,
The m o s t e s s e n t i a l d e t e r m i n a n t o f l a t e r a l t o n e
s u c c e s s io n i s
th e a l t e r n a t i o n
and in te r a c tio n
m e n t a r y w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e s ; m o ti o n i s
ju n c t.
a re
M a jo r s e c o n d s ,
o f c o m p le
p re d o m in a n tly co n
p e rfe c t fo u rth s ,
and p e rf e c t f i f t h s
th e o n ly c o in c id e n c e s to e v e n tu a te v e r t i c a l l y .
e v e r-p re se n t f ie ld
An
o f s o n o r i t y c a p tu r e d by th e c o n tin u o u s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 1 1 d e p r e s s i o n o f t h e d a m p e r p e d a l p r o d u c e s a f u n d a m e n ta l
( m o s t l y w n o l e - t o n e ) h a r m o n ic b a c k g r o u n d .
R hythm r e m a in s
flo w in g and n o n p r o g r e s s io n a l th r o u g h o u t.
A gnus D e i f a l l s
in to a t r i p a r t i t e
fo rm a l d e s ig n :
p a r t I c o n s i s t s o f s y s te m s A a n d B; p a r t I I c o n s i s t s o f
s y s te m C; a n d p a r t I I I c o n s i s t s
o f s y s te m D.
I and I I
S o n ic -E n tlty I e n te r s r e p e a te d ly d u rin g th e c o u rs e
o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e X II,
e n t i a l m o tiv e .
o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
s e p a r a te d
in te rv a llic a lly
a n d P4 /
a re
p ro d u ce d by th e
g iv e n in s e c t i o n
s lig h tly
?5.
f ro m S o n i c - E n t i t y
IV , M a k ro k o s m o s , v o l .
tw o e n u n c i a t i o n s ,
a re
s u p p ly in g u n i t y a s a k in d o f r e f e r
I t d e riv e s d ir e c tl y
I.
T h ese a r e
s im u lta n e itie s ,
( fr o m b o t to m t o
II.
" a e o l i a n h a r p 51 t e c h n i q u e ,
e a c h c o m p o se d o f tw o
w h ic h may b e r e p r e s e n t e d
to p ) a s fo llo w s :
e q u iv a l e n t t o a f o u r - n o te B a r to k c e l l .
firs t
(ila )
is
id e n tic a l to
tra n s p o s itio n .
e n ti t y a ls o a p p e a r in
c h o rd s,
P5 /
P4
The f o u r p i t c h e s c o n t a i n e d w i t h i n e a c h p a i r
o f s im u lta n e itie s
fo r a trito n e
II
The i n i t i a l
The s e c o n d p a i r
th e f i r s t ,
except
F o u r v a rie d s ta te m e n ts o f th e
s e c t i o n C ; s i n g l e modo o r d i n a r i o
e a c h on a d i f f e r e n t p i tc h
le v e l,
c o n s titu te
th e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-312s u b s ta n c e o f t h e s e .
In h i s
t r e a t m e n t o f t h i s m o ti v e ,
t h e c o m p o s e r w as a w a r e o f a n i n f l u e n c e f ro m D e b u s s y s
S u n k e n C a t h e d r a l , a p i a n o a p i e c e w h ic h h o l d s a p a r t i c u l a r
a ttr a c tio n
f o r C r u m b .1
In S o n i c - E n t i t i e s
firs t
s e n te n c e i s
te e n th -n o te s ;
q u ire d .
I I and I l a ,
c h a n te d i n
th e L a tin t e x t 's
t r i p l e t and q u in tu p le t s ix
o n l y tw o p i t c h e s F a n d D - s h a r p a r e r e
No r e c u r r e n c e s a r e
seco n d e x p re ss e d by t h i s
e m p lo y e d ,
s o n ic
e n tity
th o u g h t h e m a j o r
r e m a in s a n i m p o r t a n t
i n t e r v a l d u r in g th e re m a in d e r o f A gnus D e l.
Ex. 1 8 6 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I a n d I I , p a g e 1 9 , s y s te m A ,
F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l. I I
S o n ic -E n titie s
I I I a n d IV
T he e n t i r e t y
f ro m S o n i c - E n t i t i e s
o f s e c t i o n B w h ic h i s g e n e r a t e d
I I I a n d IV i s a p a r a p h r a s e fro m s e c
t i o n B o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e IV ( C r u c i f l x u s ) , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
( s e e p a g e s 182 an d 18 3) .
tu re s ,
B o th p a s s a g e s c o n t a i n s e v e n g e s
e a c h s e p a r a te d by r a t h e r lo n g p a u s e s .
The f i r s t
iF ro m a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b, 20 May 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 1 3 fo u r and f i n a l g e s tu r e s a re rh y th m ic a lly i d e n t i c a l
(ex cep t
f o r d u r a tio n o f fe rm a ta p a u s e s ).
th e
firs t,
second,
In te rv a llic a lly ,
t h i r d , an d s e v e n th g e s tu r e s a r e
id e n tic a l
( i f one t e m p o r a r ily d i s r e g a r d s a l l g r a c e n o t e s ) ; h o w e v e r,
w h ile th e r e l a t e d
p a s s a g e f ro m M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I r e m a in s
e n t i r e l y w i t h in a s i n g l e w h o le -to n e s c a l e ,
tu r e s o f th e
b e tw e e n t h e
th e sev en g e s
p ie c e u n d e r d is c u s s io n s y s te m a tic a lly a lt e r n a t e
tw o p o s s i b l e c o m b i n a t i o n s o f s i x w h o le t o n e s .
The g r a c e n o t e s w i t h i n s e c t i o n B o f A g n u s D e l b e a r n o
r e la tio n s h ip
to
th o se o c c u rrin g in C r u c lf lx u s ; in s te a d ,
t h e y em body t h e m o 3 t c r i t i c a l i n t e r v a l l i c
a p p e a r i n g i n M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I .
th e f i r s t
tw o g e s t u r e s
B a rto k c h o r d ;
th e
ta n e ity r e d u c ib le
is
th ird
is
e m b e llis h e d by a t h r e e - n o t e
g e s tu re
i s e m b e l li s h e d by a s im u l
t o t h r e e a d j a c e n t w h o le t o n e s ;
e m b e llis h e d by a c h o rd r e d u c ib le
to n e s ,
e tc .
tiv e
to
th e f o u rth
t h r e e a d j a c e n t s e m i
(re m a in in g g r a c e - n o te c o m b in a tio n s a r e
l e s s e r im p o r ta n c e ).
a d d itio n th e
s tru c tu re s
F o r e x a m p le , e a c h o f
s u b tle d iff e re n c e s
d ire c tiv e s ,
p iz z ic a ti);
( e .g .
it
p ie c e s in v o lv e d in t h i s
a re f u r t h e r in te r c o n n e c te d
in
i n d y n a m ic s , i n t e r p r e t a
a n d m ode o f p e r f o r m a n c e
g r a c e - n o te s i n A gnus D ei a r e
i n te r e s t th a t th e
of
I n e x a m p le s 187 a n d 1 8 8 , n o t i c e
th ro u g h r e l a t e d
th e lo w e r
i s a ls o
of
in te r c h a n g e
s y m b o l ic
n o ta tio n s and t i t l e s .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-314Ex. 187.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I I I a n d IV ( a l l a p p e a r a n c e s , i . e .
S e c t i o n B ) , p a g e 1 9 , s y s te m C , F a n t a s y - P i e c e
X I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
Ex. 188.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s IV a n d V ( a l l a p p e a r a n c e s ) , p a g e
1 0 , v e r t i c a l s y s te m ( C ) , F a n t a s y - P i e c e IV , M ak ro
k osm os, V o l. I
[R .L F .V > ]
S o n ic - E n titie s V and VI
S o n ic -E n tity V i s a tr a n q u il s tr u c tu r a l in g r e
d ie n t i n te r v a l l ic a ll y
s c a le .
e m b o d y in g a c o m p l e te w h o l e - t o n e
E a c h o f f o u r u t t e r a n c e s i s a c c o m p a n ie d b y
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I a w h i s p e r e d L a t i n
p a c e ra .
p h r a s e , Dona n o b i s
A p p e a ra n c e s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y V o c c u r on th e
tra n s p o s itio n a l le v e ls of B - f la t,
F , E, and B r e s p e c ti v e ly .
N o te t h a t t h e s e l e v e l s when c o n s i d e r e d a s p i t c h e s a r e
e q u iv a l e n t t o a f o u r - n o te B a r to k c e l l .
Vb ( i . e .
th e t h ir d
s ta te m e n t) i s an e x a c t t r a n s p o s i t i o n o f V a t th e I n te r v a l
of a trito n e ;
th u s,
t h e y s h a r e t h e sam e w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 1 5 Va a n d Vc a r e
c o n s t r u c t e d f ro m t h e c o m p le m e n ta r y w h o le -
t o n e s c a l e , a n d e n c o m p a s s s l i g h t m e l o d i c v a r i a n c e s fro m
V a n d V b.
c ia tio n
T h e w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e e m p lo y e d f o r e a c h e n u n
o f S o n ic -E n tity V th u s a lt e r n a t e s
sh a d o w e d b y t h e
Ex. 18 9 .
s u c c e s s iv e
i n a m anner f o r e
s ta te m e n ts o f S o n ic -E n tity I I .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V a n d V I , p a g e 19* s y s te m D
F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
S o n ic -E n tity V II
S o n ic - E n t ity V II i s
trito n e s
c o n s tr u c te d
to n e s c a l e .
p itc h c la s s e s
o f a w h o le -
T h is f i n a l s t r u c t u r a l id e a to be in tro d u c e d in
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
tio n
fo rm e d b y f o u r a l t e r n a t i n g
fro m t h e s i x
f o llo w s a
II is
sounded f o u r tim e s ;
each p re s e n ta
s ta te m e n t o f S o n ic -E n tity V .
The p i t c h
c la s s e s c o n s ti tu t in g
each p r e s e n ta ti o n o f S o n ic -E n tity V II
a re in each in s ta n c e
i d e n t i c a l to th o s e In c o r p o r a te d
th e v e rs io n o f
th e f i f t h
S o n i c - E n t i t y V w h ic h p r e c e d e s .
s tr u c tu r a l u n it,
th e seco n d a n d
th e f i r s t and t h ir d ,
f o u r t h s ta te m e n ts ,
T hus,
in
lik e
a s w e ll a s
s h a r e t h e sam e s i x
p itc h
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 1 6 c la s s e s .
T h is e n t i t y ,
In i t s
o s c illa tin g
p a ra lle l h a r
m o n ie s s e p a r a t e d b y a m a j o r s e c o n d , s h o w s a r e s e m b la n c e
to th e f i n a l m ea su re o f S o n i c - E n t i ty I ,
V I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
Ex. 190.
F a n ta s y -P ie c e
II.
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I , p a g e 1 9 , s y s te m D, F a n t a s y P i e c e X I I , M a k ro k o s m o s, V o l . I I
T a b l e X X X II. O v e r a l l s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I I
i n r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm a l U n i t ;
S e c tio n A
S o n ic - E n t i ty C o n te n t and O r d e r in g :
= I ( b e g u n ) I I ( b e g u n ) I ( c o m p l e t e d ) , I I (com
p l e t e d ) , l a (b e g u n ) I l a (b eg u n ) l a (c o m p le te d ),
I l a (c o m p le te d ),
S e c tio n B
= III,
S e c tio n C
* l b , V / V I ( w h i s p e r e d ) , V I I , I c , Va / V I,
V i l a , I d , Vb / V I , V l l b , I e , Vc / V I , V I I c
IV ,
Ilia ,
Illb ,
IIIc ,
H id ,
I lle ,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
CHAPTER V I I I
Is
s c o r e d f o r tw o a m p l i f i e d p i a n o s
(tw o p l a y e r s ) ;
it
c o n s i s t s o f f i v e m o v e m e n ts,
w h ic h a r e a r r a n g e d i n t o a f r e e a r c h - l i k e
p r i m a r y m u s ic i s
fifth
d e s ig n .
c o n ta in e d w ith in th e f i r s t ,
m o v e m e n ts , a l l o f w h ic h a r e
The
t h i r d , and
le n g th y in d u r a tio n ,
e n s e m b le o f p e r f o r m e r s .
M o v em en ts I I a n d IV
i n v o lv e o n ly p e rc u s s io n i n s t r u m e n t s ; b o th a r e v e ry con
c is e ,
re s tric te d
in
te r m s o f d y n a m ic a n d e x p r e s s i v e r a n g e ,
and convey a r a t h e r s t a t i c
th e co m p o ser,
a tm o s p h e re .
I n t h e w o rd s o f
t h e s e c o n d a n d f o u r t h m o v em e n ts " . . .
w e re
c o n c e iv e d a s d r e a m - lik e p ie c e s f u n c t i o n i n g a s in te rm e z z o s
w ith in th e
III,
o v e r a l l s e q u e n c e o f m o v e m e n ts ."1
and V a re
f u rth e r r e la te d
m ake c o n s i d e r a b l e u s e o f t h e E a r t o k c e l l ,
s t r o n g a n d s u d d e n r h y th m ic c o n t r a s t ,
q u en t im ita tiv e
M ovem ents I ,
to one a n o th e r in th a t a l l
a l l fe a tu re
and a l l
in v o lv e f r e
c o u n t e r p o i n t b e tw e e n t h e p i a n o s .
Im ita tio n
i s a p r i m a r y d e t e r m i n a n t o f t h e w o r k 's p r e d o m i n a n t l y
'Record j a c k e t n o t e s f o r M a k ro k o sm o s I I I .
-3 1 7 -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 1 8 I d io m a tic tw o - p a r t p ia n o w r i t i n g ;
e n ta ils
in s o f te r p assag es i t
e c h o - l i k e e f f e c t s , w h i l e i n m o re p o w e r f u l p a s s a g e s
th e e f f e c t o f r e p e r c u s s io n i s
o f te n ev o k ed .
(A n u m b e r o f
p i t c h r e l a t i o n s h i p s b e tw e e n v a r i o u s m o v e m e n ts , w h ic h
f u r t h e r s t r e n g t h e n o v e r a l l f o r m a l s y m m e try , a r e
p o in te d
o u t in th e a n a ly t ic a l p a rt o f t h i s c h a p te r .)
The h a rm o n ic a n d m e l o d i c v o c a b u l a r i e s o f M a k ro
k osm os I I I a r e g e n e r a t e d f o r t h e m o s t p a r t b y t h e sam e
th re e i n t e r v a l l l c
c e l l s w h ic h d o m in a t e d M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l s .
I a n d I I : m2 / m 2; M2 / M3 ( o r M 2); a n d m2 /
T n ese a r e a l l in tr o d u c e d b e f o r e
i n i t i a l page i s
c o m p le te d .
th e f i r s t
P4 ( / m 2 ).
s y s te m o f t h e
H o riz o n ta l s u c c e s s io n th ro u g h
o u t i s m o s t l y c o n j u n c t , h a rm o n y i 3 d e e m p h a s iz e d , a n d r h y th m
i s a l m o s t a lw a y s n o n p r o g r e s s i o n a l .
p re v io u s a n a ly s e s , th e s e a re a l l
As we h a v e s e e n i n
im p o r ta n t t r a i t s
of
C r u m b 's m u s i c a l s t y l e .
I n te r m s o f te m p o , t h e e n t i r e
a t a n o tic e a b ly
s lo w r a t e
c o m p o s i t i o n m o v es
o f s p e e d a f a c t e m p h a s iz e d by
C r u m b 's p e n c h a n t f o r s lo w h a rm o n ic r h y th m .
s lo w p a c e se em s t o
The p e r s i s t e n t l y
go a l o n g w i t h t h e w o r k 's p r im a r y t i t l e ,
i n n o w ay w e a k e n s , b u t
th e e s s e n t i a l c h a r a c t e r o f th e m u s ic .
G e s tu re -d e c a y sound s t r u c t u r e
p r e v a l e n t s o n ic c h a r a c t e r i s t i c .
r e m a in s t h e m o s t
T o n e c o l o r i s a d o m in a n t
s tr u c tu r a l c o n c ern th ro u g h o u t, a s i s
r e f l e c t e d by th e
f a c t t h a t e a c h m ovem ent b e g i n s a n d e n d s w i t h a n u n u s u a l
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 1 9 t lm b r a l d e v ic e
( a s do m any s e c t i o n s w i t h i n m o v e m e n ts ) .
C o n s id e rin g th e e f f e c ti v e a r c h - li k e
o f M a k ro k o sm o s I I I , i t
is
fo rm a l d e s ig n
so m e w h at p u z z l i n g t h a t t h e com
p o s e r s e r i o u s l y c o n s i d e r e d c o n c l u d i n g t h e w o rk w i t h a
s i x t h m o v e m e n t; I n d e e d ,
a lly
to
c o m p l e te a
"w o u ld -b e " f i n a l e .
s ta te m e n t c o n c e rn in g th e
The f o ll o w i n g
i n c l u s i o n o f a s i x t h m o vem ent
w a s m ade b y t h e c o m p o s e r a t t h e t im e d u r i n g w h ic h t h i s
m a t t e r c o n c e r n e d h im :
s ta n d s a lo n e a s i t
w h a t 's w r o n g .
is
"T h e q u e s t i o n i s
. . .
w h e t h e r t h e w o rk
I c a n ' t p u t my f i n g e r on
I n a w a y , i t n e e d s t h a t e x t r a m o v e m e n t,
a n d I h o p e I com e t o t h a t d e c i s i o n f a i r l y
I t 's
so o n , b ecau se
b e e n d r i v i n g me n u t s f o r f i v e m o n th s .
The " w o r k - n o t e s " w h ic h f o l l o w
s ig h ts
In to
p r o v id e a c u te i n
t h e c o m p o s e r 's c o m p o s i t i o n a l m e th o d o lo g y a n d
m u sic a l p sy c h e.
T hey w e re c o p ie d v e rb a tim by t h i s a n a l y s t
f ro m t h e h a n d so m e b l a c k l e a t h e r - b o u n d
C rum b n o t a t e s
s k e t c h b o o k i n w h ic h
th e e v o lu tio n o f h is m u sic a l id e a s :
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- 320 P a rt I
/Introduction/
-A -
"T he a w a k e n in g " / o f n i g h t s o u n d / 7
g r a d u a l ly t o " v i b r a n t e c s ta tic " " " ^
/ E la b o r a ti o n o f 2 w h o le -to n e h e x a c h o rd s /
-C -
E p ilo g u e I :
" B la c k N o c tu rn e "
/ f - s h a r p m in o r 7 " s t a r - c h i l d " th e m e
P a rt I I
"M yth" / S t a r t
thum b p i a n o /
-A -
p e r c u s s io n a lo n e th e n
In stru m e n ts
Thumb p i a n o h e r e ?
A ssesja w / A f r i c a n l o g d ru m / bo w ed ta m - ta m
( N o c t u r n a l S o u n d s ) / T h e A w a k e n ln g 7
The s u b t i t l e ,
T h e A w a k e n in g se e m s t o
c o n n o ta tiv e r e l a ti o n s h ip w ith th e
title s
P i e c e s w h ic h b e g i n M a k ro k o 3m o s , V o l s .
sh a re a
o f th o se F a n ta s y -
I a n d I I ; n a m e ly ,
P r im e v a l S o u n d s / G e n e s i s I a n d M o rn in g M u s ic / G e n e s i s I I .
^Copied f ro m t h e s k e t c h b o o k o f G e o rg e C ru m b , 6
D ecem ber 1 9 7 6 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-321When a s k e d I f t h e m u s ic o f t h e s e t h r e e p i e c e s e n t a i l e d
a n y s y m b o l ic i n t e r c o n n e c t i o n s ,
th e com poser e x p la in e d
t h a t h e m e a n t t o e x p r e s s t h e s e n s e o f a n o p e n in g o r
new b e g i n n i n g w i t h e a c h o f t h e s e t i t l e s ,
b u t t h a t th e re
w as n o m u s i c a l s y m b o lis m c o n n e c t i n g t h e t h r e e p i e c e s . *The s o n i c a m b ie n c e o f N o c t u r n a l S o u n d s i s
d e fin e d
t o a s u b s t a n t i a l d e g r e e b y a c o n tin u u m o f g e s t u r e - p a u s e
so u n d s t r u c t u r e .
s o s te n u to
B e f o r e t h e m o v em en t i s co m m en ced , t h e
p e d a ls o f b o th p ia n o s a r e u se d to s e c u r e th o s e
k e y s s p a n n i n g t h e tw o l o w e s t o c t a v e s o f t h e k e y b o a r d .
T h i s sam e r a n g e w as a c t i v a t e d b y t h e s o s t e n u t o
pedal
t h r o u g h o u t F a n t a s y - P i e c e s I I a n d I I I o f M a k ro k o sm o s, V o l.
I a n d F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I I a n d IV o f M ak ro k o sm o s, V o l . I I ;
th e K la n g id e a l o f a l l f i v e
p ie c e s i s
Two s p e c i a l e f f e c t s b e l o n g t o
M ovem ent I :
c lo s e ly r e l a te d .
t h e so u n d v o c a b u l a r y o f
bow ed v i b r a p h o n e , a n d a n e f f e c t p r o d u c e d b y
o p e r a t i n g t i m p a n i p e d a l s w h i l e a t t h e sam e t im e s t r i k i n g
c r o t a l e s w h ic h h a v e b e e n p l a c e d o n t h e t i m p a n i m e m b ra n e s .
A lo n g w i t h t h e s e e f f e c t s ,
m e n ts a r e
a n um ber o f p e r c u s s io n i n s t r u
i m p o r t a n t t o t h e s o n i c a m b ie n c e o f N o c t u r n a l
S o u n d s ; n a m e ly ( i n
te m p le b e l l s ;
t h e i r o rd e r o f o c c u rre n c e ),
g l a s s w in d c h im e s ; c l a v e s ;
s le ig h b e ll s ;
Japanese
v i b r a p h o n e ; m a r a c a s ; bam boo w in d c h im e s ;
la rg e
te m p l e b l o c k s ; x y l o p h o n e ;
s u s p e n d e d c y m b a l; l a r g e t a m - ta m ;
^rom a c o n v e r s a t i o n w i t h G e o rg e C rum b, 10 J u n e 1 9 7 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-322g lo c k e n s p ie l;
c ro ta le s
i n c o n j u n c t i o n w i t h p e d a l e d t im
p a n i; a n d s i z z l e c y m b a ls .
A l l e v e n ts u n f o ld w i t h in a co n
t e x t i n w h ic h m e lo d y i s d e e m p h a s iz e d a n d r h y th m r e m a in s
non p ro g r e s s io n a 1 .
A s t r o n g r e l a t i o n s h i p e x i s t s b e tw e e n t h e m ovem ent
u n d e r d i s c u s s io n a n d th e f o llo w in g p i e c e s :
F a n ta s y -P ie c e s
I I a n d X o f M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I , a n d F a n t a s y - P i e c e I o f
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I .
A ll f o u r a re g e n e ra te d in p itc h
n e a r l y e x c l u s i v e l y fro m s e m i to n e c e l l s o f t h r e e o r m ore
t o n e s , a n d a l l m ake c o n s i d e r a b l e u s a g e o f t h e p r e v i o u s l y
m e n tio n e d b l a c k - w h i te k ey d ic h o to m y .
ta in
s o n ic e n t i t i e s
d ire c tly
( th e s e
r e la te d
In a d d it i o n ,
fro m t h e s e e a r l i e r f a n t a s y
to c e r ta in
e n titie s
c er
p ie c e s a re
in N o c tu rn a l Sounds
r e l a t i o n s h i p s a r e p o i n t e d o u t i n t h e c o m m e n ta ry on
i n d i v i d u a l s o n ic e n t i t i e s ) .
I n te rm s o f p i t c h ,
n ex t in
t h e t h r e e - n o t e Bart<k c e l l i s
i m p o r t a n c e t o c h r o m a t i c c e l l s o f t h r e e o r m o re
s e m ito n e s .
V e r t i c a l c o in c id e n c e s a lm o s t w ith o u t e x c e p
t i o n ' r e d u c e t o
J u x ta p o s e d c h ro m a tic s e m ito n e s .
N o c tu rn a l Sounds i s
shaped in to a r a t h e r i n t r i
c a t e f o r m a l d e s i g n , w h ic h may b e o u t l i n e d
in
th e fo llo w in g
m an n e r:
A
From t h e b e g i n n i n g t h r o u g h t h e p e r c u s s i o n e n t i t y
( S o n i c - E n t i t y I V ) , s y s te m 1 , p a g e 6
A1
From t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e a b o v e t h r o u g h S o n i c E n t i t y IV a ( p e r c u s s i o n ) , s y s te m 2 , p a g e 6
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 2 3 A2
From t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e a b o v e t h r o u g h S o n i c E n t i t y IVb ( p e r c u s s i o n ) , s y s te m 2 , p a g e 7
o f page 8
C o m p ris e d o f t h e e n t i r e t y
From t h e b e g i n n i n g o f p a g e 9 , u p t o t h e c o n c l u d i n g
( c r o t a l e - o n - t i m p a n i ) e n t i t y , s y s te m 3, p a g e 10
C oda
R e m a in d e r
I,
II,
III,
a n d IV
S o n i c - E n t i t y I e m b o d ie s t h e i n t e r v a l l i c
o f th e e n t i r e w o rk :
m e n ts , t h e f i r s t
m2 / m 2.
fo u r a re
a m2 / m3 i n t e r v a l l i c
e ra te .
Of f iv e
n u c le u s
subsequent s ta te
in te rv a llic a lly
a lte re d
to e x p re ss
c e l l t h u s e m p h a s i z i n g t h a t c o n g lo m
The f i n a l o c c u r r e n c e
( I e ) c o n t a i n s two v e r s i o n s o f
th e o r i g i n a l th re e -s e m ito n e c e l l
The s e c o n d e n t i t y
( s e e e x a m p le 1 9 1 ) .
f o r m u l a t i o n c o n t a i n s tw o com
p o n e n ts s e p a r a te d by a b r i e f p a u s e ; th e s e c o n d co m p o n en t
r e ite ra te s
t h e m2 / m2 c e l l o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I , w h i l e t h e
f i r s t e x p r e s s e s a M2 /
b a s is o f th e th r e e
a re n o t g rac e n o te s )
In i t s
M3 c e l l .
M2 /
f u n d a m e n ta l to n e s
o f th e e n ti t y
o r i g i n a l fo rm , S o n i c - E n t i ty
M3 i s a l s o
( i.e .
th e
t h o s e w h ic h
c o n s id e r e d a s a w h o le .
I I b e a rs a r e l a ti o n
s h i p t o S o n i c - E n t i t y I I o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e I I , M a k ro k o s m o s ,
V o l. I
( s e e e x a m p le 7 0 ) .
The s e c o n d s t a t e m e n t o f t h i s
e n tity
(S o n ic -E n tity
f o llo w s im m e d ia te ly ; i t
Ila )
is a lte re d
c o n s i d e r a b l y i n p i t c h a n d r h y th m , a l t h o u g h t h e t h r e e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 2 4 f u n d a m e n t a l t o n e s s t i l l e x p r e s s a M2 / M3 i n t e r v a l l i c
( s e e e x a m p le 1 9 1 )*
c e ll
e n te r s
in
s e c tio n A l.
A t h ir d and f i n a l u tte r a n c e
I t is
rh y th m ic a lly i d e n t i c a l to
th e o r i g i n a l fo rm , b u t en c o m p a sses a s l i g h t i n t e r v a l l i c
d e v ia tio n .
F o llo w in g th e i n i t i a l e n u n c ia t io n o f S o n i c - E n t i ty
II,
S o n ic -E n tity I I I r e c e iv e s th re e a r t i c u l a t i o n s th e
o n ly th r e e to o c c u r.
s id e r a b le
Two i n g r e d i e n t s w h ic h r e c e i v e c o n
t r e a t m e n t l a t e r o n fo rm a p a r t o f t h i s
a f iv e -to n e
c h ro m a tic c e l l ,
and a m u ltip le
g e s tu r e :
s u c c e s s io n o f
g race n o te s .
Ex. 191.
S o n ic -E n titie s I , I I ,
s y s te m 1 , M ovem ent I ,
-I-
-II-
-Ila -
-III-
-III-
page 6,
-Illa -
Pianel
P e rc u s s io n in s tru m e n ts a re u t i l i z e d
t im e i n
s e ttin g
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV i n t o
f o r th e f i r s t
reso n a n c e .
The f o u r t h
g iv e n t h r e e e n u n c ia t io n s ;
th e s e
s e r v e t o c o n c l u d e s e c t i o n s A , A l , a n d A2 r e s p e c t i v e l y som e
w hat i n th e m anner o f a r e f r a i n .
J a p a n e s e te m p le b e l l s , a l a r g e
a re
re q u ire d .
In e a c h i n s t a n c e ,
th re e
ta m - ta m , a n d a v i b r a p h o n e
T he f i n a l o f t h e t h r e e
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-3 2 5 S o n i c - E n t i t y IV i s
p r o d u c e d b y d r a w in g a c o n t r a b a s s bow
a c r o s s a v ib ra p h o n e p l a t e ; a h a u n tin g a n d m y s te rio u s e f f e c t
re s u lts .
In te rv a llic a lly ,
s e m i n a l m2 / m2 c e l l .
th is
e n t i t y c o n s is t s o f th e
T he s e c o n d a n d t h i r d
r e s p e c t i v e l y t r a n s p o s e d u p a m in o r t h i r d ;
t h e c o m b in e d p i t c h e s o f IV ,
s ta te m e n ts a re
a s a consequence,
I V a , a n d IV b c o n s t i t u t e a
h e x a c h o rd o f ju x ta p o s e d s e m ito n e s .
S o n i c - E n t i t y IV , p a g e 6 , s y s t e m 1 , M ovem ent I ,
M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
Ex. 192.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V, V I , V I I , V I I I , a n d IX
S e c t i o n A b e g i n s w i t h S o n i c - E n t i t y V, a n a c c e l
e ra n d o g e s tu r e o f e m b e llis h e d r e p e a te d
c o n s is ts in
o t h e r p r o n o u n c e m e n ts a l s o
s ta te m e n t i s
era n d o - r ita r d a n d o
o r ig in a l.
p a tte rn
IV o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e
in te rv a llic
r e ta in e d ,
T h is e n t i t y
II,
T h re e
t r a n s p ir e d u r in g th e c o u rs e o f
N o c tu rn a l S o u n d s; in a l l ) t h e
In itia l
t o n e s , w h ic h a g a i n
p i t c h o f a t h r e e - n o t e c h ro m a tic c e l l .
s tru c tu re
o f th e
w h ile r h y th m ic a l ly , a n a c c e l
r e p l a c e s th e a c c e le ra n d o o f th e
h a s m uch i n common w i t h S o n i c - E n t i t y
M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
( s e e e x a m p le 6 3 ) .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-326Ex . 1 9 3 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V a n d V a, p a g e 6 , s y s te m s 1 a n d
2 , M ovem ent I , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
A flo u ris h
o f tw e n ty -fo u r r a p id to n e s e n g en d ered
in p itc h
p r i m a r i l y f ro m t h e t h r e e - n o t e B a r t o k c e l l c o n
s titu te s
S o n i c - E n t i ty V I.
th e B a r to k c e l l s
f a l l in to
P i t c h e s n o t e m a n a t in g fro m
t h r e e - n o t e c h ro m a tic c e l l s .
Two v a r i e d r e s t a t e m e n t s a r e e n u n c i a t e d b o t h i n
A 2.
T h ese a r e
w h ile r e t a i n i n g
s e c tio n
p re s e n te d in o v e rla p p in g j u x ta p o s it io n , an d ,
t h e c e l l u l a r c o m p o n e n ts o f t h e o r i g i n a l ,
u n d e rg o rh y th m ic p e r m u ta tio n a n d a r e
s h o rte n e d
to
t w e n ty -
one n o t e s .
Ex. 1 9 4 .
S o n i c - E n t l t i e s V I, V ia , an d V Ib , p a g e s 6 an d 7 ,
s y s te m s 2 a n d 1 r e s p e c t i v e l y , M ovem ent I , M akro
ko sm o s I I I
Via-
|- V I b -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 2 7 The s e v e n t h , e i g h t h , a n d n i n t h
p o n e n ts a r e
tiv e ly .
s t r u c t u r a l com
s t a t e d b u t f o u r , o n e , a n d tw o t im e s r e s p e c
S o n ic -E n tity V II i s a r t i c u l a t e d
b y m a r a c a s o r wood b l o c k s ;
tu r a l in fu n c tio n .
S o n ic -E n tity V II.
m2 / m3 i n t e r v a l l i c
it
in a l l in sta n c e s
i s m o re o r n a m e n ta l t h a n s t r u c
B o th s t a t e m e n t s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y
IX a r e g e n e r a t e d i n p i t c h b y m e a n s o f t h e p e r v a s i v e m2 / m2
c e ll;
th e y a p p e a r in o v e rla p p in g i m i t a t i o n .
S o n ic -E n titie s
IX a n d IX a c o n t a i n s f i v e a n d s i x c h r o m a t i c s e m i to n e s r e s p e c
tiv e ly .
Ex. 195.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V I I , l a , V I I I , l i b , IX , a n d IX a ,
p a g e 6 , s y s te m 2 , M ovem ent I , M akrokosm os I I I
-VIII.
-Ia ;
-VII-
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X, X I, X I I , X I I I , X IV , XV, XVI, a n d X V II
W ith S o n i c - E n t i t y X, s e c t i o n A2 i s
in itia te d .
e v e n t i s a h y b r id o f S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V a n d V I, s in c e i t
T h is
in
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-328e s s e n c e c o n s i s t s o f t h e r h y th m o f t h e f o r m e r a n d t h e
in te rv a llic
c e l l s o f th e l a t t e r .
th e i n i t i a l
tw o ( i m i t a t i v e )
Ex. 196.
No r e c u r r e n c e s f o l l o w
s ta te m e n ts .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X a n d X a, p a g e 6 ,
M ovem ent I , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
s y s te m 2 ,
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X I a n d X I I e a c h r e c e i v e b u t tw o
u tte r a n c e s .
The e l e v e n t h e n t i t y
is
c o m p r i s e d o f tw o com
p l e m e n t a r y w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e s w h ic h a r e
a n o th e r i n s y m m e tr ic a l f a s h i o n .
p i t t e d a g a in s t one
E ach p r e s e n t a t i o n o f t h i s
e v e n t e m b o d ie s t h e t o t a l c h r o m a t i c o n tw o p i t c h
le v e ls
( s e e e x a m p le 1 9 6 ) .
S o n i c - E n t i t y X I I w h ic h i n i t s
tw o s t a t e m e n t s i s
s o u n d e d b y bam boo a n d g l a s s w in d c h im e s r e s p e c t i v e l y
se rv e s p r in c ip a lly
Ex. 197.
to e n ric h tim b ra l i n t e r e s t .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s XI a n d X I I ( i n i t i a l p r e s e n t a t i o n s ) ,
p a g e 7 , s y s te m 1 , M ovem ent I , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
In i t s
t h e m2 / m2 c e l l ,
m ic c h a r a c t e r i s
ra p id s ta c c a to
sounded th re e
tim e s i n
f i r s t d e c la m a tio n ,
t im e s i n
p i t c h d e r i v e s fro m
w h ic h u n f o l d s o n tw o p i t c h
p rin c ip a lly
sec
s e c t i o n C (b y t h e
le v e ls .
R h y th
d e fin e d by a b r i e f s e r i e s
re p e a te d to n e s .
of
S u b seq u en t s ta te m e n ts a r e
a l l v a rie d
to d i f f e r i n g d e g re e s , b u t e n ti t y
m a in ta in e d
( s e e e x a m p le 1 9 8 ) .
id e n tity
is
The f o u r t e e n t h m em ber o f t h e m o s a i c - l i k e s t r u c t u r e
o f N o c tu rn a l Sounds s h a r e s a s tr o n g a f f i n i t y w ith S o n ic E n titie s
Id and Ie o f F a n ta s y -P ie c e
( s e e e x a m p le 1 8 7 ) .
S o n ic -E n tity
t i o n A2 a n d f o u r t i m e s i n
p a rts ).
tic
In a l l
s e m ito n e s ,
se c o n d s i s
Ex. 198.
I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
IV o c c u r s t w i c e i n
s e c t i o n B ( a lw a y s i n
p re s e n ta tio n s,
sec
th e p ia n o
p i t c h r e d u c e s t o f i v e c h ro m a
th e r a p id r e p e t it i o n
o f tw o f a l l i n g m a j o r
is
p re s e n t.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X I I I , XIV, a n d X lV a, p a g e 7 ,
s y s te m 1 , M ovem ent I , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
it
is
g iv e n b u t a s in g le u t te r a n c e .
T h is
e n c o m p a s s e s t h e b l a c k - w h i t e k e y d ic h o to m y a l r e a d y
f re q u e n tly
re fe rre d
( in c o m p le te )
to , and ta k e s i t s
p e n ta to n ic
s c a le s .
p i t c h e s f ro m tw o
A c lo s e
re la tio n s h ip
e x i s t s b e tw e e n S o n i c - E n t i t y XV a n d S o n i c - E n t i t y IV o f
F a n t a s y - P i e c e X, M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
(c o m p a re e x a m p le s 1 2 2
and 1 9 9 ).
T he s i x t e e n t h u n i t o f e n t i t y
once in
s e c t i o n A2 a n d t h r e e
a b r u p t l e a p o f a m in o r n i n t h
te ris tic
of th is
e n tity .
tim e s in
is
to n e s
o rig in a l p re s e n ta tio n
The
to n e s; th e
to ta lity
of
e m b o d ie s f o u r c h r o m a t i c s e m i
( s e e e x a m p le 1 9 9 ) .
A tre m o lo - lik e e n ti t y
f ro m t h r e e
X V II.
s e c tio n C.
th e m o st c r i t i c a l c h a r a c
The f i r s t e n t r a n c e i n c l u d e s a n
a c c o m p a n im e n t b a s e d o n r e p e a t e d
th is
c o n s tru c tio n a p p e a rs
c h ro m a tic
in
th e p ia n o ( s ),
g e n e ra te d
s e m ito n e s r e p r e s e n t s S o n i c - E n t i ty
In s e c tio n B, s ta te m e n ts o f t h i s
e n t i t y a r e a lw a y s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 3 1 -
XVII.
Xllla-
-XV-
.x n g -^ -xvx-
"*1-XVIIa-
B ecause o f th e i n t r i c a c y o f e n t i t y
c o n s tru c tio n
in v o lv e d i n e a c h fo rm a l d i v i s i o n o f N o c tu rn a l S o u n d s, a
ta b le
s u m m a r iz in g e n t i t y
c o n te n t i s
p r o v id e d a f t e r a l l
e n t i t i e s w i t h i n a g i v e n s e c t i o n h a v e b e e n c o m m en ted u p o n .
T a b le X X X III.
O v e r a ll s t r u c t u r a l d e s ig n o f P a r t I i n
r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm a l UnHt :
S o n l c - E n t i ty C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g :
S e c tio n A
S e c tio n A l
S e c t i o n A2
ix a / P f . 1 1 7 , r v ,
f.
l7
X / F f . 137 / Xa
/ P f . j 7 , Vb / F f .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X V III a n d XIX.
The e n t r a n c e o f S o n i c - E n t i t y X V III c o i n c i d e s w i t h
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-332th e b e g in n in g o f s e c t i o n B.
T h is m o t i v e , w h ic h e n c o m p a s s e s
a c o m p l e te w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e , i s n o t a b l e f o r i t s
i v e l y q u i c k e n i n g r h y th m ic v a l u e s .
p ro g re ss
V a r i e d f o rm s o f t h e
e i g h t e e n t h m o d u la r c o m p o n e n t i n a l t e r n a t i o n
w ith S o n ic -
E n t i t y X V I I - - c o m p r i s e t h e l a r g e s t p a r t o f s e c t i o n B, a n d
s e rv e s to s i g n i f i c a n t l y
in c r e a s e th e g e n e ra l le v e l o f in
t e n s i t y n e a r th e c o n c lu s io n o f t h a t s e c t io n .
Ex. 2 0 0 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X V III a n d X V I I I a , p a g e 9 , s y s te m
1 , M ovem ent I , M ak ro k o sm o s I I I
Pianol
The o n l y o t h e r u n i t o f c o n s t r u c t i o n
duced in s e c tio n B i s
t u r e w h ic h c o n s i s t s
th e v ib ra p h o n e
w ith a s in g l e
to be i n t r o
S o n i c - E n t l t y XIX, a n o r n a m e n ta l g e s
o f a g lis s a n d o o v e r th e e n ti r e
ran g e o f
( u s i n g tw o m a l l e t s ) a n d w h ic h i s c o n c lu d e d
sfo rz a n d o s tr o k e o f th e c la v e s .
a c a p t i v a t i n g to u c h o f to n e c o lo r .
I t p r o v id e s
No s u b s e q u e n t s t a t e
m e n ts a p p e a r .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 33Ex . 2 0 1 .
T a b le XXXIV. O v e r a l l s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n o f P a r t I I i n
r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
Formal U n it:
S e c tio n B
s tr u c tu r a l u n it d e riv e s d ir e c tl y
I o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I, M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
The
f ro m S o n i c - E n t i t y
( s e e e x a m p le 1 8 0 ) ,
a n d f ro m S o n i c - E n t i t y I o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s ,
V o l.
( s e e e x a m p le 1 0 9 ; a l s o
s e e t h e c o m m en ts c o n c e r n i n g
th e c o n s tr u c tio n o f th o s e e n t i t i e s ) .
w ith in t h i s
It
o c c u rs f iv e
tim e s
f i n a l d i v i s i o n o f fo rm , a n d s e r v e s to e n h a n c e
t h e g r o w in g l e v e l o f i n t e n s i t y
( s e e e x a m p le 2 0 2 ) .
^All e n t i t i e s a r e o v e r l a p p e d w i t h n e i g h b o r i n g
e n t i t i e s , b u t t h i s w o u ld b e t o o c u m b e rso m e t o sh o w i n t h i s
ta b le .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-33^F o u r s t a t e m e n t s o f S o n i e - E n t i t y XXI p r o v i d e a c o n
t in u u m o f u p p e r - r e g i s t e r r e s o n a n c e , a g a i n s t w h ic h a r e
m o re d y n a m ic p a t t e r n s .
In e a ch o c c u rre n c e ,
c o n s i s t s o f a c o m p l e te p e n t a t o n i c
w h ile v a rio u s f iv e - n o te
s ta te d
in
th is
e n tity
p i t c h g r o u p in g s a r e
A d e lic a te
o f F a n ta s y -
( c o m p a re e x a m p le s 137 a n d 2 0 2 ) .
b a c k d r o p o f s o u n d , w h ic h c o n t i n u e s t h r o u g h
m o st o f s e c t i o n C, r e s u l t s
In itia lly ,
fro m S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X X II a n d
S o n i c - E n t i t y X X II i s
v ib ra p h o n e a s a th r e e - n o te
(m2 /
s le ig h b e lls
E x. 2 0 2 .
I n t e r m s o f rh y th m
r e s e m b le s S o n i c - E n t i ty l i e
P i e c e I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
X X IIIa .
s c a l e on b la c k k e y s ,
( s c a le - w is e )
th e u p p e r v o ic e on w h ite k e y s .
and p itc h ,
set
th e lo w e r p a r t
p e rfo rm e d on t h e
m 2) t r i l l .
A f t e r tw o
ta k e o v e r
(X X IIa ).
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s XX, X X I, a n d X X II, p a g e 9,
s y s te m 1 , M ovem ent I , M ak ro k o sm o s I I I
-XXI-
I fwj p*Jal
tfirMgbOTt]
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
p ia n o n e a r th e
m id d l e o f s e c t i o n C ; t h e r e m a i n d e r o f N o c t u r n a l S o u n d s i s
f o r t h e m o s t p a r t f o rm e d b y v a r i e d s t a t e m e n t s o f t h i s
tu re .
In th e i n i t i a l a p p e a ra n c e ,
c h o rd s in
ges
th e l e f t and
r i g h t h a n d s b u i l t f ro m c o m p le m e n ta r y w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e s
t o g e t h e r e x p a n d f ro m f i v e
T h is p r o c e d u r e i s a l s o
The f i r s t
e n u n c i a t i o n o f S o n i c - E n t i t y X X I II b e g i n s a c a n o n
b e tw e e n t h e
in p itc h .
to sev en an d th e n to te n n o te s .
u s e d f o r m o st r e m a in in g s ta t e m e n t s .
tw o p i a n o s w h ic h i s
rh y th m ic a lly e x a c t b u t f re e
T h i s c a n o n , w h ic h g r e a t l y a d d s t o
in te n s ific a tio n
o f d y n a m ic s a n d e x p r e s s i o n ,
a t w e lv e - n o te tre m o lo i n e a c h p ia n o
2 , page 1 0 ),
p itc h e s
E x. 2 0 3 .
th e
to ta lity
t h e o n g o in g
c o n c lu d e s w ith
( n e a r t h e e n d o f s y s te m
o f w h ic h e x p r e s s e s n i n e t e e n
(X X IIIk ).
B e g i n n i n g o f c a n o n b a s e d o n S o n i c - E n t i t y X X I II ,
p a g e s 9 a n d 1 0 , s y s te m s 2 a n d 1 r e s p e c t i v e l y ,
M ovem ent I , M ak ro k o sm o s I I I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 3 6 N ear i t s
t e r m i n a t i o n , t h e tim e i n t e r v a l s e p a r a t i n g t h e
le a d e r an d f o llo w e r o f t h is canon i s
s h ifte d
fro m a q u a r
t e r n o te to an e ig h th n o te .
Ex. 20 4 .
C o n c l u d in g p o r t i o n o f c a n o n , i n c l u d i n g a n d
i m m e d ia te l y f o l l o w i n g r h y th m ic s h i f t , p a g e 1 0 ,
s y s te m 2 , M ovement I , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
The v i b r a p h o n e f u r n i s h e s a n a c c o m p a n im e n ta l b a c k
g ro u n d
ab o v e
( S o n i c - E n t i t y X X I II a ) t h r o u g h o u t t h e c a n o n d e s c r i b e d
( s e e e x a m p le 2 0 4 ) .
T h is p a r t i s
f r e e ly c o n s tr u c te d
f ro m t h o s e p i t c h c l a s s e s w h ic h o c c u r i n c l o s e
ab o v e, b u t th e s e a re
p r o x im ity
r e a r r a n g e d t o em body t h e f r e q u e n t l y
e n c o u n te r e d b la c k - w h ite k ey d ic h o to m y .
In o th e r w o rd s, a
l o w e r p l a n e w h ic h g r o u p s t o g e t h e r t h e f i v e
" b la c k k ey s i s
p i t t e d a g a i n s t a n u p p e r p la n e o f c o n te x t u a ll y a s s o c i a t e d
" w h i te " k e y s w h ic h move p r o g r e s s i v e l y u p w a rd i n
n a te ly
p r e d o m i
s t e p w i s e m o ti o n .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 3 7 The l a r g e t r e m o lo m e n t i o n e d on p a g e 3 ^ 6 ( x x i l l k )
le a d s d i r e c tl y
Sounds
u n iso n c l u s t e r s
te n th
in to
t h e p r i n c i p a l c li m a x o f N o c t u r n a l
( S o n i c - E n t i t y X X IV ).
in
in
T h is c li m a c t ic a p e x i n v o lv e s
t h e p i a n o s s p a n n in g t h e i n t e r v a l o f a
th e lo w e s t ra n g e o f th e k e y b o a rd .
P r e v io u s ly , no
t o n e l o w e r t h a n s m a l l B - f l a t h a d s o u n d e d a f a c t w h ic h
h e lp s to e x p la in th e e x tr a o r d i n a r i l y
a t th is
p o in t.
p o w erfu l e f f e c t f e l t
A l a r g e ta m - ta m a l s o g r e a t l y e n h a n c e s t h e
le v e l o f in te n s ity .
Ex. 2 0 5 .
C l i m a c t i c a p e x ( S o n i c - E n t i t y XXIV) sh o w n w i t h
p e n u ltim a te e v e n t ( S o n ic - E n tity X X IIIk ), page
1 0 , s y s te m s 2 a n d 3 r e s p e c t i v e l y , M ovem ent I ,
M ak ro k o sm o s I I I
C o in c id in g w ith a c li m a c t ic
le s s in te n s e
tio n e d c ro ta le s - o n - tim p a n i e n t i t y
page 3 2 0 ).
re p e rc u s s io n
t h a n t h e p r im a r y c l i m a x ) i s
(so m e w h a t
t h e p r e v i o u s l y men
( S o n i c - E n t i t y XXV; s e e
T h i s f i n a l c o n s t r u c t i o n a l i d e a , w h ic h f o r m s t h e
e n t i r e c o d a , e x p re s s e s a w r i t t e n - o u t r ita n d a n d o in v o lv in g
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 3 8 n in e s u c c e s s iv e r h y th m ic u n i t s o f p r o g r e s s i v e l y d im in
is h in g d u r a tio n a l v a lu e s .
by a s i z z l e
c y m b a l.
f o u r - n o te B a r to k c e l l s
Ex. 2 0 6 .
A b i t o f to n e c o lo r i s ad d ed
T he c r o t a l e
(c irc le d
p i t c h e s e n c o m p a s s tw o
in
th e f o llo w in g e x a m p le ).
S o n i c - E n t i t y XXV ( c o d a ) , sh o w n i n i t s e n t i r e t y
e x c e p t f o r a c o n c lu d in g fra g m e n t, p ag e 1 0 ,
s y s te m 3 , M ovem ent I , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
T a b le XXXV. O v e r a l l s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n o f P a r t I I I i n
r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm a l U n i t :
S e c tio n C
S o n l c - E n t i ty C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g :
= XX, XXI ( b e g u n ) X X II ( b e g u n ) V i l l a , l b , Vb,
X I I I c , XXa, X H I d , XXIa ( b e g u n ) X H I e , XXI
( c o m p l e t e d ) , X V IIg , I c , X V Ia, X l l l f , XXb,
X l l l g , X V Ib, XXIb ( b e g u n ) XXIa ( c o m p l e t e d ) ,
X V IIh , I d , XXc, XXIc ( b e g u n ) X I I I h , XXIb
( c o m p l e t e d ) , X V I I i , X X II ( c o m p l e t e d ) X X IIa
( b e g u n ) ( c a n o n i n p i a n o s b a s e d o n X X I II
v i b r a p h o n e h a s a c c o m p a n im e n ta l m a t e r i a l ) ,
X X I I I k , XXIV, I e , X X I II 1 ( P f . I ) / X X IIIm
( P f . I I ) , XXd,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 3 9 M ovem ent I I
( W a n d e r e r- F a n ta s y )
An a t m o s p h e r e o f p e a c e f u l s e r e n i t y ,
s u p p o rte d by
s lo w n o n p r o g r e s s i o n a l r h y th m , p e r m e a t e s W a n d e r e r - F a n t a s y ,
p ro v id in g p s y c h o lo g ic a l r e le a s e
te n s io n rea c h e d in th e
f ro m t h e h i g h l e v e l o f
p r e v i o u s m o v e m e n t.
o f th e g e s tu r e d ecay v a r ie ty
a u n i q u e s o n i c a m b ie n c e w h ic h r e s u l t s
d e g r e e fro m t h e
d u c tio n :
p iz z ic a to
s u p p o rtin g
to a s ig n i f ic a n t
f o l l o w i n g u n u s u a l m o d es o f t i m b r a l p r o
p la y in g s lid e w h is tle s in to
dam per p e d a ls d e p r e s s e d ) ;
c lu s te rs
Sound s t r u c t u r e
p e rv a d e s th ro u g h o u c ,
th e p ia n o s
p iz z ic a to f i f t h
(w ith
p a r t i a l h a rm o n ic s ;
s e c o n d p a r t i a l h a rm o n ic s ; a n d o n - t h e - s t r i n g
( p l a y e d w i t h t h e p a lm o f t h e h a n d ) .
The p i t c h c o n t e n t o f t h i s m o v em en t e m a n a t e s f o r
th e m o st p a r t fro m p e n ta t o n ic a n d w h o le -to n e s c a l e s .
M e lo d ic m o ti o n i s
i n M ovem ent I .
p r e d o m i n a n t l y c o n j u n c t , a s w as t h e c a s e
M in o r - th ir d and m a jo r-s e c o n d o s c i l l a t i o n
s e r v e s a n i m p o r t a n t a c c o m p a n im e n ta l f u n c t i o n .
Much o f t h e
p i e c e 's m a t e r i a l i s
g ro u p ed r h y th m ic a lly i n to u n i t s
q u a n ti t ie s ) o f f iv e
(as i s
p o in te d o u t i n
(o r
t h e c o m m e n ta ry
on i n d iv i d u a l s o n ic e n t i t i e s ) .
S t r u c t u r a l p a r t i t i o n s an d t h e i r l o c a t io n s w ith in
W a n d e r e r - F a n t a s y a r e g i v e n b e lo w :
In tro d u c tio n
A
E n tir e ty o f f i r s t
s y s te m
F ro m t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s t e m 2 , u p t o
th e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 4 0 e v e n t i n P ia n o I c o n s i s t i n g o f f i f t h p a r t i a l
p i z z i c a t o h a rm o n ic s on g r e a t A a n d g r e a t Fs h a rp ( S o n ic - E n tity V a), lo c a te d n e a r th e
c o n c l u s i o n o f s y s te m 2 , p a g e 11
Al
F rom S o n i c - E n t i t y V a, u p t o S o n i c - E n t i t y V b,
l o c a t e d n e a r t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 4 , p a g e 11
B rid g e
From S o n l c - E n t i t y Vb t h r o u g h t h e f i v e - s e c o n d
f e r m a t a l o c a t e d n e a r t h e m id d l e o f s y s te m 4 ,
p a g e 11
C oda
R e m a in d e r
I,
II,
III,
S o n ic -E n titie s
a n d IV
I th ro u g h
IV , w h ic h a r e p e r f o r m e d
b y tw o s l i d e w h i s t l e s , m ake u p t h e e n t i r e
coda;
th e y do n o t a p p e a r e ls e w h e r e .
r e s ta te m e n t o f th e in tr o d u c tio n ,
s h o rte n in g .)
S o n ic -E n tity
p r o g re s s io n :
M7 ( u p ) /
I i s a s i m p l e t h r e e - t o n e m e lo d ic
in tr o d u c e s th e s t r u c t u r a l l y
its
q u i n t u p l e t r h y th m
im p o r ta n t u n i t o f f i v e .
S o n ic -
w h ic h c o n t a i n s a d e s c e n d i n g h o r i z o n t a l m2 / m2
s u c c e s s io n i s
The f o u r t h
The s e c o n d u n i t o f
c o n s is ts o f fo u r p itc h c la s s e s
d e r i v e d f ro m a w h o l e = to n e s c a l e ;
E n tity I I I ,
an ex act
except fo r a s lig h t fo re
m3 ( d o w n ) .
s o n ic - e n tity c o n s tr u c tio n
i n tr o d u c ti o n and
(T h e c o d a i s
o f m om ent o n l y i n
s o n ic e n t i t y
s e v e n t h s w h ic h a r e
th e in tr o d u c tio n and co d a.
e m b o d ie s r e p e a t i n g s e q u e n t i a l m a j o r
re m in is c e n t o f th e w h is tle d m a te r ia l a t
t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f E c h o e s o f T im e a n d t h e R i v e r .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-341E x . 207.
system l , Movement
11 ,
MaKroKo3mos m
S o n ic -E n titie s V and VI
The r e m a i n i n g s u b s t a n c e o f W a n d e r e r - F a n t a s y i s
e n u n c i a t e d b y t h e tw o p i a n o s .
S o n ic - E n tity V open3
s e c t i o n s A a n d A l , a s w e l l a s t h e c o n n e c t i v e b r i d g e w h ic h
i m m e d ia te l y p r e c e d e s t h e c o d a .
tio n s ,
tw o t o n e s a r e a r t i c u l a t e d
b y P ia n o I I .
m in o r t h i r d
in
fifth
p a r t i a l h a rm o n ic s
S t a t e m e n t s V a n d Va em body t h e i n t e r v a l o f a
dow n, w h i l e Vb a n d Vc e a c h e n c o m p a s s t h e i n t e r
v a l o f a d e s c e n d i n g m in o r s i x t h .
tio n s h ip
In e a ch o f fo u r d e c la r a
(No c o m b i n a t i o n a l r e l a
i s a p p a r e n t am ong t h e p i t c h c l a s s e s
in v o lv e d in
th e fo u r s ta te m e n ts o f S o n ic -E n tity V .)
I n r h y th m , a l l
p re s e n ta tio n s o f th is
g e s tu r e a r e
id e n tic a l
( s e e e x a m p le 2 0 8 ) .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V I , V i a , V I b , a n d V ic e n t e r i n
o v e rla p p in g
ju x ta p o s itio n .
C o n s id e re d a s a u n i t ,
a c q u ir e t im b r a l i n t e r e s t th ro u g h th e a lt e r n a t i o n
c a t o a n d m odo o r d i n a r i o
p ro d u c tio n .
th e y
of p iz z i
The p i t c h e s i n v o l v e d
i n t h e s e i n i t i a l f o u r p r e s e n t a t i o n s D, E , G, a n d A (M2 /
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-342m2 /
M 2) a r e o b v i o u s l y p e n t a t o n i c
in o r ig i n .
S o n ic -
E n t i t i e s V I d , V i e , V l f , a n d V Ig a r e e x a c t t r a n s p o s i t i o n s
of th e ir p red e c e sso rs.
o f S o n ic - E n t i ty V I,
and i s
e q u iv a le n t to
Ex. 208.
In e ig h t o f th e n in e d e c la m a tio n s
t h e rh y th m i s
th a t o f th e o r ig i n a l,
f iv e e ig h th n o te s .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V, V I , V i a , V I b , a n d V i c , p a g e
1 1 , s y s te m 2 , M ovement I I , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
-V ia -
-V I o -
V-
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V I I , V I I I , a n d IX
T he s e v e n t h s o n i c e n t i t y
a lte rn a te ly
is u tte re d
i n v o k i n g modo o r d i n a r i o ,
p a r t i a l h a r m o n i c s , a n d s im p le p i z z i c a t o
b o th p ia n o s .
e ig h t tim e s ,
p iz z ic a to
The f i v e n o t e s a n d t h r e e
seco n d
p la y in g , a l l
in
p itc h c la s s e s o f
t h e o r i g i n a l a r e a c c o m p a n ie d i n t h e u p p e r v o i c e b y V i l a ,
w h ic h c o n t a i n s
e v e n t l ik e
se v e n n o te s and f o u r p i tc h c l a s s e s .
T h is
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I i s e q u i v a l e n t t o a p e n t a t o n i c
s c a le la c k in g one p i tc h :
M2 / m3 ( /
i s a p p a r e n t b e tw e e n t h i s e n t i t y ;
M 2 ).
C lo s e c o n g r u ity
S o n ic -E n tity VI o f F a n ta s y -
P i e c e X I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l. I I ; a n d S o n i c - E n t i t y X I I o f
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 4 3 F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l .
183,
( c o m p a re e x a m p le s
102, and 2 0 9 ).
A l s o a c c o m p a n y in g t h e i n i t i a l o c c u r r e n c e o f S o n i c -
E n t i t y V I I a r e S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X I I I a n d IX o s c i l l a t i n g
c e s s i o n s o f m in o r t h i r d s a n d m a j o r s e c o n d s ,
T hese e a ch r e c e iv e
tw o s t a t e m e n t s I n
S o n ic -E n tity V III r e q u ir e s
S o n ic -E n tity
p iz z ic a to
s im ila r c o n te x ts ;
p r o d u c tio n , w h ile
IX u t i l i z e s modo o r d i n a r i o
so u n d .
th e y p r o v id e a t i m b r a l b a c k g ro u n d o f i n t e r e s t i n g
Ex. 20 9 .
suc
re s p e c tiv e ly .
T o g e th e r,
p u ls a tio n .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V I I , V i l a , V l l b , V I I I , a n d IX ,
p a g e 1 1 , s y s te m 2 , M ovem ent I I , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
Pf. II
Sonic-Entity X
The final constructional formulation to be dis
cussed Sonic-Entity X is a steady series of sixteenth
notes moving in parallel major sevenths.
Melodic suc
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 4 4 f o r S o n i c - E n t i ti e s V IIc an d V llg .
A c lo s e c o r r e la tio n
e x i s t s b e tw e e n S o n i c - E n t i t y X a n d S o n i c - E n t i t y I I I o f
F a n t a s y - P i e c e X I I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
( c o m p a re e x a m p le s
131 a n d 2 1 0 ) .
Ex. 210.
S o n i c - E n t i t y X (sh o w n w i t h S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I c ) ,
p a g e 1 1 , s y s te m 2 , M ovem ent I I , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
S o n i c - E n t i t y C o n t e n t a n d O r d e r i n g .1
:
I n tr o d u c tio n = I , l a , I I ,
W h is tle y
I I I , I l a , I l i a , IV / S l i d e / IV a / S l i d e - W h i s t l e 1 / 7 , l b ,
S e c tio n A
= V, V I , V i a , V I b , V i c , V I I , V I I I , V i l a ,
V l l b , X, V I I c ,
S e c tio n A l
= V a , V I d , V i e , V l f , V Ig , V l l d , V i l l a ,
V i l l a , V l l f , IX b , V U I b , X a, V l l g ,
B rid g e
= V b, V I h , V I I , V c , V I j , V I k ,
C oda
= A, l a ,
II,
III,
I la ,
Ic,
IX ,
V ile ,
Ilia
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 4 5 M ovem ent I I I
(T h e A d v e n t )
F iv e fo rm a l d i v is io n s c o n s t i t u t e th e l a r g e - s c a le
s tr u c tu r e
o f M ovem ent I I I ;
t h e s e may b e c o n v e n i e n t l y
d e s c r ib e d and p in p o in te d in th e
A
s c o re a s f o llo w s :
M e asu re s 1 th ro u g h 8
A1
M e a s u r e s 9 t h r o u g h 15
F rom t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f A1 t h r o u g h s y s te m 1 o f
p a g e 14
F ro m t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 2 , p a g e 1 4 , t h r o u g h
t h e i n t e r r u p t i o n o f S o n i c - E n t i t y IX g i n t h e m id d l e
o f s y s te m 1 , p a g e 15
Cl
R e m a in d e r
The c o m b i n a t i o n o f s e c t i o n s B , C , a n d C l i s
sy n o n y m o u s w i t h F a n t a s y - P i e c e
V o l. I I
e s s e n tia lly
IV ( T w in S u n s ) o f M a k ro k o s m o s ,
(se e p ag es 2 6 4 -2 6 9 ).
S e c tio n A ( in th e
th e l a r g e s t s e n s e ,
o v e rp o w e rin g c lim a x .
m ea su re 8 .
p ie c e u n d e r d is c u s s io n )
one b o ld p r o tr a c t e d
is ,
The c l i m a c t i c a p e x i s a t t a i n e d
The p r o c e s s i s
in
t h r u s t to w a r d a n
in
t h e n r e p e a t e d a m in o r t h i r d
l o w e r i n A l , w h ic h i s a n e x a c t t r a n s p o s i t i o n o f A .
I n f l u e n t i a l in d e te rm in in g th e d i s t i n c t i v e
m ilie u o f s e c tio n A a re
e ff e c ts :
m u te d s t r i n g s ;
p iz z ic a ti,
a n um ber o f A l p h a - G li s s a n d i .
a la rg e
sound
th e f o llo w in g i n s i d e - t h e - p ia n o
s c ra p e d s t r i n g s , and
F o u r p e rc u s s io n in s tr u m e n ts
s u s p e n d e d c y m b a l, t u b u l a r b e l l s , a su s p e n d e d
" T h u n d e r " s h e e t , a n d t a m - ta m s a r e a l s o
im p o r ta n t
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-346c o n trib u to rs .
T he p r e d o m i n a n t l y lo w p i t c h r a n g e o f
s e c t i o n s A a n d A1 p r o v i d e s a n e f f e c t i v e c o n t r a s t t o
th e
r e l a t i v e l y h ig h r e g i s t e r o f th e r e m a in in g s e c t i o n s .
H a r m o n i c a l l y , p e r s i s t e n t u p w a rd a n d do w n w ard r o t a
t io n o f th e p i tc h c la s s e s F - s h a r p a n d C -s h a rp w ith in a one
an d o n e - h a l f o c ta v e ra n g e i s
F -sh arp to n a lity
r e s u lts
th e m o st c r u c i a l e le m e n t.
th ro u g h a s s e r ti o n ;
m a n n e r , s e c t i o n A1 p r o j e c t s a D - s h a r p t o n a l c e n t e r ,
a s tr u c tu r a lly
In th e re c o rd
tio n
An
i n t h e sam e
f o r m in g
i m p o r t a n t p o l a r i t y w i t h t h e o p e n in g s e c t i o n .
ja c k e t n o te s ,
t h e c o m p o s e r m ak e s t h e o b s e r v a
t h a t t h r o u g h o u t M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
The m o re o v e r t l y t o n a l p a s s a g e s c a n b e d e f i n e d
in term s o f th e b a s ic p o l a r i ty F -s h a rp --D -s h a rp
m in o r ( o r , e n h a r m o n i c a l l y , G - f l a t E - f l a t m i n o r ) .
T h i s (m o s t t r a d i t i o n a l ) p o l a r i t y i s t w i c e s t a t e d
i n "T he A d v e n t " i n t h e o p e n i n g c r e s c e n d o p a s
s a g e s / i . e . i n A a n d A_l7 ( " m a j e s t i c , l i k e a
l a r g e r 'r h y t h m o f n a t u r e " ) , a n d i n th e c o n c lu d in g
"Hymn f o r t h e N a t i v i t y o f t h e S t a r - C h i l d " / T . e .
in C and C i/.
I t i s s ta t e d on ce a g a in in
M u sic
o f t h e S t a r r y N i g h t " / i . e . i n M ovem ent V / w i t h
t h e q u o t a t i o n o f p a s s a g e s f ro m B a c h 's D - s h a r p
m in o r f u g u e ( W e l l- t e m p e r e d C l a v i e r , B ook I I ) a n d
a c o n c l u d i n g "S o n g o f R e c o n c i l i a t i o n " i n G - f l a t
( o v e r l a i d by a n i n t e r m i t t e n t l y re s o u n d in g " F iv e
f o l d G a l a c t i c B e l l s " i n F - s h a r p ) / a l s o i n M ove
m ent v 7 .
A little
th e p itc h
la r b e lls ,
c la s s e s
m o re t h a n h a lf w a y t h r o u g h s e c t i o n A,
G and C a re
s e t I n t o r e s o n a n c e by tu b u
f o r m in g i n c o m b i n a t i o n w i t h t h e p e r v a d i n g
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 4 7 F - s h a r p C - s h a rp a r p e g g i a t i o n , a f o u r - n o te B a r t^ k c h o rd .
P e r s is te n t s tr u c tu r a l u t il iz a ti o n
(o r c e l l ) ,
it
o f th e B a r to k c h o rd
w i l l b e r e m e m b e re d , i s a s t y l e
t r a i t sh a re d
b y a l l o f C ru m b s m a t u r e c o m p o s i t i o n s .
I n t e r m s o f r h y th m , a s t e a d y s t r e a m o f r a t h e r
s lo w ly - m o v in g l o w - r e g i s t e r e i g h t h n o t e s
p itc h c la s s e s o f F -s h a rp and C -sh a rp )
c re a te s
(e n c o m p a ss in g th e
(S o n ic -E n tity I I )
th e e f f e c t o f a r a t h e r s t a t i o n a r y b a c k g ro u n d ,
w h ic h , a c c o r d i n g t o
th e s c o re , i s
to be p e rfo rm e d " li k e
a l a r g e r r h y th m o f n a t u r e . "
COMMENTARY ON INDIVIDUAL SONIC EN TITIES
S o n ic -E n titie s
I,
The f i r s t
II,
and I I I
s o n ic e n t i t y a r t i c u l a t e s
C -s h a rp s im u lta n e o u s ly in
p ia n o s ;
w h ile i n
P ia n o I s t a t e s
P ia n o I I ,
a p p ears i n i t i a l l y
F -s h a rp and
th e lo w e s t r e g i s t e r o f th e
th e s e v ia p iz z ic a to
t h e y a r e m u te d .
i n m ea su re 2 ; i t
p ro d u c tio n ,
S o n ic -E n tity I I
e n ta ils
th e F -s h a rp
C -s h a rp a r p e g g ia tio n p r e v io u s ly r e f e r r e d t o .
S lig h tly
v a r i e d s t a t e m e n t s o f t h e s e c o n d c o n s t r u c t i o n a l m o d u le
p e rv a d e b o th th e re m a in d e r o f s e c t i o n A a n d s e c t i o n A l.
E ig h t e n u n c ia t io n s o f S o n i c - E n t i ty I I I th e A lp h a -G lis s a n d o
a l r e a d y c o m m en ted u p o n s o f r e q u e n t l y d u r i n g t h e c o u r s e o f
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 4 8 t h is a n a ly s is e n ric h
tim b ra l i n t e r e s t ,
c lu d in g m easu res o f th e
s e c tio n ,
d y n a m ic t e n s i o n .
In m ea su res 1 -5 ,
S o n ic -E n titie s
II,
I,
and I I I
an d , in th e con
s e rv e to
in te n s ify
th e c o m b in a tio n o f
f o rm a s t r i c t c a n o n a t t h e
u n i s o n , with t h e t im e i n t e r v a l o f o n e m e a s u r e .
Ex. 2 1 1 .
S o n ic - E n titie s I , l a , I I , I I I , and H a ,
s y s te m 1 , M ovem ent I I I , M ak ro k o sm o s I I I
page 12,
[J-*30, J***90]
01
|t e - I a
-III-
S o n ic -E n titie s
IV , V, V I , V I I , a n d V I I I
S o n ic -E n tity
is
IV , a s i n g l e
p r im a rily c o l o r i s t i c
in
sy sp en d e d cym bal s tr o k e ,
fu n c tio n .
s e v e n th , and e ig h th s o n i c - e n ti ti e s
a s d y n a m ic a n d e m o t i o n a l i n t e n s l f i e r s .
u tiliz e s
th e
a lte rn a tin g
p itc h
c la s s e s
The f i f t h ,
se rv e
s ix th ,
p r in c ip a lly
S o n ic -E n tity V
G a n d C t o f o rm a s e r i e s
p e rf e c t fo u rth s and f i f t h s
of
w h ic h r i s e s a n d
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 4 9 th e n f a l l s
to
Its
s ta rtin g
p o in t.
The f i f t h
e n tity
is
r e s o u n d e d b y t u b u l a r b e l l s ; a l r e a d y m e n t i o n e d w as t h e
f o u r - n o t e B a r t o k c h o r d c o n s t i t u t e d b y t h e c o m b in e d p i t c h
c la s s e s o f t h is
( i.e .
is
e v e n t and th o s e o f th e p e rv a d in g t e x t u r e
th o s e o f S o n ic - E n tity
p r e s e n t e d by P ia n o I I ,
II).
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I , w h ic h
c o n ta in s th e p itc h c la s s e s C
a n d G, w h ic h s o u n d tw o o c t a v e s b e lo w t h e i r o c c u r r e n c e i n
S o n ic -E n tity V.
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I p r o v i d e s , b y w ay o f a
m e ta l "T h u n d e r" s h e e t , a n i n c r e a s e
i n d y n a m ic i n t e n s i t y
a n d e x c ite m e n t im m e d ia te ly p r e c e d in g th e c l i m a c t i c a p e x .
Ex. 212.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s IV , V, V I , a n d V I I (sh o w n w i t h i n
t h e i r s u r r o u n d i n g c o n t e x t ) , p a g e 1 2 , s y s te m 2 ,
M ovem ent I I I , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
PdoHitU
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
it
c o n s i s t s o f tw o lo w r e g i s t e r c h o r d s o n e
i n e a c h p i a n o , t o g e t h e r f o r m in g a f o u r - n o t e B a r t o k c h o r d
b u i l t f ro m t h e p i t c h c l a s s e s
I I a n d V.
In a d d itio n
in tr o d u c e d by S o n i c - E n titi e s
t o S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I I , t h e c li m a x
c o n t a i n s tw o A l p h a - G l i s s a n d i , a n d tw o v a r i a n t s o f S o n i c E n tity
IV .
Ex. 21 3 .
C l i m a c t i c a p e x o f The A d v e n t , i n c l u d i n g S o n i c E n t i t i e s I I I , I V a , IV b , a n d V I I I , p a g e 1 2 ,
s y s te m 2 , M ovem ent I I I , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
in -
V III-
-III-
m
-V III
rtw
S o n ic -E n titie s
IX , X, X I , a n d X I I
S e c tio n B i s ,
i n e s s e n c e , a r e s c o r in g o f th e f i r s t
s e c t i o n o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e IV ( e n t i t l e d
T w in S u n s ) .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 5 1 M a k ro k o a m o s , V o l . I I .
u n d e r d is c u s s io n i s
E n tity
S o n i c - E n t i t y IX o f t h e m ovem ent
v irtu a lly
I o f T w in S u n s .
I t is
l a r n o t a t i o n o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e I V , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
is,
i n The A d v e n t, r e p l a c e d by c o n v e n ti o n a l n o t a t i o n .
T he s e c t i o n b e i n g c o n s i d e r e d o w es i t s
to
th e a d d it i o n a l p ia n o , a s w e ll a s to
c u s sio n
in s tru m e n ts ;
g r e a te r reso n an ce
th e fo llo w in g p e r
g l o c k e n s p i e l , s m a l l ta m - ta m , v i b r a
p h o n e , a n d a c y m b a l w h ic h i s
p l a c e d o n a t im p a n o a n d
p la y e d w h ile m a n ip u la tin g th e p e d a l o f t h a t in s tr u m e n t.
T he p r i n c i p a l s u b s t a n c e o f t h e o r i g i n a l i s d i v i d e d b e tw e e n
P ia n o I a n d P ia n o I I ,
w h ile a c o l o r i s t i c
u n iso n re in f o rc e m e n t,
is
to u c h , a s w e ll a s
p r o v id e d by p e r c u s s io n i n s t r u m e n t s .
'T h e c h i e f s t r u c t u r a l d i f f e r e n t i a t i o n
b e tw e e n t h i s
v e rs io n an d th e o r i g i n a l a p p e a rs fo llo w in g th e th r e e s e c o n d f e r m a t a s o n p a g e l* t, w h e r e p i t c h e s
a re
in th e p ia n o s
t r a n s p o s e d a n d t h r e e o rn a m e n ta l g e s t u r e s - - S o n i c - E n t i t i e s
X, X I , a n d X I I a r e a d d e d .
S o n i c - E n t i t y X ( t h e c y m b a l-o n
tim p a n o e n t i t y m e n t i o n e d e a r l i e r )
S o n i c - E n t i t y XXV o f M ovem ent I ,
e x a m p le 2 0 6 ) .
In th e s in g l e
X I, t h e v ib ra p h o n e r e i n f o r c e s
is d ire c tly
r e la te d
M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
to
(see
p r e s e n ta tio n o f S o n ic -E n tity
th e tr a n s p o s e d p ia n o p i tc h e s
w h ic h o c c u r a b o v e , a n d t h e n a d d s tw o n ew B a r t o k c h o r d s o f
its
ow n.
In a r t i c u l a t i n g
S o n i c - E n t i ti e s X II an d X lla ,
th e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 5 2 p i a n o s e m p lo y b o t h f i f t h
s im p le p i z z i c a t o .
p a r t i a l p i z z i c a t o h a rm o n ic s a n d
T he f i f t h
u n is o n , a n d th u s e m p h a s iz e s ,
s o n ic e n t i t y
d o u b le s a t th e
th e o u t e r p i tc h e s o f th e
a d d i t i o n a l B a r t o k c h o r d s p r o v id e d b y S o n i e - E h t i t y X I .
Ex. 21 4 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s IX d , IX e , X, X I , X I I , a n d X l l a
( a l t e r e d p o r t i o n ) , p a g e l 4 , s y s te m 1 , M ovem ent
I I I , M akrokosm o s I I I
- X I l a - jg
-IX e -
-X II-
T h ese f i n a l fo rm a l d i v i
Hymn f o r t h e N a t i v i t y
o f th e S t a r - C h i ld ; t o g e th e r th e y c o n s t i t u t e an expanded
e l a b o r a t i o n o f Hymn f o r t h e A d v e n t o f t h e S t a r - C h i l d .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 5 3 f ro m T w in S u n s ,
S e c tio n C l i e s a m a jo r t e n t h h i g h e r th a n
t h e o r i g i n a l , a n d e m p h a s iz e s a n F - s h a r p t o n a l c e n t e r ;
tio n Cl l i e s
s h a rp c e n te r .
Hymn f o r t h e N a t i v i t y i n c l u d e s a l a r g e
ta m , t u b u l a r b e l l s ,
p a ra lle l fo u rth s ,
s e c tio n C i s
g lo c k e n s p ie l,
tam
tw o -p a rt s in g in g in
v ib ra p h o n e , an d c r o t a l e s .
S tru c tu ra lly ,
a s t r i c t d u p l i c a t i o n o f Hymn f o r t h e A d v e n t
th ro u g h S o n ic -E n tity X lle .
(S o n ic - E n tity
sec
a m in o r n i n t h h i g h e r , a n d e m p h a s i z e s a D-
lie ),
w ith S o n ic - E n titie s
A f t e r th e a n a lo g o u s e v e n t
t h e o r i g i n a l w a s q u i c k l y c o n c lu d e d
I l f and I lg ;
in th e s e c tio n u n d e r d i s
c u s s i o n , ^ p o w e r f u l o v e r l a p p i n g s t a t e m e n t o f S o n i c - E n t i t y IX
re p la c e s
th e e x p e c te d c o n c lu s io n .
A fte r t h is
in te r ru p tio n ,
s e c tio n C l b e g in s .
E x. 215.
I n t e r r u p t i o n o f s e c t i o n C (IX g ) a n d b e g i n n i n g o f
s e c t i o n C l ( S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X H Ig / X I I I ) , page
1 4 , s y s t e m 1 , M ovem ent I I I , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
-IX g -
-x illg .
f m 'rn u
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-3 5 4 S e c tlo n C l i s
A dvent u p th ro u g h i t s
X III
(X H Ih ).
s tr u c tu r a lly
th ird
The m a in d i f f e r e n c e u p t o t h i s
t h a t th r e e o v e rla p p in g i m i t a t i v e
E n tity X III
s i m i l a r t o Hymn f o r t h e
p r e s e n ta tio n o f S o n ic -E n tity
( id e n t ic a l to
s e c t i o n C) a r e
th e f i r s t
in te rp o la te d
e n te rs .
its
in to
p o in t i s
s ta te m e n ts o f S o n ic th re e e n t i t i e s
of
t h e t e x t u r e b y P ia n o I I .
F o llo w in g t h i s
in te r ru p tio n ,
th e
e v e n t s w h ic h w o u ld h a v e p r o p e r l y c o n c l u d e d s e c t i o n C ( S o n i c E n titie s
X H I i an d X I I I j ) a r e e n u n c ia te d
th e o r i g i n a l a n a lo g u e s ).
th e r e fo llo w
(a m a jo r t e n t h ab o v e
D r a w in g The A d v e n t t o a c l o s e
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X H I k a n d X I I I 1 , w h ic h a r e t r a n s
p o s i t i o n s o f X l l l i a n d X I I I J r e s p e c t i v e l y , a n d w h ic h l i e
m in o r n i n t h a b o v e t h e a n a l o g o u s e n t i t i e s
o f Hymn f o r t h e
A d v e n t.
E x. 2 1 6 .
Pianol
1X1- nj
r*3ga
-Xllli
Ji
-x iii :
Piano U'
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 5 5 -
S o n lc - E n tlty C o n te n t and O r d e r in g :
S e c tio n A
= 1 , la , I I, I I I , I I, I, I I I , H a , lib , I,
I I I , l i e , I l a , l i b , IV , l i e , V, V I , V I I ,
I I I , l i d , V III (o c c u rs w ith I I I , I I I ,
I V a , a n d IV b )
S e c t i o n A1
= An e x a c t t r a n s p o s i t i o n
S e c tio n B
= IX , IX a , IX b , IX c , X, X I , IX d ,
X lla ,
S e c tio n C
= X III, X H Ia , X H Ib , X IIIc ,
X l l l e , IX g ,
S e c tio n C l
= X H I f, X III, X H Ig , X H Ia , X lllh , X H Ib ,
IX h , I X i , X l l l i , X I I I ,} , X H I k , X I I I 1
of s e c tio n A
IX e , X I I ,
IX f, X H Id ,
M ovem ent IV ( M y th )
P e rc u s s io n
in s tru m e n ts re s o n a te a l l
c o m p risin g th e m u sic a l f a b r ic
o f a fe w a d d i t i o n a l s p e c i a l e f f e c t s .
and E a s te rn
in s tru m e n ts p a r t i c i p a te
is
i n a d e c id e d ly e x o tic
T im b re a n d r h y th m a r e t h e p r im a r y d i m e n s io n s
o f c o n s tr u c tio n ; a lth o u g h a b s o lu te
it
A num ber o f A f r ic a n
in th e p ro c e s s o f un
f o ld in g s t r u c t u r a l e v e n ts , r e s u l ti n g
K la n g id e a l.
s o n ic e n t i t i e s
o f M y th , w i t h t h e e x c e p t i o n
o f s e c o n d a ry im p o r ta n c e .
p itc h i s a c o n s id e ra tio n ,
The d a m p e r p e d a l s o f b o t h
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 5 6 p ia n o s a r e d e p re s s e d th ro u g h o u t, f o r th e p u rp o se o f
a c o u s t i c a l l y e n h a n c in g a m b ie n t r e s o n a n c e .
Iso rh y th m ic o r g a n iz a tio n r e p r e s e n ts a p e rv a s iv e
s t r u c t u r a l m odus t h r o u g h o u t M y th .
ta le a s of th ir te e n ,
T h re e s t r i c t
re c u r r in g
s e v e n , an d e le v e n b a r s a r e s im u l
ta n e o u s ly u n f o ld e d a lo n g w ith a f o u r t h
p a r t w h ic h i s
o r g a n i z e d a l o n g d i f f e r e n t l i n e s i n f o r m in g t h e o v e r a l l
m u sic a l t e x t u r e .
The f i r s t p i a n i s t c o n d u c t s M yth ( u s i n g
a c r o t a l e b e a t e r a s a b a t o n ) ; r h y th m ic a c c u r a c y , w h ic h i s
re q u ire d fo r th e e f f e c tiv e
p r o je c ti o n o f th e is o r h y th m ic
c o n s tr u c tio n ,
is
th u s a s s u re d .
t u r a l d e s ig n ,
t h i s m ovem ent i s c o n t a i n e d w i t h i n a c o n
I n te r m s o f o v e r a l l s t r u c
tin u o u s o n e - p a r t fo rm .
B e c a u se o f th e u n iq u e t im b r a l q u a l i t i e s a n d
s t r u c t u r a l o r g a n i z a t i o n o f M ovem ent IV , a d e p a r t u r e i s
m ade, i n th e f o r e g o i n g a n a l y t i c a l d i s c u s s i o n ,
fo rm a t th u s f a r u t i l i z e d
f ro m t h e
f o r t h e M ak ro k o sm o s t r i l o g y .
S tr u c tu r a l D e ta ils
The f o l l o w i n g t a b l e r a t h e r b r i e f l y d e s c r i b e s t h e
s o n ic e n t i t i e s
d itin g
e m p lo y e d i n M yth f o r t h e p u r p o s e o f e x p e
th e a n a l y t i c a l d is c u s s io n to f o llo w
p r o v id e s a l i s t i n g
liz e d
in th is
( i t a ls o
o f a l l in s tru m e n ts an d e f f e c t s u t i
p ie c e ):
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 5 7 T a b l e XXXVI. A b r i e f g e n e r a l d e s c r i p t i o n o f a l l s o n i c
e n t i t i e s o c c u r r i n g i n M yth
E n tity :
D e s c r ip tio n :
S -E I
A l l e v e n t s i n v o l v i n g s p e c i a l t a m - ta m e f f e c t s ;
i n c l u d e s bow ed ta m - ta m ( I ) , bo w ed ta m - ta m p r e
c e d e d b y a n o r m a l ta m - ta m s t r o k e ( l a ) ; bow ed
ta m - ta m f o l l o w e d b y a n o r m a l t a m - ta m s t r o k e ( l b ) ;
a s i n g l e ta m - ta m s t r o k e f o l l o w e d b y v o c a l l y p r o
d u c e d " w in d s o u n d " ( I c ) ; a s i n g l e t a m - ta m s t r o k e d
w ith a m e ta l r o d , fo llo w e d b y a n o rm a l s t r o k e ( I d )
S -E I I
S -E I I I
T h ree g ro u p s o f f i v e q u i n t u p l e t s ix t e e n th n o t e s ,
a s a r t i c u l a t e d b y A f r i c a n l o g d ru m s ( I I I ) a n d b y
to m to m s ( I I l a )
S -E IV
A l l o c c u r r e n c e s o f s i z z l e c y m b a ls (IV ) a n d s u s
p e n d e d c y m b a ls ( i V a ) ; ( a l l s t a t e m e n t s a r e s i n g l e
s tro k e s )
S -E V
A p a tt e r n o f f i v e q u i n t u p l e t e ig h th n o t e s p la y e d
a l t e r n a t e l y b y to m to m s (V) a n d b o n g o d ru m s (V a)
S -E V I
F iv e s h a rp a t t a c k s on e i t h e r c la v e s ( V I ), T ib e ta n
p r a y e r s t o n e s ( V i a , V I b ) , o r i n v o l v i n g tw o c l a v e s ,
o n e o f w h ic h i s p l a c e d a g a i n s t a b a s s d ru m ( V I c )
S -E V I I
A s u c c e s s i o n o f t h r e e l o w - p i t c h e d do w n w ard g l i s s a n d i, p ro d u ce d v ia a ju g ( V I I ) , and th ro u g h
v o c a l m ea n s ( V i l a )
S -E V I I I
A f iv e - n o te q u in tu p le t h a lf - n o te g e s tu re e x p re s s
i n g t h e p i t c h e s D, F , a n d G - f l a t v i a a n a l t o
r e c o r d e r (in c lu d e s th r e e i d e n t i c a l s ta te m e n ts )
N .B .
T h is e n t i t y i s d i r e c t l y r e l a t e d t o S o n ic E n t i t y V I I I o f M ovem ent I I , M ak ro k o sm o s I I I
(c o m p a re o c c u r r e n c e s i n e x a m p le s 2 0 9 a n d 2 1 7 )
S -E IX
A g ro u p o f th r e e e f f e c t s e n u n c ia te d by th e f i r s t
p i a n i s t ; i n c lu d e s ( l ) a s in g l e a r t i c u l a t i o n on th e
lo w s t r i n g s o f t h e p i a n o , u s i n g a G - s h a r p c r o t a l e
a s a b e a t e r ; ( 2 ) a s i n g l e ( n o r m a l) G - s h a r p c r o t a l e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 5 8 ( S -E IX )
s t r o k e ; ( 3 ) s e v e n a t t a c k s on one o f th e p i a n o 's
m e ta l c ro s s b e a m s ( in c l u d e s t h r e e i d e n t i c a l s t a t e
m e n ts )
S -E X
A s in g le
S -E XI
V a r i o u s p a s s a g e s f o r A f r i c a n th u m b p i a n o , c o n
t a i n i n g e i t h e r a c c e l e r a n d o (X I, X lb ) , r i t a r d a n d o
(X Ic , X ld ) , o r a c c e le r a n d o / r it a r d a n d o (X Ia ,
X ld ) r h y th m ic p a t t e r n s
( n o r m a l) t a m - ta m a r t i c u l a t i o n
S -E X I I
A p a i r o f s y s tr u m a t t a c k s i n c l o s e j u x t a p o s i t i o n
( in c lu d e s th re e i d e n t i c a l s ta te m e n ts )
T he o n l y c o n s t r u c t i o n a l e le m e n t r e q u i r i n g f u r t h e r
com m ent i s
w h ic h i s
S o n i c - E n t i ty X I, th e s y m m e tric a l o r g a n i z a t i o n o f
I n te r e s tin g .
i d e n tic a l in
tiv e ly ;
S t a t e m e n t X I , X I a , a n d X lb a r e
p i t c h t o s t a t e m e n t s X I c , X ld , a n d X l e ,
h o w e v e r, th e a c c e le r a n d o , a c c e le ra n d o /
resp ec
r ita rd a n d o ,
a n d r i t a r d a n d o r h y th m ic p a t t e r n s o f X I, X I a , a n d X lb
(re s p e c tiv e ly ) a re ,
in t h e i r c o u n te rp a rts
X Ic ), re tro g ra d e d .
A c tu a l p i tc h c la s s e s o f th e v a rio u s
p r e s e n t a t i o n s r e v e a l no s i n g l e
( X l e , X ld , a n d
s o u rc e o r s tr o n g i n t e r -
in a l l to a s ig n i f ic a n t d e g re e .
An E a s t e r n s o u r c e
I s s u g g e s te d by th e e m o tio n a l c h a r a c t e r
o f th e s e p a s sa g e s .
A p ro b a b le s o u rc e o f i n s p i r a t i o n
o r g a n i z a t i o n o f M yth i s
m o te t;
th u s,
it
th e
f o r t h e r h y th m ic
f o u rte e n th - c e n tu r y iso rh y th m ic
seem s a p p r o p r i a t e
to
id e n tify
th e v a rio u s
I s o r h y t h m i c p a r t s a c c o r d i n g l y i n t h e f o l l o w i n g c o m m e n ta r y .
The t a l e a
o f th e trip lu m
(P e rc u s s io n
I) is
t h i r t e e n m easu res
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 5 9 in d u ra tio n ;
th is
p a tte rn
and o c c u rs e x a c tly th re e
XXXVII, t h e
b e g i n s a n d e n d s M ovem ent IV ,
t im e 's .
p re s e n ta tio n s
of th is
As c a n b e s e e n f ro m T a b le
t a l e a em b o d y s l i g h t t i m b r a l
v a ria n ts .
T a b l e XX XV II.
S o n i c - e n t i t y c o n te n t o f t r i p l u m 's
(th re e o c c u rre n c e s ;
-A -, -B -, and -C -)
ta le a
O c c u rre n c e :
S o n i c - E n t l ty C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g ;
-A -
I,
II,
III,
IV , V I , V I I I , V I , X, I l i a ,
-B -
I,
II,
III,
IV a, V ia , V I I I , V Ib ,
-C -
X, I I ,
Ex. 217.
Ilia ,
X II, X
IV , I I I ,
IV , V i c , V I I I , V I , X, I I I ,
X II,
X II,
I n i t i a l o c c u rr e n c e o f t r i p l u m 's th ir te e n - m e a s u r e
t a l e a , p a g e 1 6 , s y s te m s 1 a n d 2 , M ovem ent IV ,
M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
-X II-
HvTTr
"IK -
-
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-360In p a s s in g ,
it
s h o u ld be m e n tio n e d t h a t th e se c o n d u t te r a n c e
o f S o n ic -E n tity V III
( a s show n i n T a b l e XXXVII) r e p r e s e n t s
t h e e x a c t c e n t e r o f M y th , a s w e l l a s o f t h e t r i p l u m .
T he d u p lu m
(P e rc u s s io n I I )
c o n ta i n s f i v e e n u n c ia
ti o n s o f a s e v e n m ea su re is o rh y th m ic
p a tte rn ;
it
e n d s w i t h tw o - m e a s u r e r e s t s , n e i t h e r o f w h ic h i s
is o rh y th m ic schem e.
T he t h i r d
b e g in s a n d
p a r t o f th e
d e c la m a tio n o f S o n ic - E n tity
V I I a s show n i n T a b l e X X XV III t o g e t h e r w i t h t h e s e c o n d
p r e s e n t a t i o n o f S o n i c - E n tity V I I I , c o in c id e s w ith th e dead
c e n t e r o f t h i s m o v e m e n t; i t
a l s o o c c u r s a t t h e e x a c t m id
p o i n t o f t h e d u p lu m .
T a b le X X X V III.
S o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t o f d u p lu m * s t a l e a
(fiv e o c c u rre n c e s:
-A -, -B -, -C -, -D -, and -E -)
O c c u rre n c e :
S o n l c - E n t l ty C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g :
-A -
la ,
-3 -
Ic /
-C -
X /
-D -
Ic /
-E -
la ,
V, IV , V I I , I V a , V , l b
IV , V a , X, V i l a ,
IV , V a , X, V i l a ,
IV , V a , X, V i l a ,
V a, I V a , V I I ,
IV ,
IV , V, l b
IV , V, l a
IV , V, I d
V, l b
N o te t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e tw e e n -A - a n d - E - , a n d am ong
- B - , C, a n d - D - ; i t
is
r e m a r k a b l e t h a t Crumb a d d s
a n o th e r la y e r o f s u b tle o rg a n iz a tio n to
h ig h ly s tr u c tu r e d
t h i s a lr e a d y
p a rt.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 6 1 Ex . 2 1 8 .
I n i t i a l o c c u r r e n c e o f d u p l u m 's s e v e n - m e a s u r e
t a l e a , p a g e 1 6 , s y s te m s 1 a n d 2 , M ovem ent IV ,
M ak ro k o sm o s I I I
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E x c e p t f o r th e e le v e n - m e a s u re r e s t a t i t s
m ent an d th e th re e -m e a s u r e r e s t a t i t s
firs t
te n o r
( P ia n o
tio n ;
s o n ic
e n titie s
re p e a te d
ta le a
c o re o f t h i s
I) is
s tric tly
com m ence
c o n c lu s io n ,
th e
is o r h y th m ic i n c o n s tr u c
o c c u r w ith in th e c o n te x t o f a t h r i c e
e le v e n m easu res in d u r a ti o n .
The c e n t r a l
p a r t o c c u r s so m e w h at l a t e r t h a n d o e s t h e
m id p o in t o f th e p i e c e .
T a b l e XXXIX. S o n i c - E n t i t y c o n t e n t o f f i r s t t e n o r ' s
( th r e e o c c u rre n c e s :
-A -, -B -, and -C -)
O c c u rre n c e :
ta le a
S o n lc - E n tity C o n te n t an d O r d e r in g :
-A -
IX , X I I I
-B -
IX , X I I l a
-C -
IX ,
X H Ib
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
362Ex . 2 1 9 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s IX a n d X I I I fro m t h e e l e v e n m ea su re t a l e a ( f i r s t o c c u rr e n c e ) o f th e f i r s t
t e n o r ( th e re m a in in g n in e m e a su re s o f t h i s
t a l e a a r e r e s t s ) , p a g e 1 6 , s y s te m s 2 a n d 2 ,
M ovem ent IV , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
Piano!1
T he s e c o n d t e n o r
( P ia n o I I )
o r g a n i z a ti o n ; h o w e v e r, th e s i x
XI c o m p r is in g t h i s
i s n o t iso rh y th m ic in
s ta te m e n ts o f S o n ic -E n tity
p a r t a re a rra n g e d in a c co rd a n c e w ith
a n I n d e p e n d e n t s y m m e tr ic a l d e s ig n
( s e e a n a l y t i c a l co m m e n ts
o n p a g e 358).
Ex. 220.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X I a n d i t s r h y th m ic r e c i p r o c a l
X ld ( fr o m t h e s e c o n d t e n o r ) , p a g e s 16 a n d 1 7 ,
s y s te m s 2 a n d 2 r e s p e c t i v e l y , M ovem ent IV ,
M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
Piano 11=
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
is
iz e d fo rm a lly i n t o
tw o l a r g e , m o s t l y i n d e p e n d e n t ,
The f i r s t o f t h e s e
(A) c o n t i n u e s u p t h r o u g h t h e
s e c o n d f e r m a t a n e a r t h e e n d o f s y s te m 1 ,
o rg an
s e c tio n s .
th irte e n -
page 2 0 ; th e
r e m a i n d e r o f t h e w o rk c o m p r i s e s t h e s e c o n d ] a r g e s e c t i o n
(B ).
Two e l e m e n t s o f q u o t a t i o n w e re i m p o r t a n t t o t h e c o n
c e p t i o n o f s e c t i o n A ( w h ic h i s
N ig h t);
a lite ra ry
e n title d
M u sic f o r a S t a r r y
f r a g m e n t f ro m R i l k e
(a lre a d y d isc u s s e d
on p a g e 3 2 ) , a n d e x c e r p t s f ro m B a c h 's d - s h a r p m in o r f u g u e ,
q u o t e d f ro m t h e W e ll-T e m p e re d C l a v i e r , V o l . I I .
th e s e c o n c e p tu a l s ti m u l i ,
C o n c e r n in g
th e com poser h a s s t a t e d :
I l o v e t h o s e p a r t i c u l a r l i n e s fro m R i l k e , a n d
a s I w as c o m p o s in g , a l l o f t h e f a l l i n g g e s t u r e s
r e c a l l e d t h a t p a r t i c u l a r q u o t a t i o n t o m in d ; h e n c e
t h e i n c l u s i o n o f R i l k e ' s w o rd s a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f
th e p ie c e .
C o n c e r n in g t h e B ach q u o t a t i o n , t h i s
p a r t i c u l a r p i e c e t h e d - s h a r p m in o r f u g u e f ro m t h e
s e c o n d v o lu m e o f t h e W e ll-T e m p e re d C l a v i e r h a p p e n s
t o b e my f a v o r i t e am ong a l l o f B a c h 's f u g u e s .
T h e re
s e e m s t o b e s o m e t h in g m e t a p h y s i c a l a b o u t a l l o f
B a c h 's m u s i c , b u t e s p e c i a l l y a b o u t t h i s d - s h a r p
m in o r f u g u e , a n d som ehow i t b e c am e a s s o c i a t e d i n
my m in d w i t h t h e R i l k e q u o t a t i o n . 1
I t is
I n t e r e s t i n g t h a t t h e o v e r a l l tem p o a n d t h e tem p o
g iv e n to
t h e B a c h q u o t a t i o n s c o i n c i d e a t M.M. = 6 4 .
In
v ie w o f t h e e f f e c t i v e n e s s o f M u sic o f t h e S t a r r y N i g h t
in te r v ie w ,
27 D e c e m b e r 1 9 7 6 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 6 4 w i t h i n t h e o v e r a l l f o r m , t h e f a c t t h a t i t w as o r i g i n a l l y s k e t c h e d f o r M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I i s
ra th e r s u rp ris in g .
G e s tu re -d e c a y sound s t r u c t u r e
c o n tin u u m t h r o u g h o u t s e c t i o n A .
b a c k d ro p a r e c e r t a i n
p r o v id e s a r e s o n a n t
C o n tr ib u tin g to t h i s
p ia n o e f f e c t s :
o n - th e - s tr in g s
s a n d l , o n e - h a l f p e d a l , a n d m u te d s t r i n g s .
s trip s
s o n ic
g lis -
In a d d iti o n ,
o f p a p e r s p a n n i n g t h e r a n g e f ro m g r e a t D - s h a r p t o
tw o l i n e A - s h a r p p r o d u c e a m e t a l l i c - s o u n d i n g b a c k g r o u n d
d u rin g th e e n t i r e t y
p la y in g ta k e s
p la c e w ith t h e m o st d i r e c t l y a f f e c t e d
ran g e .
A n u m b e r o f p e r c u s s i o n i n s t r u m e n t s b e l o n g t o s e c t i o n A 's
so u n d w o r ld ;
th e s e in c lu d e c r o t a l e s ,
x y lo p h o n e , v ib ra p h o n e ,
tria n g le s ,
s le ig h
b e ll tre e ,
s u s p e n d e d c y m b a ls ,
b e lls ,
t a m - ta m s ,
g lo c k e n s p ie l,
a n d g l a s s c h im e s .
A n u m b e r o f t h e s e sam e t i m b r a l r e s o u r c e s a r e a l s o
e m p lo y e d i n
se c tio n
B , t h e p e r c u s s i o n p a r t s o f w h ic h i n
c lu d e th e u s e o f c r o t a l e s ,
tu b u la r b e ll3 ,
v ib ra p h o n e ,
su s p e n d e d c y m b a ls ,
ta m - ta m s , g l o c k e n s p i e l , b e l l t r e e ,
c h im e s , J a p a n e s e t e m p l e b e l l s , a n d b o w ed c r o t a l e s .
o n ly o t h e r s p e c i a l e f f e c t s
o n -th e -s trin g s
lin g .
The
r e q u ir e d d u r in g s e c tio n B a r e
p ia n o g l i s s a n d i an d p i z z i c a t i , an d w h is t
T he c o n s t a n t r e i t e r a t i o n
th e p ia n o s s u p p lie s
e v e n ts a p p e a r .
g la s s
o f S o n ic - E n tlty X II i n
t h e c o n t e x t w i t h i n w h ic h a l l o t h e r
The m o s t i m p o r t a n t g e n e r a t o r s o f h o r i z o n t a l
a n d v e r t i c a l i n t e r v a l ! *~ p r o g r e s s i o n a r e
t h e sam e w h ic h
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 6 5 o p e r a t e d i n M u sic f o r a S t a r r y N i g h t
s c a l e , B a r to k c e l l s ,
( th e w h o le -to n e
and th e p e n ta to n ic
s c a le ),
but in
Song o f R e c o n c il i a t io n , th e b la c k -k e y p e n ta to n ic s c a l e ,
r a t h e r th a n B a rto k c e l l s ,
is
g i v e n p r e e m in e n c e .
From t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 1 , u p t o t h e B ach
e x c e r p t i n s y s te m 2 , p a g e 18
B ach e x c e r p t ,
al
From t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e a b o v e , u p t o t h e B a c h
e x c e r p t i n s y s te m 1 , p a g e 19
s y s te m 2 , p a g e 18
bl
B ach e x c e r p t ,
a2
From t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f t h e a b o v e , u p t o t h e B ach
e x c e r p t i n s y s te m 1 , p a g e 20
b2
B ach e x c e r p t ,
s y s te m 1 ,
page 19
s y s te m 1 , p a g e 20
S e c t i o n B (S o n g o f R e c o n c i l i a t i o n ) :
I n tr o d u c tio n
C oda
Two c r o t a l e a n d p i a n o c h o r d s a b o v e w h ic h
a p p e a r s t h e i n s c r l p t l o n /'T h e F i v e f o l d G a la c
t i c B e l l s ,** s y s te m 1 , p a g e 20
Prom t h e b e g i n n i n g o f s y s te m 2 , p a g e 2 0 , u p
t o t h e m e lo d y p e r f o r m e d b y t h e v ib r a p h o n e a n d
d o u b l e d by w h i s t l i n g ( P e r c u s s i o n I I ) , n e a r
t h e m id d l e o f s y s te m 2 , p a g e 2k
R e m a in d e r
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
I,
II,
I I I , a n d IV
The i n i t i a l e n u n c i a t i o n o f S o n i c - E n t i t y I i s
a llo tte d
e n tity
to
is
P l a n o I m p a r t i a l l y d o u b le d b y c r o t a l e s .
t a s y - P i e c e X I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I
to
I
T h is
r h y th m ic a l ly i d e n t i c a l to S o n i c - E n t i ty I o f Fan
( s e e e x a m p le 1 8 0 ) a n d
S o n i c - E n t i t y I o f F a n t a s y - P i e c e V I I I , M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l.
( s e e e x a m p le 1 0 9 ) .
H o w e v e r, i n v e r t e d
( f o u r - n o t e ) d o m i
n a n t s e v e n th c h o rd s c o m p rise th e e v e n t u n d e r d i s c u s s i o n ,
r a t h e r th a n th e s i x - n o t e w h o le -to n e v e r t i c a l l t i e s
tu tin g th e s e r h y th m ic a lly - id e n tic a l r e l a ti v e s .
in te r e s t in g t h a t a l l fu n c tio n to i n i t i a t e
c o n s ti
I t is
p ie c e s .
W it h i n
M u sic o f t h e S t a r r y N i g h t , t h e f i r s t s t r u c t u r a l u n i t i s
a lw a y s f o l l o w e d b y S o n i c - E n t i t y I I ;
t h i s c o m b i n a t i o n , b e in g
r e s o u n d e d a t a n e x t r e m e l y h i g h a m p l i tu d e f o l l o w i n g l e n g t h y
p a u s e s p r o v i d e s a n i m p o r t a n t e le m e n t o f s u r p r i s e
c o m b in a tio n i s
show n i n e x a m p le 2 2 1 ) .
s ta te m e n ts o f S o n ic -E n tity I
(th is
The s e c o n d a n d t h i r d
( l a a n d l b ) a r e c o m b in e d i n
o v e r la p p in g j u x t a p o s i t i o n , a s a r e th e t h i r d an d f o u r t h
( a l 3 o l a a n d l b ) , a d d i n g a new r h y th m ic d i m e n s i o n .
The s i x t h
( I c ) and su b seq u e n t p r e s e n t a t i o n s a r e
a b b re v ia te d in d u r a t io n , c o n ta in in g fo u r o r few e r s im u lta
n e itie s
tio n .
r a t h e r t h a n s i x ; a l l a p p e a r i n Song o f R e c o n c il i a
S o n ie -E n titie s
Ic and Id
(w h ic h e a c h r e c e i v e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 6 7 n u m ero u s s t a t e m e n t s ) a r e i d e n t i c a l i n c o n s t r u c t i o n to
S o n i c - E n t i t y XX o f M ovem ent I , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
2 0 2 );
th e y p r o v id e b o th c o l o r an d i n t e n s i t y
te x tu re .
( s e e e x a m p le
to th e s o n ic
A l l r e m a in in g p e r m u ta tio n s o f S o n i c - E n t l ty I
s h a re c lo s e a f f i n i t i e s
w ith S o n i c - E n t i ty I c .
A w r i t t e n - o u t r i t a r d a n d o m o v in g t h r o u g h f o u r s u c
c e s s iv e ly
s l o w e r r h y th m ic u n i t s , a n d g e n e r a t e d i n p i t c h
II.
th e r e a re
I n M u s ic o f a S t a r r y N i g h t
te n o c c u rre n c e s o f t h is
in o v e rla p p in g p a ir s
p a ir i s
id e a ;
( I I and I l a ) .
in each in sta n c e
(i.e .
s e c tio n A ),
th e s e a r e o rg a n iz e d
The f i r s t m em ber o f e a c h
p u n c tu a te d a t i t s
in itia tio n
by
v a rio u s p e rc u s s io n in s tr u m e n ts , a s w e ll a s by th e f a m i l i a r
A lp h a -G lis s a n d o .
In c o n s tr u c tio n ,
th is
f o r m u l a t i o n com
b i n e s s t e a d i l y d e s c e n d i n g p i t c h w i t h s t e a d i l y e x p a n d in g
d u r a tio n a l v a lu e s .
A s im ilitu d e
e x is ts
in b o th p i t c h and
r h y th m b e tw e e n t h e s e c o n d u n i t o f c o n s t r u c t i o n a n d S o n i c E n t i t y V i a o f M ovem ent I , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
( s e e e x a m p le 1 9 4 ) .
I n a d d i t i o n , a r e l a t e d m o ti v e i n v o l v i n g m any o f t h e sam e
p i t c h c l a s s e s o c c u r s i n Vox B a l a e n a e
g r u i t y o f p i t c h a n d r h y th m i s a l s o
( s e e e x a m p le 2 0 ) .
C on-
e v i d e n t b e tw e e n t h e e v e n t
u n d e r d i s c u s s i o n a n d t h e p i a n o g e s t u r e w h ic h b e g i n s n e a r t h e
c o n c l u s i o n o f s y s te m 2 , p a g e 1 8 , i n S o n g s , D r o n e s a n d R e f r a i n s
o f D e a th .
T hus, S o n ic -E n tity I I i s
r e p r e s e n ta ti v e o f a g e n re
o f m u s i c a l i d e a f o r w h ic h Crum b e v i d e n t l y h o l d s a d e c i d e d
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
N ear th e c o n c lu s io n o f s e c t io n A, th e seco n d
m o d u la r c o m p o n e n t i s
as a re s u lt,
in tr o s p e c tiv e
its
s t a t e d a t a p i a n i s s i m o d y n a m ic l e v e l ;
c h a r a c t e r becom es r a t h e r d e l i c a t e an d
( s e e e x a m p le 2 3 1 ) .
A p i a n i s s i m o a n d tw o
d y n a m ic a lly p o w e rfu l s ta t e m e n t s , e a c h p u n c tu a te d b y v a r io u s
p e rc u s s io n in s tr u m e n ts , a ls o
fo rm p a r t o f t h e s u b s t a n c e o f
Song o f R e c o n c il i a t io n .
Ex. 221.
S o n ie -E n titie s I , I I , and I l a ,
1 , M ovem ent V, M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
page 18,
s y s te m
Piano I
Jj
Piano U J
ftrcossion I
(Vrtussion II
S o n ic -E n tity
it
I I I r e c e iv e s b u t a s in g le e n u n c ia tio n ;
c o n s is ts o f a r e p e a te d - n o te a c c e le ra n d o e v e n t in
th e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-369x y l o p h o n e , w h ic h r e v e r s e s t h e r h y t h m i c p a t t e r n o f S o n i e E n tity
II
( s e e e x a m p le 2 2 2 ) .
s o n ic e n t i t i e s
T h e f o u r t h o f M ovem ent V s
e n c o m p a s s e s tw o m o d u la r c o m p o n e n ts :
(l)
a p i a n i s s i m o o n - t h e - s t r i n g s g l l s s a n d o f ro m t h e t o p t o
b o t to m t o n e s o f t h e k e y b o a r d ;
is
im m e d ia te ly i n v e r t e d .
s ta te d
b y P ia n o s I a n d I I .
d e ta c h e d a n d s t a t e d
Ex. 2 2 2 .
th e
( 2 ) a n A l p h a - G l i s s a n d o w h ic h
S o n ic -E n tity
IV i s
s im u lta n e o u s ly
The c o n c l u d i n g g l i s s a n d o i s
o n tw o s u b s e q u e n t o c c a s i o n s .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s I I I a n d IV , p a g e l 8 , s y s te m s
1 a n d 2 , M ovem ent V, M ak ro k o sm o s I I I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
370Sonic-Entity V
S o n ic - E n tity V s e rv e s a n im p o r ta n t c o n s t r u c t i o n a l
f u n c t i o n i n b o t h M u sic o f t h e S t a r r y N i g h t a n d S o n g o f
R e c o n c ilia tio n .
I I in
In th e fo rm e r, i t
is
p r o c l a i m e d b y P ia n o
t h e f o rm o f t h r e e s i m i l a r e x c e r p t s
(V , V b , a n d Vd)
f ro m t h e p r e v i o u s l y m e n tio n e d d - s h a r p m in o r f u g u e o f B a c h ;
e a c h o f t h e s e a r e a c c o m p a n ie d b y t h e v i b r a p h o n e i n
canon a t th e u n iso n
s im p le
(V a , V c, a n d V e ) .
S e v e r a l im p o r ta n t p a s s a g e s i n Song o f R e c o n c i l i a t i o n
e m a n a te f ro m t h e m e l o d i c
( u p p e r ) l i n e o f S o n i c - E n t i t y V.
e x a m p le 2 2 3 , v a r i o u s s e g m e n ts o f t h e f i f t h
id e a a r e b ra c k e te d and a s sig n e d l e t t e r s
In
c o n s tr u c tio n a l
f o r th e p u rp o se o f
c o n v e n i e n t r e f e r e n c e i n t h e p a r a g r a p h w h ic h f o l l o w s :
Ex. 2 2 3 .
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V and V a, p age 1 8 ,
M ovem ent V , M akrokosm os I I I
s y s te m 2 ,
t aghcfHy-fvrrtal
W ith r e f e r e n c e t o t h e m e lo d ic s e g m e n t s b r a c k e t e d
i n e x a m p le 2 2 3 , a b r i e f a c c o u n t f o l l o w s c o n c e r n i n g t h o s e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
371e n t i t i e s a p p e a r i n g i n S o n g o f R e c o n c i l i a t i o n w h ic h d e r i v e
f ro m S o n i c - E n t i t y V .
tiv e
S o n i c - E n t i t y Ve i s a m e l o d i c d e r i v a
( w ith w h o le -to n e e x te n s i o n ) o f - a - .
E x. 224.
S o n i c - E n t i t y V e , p a g e 2 0 , s y s te m 2 , M ovem ent V,
M akrokosm os I I I
S o n ic -E n tity Vf a ls o
d e r i v e s f ro m a n d s h a r e s t h e i d e n t i c a l
p itc h c la s s e s of - a - :
Ex. 225.
S o n i c - E n t i t y V f , p a g e s 20 a n d 2 1 , s y s te m s 2 a n d
1 r e s p e c t i v e l y , M ovem ent V, M akrokosm o3 I I I
A s t a t e m e n t o f S o n i c - E n t i t y X f o l l o w s i m m e d ia te l y a f t e r
S o n i c - E n t i t y V f; i t s
firs t
tw o m e l o d i c
(u p p e rm o st) to n e s
c o n tin u e th e s e r i e s o f e x a c tly t r a n s f e r r e d
b eg u n by V f.
p itc h c la s s e s
The t h r e e m e l o d i c p i t c h e s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y X
E - s h a .r p , D - s h a r p , a n d B - s h a r p o c c u r i n S o n i c - E n t i t y V a s
-c-
( i n e x a m p le 2 2 3 ) , s u g g e s t i n g t h a t t h e s e
m ay t o l l f o r B ach ( s e e e x a m p le 2 2 6 ) .
s ta te d
S o n i c - E n t i t y Vg i s
X m e n tio n e d i n t h e p r e c e d in g s e n te n c e ; i t h a s a s i t s
so u rc e
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-372th e l a s t f o u r m e lo d ic to n e s
( - b - ) o f S o n ic -E n tity V (as
do S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V j - V n ) .
Ex. 226.
S o n i c - E n t i t y Vg (sh o w n w i t h t h e s e c o n d o c c u r r e n c e
o f S o n i c - E n t i t y X ) , p a g e 2 1 , s y s te m 1 , M ovem ent
V, M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
-X -
The f i r s t
th irte e n
s i m u l t a n e i t i e s o f S o n i c - E h t i t y V h, c o n
s id e r e d i n te rm s o f t h e i r u p p e rm o st t o n e s ,
th e i n t e r v a l l i c
c o n to u r o f th e f i r s t
fre e ly
fo llo w
t h i r t e e n m e lo d ic
to n e s
o f S o n i c - E n t i t y V.
Ex. 2 2 7 .
S o n i c - E n t i t y Vh ( f i r s t t h i r t e e n s i m u l t a n e i t i e s ) ,
p a g e 2 4 , s y s te m 1 , M ovem ent V , M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
S o n i c - E n t i t y V i , p a g e 2 4 , s y s te m 2 , M ovem ent V,
M ak ro k o sm o s I I I
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V I , V I I , V I I I , a n d IX
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s VI an d V II e a c h r e c e i v e b u t a
s in g le
p r e s e n t a t i o n , w h i l e S o n i c - E n t i t i e s V I I I a n d IX
o ccu r tw ic e .
trills
The s i x t h s t r u c t u r a l u n i t c o n s i s t s o f f i v e
i n v o l v i n g m in o r s e c o n d s , e a c h p r e c e d e d b y tw o g r a c e
n o te s .
E ach p a i r o f g ra c e n o te s p lu s th e t r i l l
b e l l i s h e s y i e l d s a f o u r - n o te B a r t6 k c e l l .
th e p r in c i p a l to n e s o f th e t r i l l s ,
m2 /
M2 i n t e r v a l l i c
c e ll.
in
fu n c tio n ;
fla t)
it
em
t h e r e e x i s t s a M2 /
H ie g r o u p i n g o f f i v e c o m p o n e n ts
f e a t u r e d by b o th VI and V II i s
o f R e c o n c ilia tio n .
it
In term s o f
e x tr e m e ly im p o r ta n t in Song
S o n ic - E n tity V II i s
I n v o lv e s a s e r i e s
p rim a rily c o lo r i s t i c
o f fiv e
re p e a te d
(G / A -
m in o r s e c o n d s , w h ic h t h e p i a n i s t m u s t m u te i m m e d i a t e l y
a f te r th e ir a rtic u la tio n .
r e la tiv e
S o n ic -E n tity V II i s
c le a rly a
o f S o n i c - E n t i t y V I , a s cam b e s e e n i n e x a m p le 2 2 9 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 7 4 E x . 229.
The r i g h t - h a n d
a te s
p a r t o f S o n ic -E n tity V III g e n e r
f ro m a s i n g l e w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e ;
a s im ilitu d e
P i e c e IV , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I
A r e p e a tin g f iv e - n o te
c e ll c o n s titu te s
o f p e rc u s s io n
th is
e v e n t e m b o d ie s
in p itc h an d e th o s w ith s e c t io n B o f F a n ta s y ( s e e p a g e s 18 2 a n d 3 1 3 - 3 1 4 ) .
p a t t e r n b a s e d on a t h r e e - n o t e B a rto k
th e l e f t - h a n d
( S o n ic -E n tity
p a rt.
IV ) s e r v e
C o lo r is tic
to
to u c h e s
p u n c tu a te an d
S o n i c - E n t i t y V I I I , p a g e 1 9 , s y s te m 2 , Move
m e n t V, M a k ro k o sm o s I I I ( s e e t h e t o p o f p a g e 3 7 5 )
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 7 5 -
S o n ic -E n tity
IX s e r v e s a s a b r i e f o v e r l a p p i n g
e x te n s io n o f S o n ic -E n tity I l a , and s e rv e s
to n e c o lo r o f t h a t e v e n t;
E x. 2 3 1 .
it
o c c u rs in
to enhance th e
th e v ib ra p h o n e .
S o n i c - E n t i t y IX (sh o w n w i t h p i a n i s s i m o s t a t e
m ent o f S o n i c - E n t i ti e s I I an d I l a ) , page 2 0 ,
s y s te m 1 , M ovem ent V, M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
-II-
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-376Sonic-Entitiea X and XI
T he s e c o n d l a r g e
R e c o n c ilia tio n , i s
c h o rd s
s e c tio n
(B ), e n t i t l e d
( S o n ic ~ E n tity X ).
The s e c t i o n c o n t a i n s f i v e s u c h
s u c c e s s i o n s , w h ic h a r e c o l l e c t i v e l y r e f e r r e d t o
s c o re a s
Song o f
i n t r o d u c e d b y t h r e e r e s o u n d i n g B a r to k
"T he F i v e f o l d G a l a c t i c B e l l s . "
in
The t h i r d
th e
c h o rd
o f th e f i r s t o c c u rre n c e o f S o n ic -E n tity X n e a tl y e li d e s
w ith t h e b e g in n in g o f Song o f R e c o n c i l i a t i o n
2 3 2 ).
In c o m b in a tio n ,
( s e e e x a m p le
th e f iv e o c c u rr e n c e s o f S o n ic -
E n t i t y X p r o v i d e a c h a r m in g a n d c a p t i v a t i n g t i m b r a l f l a v o r
t o th e p e rv a d in g S o n i c - E n t i ty XI p a l e t t e
i n w h ic h t h e y
o c c u r.
A s in g le o s c il la t o r y g e s tu r e ,
p e r m e a te s s e c t i o n B ; t h i s
S o n i c - E n t i t y X I,
o n g o in g a c c o m p a n im e n ta l p a t t e r n
e m b o d ie s a c o m p l e te b l a c k - k e y p e n t a t o n i c
c e rta in
s c a le ,
b e a rs
r e l a t i o n s h i p s t o a g e n r e o f a c c o m p a n im e n ta l
f i g u r a t i o n f r e q u e n t l y a s s o c i a t e d w i t h t h e m u s ic o f
M a h le r .
in
The c o m p o s e r r e c o g n i z e s a M a h l e r i a n i n f l u e n c e
t e r m s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y X I, a n d a l s o a c k n o w le d g e s t h e
e x i s t e n c e o f s i g n i f i c a n t c o n g r u i t y b e tw e e n S ong o f
R e c o n c ila tlo n and th e r e p e t i t i v e
A b s c h le d
c o n c lu s io n o f P e r
( w h ic h c l o s e s M a h le r s w e ll- k n o w n L ie d c y c l e ,
D as L ie d v o n d e r E r d e ) .
Two o f C r u m b 's o t h e r c o m p o s i
t i o n s c o n c lu d e i n a m a n n e r w h ic h se em s e x p r e s s i v e l y
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
In
p o r tio n s o f e a ch o f th e s e th re e w o rk s,
th e c o n c lu d in g
th e com poser t r a n s
f o rm s t h e c o n c e p t i o n o f " s u s p e n d e d t i m e , "
t h i s w r i t e r 's
i n t o w h a t, i n
o p in io n , a r e c e r t a i n l y am ong h i s m o st s u c
c e s s f u l m u sic a l r e a l i z a t i o n s .
An i m p o r t a n t c o n s t i t u e n t o f a l l
S o n i c - E n t i ty XI i s
a lly
o c c u rre n c e s o f
th e lo w - r e g is te r p e r f e c t f i f t h
(u su
G - f l a t o n t h e b o t to m p l u s D - f l a t o n t o p ) w h ic h
in itia te s
e ach s u c c e e d in g a r t i c u l a t i o n .
Ex. 23 2 .
S o n ic - E n titie s X and XI ( f i r s t o c c u rr e n c e s ) ,
p a g e 2 0 , s y s te m s 1 a n d 2 , M o v em en t V, M ak ro
k o sm o s I I I
"SO N G O F R E C O N C IL IA T IO N "
Joyous, ecstatic; w ith a sense o f cosmic time
T H E FIVEFOLD
GALACTIC BELLS"
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
t e x t u r e o f Song o f R e c o n c il i a t io n b e g in s
t o g ro w m o re d e n s e , d e r i v a t i v e s o f S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X I I ,
X III,
XIV , a n d X I a r e c o m b in e d i n i n c r e a s i n g q u a n t i t i e s .
A lt h o u g h r a t h e r s i m p l e i n a n d o f t h e m s e l v e s , i n c o m b in a
t i o n w i t h o n e a n o t h e r a n d w i t h S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X a n d X I,
th e s e c o n c is e e n t i t i e s
s if y
w o rk t o g e t h e r t o e f f e c t i v e l y
th e m u sic a l t e x t u r e .
t e x t u r a l d e n s i t y a n d d y n a m ic i n t e n s i t y
page 23 o f th e s c o r e .
in te n
A c l i m a c t i c a r e a o f maximum
is
re a c h e d by
A m o v em en t t o w a r d s e r e n i t y
b e g in s
in th e f i n a l m ea su re o f t h a t p a g e , an d c o n tin u e s th ro u g h
o u t t h e r e m a i n d e r o f M a k ro k o sm o s I I I .
r e la x a tio n
The p r o c e s s o f
t a k e s p l a c e m uch m o re r a p i d l y
g ra d u a l c lim a c tic
ris e
w h ic h p r e c e d e d .
th a n d id th e
D u r i n g t h e w h o le
o f s e c t i o n B a n d th e c o d a th e dam per p e d a ls o f b o th p ia n o s
r e m a in d e p r e s s e d .
S o n i c - E n t i ty X II i s a s im p le t r e m o l o - l i k e
t o n i c m o ti v e c o m p r i s e d o f tw o s l i g h t l y
g e s tu r e s .
p e n ta -
s e p a ra te d s e x tu p le t
o f v a r i a n t s e m a n a te f ro m t h i s b r i e f f i g u r e .
Ex. 2 3 2 .
S o n i c - E n t i t y X I I ( o r i g i n a l s t a t e m e n t ; show n
a b o v e S o n i c - E n t i t y X I ) , p a g e 2 1 , s y s te m 1 ,
M ovem ent V, M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
Piano II
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 7 9 The t h i r t e e n t h
p e n ta to n ic
flo u r is h
expanded to i t s
s o n ic
e n tity
b e g in s a s a s e p tu p l e t
in th e x y lo p h o n e ; i t
is
i m m e d ia te l y
m o s t f r e q u e n t l y o c c u r r i n g fo rm
(X llla ),
w h ic h e n c o m p a s s e s t h e c o m p l e te b l a c k - k e y p e n t a t o n i c
Ex. 23 3 .
S o n i c - E n t i ti e s X I I I and X l l l a ,
2 , M ovem ent V, M ak ro k o sm o s I I I
s c a le .
p a g e 2 1 , s y s te m
Piano II
S t a t e m e n t s o f S o n i c - E n t i t y XIV f u n c t i o n t o
t e x tu r a l i n t e r e s t and tim b ra l b r il li a n c e
c ilia tio n .
N o t a b l e am ong t h e s e a r e
( w h ic h d e r i v e s
f ro m S o n i c - E n t i t y
ko sm o s I I I ) a n d XlVh ( d i r e c t l y
M ovem ent I ,
in c re a se
i n Song o f R econ
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s XlVg
l a o f M ovem ent IV , M ak ro
t a k e n fro m S o n i c - E n t i t y I ,
M a k ro k o sm o s I I I ; s e e e x a m p le 1 9 1 ) .
T hese o c c u r
s i m u l t a n e o u s l y n e a r t h e c o n c l u s i o n o f M ak ro k o sm o s I I I .
Ex. 234.
S o n i c - E n t i t i e s X.Yvg a n d X lV h , p a g e 2 5 , s y s te m 2 ,
M ovem ent V, M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
-XlVh-
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-380S o n l c - E n t i t y XV i s a s i n g l e a c c e n t e d c h o r d , w h ic h
s e r v e s t o p r o v id e a n e le m e n t o f e x c ite m e n t d u r in g th e r i s e
in in te n s it y .
p r e s s i n g a m a jo r s e c o n d d o u b le d a t th e o c ta v e .
Ex. 2 3 3 .
Piano I
Ex. 236.
An e x a m p le o f t h e t e x t u r a l d e n s i t y w i t h i n
s e c tio n B ( a l l e n t i t i e s a re a p p ro p r ia te ly
l a b e l e d ) , p a g e 2 2 , s y s te m 1 , M ovem ent V,
M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
Piano I
. X I I I b-
D u rin g th e p r o t r a c t e d
e n tity
c lim a c tic
b u ild ,
s u c c e s s io n s a r e r e p e a t e d v e rb a tim .
c e rta in
T h is i s
sh o w n
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 8 1 i n e x a m p le s 2 3 6 a n d 2 3 7 ; i n t h e s e e x a m p le s , n o t e t h e
l i t e r a l r e p e t i t i o n o f th e f i r s t a n d se co n d p ia n o p a r t s ,
a g a i n s t a n o v e r a l l c o n t e x t w h ic h i n e a c h c a s e i s
d iffe re n t.
T h e s e f i n a l e x a m p le s a l s o
so m e w h at
f u r n i s h a v ie w o f
th e k in d o f t e x t u r a l d e n s i t y a c h ie v e d w ith in th e c o u r s e
o f Song o f R e c o n c i l i a t i o n .
E x . 237*
A s e c o n d e x a m p le o f t h e t e x t u r a l d e n s i t y w i t h i n
s e c tio n B ( a l l e n t i t i e s a re a p p ro p r ia te ly la b e le d ) ,
p a g e 2 2 , s y s te m 2 , M ovem ent V, M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
-X IIIc -
X I If - -X IIX o ^
- X lli.
T X ll i -
-X IIh - \
X llla j
V U Ia -
-X H Ib -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-382SUMMARY
T a b l e XL. O v e r a l l s t r u c t u r a l d e s i g n o f M ovem ent V I n
r e l a t i o n t o c o m p l e te s o n i c - e n t i t y c o n t e n t a n d o r d e r i n g
F o rm a l U n i t :
S o n l c - E n t l ty C o n te n t and O r d e r in g :
S e c tio n A:
(M u s ic o f t h e
U n it a
I,
U n it b
V, V a,
II.
U n it a l
II.
U n it b l
V b, V c,
U n it a2
la .
II,
U n it b2
V d, V e ,
I la ,
Ila ,
S ta rr y N ig h t):
II.
Ila ,
V I, V I I,
la ,
lb ,
III,
IV ,
IV a ,
Ib . I llb , IIIc ,
I l a , IX , I V a ,
V III,
II.
Ila ,
IX,
S e c tio n B:
Song o f R e c o n c i l i a t i o n :
In tro d u c tio n
X,
U n it c
X I / X, X I ( c o n t i n u e s t h r o u g h o u t ) , Ve.
X, V g, X I I , X I I , X I l a , I c , X IV , X I I c , X I I I , X l l l a ,
X llb , X H Ib , X I I Ic , X lld , X llb , X lle , X l l la ,
X I I I , X l l f , X l l g , X l l d , X lV a , I d , X H I b , X l l b ,
X llh , X I I Ic , X llh , X I I la , X llb , X IIc , X III,
X lV b , I c ( e t c . t o c o d a )
X I s t o p s , V i , I d , I e , X, V J , X I, X I , V k, X I ,
I c , V I , X I , V k, X I , X, X l g , I f , I g , X I, X l g ,
X l g , V k, X l h , Vm, X lh , Vm, X I I , I c , V n,
X lV g , X l v h , X l j , X l j
I n o r d e r f o r m u s i c a l a n a l y s i s t o b e o f g e n u in e
v a lu e ,
f a m ilia rity
o f a n y w o rk s u n d e r c o n s i d e r a t i o n
o f c o u rse , a p r e r e q u is ite .
th e I n t r i n s i c
is,
T h e f a c t o r s w h ic h d e t e r m i n e
w o r t h o f a n y w o rk o f a r t m u s t r e m a in
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 8 3 f o re v e r e lu s iv e ; a n a ly s is can n o t f u lly
m y s te ry o f i t s
r ic h n e s s .
" e x p la in " th e
In c lo s in g t h is
f i n a l c h a p te r,
t h e f o l l o w i n g e l e g a n t a n d e l o q u e n t w o r d s , w r i t t e n by
G e o rg e Crum b c o n c e r n i n g t h e n a t u r e o f m u s i c , se em
a p p ro p ria te ;
I h a v e a lw a y s c o n s i d e r e d m u s ic t o b e a v e r y
s t r a n g e s u b s t a n c e , a s u b s t a n c e en d o w ed w i t h m a g i c a l
p ro p e rtie s .
M u sic i s t a n g i b l e , a l m o s t p a l p a b l e ,
and y e t u n re a l, i l l u s i v e .
M u s ic i s a n a l y z a b l e o n l y
on t h e m o s t m e c h a n i s t i c l e v e l :
th e im p o r ta n t e l e
m e n ts th e s p i r i t u a l im p u ls e , th e p s y c h o lo g ic a l
c u r v e , th e m e ta p h y s ic a l i m p l i c a t i o n s a r e u n d e r
s t a n d a b l e o n l y i n t e r m s o f t h e m u s ic i t s e l f .
I
f e e l i n t u i t i v e l y t h a t m u s ic m u s t h a v e b e e n t h e
p r i m i t i v e c e l l f ro m w h ic h l a n g u a g e , s c i e n c e , a n d
r e l i g io n o r ig in a te d .^
To s u c h p h i l o s o p h y t h i s w r i t e r a n d t h i s
d is s e r ta tio n
owe
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
APPENDIX A
r ela ted
s o n ic
e n t it ie s
M a k ro k o s m o s, V o l . I
S -E I ,
s- e I,
S -E I ,
w it h in
t h e makrokosmos t r il o g y 1
M a k ro k o s m o s, V o l . I I
F -P I ;
F - P IV ;
F - P XI
S -E X IV , M I
S -E I d & I e , F - P I
S -E I I *
S -E I I ,
M a k ro k o sm o s I I I
F -P I ;
F - P V;
S -E IV , F - P I ;
S -E V I , F - P X I
S -E I , F - P IV
S -E IV , F - P XI
S -E I I I , M I I I
S -E IX , M I I I
S -E I I , M V
S -E V I I I , F - P V I I
S -E IV , F - P I I ;
S -E IV , F - P X
S -E V I , M I
S -E I I I , F - P I I I ;
S -E I I I , F - P X I
S -E v, F - P IV ;
S -E X I I , F - P V I ;
S -E I , F - P XI
S e c t . B, F - P IV
S e c t ;. B , F - P X I I
S -E V I I I , F - P V I ;
S -E V I I , F - P V I I I ;
S -E V I I . F - P X I
S -E I , F - P IV
S -E I ,
S -E I , F - P X I
F -P V III
S -E I I I , F - P X I I
S -E X I I , M V
S -E I ,
M V
S -E X, M I
S -E H e ,
F -P I
S -E XV, M I
S -E X X I, M I
1 I n A p p e n d ix A , v e r t i c a l g r o u p in g s r e p r e s e n t r e l a t e d
e n t i t i e s i n e i t h e r M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I , M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I ,
o r M a krokosm os I I I , w h i l e e n t i t i e s l y i n g h o r i z o n t a l l y a c r o s s
fro m o n e a n o t h e r show r e l a t i o n s h i p s b e tw e e n t h e s e c o m p o s i t i o n s .
-3 8 4 -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 8 5 M a k ro k o s m o s, V o l . I
M ak ro k o sm o 3 , V o l .
II
M akrokosm os I I I
S -E IV ,, F-1? I I ;
S -E I , F - P IV
S -E H j , F -]P IV ;
S -E I , F - P X I I
III
F - P IV ( e n t i r e t y )
S -E I , F - P V I I ;
S -E I , F - P X I
S -E I , F - P V I I I ;
S -E V I I , F--P X I I
S -E IV , M I ;
S -E X lV h, M V
S -E V I , M I ;
S -E I I , M V
S -E XX, M I ;
S -E I c , M V
S -E XXV, M I ;
S -E X, M I I I
S -E V I I I , M I I
S -E V I I I , M IV
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
APPENDIX B
AN EXAMPLE OF THE COMPOSER'S HANDWRITING1
^^crvti2 n u n c i o thv
(Jigs <3-
yM^
^Copied b y t h e c o m p o s e r f ro m t h e
in te rv ie w f o r in c lu s io n in t h is p a p e r.
17 J u l y 1 9 7 8
386 -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
APPENDIX C
SCORES OF ACKNOWLEDGED WORKS1
C ru m b , G e o r g e . A n c i e n t V o i c e s o f C h i l d r e n ( f o r s o p r a n o ,
boy s o p ra n o , o b o e , m a n d o lin , h a r p , e l e c t r i c p ia n o ,
and p e rc u s s io n :
1 9 7 0 ).
New Y o r k :
C .F . P e t e r s
C o rp o ra tio n , 1970.
(2 5 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d
i n O c to b e r, 1 970 i n W a sh in g to n , D .C .; f i r s t p e r
fo rm e d b y J a n D e G a e t a n i , m e z z o - s o p r a n o ; M ic h a e l
D a s h , b o y s o p r a n o ; a n d T h e C o n te m p o r a ry C h am b er
E n s e m b le , c o n d u c t e d b y A r t h u r W e is b e r g ; t e x t b y
L o r c a ; c o m m is s io n e d b y t h e E l i z a b e t h S p r a g u e C o o l i d g e F o u n d a tio n ; d e d ic a t e d to J a n D e G a e ta n i.)
________ . B l a c k A n g e l s " Im a g e s I :
T h i r t e e n Im a g e s fro m t h e
D a rk L a n d 1' ( f o r e l e c t r i c s t r i n g q u a r t e t :
1 9 7 0 ).
New
Y o rk :
C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a t i o n , 1 97 0 .
(2 5 m i n u t e s ;
f i r s t p e r f o r m e d I n O c t o b e r , 1 9 7 0 i n Ann A r b o r , M ic h
ig a n ; f i r s t p e rfo rm e d by th e S ta n le y S t r i n g Q u a r te t;
c o m m is s io n e d b y t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f M i c h i g a n .)
. D r e a m - S e q u e n c e " Im a g e s I I " ( f o r v i o l i n , v i o l o n
c e l l o , p ia n o , p e rc u s s io n , and o f f s t a g e " g la s s
h a rm o n ic a " :
1 9 7 6 ).
New Y o r k :
C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r
a tio n , 1977.
(1 5 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d I n
D e c e m b e r , 1 9 7 6 i n B r u n s w i c k , M a in e ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d
b y t h e A e o l i a n C h a m b e r P l a y e r s ; c o m m is s io n e d b y t h e
A e o lia n C ham ber P l a y e r s . )
________ . E c h o e s o f T im e a n d t h e R i v e r .
"E choes I I :
Four
P ro c e s s io n a ls f o r O r c h e s tra :
196 8 ) . New Y o r k : B e l w ln - M ills , I n c . , 1968.
(2 0 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d
1 The f o l l o w i n g e n t r i e s a r e a n n o t a t e d
m edium o f p e r f o r m a n c e , d a t e o f c o m p l e t i o n ,
d a te and lo c a tio n o f th e p re m ie re , p a r t i c i p
p r e m ie re , a u th o r o f t e x t s ( i f a n y ) , so u rc e
( i f a n y ), and d e d ic a tio n s ( i f a n y ).
to in c lu d e
d u ra tio n ,
a n ts in th e
o f c o m m is s io n
-3 8 7 -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
i n M ay, 1967 i n C h i c a g o ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d b y t h e
C h ic a g o Sym phony O r c h e s t r a , c o n d u c te d b y E r w in
H o ffm a n ; c o m m is s io n e d b y t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C h i c a g o . )
_.
E l e v e n E c h o e s o f A u tu m n . 1965 " E c h o e s I " ( f o r a l t o
f l u t e , c l a r i n e t , v i o l i n , an d p ia n o :
19 6 6 ) . New Y o r k :
C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a t i o n , 1 9 7 2 .
(18 m i n u t e s ; f i r 3 t
p e r f o r m e d i n A u g u s t , 1966 i n B r u n s w ic k , M a in e ; f i r s t
p e r f o r m e d b y t h e A e o l i a n C h a m b e r P l a y e r s ; c o m m is s io n e d
b y B o w d o in C o l l e g e . )
_. F iv e P ie c e s f o r P ia n o ( 1962) .
New Y o r k : C . F .
P e t e r s C o r p o r a t i o n , 19& 7.
(8 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t p e r
fo rm e d i n F e b r u a r y , 1962 i n B o u l d e r , C o l o r a d o ; f i r s t
p e r f o r m e d b y D a v id B u r g e ; c o m m is s io n e d b y D a v id
B u r g e ; d e d i c a t e d t o D a v id B u r g e .)
_. F o u r N o c t u r n e s " N i g h t M u sic I I " ( f o r v i o l i n a n d
p i a n o : 19& 4) .
New Y o r k :
C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a tio n ,
f a c s im ile e d itio n , 1971.
R e n o ta te d , r e e d i te d p r in t e d
s c o re is s u e d In 1978.
(9 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d
i n F e b r u a r y , 1965 i n B u f f a l o , New Y o r k ; f i r s t p e r
fo rm e d by P a u l Z u k o f s k y , v i o l i n i s t , a n d G e o rg e C ru m b ,
p i a n i s t ; d e d i c a t e d t o A nn t h e c o m p o s e r 's d a u g h t e r . )
_. Lux A e t e m a ( f o r s o p r a n o , b a s s f l u t e / s o p r a n o
" r e c o r d e r , s i t a r , a n d p e r c u s s i o n tw o p l a y e r s :
1971) .
New Y o r k :
C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a t i o n , 1 9 7 2 .
(S c o re i s
c u r r e n t l y b e in g r e n o t a t e d . )
(15 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t p e r
f o rm e d i n A p r i l , 1 9 7 2 i n New Y o r k , N .Y .; f i r s t p e r
f o rm e d by t h e P h i l a d e l p h i a C o m p o s e r s ' F o ru m ; m e d i e v a l
L a t i n t e x t fro m t h e D i e s I r a e ; c o m m is s io n e d b y t h e
P h i l a d e l p h i a C o m p o s e r s ' F o ru m ; d e d i c a t e d t o " t h e
C h ild re n o f th e N ig h t." )
_. M a d r i g a l s , B ook I ( f o r s o p r a n o , v i b r a p h o n e , a n d
c o n tr a b a s s : 1 9 8 5 ).
New Y o r k :
C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a
tio n , 1971.
( 9 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t p e rf o r m e d i n M a rc h ,
1966 i n W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d b y J a n
D e G a e t a n i, m e z z o - s o p r a n o , a n d t h e C o n te m p o r a ry
C h a m b e r E n s e m b le ; t e x t b y L o r c a ; c o m m is s io n e d b y
th e K o u s s e v its k y F o u n d a tio n ; d e d ic a t e d " to th e
m em ory o f S e r g e a n d N a t a l i e K o u s s e v i t s k y . "
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 8 9 M a d r i g a l s , B ook I I ( f o r s o p r a n o , f l u t e / p i c c o l o /
a l t o f l u t e , and p e rc u s s io n :
1 9 6 5 ) . New Y o r k : C . F .
P e te r s C o rp o ra tio n , 1971.
(7 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t p e r
f o rm e d i n M a rc h , 1966 I n W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . j f i r s t
p e r f o r m e d b y J a n D e G a e t a n i, m e z z o - s o p r a n o , a n d t h e
C o n t e m p o r a r y C ha m b e r E n s e m b le ; t e x t b y L o r c a ; com
m is s io n e d by th e K o u s s e v its k y F o u n d a tio n ; d e d ic a t e d
" t o t h e m em ory o f S e r g e a n d N a t a l i e K o u s s e v i t s k y . " )
_.
M a d r i g a l s , B ook I I I ( f o r s o p r a n o , h a r p , a n d p e r
c u s s io n :
1 9 o 9 ) . N e w Y o rk : C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a tio n ,
1971.
(8 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d i n M a rc h , 1 9 7 0 i n
S e a t t l e , W a s h i n g t o n ; f i r s t p e rf o r m e d b y E l i z a b e t h
S u d e r b e r g , s o p r a n o , a n d t h e C o n te m p o r a r y G ro u p o f
t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h in g to n ; t e x t b y L o r c a ; com
m is s io n e d by th e U n i v e r s i ty o f W a sh in g to n ; d e d ic a t e d
to E l iz a b e th S u d e r b e r g .)
_.
M a d r i g a l s , B ook IV ( f o r s o p r a n o , f l u t e / p i c c o l o /
" a lto f l u t e , h a rp , c o n tr a b a s s , and p e rc u s s io n :
1969) .
New Y o r k :
C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a tio n , 1 9 7 1 .
(9 m i n u t e s ;
f i r s t p e r f o r m e d i n M a rc h , 1 9 7 0 i n S e a t t l e , W a s h in g to n ;
f i r s t p e rfo rm e d by E l iz a b e th S u d e r b e r g , s o p ra n o , a n d
t h e C o n te m p o r a r y G ro u p o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a sh in g
t o n ; t e x t b y L o r c a ; c o m m is s io n e d b y t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f
W a sh in g to n ; d e d ic a te d t o E l iz a b e th S u d e r b e r g .)
_. M a k ro k o s m o s , V olum e I " T w elv e F a n t a s y - P i e c e s a f t e r
" th e Z o d ia c f o r A m p lif ie d P ia n o "
(1 9 7 2 ).
New Y o r k :
C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a tio n , 1 9 7 4 .
(3 3 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t
p e rfo rm e d i n F e b r u a r y , 1 9 7 3 ; f i r s t p e rfo rm e d by
D a v id B u r g e ; c o m m is s io n e d b y D a v id B u r g e ; d e d i c a t e d
t o D a v id B u r g e . )
_. M a k ro k o s m o s , Volum e I I " T w e lv e F a n t a s y - P i e c e s a f t e r
" th e Z o d ia c f o r A m p lif ie d P ia n o "
( 1 9 7 3 ) . New Y o r k :
C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a tio n , 1 9 7 4 .
(3 5 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t
p e r f o r m e d i n N o v e m b e r, 1 9 7 4 , i n New Y o r k , N .Y .; f i r s t
p e r f o r m e d b y R o b e r t M i l l e r ; c o m m is s io n e d b y R o b e r t
M ille r ; d e d ic a te d to R o b e rt M il le r .)
_.
M u sic f o r a Summer E v e n in g "M a k ro k o sm o s I I I " ( f o r
"tw o a m p l i f i e d p i a n o s and' p e r c u s s i o n - - t w o p l a y e r s ) .
New Y o r k :
C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a tio n , 1 9 7 4 .
(4 5 m i n u t e s ;
f i r s t p e r f o r m e d i n M a rc h , 1974 i n S w a r th m o r e , P e n n s y l
v a n i a ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d b y G i l b e r t K a l i s h a n d Ja m e s
F r e e m a n , p i a n i s t s , a n d Raym ond D e s R o c h e s a n d R i c h a r d
F i t z , p e r c u s s i o n i s t s ; c o m m is s io n e d b y t h e Fromm
F o u n d a tio n .)
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 9 0 . N i g h t o f t h e F o u r Moons ( f o r a l t o , a l t o f l u t e /
" p ic c o lo , b a n jo , e l e c t r i c c e l l o , and p e rc u s s io n :
1 9 6 9 ) . New Y o r k : C . F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a t i o n , 1 9 7 1 .
(1 6 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d i n A p r i l , 1 9 7 0 i n
P h i l a d e l p h i a , P e n n s y lv a n ia ; f i r s t p e rfo rm e d by
A nna May C o u r t n e y , a l t o , a n d t h e P h i l a d e l p h i a
C h a m b e r P l a y e r s ; c o m m is s io n e d b y t h e P h i l a d e l p h i a
C ham ber P l a y e r s . )
_. N i g h t M u sic I ( f o r s o p r a n o , p i a n o / c e l e s t a , a n d
p e r c u s s i o n : I 9 6 3 ) . New Y o r k :
B e lw in -M ills P u b lis h in g
C o r p o r a tio n , 1967.
(18 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d i n
J a n u a r y , 1964 i n P a r i s , F r a n c e ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d b y
a P a r i s i a n e n s e m b l e , c o n d u c te d b y K e i t h H u m b le;
t e x t b y L o r c a ; d e d i c a t e d t o E l i z a b e t h t h e c o m p o s e r 's
w ife .)
S o n a t a f o r S o lo V i o l o n c e l l o ( 1 9 5 3 ) . New Y o r k :
" C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a t i o n , 195& . F i r s t p e r f o r m e d i n
N o v e m b e r, 1 9 6 5 I n Ann A r b o r , M ic h i g a n ; s t u d e n t
p e r f o r m a n c e ; d e d i c a t e d t o t h e c o m p o s e r 's m o t h e r . )
S o n g s, D ro n e s an d R e f r a in s o f D e a th ( f o r b a r i t o n e ,
" e le c tr ic g u i ta r , e le c t r i c c o n tr a b a s s , e l e c t r i c p ia n o /
e l e c t r i c h a r p s i c h o r d , a n d p e r c u s s i o n tw o p l a y e r s :
1 9 6 8 ) . New Y o r k :
C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a t i o n , 1 9 7 1 .
(3 0 m i n u t e s :
f i r s t p e rf o r m e d i n M a rc h , 1969 i n Iow a
C i t y , Io w a ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d b y t h e C o n te m p o r a r y En
s e m b le o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Io w a ; c o m m is s io n e d b y t h e
U n i v e r s i t y o f I o w a .)
.
S ta r - C h ild "a P a ra b le f o r S o p ra n o , A n tip h o n a l
" C h ild r e n s V o ic e s , an d L arg e O r c h e s tr a " (1 9 7 7 ).
New Y o r k : C . F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a t i o n , 1 9 7 7 .
(3 3
m i n u t e s ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d i n M ay, 1 9 7 7 i n New Y o r k ,
N .Y . ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d b y I r e n e G u b ru d , s o p r a n o ;
t h e B o y s ' C h o i r fro m T h e L i t t l e C h u r c h A ro u n d t h e
C o m e r ; t h e B r o o k ly n B o y s ' C h o r u s ; t h e T r i n i t y
G u i l d o f B e l l R i n g e r s ; a n d t h e New Y o rk P h i l h a r
m o n ic o r c h e s t r a , c o n d u c te d b y P i e r r e B o u l e z ;
m e d i e v a l L a t i n t e x t s fro m D i e s I r a e a n d M a s s a c r e
o f t h e I n n o c e n t s ; c o m m is s io n e d b y t h e F o r d F o u n d a
t i o n ; d e d i c a t e d t o D a v id a n d P e t e r t h e c o m p o s e r 's
s o n s .)
_. S t r i n g Q u a r t e t ( 1 9 5 4 ) .
U n p u b lish e d .
(2 3 m i n u t e s ;
" f i r s t p e r f o r m e d i n t h e s p r i n g o f 1 9 5 4 i n Ann A r b o r ,
M ic h i g a n ; s t u d e n t p e r f o r m a n c e .)
_. V a r i a z i o n i f o r L a r g e O r c h e s t r a ( 1 9 5 9 ) . New Y o rk :
" C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a t i o n , f a c s i m i l e e d i t i o n , 1 9 7 1 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 9 1 (2 5 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d i n M ay, 1 9 5 9 i n
C i n c i n n a t i , O h io ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d b y t h e C i n c i n
n a t i Sym phony O r c h e s t r a , c o n d u c t e d b y Max
R o u d o lp h ( a m o d e rn d a n c e r ) .
. Vox B a l a e n a e " f o r T h r e e M ask ed P l a y e r s " ( f o r
" e le c tr ic f lu t e , e le c t r i c c e llo , and e le c t r i c
p ia n o :
1 9 7 1 ) . New Y o r k :
C .F . P e t e r s C o r p o r a t i o n ,
1972.
(18 m i n u t e s ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d i n M a rc h , 1 9 7 2
i n W a s h i n g t o n , D . C . ; f i r s t p e r f o r m e d b y t h e New
Y o rk C a m e r a t a . )
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
APPENDIX D
COMPLETE RECORDINGS1
C rum b, G e o r g e . A n c i e n t V o i c e s o f C h i l d r e n , p e r f o r m e d b y
J a n D e G a e t a n i, m e z z o - s o p r a n o ; M ic h a e l D a s h , b o y s o
p r a n o ; a n d t h e C o n t e m p o r a r y C h a m b e r E n s e m b le , c o n d u c t e d
by A r th u r W e is b e rg . N o n esu ch H -7 1 2 5 5 .
( R e le a s e d i n
1 9 7 1 ; r e c o r d e d i n New Y o r k , N .Y .; a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s
b y G e o rg e C r u m b .)
________ . B l a c k A n g e l s , p e r f o r m e d b y t h e New Y o rk S t r i n g Q u a r
te t" !
CRI 283 SD.
( R e l e a s e d i n 1 9 7 1 ; r e c o r d e d i n New
Y o r k , N .Y . ; c o u p l e d w i t h m u s ic b y C h a r l e s J o n e s ;
a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s b y G e o rg e C ru m b .)
________ . B l a c k A n g e l s , p e r f o r m e d b y t h e C o n c o rd S t r i n g Q u a r
t e t ! Vox SVBX 5 3 0 6 .
(R e le a s e d i n 1 9 7 3 ; r e c o r d e d i n
New Y o r k , N .Y . ; c o u p l e d w i t h m u s ic b y s e v e n o t h e r
c o m p o s e r s ; a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s b y L e j a r e n H i l l e r . )
________ . B l a c k A n g e l s , p e r f o r m e d b y t h e G audeam us S t r i n g
Q u a rte t.
P h i l i p s 6500 8 8 l .
( R e le a s e d i n 1975 ; r e
c o r d e d i n E u r o p e ; c o u p l e d w i t h m u s ic b y E h r iq u e R a x a e h
a n d Ton d e L e e u w . )
.
E c h o e s o f T im e a n d t h e R i v e r , p e r f o r m e d b y t h e
L o u i s v i l l e Sym phony O r c h e s t r a , c o n d u c te d b y G e o rg e
M e ste r.
L o u is v ille S -7 1 1 .
( R e le a s e d i n 1 9 7 2 ; r e
c o r d e d i n L o u i s v i l l e , K e n t u c k y .)
.
E l e v e n E c h o e s o f A u tu m n , 1965# p e r f o r m e d b y t h e
A e o lia n C ham ber P l a y e r s .
CRI 2 3 3 USD.
( R e le a s e d i n
1 9 6 7 ; r e c o r d e d I n New Y o r k , N .Y .; a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s
b y G e o rg e C ru m b .)
^The f o l l o w i n g e n t r i e s a r e a n n o t a t e d t o i n c l u d e
y e a r o f r e l e a s e , c i t y w h e re r e c o r d e d , a n d a u t h o r o f a c co m
p a n y in g n o t e s ( i f t h e s e a r e s i g n e d ) .
-3 9 2 -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-393.
F i v e P i e c e s f o r P l a n o , p e r f o r m e d b y D a v id B u r g e ,
" p i a n i s t , A d v a n c e FG R-3 (M o n o ).
(R e le a s e d I n 1 9 6 5 ;
r e c o r d e d I n B o u l d e r , C o l o r a d o ; c o u p l e d w i t h m u s ic b y
D a v id B u r g e , S a l v a t o r e M a r t l r a n o , G e o rg e R o c h b e r g ,
a n d C h a r l e s W u o rin e n ; a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s b y D a v id
B u rg e .)
. F o u r N o c tu rn e s , p e rfo rm e d by P a u l Z u k o fs k y , v i o l i n i s t ;
" and G i l b e r t K a l i s h , p i a n i s t .
M a in s tr e a m M X /5 0 1 6 .
(R e
l e a s e d i n 1 9 7 4 ; r e c o r d e d i n New Y o r k , N .Y .; c o u p l e d w i t h
m u s ic b y J o h n C a g e , C h a r l e s W u o rin e n , a n d I s a n g Y u n ;
a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s b y E l l i o t t G a l k i n . )
. F o u r N o c tu r n e s , p e rfo rm e d by P a u l Z u k o fs k y , V io " l i n i s t ; and G ilb e r t K a lis h , P i a n is t.
D e s t o D C 6 4 3 5 /3 7 *
( R e l e a s e d i n 1 9 7 5 ; r e c o r d e d i n New Y o r k , N .Y .; c o u p le d
w i t h m u s ic b y t h i r t e e n o t h e r c o m p o s e r s :
p a rt o f an
a lb u m o f t h r e e r e c o r d s e n t i t l e d M u s ic f o r a 2 0 t h
C e n t u r y V i o l i n i s t ; a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s b y N i c h o l a s
S lo n im s k y . )
. M a d r ig a ls , B ooks I , I I , I I I , a n d IV , p e rfo rm e d by
'b y J a n D e G a e t a n i, m e z z o - s o p r a n o , a n d t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f
P e n n s y l v a n i a C o n t e m p o r a r y C h am b er P l a y e r s , c o n d u c t e d
b y R i c h a r d W e m i c k . A R -D e u ts c h e G ram m ophon 0654 0 8 5 .
( R e l e a s e d i n 1 9 7 0 ; r e c o r d e d i n M e d ia , P e n n s y l v a n i a ;
c o u p l e d w i t h m u s ic b y 14 o t h e r c o m p o s e r s :
p a r t o f an
a lb u m o f s i x r e c o r d s e n t i t l e d A c o u s t i c a l R e s e a r c h C on
t e m p o r a r y M u s ic P r o j e c t ; i n c l u d e s a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s
b y G e o rg e C r u m b .)
"
. M a d r i g a l s , B o o k s I , I I , I I I , a n d I V , p e r f o r m e d by
E l i z a b e t h S u d e r b e r g , s o p r a n o a n d t h e C o n t e m p o r a r y
G ro u p o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f W a s h i n g t o n . V ox TV-S
34523.
( R e le a s e d i n 1 9 7 3 ; r e c o r d e d i n S e a t t l e ,
W a s h i n g t o n ; a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s b y D o n a ld C h i t t u m . )
. M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I , p e r f o r m e d b y D a v id B u r g e ,
" p i a n i s t , N o n e s u c h H -7 1 2 9 3 .
( R e le a s e d i n 1 9 7 4 ; r e
c o r d e d i n 'N e w Y o r k , N .Y .; a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s b y G e o rg e
C ru m b . )
. M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I I , p e rf o r m e d b y R o b e r t M i l l e r ,
p i a n i s t , C o lu m b ia Y 3 4 1 3 5 .
( R e le a s e d i n 1 9 7 6 ; r e c o r d e d
i n New Y o r k , N . Y . ; a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s b y R o b e r t M i l l e r . )
_. M u s ic f o r a Summer E v e n in g (M a k ro k o sm o s I I I ) , p e r f o rm e d b y G i l b e r t K a l i s h , p i a n i s t ; J a m e s F r e e m a n ,
p i a n i s t ; Raym ond D e s R o c h e s , p e r c u s s i o n i s t ; a n d R i c h a r d
P itz , p e rc u s s io n is t.
N o n esu ch H 7 1 3 1 1
( R e le a s e d in
1 9 7 5 ; r e c o r d e d i n New Y o r k , N .Y .; a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s
b y G e o rg e C ru m b . )
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
394_ . N i g h t o f t h e F o u r M o o n s, p e r f o r m e d b y J a n D e G a e t a n i , m e z z o - s o p r a n o a n d t h e A e o l i a n C h am b er
P la y e rs .
C o lu m b ia M 3 2 7 3 9 *
( R e le a s e d i n 1 9 7 4 ;
r e c o r d e d i n New Y o r k , N .Y . ; c o u p le d w i t h m u s ic b y
G e o rg e Crumb ' Vox B a l a e n a e *; a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s
by G e o rg e C ru m b '.)
_ . N i g h t M u s ic I , p e r f o r m e d b y L o u i s e T o t h , s o p r a n o ;
" P a u l P a r m e le e ', p i a n i s t ; D a v id B u r g e , p e r c u s s i o n i s t ;
a n d Thom as M a c C lu s k e y , p e r c u s s i o n i s t , c o n d u c te d b y
G e o rg e C rum b. CRI 2 3 3 USD.
( R e le a s e d i n 1 9 6 7 ;
r e c o r d e d i n B o u l d e r , C o l o r a d o ; c o u p l e d w i t h m u s ic
b y R o b e r t E r i c k s o n ; a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s b y C a r t e r
H annan.)
. S o n a t a f o r S o lo V i o l o n c e l l o , p e r f o r m e d b y R o b e r t
S y l v e s t e r , c e l l i s t .
D e s t o D6 - 7 1 6 9 .
( R e le a s e d i n
1 9 7 5 ; r e c o r d e d i n New Y o r k , N .Y ; c o u p le d w i t h m u sic
by P a u l H i n d e m ith a n d E g o n W e l l e s z ; a c c o m p a n y in g
n o t e s by R o b e r t S y l v e s t e r . )
_.
S o n a t a f o r S o lo V i o l o n c e l l o , p e r f o r m e d by Roy
C h r i s t e n s e n .
G asp aro .
( R e le a s e d i n 1 9 7 5 ; c o u p le d
w i t h m u s ic b y L u i g i D a l l a p i c c o l a , P a u l H i n d e m i t h ,
a n d G u n th e r S c h u l l e r ; a c c o m p a n y in g n o t e s b y H a r o ld
L e w ln . )
_.
S o n g s , D r o n e s a n d R e f r a i n s o f D e a t h , p e r f o r m e d by
"by L a w re n c e W e l l e r , B a r i t o n e a n d t h e P h i l a d e l p h i a Com
p o s e r ' s F o ru m , c o n d u c t e d b y J o e l T hom e. D e s t o DC 7 1 5 5 .
( R e l e a s e d i n 1 9 7 3 ; r e c o r d e d i n G l a s s b o r o , New J e r s e y ;
c o u p l e d w i t h m u s ic b y R o g e r S e s s i o n s ; a c c o m p a n y in g
n o t e s by G e o rg e C r u m b .)
. Vc y B a l a e n a e , p e r f o r m e d b y t h e A e o l i a n C h am b er
" P la y e rs .
C o lu m b ia M 3 2 7 3 9 .
(R e le a s e d i n 19 7 4 ;
r e c o r d e d i n New Y o r k , N . Y . ; c o u p l e d w i t h m u s ic b y
G e o rg e Crumb ' N i g h t o f t h e F o u r M o o n s' ; a c co m
p a n y in g n o t e s b y G e o rg e C ru m b .)
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
APPENDIX E
INTERVIEWS WITH GEORGE CRUMB1
I n te r v ie w ,
23 J u l y 1 9 7 6
R .S .
The f i r s t q u e s t i o n i s a g e n e r a l o n e , a n d i s r e a l l y
i m p o s s i b l e t o a n s w e r s i n c e t h e p r e s c r i p t i o n w o u ld
v a r y w i t h e v e r y i n d i v i d u a l , b u t . c o u l d y o u m ake a
fe w co m m e n ts o n w h a t y o u f e e l t h e i d e a l e d u c a t i o n
o f o n e who w a n t s t o b eco m e a c o m p o s e r w o u ld b e ?
G .C .
I t h i n k i t ' s i m p o r t a n t t o h a v e a go o d b a c k g ro u n d
i n a l l t h e m u s ic t h a t h a s b e e n c o m p o s e d , a n d t h a t
i s b e i n g c o m p o s e d by o n e ' s c o n t e m p o r a r i e s t h a t ' s
one s id e o f i t .
I t ' s i m p o r t a n t t o h a v e some p r a c
t i c a l e x p e r ie n c e i n p e rfo rm a n c e e i t h e r to b e a
p i a n i s t , to have s tu d ie d an in s tru m e n t, o r to have
d o n e som e c o n d u c t i n g .
I t h i n k m o st c o m p o s e r s
p r o b a b ly h a v e p la y e d f o u r- h a n d p ia n o m u sic , p la y e d
som e s t r i n g q u a r t e t s , o r p l a y e d some s y m p h o n ie s i n
fo u r-h a n d r e d u c tio n s ; I th in k a l l o f t h i s i s v e ry
good in t h a t i t h e lp s one to g e t in s i d e th e m u s ic .
I t g i v e s y o u a c e r t a i n w h a t I w o u ld c a l l m u s c u l a r
o r t a c t i l e s e n s e , w h ic h d o e s , I t h i n k , i n f l u e n c e
t h e way i n w h ic h o n e w o r k s .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u s a y a l i t t l e a b o u t why y o u p u t s o m uch
e m p h a s is o n l i s t e n i n g t o a g r e a t d e a l o f m u s ic ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t a l l t h e m u s ic we h e a r , o r h a v e h e a r d ,
som ehow s h a p e s o u r own e a r a n d i m a g i n a t i o n .
The
m u s ic a c o m p o s e r w r i t e s i s l a r g e l y t h e sum o f a l l
t h e m u s ic h e h a s h e a r d a n d l i k e d .
T h is i s l i k e a
s o u r c e t h a t we d ra w f r o m .
I c a n im a g in e a c o m p o s e r
s a y l i k e S c h u b e r t o n e o f w h o se w o rk s m ig h t s t i l l
s t i m u l a t e a c o m p o s e r t o d a y ; som ehow , i t i s p o s s i b l e
t o f i n d a p o i n t o f c o n t a c t i n w h a t w o u ld s e e m i n g ly
b e a r e m o te s t y l e .
^^These i n t e r v i e w s h a v e a l l b e e n c a r e f u l l y r e a d a n d ,
to a c e r t a i n d e g re e , e d it e d by th e c o m p o se r.
T h is w r i t e r
in te n d s to c o n tin u e i n te r v ie w in g th e co m p o ser beyond th e
c o m p le tio n o f t h i s d i s s e r t a t i o n ; e v e n tu a l p u b l ic a ti o n o f
th e c o l l e c t e d in te r v ie w s i s t h i s w r i t e r 's i n t e n t i o n .
-3 9 5 -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 9 6 R .S .
I t h i n k m any c o m p o s e r s b e l i e v e k n o w le d g e o f t h e
o t h e r a r t s i s o f h i g h v a l u e . Do y o u f e e l t h a t s u c h
k n o w le d g e c a r r i e s o v e r i n t o a c o m p o s e r s m u s ic ?
G .C .
Y es, I th in k t h i s i s t r u e .
I t h i n k i n my own c a s e
i t ' s p r o b a b l y b e e n m o re l i t e r a t u r e t h a n l e t ' s s a y
th e p l a s t i c a r t s .
I la c k an eye f o r p a in tin g , and
s e n s i t i v i t y to th e v i s u a l a r t s , b u t l i t e r a t u r e can
be v e ry s tim u la tin g .
R .S .
D o e s a n a l y z i n g t h e f o rm o r o t h e r t e c h n i c a l a s p e c t s
o f a poem o r o t h e r l i t e r a r y w o rk c a r r y o v e r i n a n y
way t o t h e s t r u c t u r i n g o f m u s ic f o r y o u ?
G .C .
I g u e s s I ' v e n e v e r a n a l y z e d l i t e r a r y w o r k s i n te r m s
o f f o rm o r how t h e y ' r e p u t t o g e t h e r .
On s e c o n d
t h o u g h t , I m u s t h a v e d o n e som e o f t h a t i n h i g h s c h o o l ,
b u t t h a t w as a g o o d w h i l e b a c k . And I m u s t s a y t o o ,
t h a t n o r m a l l y , I w o u l d n 't a n a l y z e a p i e c e o f m u s ic
th a t I h e a r.
I t h in k m u s ic , b e in g a la n g u a g e a l l i t s
ow n, i s i m m e d i a t e l y p e r c e i v a b l e i n t e r m s o f i t s e l f .
I d o , h o w e v e r , t h i n k som e a n a l y s i s i_s g o o d t o do a 3 a
s p e c ia l p ro je c t.
I t h i n k y o u l e a r n s o m e t h in g by
v e r b a l i z i n g , w h ic h i s w h a t a n a l y s i s a m o u n ts t o v e r b a liz i n g m u sic a l e v e n ts .
B u t, o f c o u r s e , a n a ly
s i s i s n ' t n e c e s s a r y i n o r d e r t o g e t th e f u l l im p a c t
o f a p ie c e .
A n a ly s is h a s i t s l i m i t a t i o n s .
F o r one
t h i n g , m u s ic i s s o i n c r e d i b l y c o m p le x , t h a t t h e
l a n g u a g e d o e s n 't e x i s t w h ic h c a n d e s c r i b e t h e i n t e r
s e c t i o n o f s o m any e l e m e n t s i n a g i v e n c o n t e x t ( f o r
e x a m p le , a n i n s t a n t o f t i m e , o r a v e r t i c a l s l i c e o f
a c o m p o s itio n , o r f o r t h a t m a t t e r , th e h o r i z o n t a l
d im e n s io n ) ; t o t r y t o d e s c r i b e t h i s i n w o rd s , you
h a v e t o u s e a 'feymbol o f a s y m b o l ." M u s ic i s d i r e c t
a n d i s c o m p l e t e l y i n t e l l i g i b l e i n i t s own t e r m s .
In a n a ly z in g a m u s ic a l c o m p o s itio n , one te n d s to
z e ro in on c e r t a i n a s p e c t s an d t h i s becom es an i n
c o m p l e te a b s t r a c t i o n w h ic h i s n o t r e a l i n te r m s o f
th e m u sic .
R .S .
Do y o u b e l i e v e t h a t c o m p le x m o d e rn t h e o r y , s u c h a s
t h a t e s p o u s e d b y A l l a n F o r t e , B en B o r e t z , a n d M i l t o n
B a b b i tt , h a s a n y v a lu e f o r th e y o u n g c o m p o ser?
G .C .
I th in k t h a t
have in v e n te d
come t o t e r m s
th in k t h a t t h
o th e r s ty l e s .
some o f t h e s e p e o p l e y o u h a v e m e n t i o n e d
s y s te m s o f a n a l y s i s w h ic h a t t e m p t t o
w ith c e r t a i n ty p e s o f m u s ic .
I d o n 't
i s ty p e o f a n a l y s i s i s a p p l i c a b l e t o
A c l a s s i c e x a m p le i s H i n d e m i t h 's
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 9 7 ( G . C .) t h e o r y o f a n a l y s i s , w h ic h h e p r o p o u n d e d a s a s y s te m
f o r t h e u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f c o n te m p o r a r y m u s ic i n
g e n e ra l.
Of c o u rs e , t h a t s n o t s o .
I t w o rk s b e a u t i
f u l l y w i t h h i s own m u s i c , b u t t h e r e a r e s t y l i s t i c
b a r r i e r s t h a t l im it th e a p p l i c a b i l i t y o f t h i s o r any
o n e s y s te m o n a n a l y s i s .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t t h e t w e l v e - t o n e a n d o t h e r s t r i c t
s y s te m s a r e o f v a l u e t o t o d a y ' s c o m p o s e r s , a n d h a v e
y o u e v e r e m p lo y e d a s t r i c t s y s te m o f t h i s t y p e i n
y o u r m u s ic ?
G .C .
No.
I v e n e v e r w r i t t e n a p i e c e o f m u s ic i n t h e
tw e lv e - to n e s y s te m .
I d i d tw o o r t h r e e e x e r c i s e s
in s tu d e n t d a y s .
I am p e r s o n a l l y u n c o m f o r t a b l e w i t h
t h e s y s te m I c o u l d n ' t m ake i t w o rk f o r m y s e l f i t
d i d n ' t se em n a t u r a l .
O f c o u r s e , t h e r e a r e a go o d
m any c o m p o s e r s now who a r e e m p l o y i n g t h e t w e l v e - t o n e
s y s t e m , a n d who f e e l i t i s n o t e x h a u s t e d .
I 'm n o t
s u r e w h e th e r i t i s e x h a u s te d o r n o t .
I f e e l, p e r
s o n a l l y , no r e a l c o n ta c t w ith t h i s a p p ro a c h to m u sic .
I do f e e l , h o w e v e r , t h a t a n y h i g h l y d i s c i p l i n e d s t y l e ,
w h e t h e r i t b e B a c h , P a l e s t r i n a , o r W e b e rn , w o u ld b e
u s e f u l a s a m ean3 o f t r a i n i n g a n d d e v e l o p i n g t e c h n i q u e .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u d i s c u s s y o u r e v o l u t i o n a s a c o m p o s e r i n
te r m s o f y o u r o u t p u t, a n d w h a t h a s i n f l u e n c e d i t ?
G .C .
I t w as o n l y i n 1962 t h a t I b e g a n w r i t i n g i n my
c u r r e n t s t y l e , a n d b e f o r e t h a t t i m e , my m u s ic w as
a s o r t o f s y n t h e s i s , s t r o n g l y d e r i v a t i v e o f B a r to k ,
B e r g , W e b e rn , a n d S c h o e n b e r g t h e p r i n c i p a l c o m p o s e r s
o f th e tw e n tie th c e n tu r y .
I t ' s h a r d t o e x p l a i n why
one s t a r t s to w r ite in a d i f f e r e n t s t y l e t h i s r e s u l t s
f r o m i n w a r d m o t i v a t i o n s o f som e k i n d , I s u p p o s e .
I
t h i n k t h a t I s im p ly b e c am e a w a r e t h a t I w a s n t w r i t i n g
my own m u s i c , p e r h a p s a t l e a s t p a r t i a l l y a s a r e s u l t
o f a c o n t i n u i n g s e a r c h f o r a p e r s o n a l m ode o f e x
p r e s s i o n o f c o u r s e , w r i t i n g m u s ic i s a lw a y s a s e a r c h
f o r o n e ' s own mode o f e x p r e s s i o n .
In a s e n s e th o u g h ,
I t h i n k t h a t w h a t y o u a r e a t a g e f i f t y i s w h a t w as
im p lie d a t a g e f i f t e e n .
A s c h i l d r e n , I t h i n k we h a v e
a l r e a d y d e v e lo p e d t h e a e s t h e t i c p r o t o t y p e s t h a t a r e
w ith u s th e r e s t o f o u r l i v e s .
R .S .
W hat a r e y o u r c r i t e r i a f o r d e t e r m i n i n g w h e t h e r a
p i e c e o f m u 3 ic i s s u c c e s s f u l o r n o t ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 9 8 G .C .
I th in k t h a t o r i g i n a l i t y i s v e ry im p o r ta n t, b e c au se
o r i g i n a l i t y i m p l i e s new c o m b i n a t i o n s a n d n ew c o n c e p
tio n s .
O f c o u r s e , n o m u s ic i s c o m p l e t e l y o r i g i n a l ;
i t d e r i v e s f ro m m any s o u r c e s , a n d s o t h e c o m p o s e r
s y n th e s iz e s a l l o f t h is , and ad d s a l i t t l e o f h is
ow n .
I t h i n k t h a t m u s ic s h o u l d h a v e c l a r i t y ; I d o n ' t
t h i n k i t s o i m p o r t a n t a s t o w h e t h e r t h e m u s ic i s
s im p le o r c o m p le x , a s i s th e f a c t o r o f w h e th e r o r n o t
i t is c le a r.
And i t m ig h t b e a s c o m p le x a s B ach a n d
a s s i m p l e a s B a c h a t t h e sam e t i m e .
C l a r i t y i s im
p o r ta n t in any s ty l e .
A l s o , m u s ic s h o u ld s o u n d w e l l
f o r t h e i n s t r u m e n t s i t 3 h o u ld b e w e l l c o n c e iv e d i n
th e s e te rm s .
M u s ic i s s o u n d , a n d i t s h o u l d b e w r i t t e n
so a s to e x p l o i t th e p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f th e v a rio u s i n
s tr u m e n ts .
T h e r e m ig h t b e c e r t a i n e x c e p t i o n a l w o r k s ,
i n w h ic h t h e c o n c e p t i o n i s a l m o s t t o o p o w e r f u l f o r
th e in s tru m e n ts .
T h is h a p p e n e d o c c a s i o n a l l y w ith
B e e t h o v e n , a l t h o u g h m o st o f h i s w o r k s a r e c o m p l e t e l y
e f f e c t i v e i n te rm s o f t h e i r i n s t r u m e n t a t io n .
R .S .
W ould y o u s a y s o m e t h in g a b o u t t h a t t y p e o f s t a t i c
m u s ic b e i n g w r i t t e n b y s u c h c o m p o s e r s a s S t e v e R e ic h
a n d T e r ry R ile y ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t t h e i n f l u e n c e o f E a s t e r n m u s ic h a s l e d
W e ste rn c o m p o se rs t o e x p lo r e p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f s t a s i s ,
a n d t h e r e a r e s o m any w ay s t o s u g g e s t t h e q u a l i t y o f
im m o b ility a n d s u s p e n s io n i n tim e !
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k a c o m p o s e r w o u ld b e l i m i t i n g h i m s e l f
g r e a t l y i f h e w r o t e o n l y s t a t i c m u s i c , o r m u s ic w h ic h
s e e m e d t o a lw a y s b e s i m i l a r i n i t s e x p r e s s i o n o f
e m o tio n s?
G .C .
T h e r e a r e c o m p o s e r s w h o se s t y l e s a r e q u i t e n a r r o w ,
in a c e r t a in s e n s e .
I 'm t h i n k i n g o f V a r e s e , who w as
a g r e a t c o m p o s e r , b u t w h o se s t y l e h a p p e n e d t o b e e x
t r e m e l y t i g h t a n d c o n d e n s e d , s o t h a t fro m w o rk t o t h e
n e x t , h e s e e m s t o b e w o r k in g m a i n l y w i t h t h e sam e
i d e a s t h e r e i3 a n o b v io u s c a r r y - o v e r .
H is r a n g e o f
e x p r e s s io n i s l i m i t e d , b u t th e e x p r e s s iv e pow er i n
h i s m u s ic i s n o t l i m i t e d .
O th e r c o m p o se rs have a
m uch w i d e r r a n g e o f e x p r e s s i o n .
I am n o t s a y i n g o n e
i s b e t t e r th a n th e o t h e r .
R .S .
To w h a t e x t e n t a r e y o u c o n s c i o u s l y i n f l u e n c e d b y
n o n m u s i c a l e l e m e n t s w hen y o u c o m p o s e ?
G .C .
I n a v o c a l w o r k , o b v i o u s l y t h e t e x t i t s e l f w o u ld
s u g g e s t a r a n g e o f im a g e s a n d s y m b o lis m , a n d I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-3 9 9 ( G . C .) s u p p o s e t h a t t h e r e i s som e c a r r y - o v e r f ro m t h e s e
w o rk s i n t o i n s t r u m e n t a l w o r k s .
I t h i n k t h a t im a g e s
o f a n y k i n d c a n s u g g e s t m u s i c a l t h i n g s t o m e. Some
tim e s i t i s im p o s s ib le to t r a c e th e s o u r c e .
R .S .
I s t h e r e som e k i n d o f p r o g ra m i n y o u r n o n v o c a l w o r k s ?
G .C .
N ot in th e s e n s e o f th e n in e te e n th - c e n tu r y c o n c e p t
o f p r o g ra m m u s i c , b u t I t h i n k i n t h e s e n s e t h a t
B e e th o v e n m e a n t w hen h e s a i d t h a t h e a lw a y s h a d a
p i c t u r e i n h i s m in d w hen h e w as w r i t i n g m u s i c .
T h a t i s n o t a " p r o g r a m ," b u t s u g g e s t s t h a t m u s ic
h a s som e c o n t a c t w i t h o t h e r t h i n g s t o o .
I t 's not
p u r e i n a n a b s o l u t e s e n s e . M u s ic , o f c o u r s e , c a n n o t
b e v e r y e x p l i c i t ; e v e n S t r a u s s ' D e a th a n d T r a n s
f i g u r a t i o n c o u l d h a v e b e e n e n t i t l e d s o m e t h in g e l s e
w i t h o u t h a r m in g o u r a p p r e c i a t i o n o f t h e m u s i c .
R .S .
Many o f y o u r p i e c e s h a v e v e r y o r i g i n a l a n d s t r i k i n g
title s .
A re t h e s e t i t l e s g e n e r a l l y c o n c e i v e d b e f o r e
o r a f t e r y o u w r i t e t h e m u s ic ?
G .C .
I g u e s s I h a v e b o r ro w e d i n t h a t s e n s e f ro m D e b u s s y ,
who w as o n e o f t h e e a r l i e s t c o m p o s e rs t o g i v e h i s
m u s ic p o e t i c t i t l e s .
S o m e tim e s when b e g i n n i n g a
p ie c e , th e g e n e ra l c o n c e p t i s th e r e f o r th e t i t l e ,
b u t t h e p r e c i s e f o rm o f i t co m es a f t e r w a r d s .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u d e s c r i b e how y o u go a b o u t p l a n n i n g a n d c o n
c e i v i n g o f a c o m p o s i ti o n ?
G .C .
W e ll , I u s u a l l y h a v e t o s k e t c h a l o t , a n d t h i n g s
n e v e r seem t o come v e r y e a s i l y f o r m e, s o t h a t I 'm
a lw a y s t h r o w in g aw ay a l o t o f m a t e r i a l .
I t ' s a v e ry
s lo w p r o c e s s o f s t a r t i n g , t e s t i n g , a n d t r y i n g new
th in g s .
R .S .
D oes t h e f o rm o f a g i v e n p i e c e come f i r s t ?
G .C .
G e n e r a l l y , t h e r e i s som e i d e a o f t h e f o rm o f a p i e c e ,
b u t o n l y i n v e r y b a s i c t e r m s ; t h i s may c h a n g e a n d
b e r e v i s e d a s I c o n t i n u e t o w o rk o n t h e p i e c e .
R .S .
I w o u ld t h i n k t h a t t h e b a s i c mood t h a t y o u w is h t o
e x p r e s s w o u ld b e t h e v e r y f i r s t t h i n g ?
G .C .
Y es.
H o w e v e r, mood i s a n e b u lo u s te r m i n a w ay ; I
m ig h t u s e t h e w o rd e t h o s m e a n in g t h e e s s e n t i a l
c h a r a c t e r o f a p i e c e o f m u s i c . I t h i n k e v e r y w o rk
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 0 0 ( G .C .) b e g i n s w i t h t h i s q u a l i t y , w h ic h p r e s e n t s a w o r ld
o f i t s ow n, a n d t h e r e s n o q u e s t i o n a s t o i t s
c h a ra c te r .
R .S .
Many c o m p o s e r s , r e g a r d l e s s o f t h e id io m f o r w h ic h
t h e y a r e w r i t i n g , p r e f e r t o do a p ia n o s k e t c h f i r s t ,
a n d t h e n d o a t l e a s t some o f t h e o r c h e s t r a t i o n a f t e r
t h i s i s c o m p le te d .
Do y o u w o rk i n t h i s w ay?
G .C .
I s o m e tim e s s k e t c h i n s h o r t s c o r e , w h ic h i s c l o s e
to t h i s ; o t h e r tim e s I w i l l s k e tc h i n f u l l s c o r e .
G e n e r a lly , a s I s k e tc h , I have th e e x a c t i n s t r u
m e n t a t i o n i n m in d .
The t i m b r a l s i d e o f m u sic s e em s
t o come v e r y e a s y f o r m e, b u t I h a v e t o w o rk much
h a rd e r a t o th e r th in g s .
The m o st d i f f i c u l t p a r t
f o r me h a s a lw a y s b e e n t h e fo rm o f a p i e c e . T h i s
c o s t s me t h e m o s t h o u r s o f w o rk .
R .S .
M o st t r a d i t i o n a l f o rm s a r e r a t h e r c l e a r , i n t h a t
t h e y u s u a l l y u t i l i z e c e r t a i n d e v e lo p m e n ta l p r o
c e d u r e s , a n d e n d w i t h som e k i n d o f r e p r i s e .
How
do y o u f e e l a b o u t f r e e f o rm s w h ic h d o n o t u s e
d e v e lo p m e n ta l te c h n iq u e o r a r e p r i s e ?
G .C .
T hese c a n b e v e ry e f f e c t i v e .
I h a v e n 't d o n e m uch
in th a t a r e a .
My own m u s ic t e n d s t o i n v o l v e r e p e
t i t i o n and r e c u r r e n c e o f s ta t e d e le m e n ts , b u t o t h e r
c o m p o se rs I 'v e a d m ire d h a v e s u c c e s s f u ll y u s e d t h i s
s o r t o f s p i n n i n g o u t m u s ic t h a t i s c o n s t a n t l y r e
n e w in g i t s e l f w i t h new i d e a s a c h a i n f o rm o f som e
k in d .
R .S .
A re y o u c o n s c i o u s l y g u i d e d o r i n f l u e n c e d b y e x i s t i n g
m u s ic , o r do you f e e l t h a t t h i s i s m a in ly an u n co n
s c io u s th in g ?
G .C .
S o m e tim e s i t i s a c o n s c i o u s t h i n g ; s o m e tim e s i t i s
u n c o n s c io u s .
T h e re a r e s o u n d s t h a t y o u h e a r y o u
a d m i r e t h i n g s i n t h e m u s ic o f o t h e r c o m p o s e r s . And
y o u re m e m b e r c e r t a i n c o m b i n a t i o n s , c e r t a i n g e s t u r e s ,
c e r t a i n t i m b r e s , w h ic h may e v e n t u a l l y com e i n t o y o u r
own m u s i c .
I t I s a v e ry n a tu r a l p r o c e s s .
R .S .
W hich c o n te m p o r a r y m u s ic h a s i n f l u e n c e d y o u m o st
s tr o n g ly ?
G .C .
A l l o f t h e f i v e g r e a t c l a s s i c a l c o n te m p o r a r y com
p o s e r s th e t h r e e V ie n n e se c o m p o se rs, B a r to k , an d
S t r a v i n s k y h a v e t o u c h e d my m u sic i n som e w a y .
I t 's
h a rd to a v o id th e s e f i v e .
Of t h e m ore r e c e n t com po
s e r s , I 'm s u r e t h e r e a r e t o u c h e s o f M e s s i a e n , B o u le z ,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 0 1 ( G .C . )
S to c k h a u s e n , and to a c e r t a i n e x te n t D a l la p i c c o l a in
my m u s i c .
B u t t h e c o m p o s e r s who h a v e p r o b a b l y i n f l u
e n c e d me m o s t a r e M a h le r , D e b u s s y , a n d I v e s .
R .S .
W hich o f t h e t r a d i t i o n a l c o m p o s e r s h a v e m o s t
in flu e n c e d you?
G .C .
I s u p p o s e C h o p in a n d B e e t h o v e n , b u t t h e r e a r e o t h e r s .
I t i s d i f f i c u l t to a n a ly z e t h i s , b e c a u s e th e f u r t h e r
b a c k you g e t i n tim e , th e l e s s s p e c i f i c th e i n f l u
en ce, as a r u le .
R .S .
H ave y o u b e e n i n f l u e n c e d t o a n y d e g r e e b y H e n ry
C o w e ll a n d h i s e x p l o r a t i o n s ?
G .C .
N o!
My own u s e o f t i m b r e w as a r r i v e d a t i n d e p e n d e n t l y .
I h a d n o t h e a r d w o rk s s u c h a s The B a n s h e e , f o r e x a m p le ,
u n t i l m uch l a t e r .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k o f t h e s p e c i a l s o n o r i t i e s i n y o u r m u s ic
a s y o u co m p o se, o r do y ou a d d t h e s e a f t e r t h e s k e tc h
i s c o m p l e te d ?
G .C .
I n g e n e r a l , t h e s e come t o me a s a n i n t e g r a l p a r t o f
th e m u s ic a l i d e a s , b u t o f c o u rs e one r e f i n e s and
e m b e llis h e s a s one w o rk s.
R .S .
How do y o u f e e l a b o u t e l e c t r o n i c m u s ic ?
G .C .
W e ll , c e r t a i n l y e l e c t r o n i c m u s ic h a s i n f l u e n c e d com
p o s e r s who h a v e n o t a c t u a l l y w o rk e d w i t h i n t h a t
m ed iu m .
I t h in k th e w o rld o f so u n d s h a s c e r t a i n l y
ex p a n d ed w ith th e a d v e n t o f e l e c t r o n i c m u s ic .
P e r
h a p s i n t h e e a r l y s t a g e s o f e l e c t r o n i c m u s i c , com
p o s e r s w ere t r y i n g to w r i te a n a lo g u e s o f i n s t r u m e n t a l
m u s ic , b u t I th in k th e r e v e r s e p r o c e s s h a s a l s o
h a p p e n e d , i n t h a t som e s o u n d s o r i g i n a l l y p r o d u c e d
e l e c t r o n i c a l l y , h a v e now f o u n d t h e i r w ay b a c k i n t o
l i v e m u s ic .
P e r s o n a lly , I p r e f e r to h e a r e le c tr o n ic
m u s ic c o m b in e d w i t h l i v e i n s t r u m e n t s .
F o r p u re ly
e l e c t r o n i c m u s ic , th e c o n c e r t h a l l seem s u n c o m fo rt
a b l e , b u t ev e n one l i v e m u s ic ia n on s ta g e w ith th e
e l e c t r o n i c s o u n d s m ak e s a v i a b l e c o n c e r t s i t u a t i o n .
R .S .
Do y o u p l a n t o w r i t e e l e c t r o n i c m u s ic y o u r s e l f ?
G .C .
I doubt i t .
I am s o i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s
o f i n s t r u m e n t s , a n d I c a n ' t im a g i n e e x h a u s t i n g t h o s e
p o s s i b i l i t i e s I th in k th e y a re i n f i n i t e .
I t 's a
m a tte r o f c h o ic e .
The p o s s i b i l i t i e s a r e l i m i t l e s s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 0 2 (G .C ) i n e i t h e r a r e a t h e o n l y l i m i t a t i o n s b e i n g t h o s e o f
o n e 's own i m a g i n a t i o n .
My own m u s ic s e e m s t o d e p e n d
on l i v e p e r f o r m a n c e se e m s t o r e q u i r e i t , i n f a c t .
R .S .
Do y o u f e e l t h a t v i a b l e m u s ic h a s b e e n p r o d u c e d b y
th e sc h o o l o f t o t a l s e ria lis m ?
G .C .
My own p e r s o n a l f e e l i n g i s t h a t W ebern m o re o r l e s s
r o u n d e d i t o f f , a n d a n y t h i n g t h a t h a s com e s i n c e
t h e n i n t h e a r e a s o f m o re e x t e n s i v e s e r i a l i z a t i o n
o f o t h e r p a ra m e te r s h a s n o t b e e n a s e x c i t i n g a s w hat
W eb ern d i d w i t h h i s r e s o u r c e s .
I 'm n o t s u r e t h a t
t h e i d e a o f t o t a l s e r i a l i z a t i o n i s n e c e s s a r i l y w ro n g
i t m ay b e t h a t we h a v e n 't h a d a c o m p o s e r o f t h e s t a
t u r e o f W e b e rn .
R .S .
A re y o u a s u p p o r t e r o f a l e a t o r i c
G .C .
A g a i n , t h e r e a r e i n t e r e s t i n g p o s s i b i l i t i e s we h a v e
su c h a gam ut o f p o s s i b i l i t i e s .
T h e re i s a d a n g e r in
l i m i t i n g m u s ic t o e x t r e m e s .
In o th e r w o rd s, th e r e
a r e Im m ense d i f f i c u l t i e s i n h a n d l i n g a d e q u a t e l y t h e
c o n c e p ts o f t o t a l o r g a n iz a tio n , o r a t o t a l la c k o f
o r g a n iz a tio n .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t v i a b l e m u s ic h a s b e e n p r o d u c e d
w h ic h i s f o r t h e m o s t p a r t a l e a t o r i c ?
G .C .
F o r m e, n o .
I t h i n k s o m e t h in g h a s b e e n l e a r n e d .
In
a w a y , I t h a s c h a n g e d t h e way we l o o k a t t h i n g s .
M aybe t h a t ' s t h e way t h i n g s h a p p e n s o m e tim e s we g e t
a n e x tr e m e p o s i t i o n , a n d i t f o r c e s a m o d i f i c a t i o n ,
o r a c h a n g e o f som e s o r t .
I w o u ld b e h a r d p r e s s e d ,
h o w e v e r , t o nam e a n y ma s t e r p i e c e s i n e i t h e r o f t h e s e
tw o e x tr e m e s t y l e s / a l e a t o r i c i s m o r t o t a l s e r i a l i s n y 7.
R .S .
Do y o u f e e l y o u h a v e b e e n I n f l u e n c e d b y t h e m u s ic
o f L u to s la w s k i a n d P e n d e re c k i?
G .C .
N o, I d o n ' t t h i n k s o .
I c o n s id e r L u to s la w s k i to be
a v e ry e le g a n t c o m p o se r, h o w e v e r.
P e n d e re g k i h as
som e v e r y p o w e r f u l p a g e s ; h o w e v e r , h i s s t y l e I
g u e s s a n y c o m p o s e r 's s t y l e r a i s e s t h e p r o b le m s o f
a n o n g o in g e v o l u t i o n .
I am n o t s u r e how h e w i l l
f i n d h i s way o u t o f t h i s s t y l i s t i c b i n d .
I v e n o t
h e a r d a n y r e c e n t w o rk s o f h i s , s o I d o n ' t know I n
w h a t d i r e c t i o n h e i s now m o v in g .
One w o n d e r s how
he w i l l c o n tin u e to s p in o u t h i s s t y l e .
P e rh ap s
h i s i s a c a se o f a n e s s e n t i a l l y v e ry n a rro w vocabu
la r y o f g e s tu r e s .
m u s ic ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 0 3 R .S .
G .C .
Do y o u f e e l t h a t y o u n g c o m p o s e r s s h o u l d b e t o l d
e a r l y I n t h e gam e a b o u t t h e e c o n o m ic p r o s p e c t s o f
. b e in g a c o m p o ser?
I t h i n k t h a t m o st y o u n g c o m p o se rs r e a l i z e t h a t w r i t i n g
s e r i o u s m u s ic i s n o t r e w a r d i n g , f i n a n c i a l l y s p e a k i n g .
I knew t h i s a s a s t u d e n t .
I w o u ld im a g i n e t h a t i f
th e u rg e f o r e x p re s s io n i s s tr o n g enou g h , t h a t t h i s
ta k e s o v e r.
The u n i v e r s i t y a c c o m m o d a te s a l a r g e p e r
c e n t a g e o f c o m p o s e r s ., b u t t h e r e a r e a g o o d n u m b e r
a l s o , w h o se in c o m e d e r i v e s f ro m o t h e r s o u r c e s .
It
h a s a lw a y s b e e n d i f f i c u l t f o r c o m p o s e r s .
I t i s tru e
t h a t i n B r a h m s ' t i m e , d u e t o t h e lo w c o s t o f p u b l i
c a t i o n , a n d t h e g r e a t i n t e r e s t i n c h a m b e r m u s ic
r i g h t a t o n e m om ent i n h i s t o r y p r e c i s e l y d u r i n g
h i s m a tu re y e a r s he w as a b le to do p r e t t y w e l l .
B u t p u b l i s h i n g h a s g o t t e n m o re c o s t l y s i n c e t h e n ;
p e rh a p s t h e r e i s l e s s i n t e r e s t i n a c t u a l l y p e rfo rm
i n g t h e m u 3 ic . Som eone s h o u l d r e a l l y w r i t e a b o o k ,
I s u p p o s e , a b o u t t h e i n f l u e n c e o f e c o n o m ic s o n
s e r i o u s c o m p o s itio n .
R .S .
H ugo W e i s g a l l o n c e s a i d t o me t h a t w i n n i n g a g r a n t
o r a c o m p e t it io n h a s a b s o l u t e l y n o t h in g t o do w ith
t h e q u a l i t y o f o n e 's m u s i c t h a t t h e r e c e i p t o f s u c h
a w a rd s i s d e te r m in e d by p o l i t i c s .
Do y o ir a g r e e ?
G .C .
W e l l , I t h i n k t h a t t h e r e _is som e t r u t h i n t h i s ,
w h ic h i s t h e sam e t h i n g a s s a y i n g t h a t g r a n t s a n d
aw ard s a r e n 't t h a t im p o r ta n t.
I f y o u 'r e a c o m p o s e r ,
t h e i m p o r t a n t t n i n g i s g e t t i n g s o m e t h in g o u t o f y o u r
s y s te m ; e v e r y t h i n g e l s e i s r a t h e r p e r i p h e r a l , a l
th o u g h i t i s n i c e to f in a n c e y o u r s e l f a l i t t l e b i t ,
of c o u rse .
T h e re i s a n e le m e n t o f s a c r i f i c e i n
b e in g a co m p o se r, e s p e c i a l l y i n th e e a r l y y e a r s .
As y o u g e t o l d e r , t h e r e i s th e p o s s i b i l i t y o f a
l i t t l e m o re r e t u r n o n y o u r m u s i c , b u t c e r t a i n l y
n e v e r e n o u g h t o c o m p e n s a te f o r t h e tim e a n d e f f o r t
in v o lv e d .
S o, i t h as to be a " la b o r o f lo v e ."
R .S .
C o u ld y o u s a y a l i t t l e
R o ss L ee F in n e y ?
G .C .
F i n n e y 's a p p r o a c h w as e s s e n t i a l l y o n e o f t e c h n i q u e :
w r itin g a l o t , r e w r itin g , and r e v is in g .
He a lw a y s
i n s i s t e d on m e tic u lo u s n o t a t i o n , a n d h i s t h in k in g
o n m a t t e r s o f m u s i c a l e s t h e t i c s a l s o i n f l u e n c e d m e.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-404R .S .
How f a r d i d y o u go a s a p i a n i s t , a n d how h a s t h i s
i n f l u e n c e d y o u i n y o u r c o m p o s i ti o n ?
G .C .
I ' v e p l a y e d m o s t o f t h e s t a n d a r d p ia n o r e p e r t o r y i n
som e f a s h i o n .
I d o n 't h a v e a v ir tu o s o te c h n iq u e ,
b u t I c a n som ehow g e t t h r o u g h t h e B e e th o v e n s o n a t a s ,
a n d t h e C h o p in p i e c e s .
T h i s w as v a l u a b l e i n l e a r n i n g
t h e l i t e r a t u r e , a n d i n g e t t i n g i n s i d e t h e m u s ic i n
a c e r t a i n way t h a t c o m e s fro m p l a y i n g t h e m u s i c , e v e n
i f y o u 'r e j u s t r e a d i n g t h r o u g h s o m e t h in g .
I have
a l s o h a d some e x p e r i e n c e o n t h e c l a r i n e t a n d v i o l a ,
w h ic h h a s b e e n o f v a l u e f o r s i m i l a r r e a s o n s .
R .S .
Do y o u u s e t h e p i a n o w hen w o r k in g on a c o m p o s i t i o n ,
o r do y o u b e l i e v e t h a t t h e r e i s a d a n g e r i n t h i s ?
G .C .
I 'm s o r t o f o f f a n d o n w i t h t h a t .
I f I 'm w r i t i n g a
s o l o p i a n o w o r k , I w o u ld t e n d t o w r i t e a t t h e p i a n o ,
o th e rw is e n o t.
R .S .
When y o u c o m p o s e , d o y o u t h i n k a b o u t w h e t h e r o t h e r
p e o p le w i l l l i k e i t ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t w hen y o u w r i t e a p i e c e , y o u a r e w r i t i n g
f o r y o u r s e lf a s th e l i s t e n e r , f i r s t o f a l l .
One
w r i t e s t o s a t i s f y o n e 's s e l f an d to r e s o l v e th e i n n e r
t e n s i o n t h a t l i e s a t t h e r o o t o f a c o m p o s e r 's i n n e r
b e i n g . N a t u r a l l y , w hen t h e p i e c e i s f i n i s h e d , y o u
hope t h a t i t w i l l be a p p r e c ia te d b u t t h i s i s n o t
a c o n s i d e r a t i o n i n w r i t i n g s e r i o u s m u s i c . You h a v e
t o c o n v in c e y o u r s e l f f i r s t o f a l l , b e f o r e y o u h a v e
an y hope o f c o n v in c in g o t h e r s .
R .S .
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t , m o re i m p o r t a n t t h a n t e x t b o o k s i s t h e
s t u d y o f t h e m u s ic i t s e l f .
I th in k one c an i n f e r
e v e r y t h i n g f ro m t h e m u s i c .
I m u s t a d m it t h a t I
d o n ' t u s e t e x t b o o k s a t a l l i n my t e a c h i n g o n l y
s c o re s.
I t h in k t h a t I t ' s m o st im p o r ta n t to s tu d y
t h e s c o r e s t h e m s e l v e s , r a t h e r t h a n b e in g i n v o l v e d
w i t h s o m e b o d y 's i d e a s .
W hat y o u l e a r n o n y o u r own
I s a lw a y s m o re v a l u a b l e t h a n w h a t y o u l e a r n f ro m
th e o ry b o o k s.
R .S .
I n o t h e r w o r d s , w h a t o n e h e a r s i s m ore i m p o r t a n t
t h a n t r y i n g t o h e a r I n te r m s o f a n o t h e r p e r s o n 's
a n a ly s is ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-405G .C .
Y es, t h a t 's r i g h t .
To g e t t h e m u s ic i n y o u r e a r
c l e a r l y i s th e m o st im p o r ta n t t h i n g .
R .S .
To w h a t e x t e n t h a v e y o u b e e n i n f l u e n c e d by E a s t e r n
m u s ic ?
G .C .
I h a v e h e a rd q u i t e a l o t o f i t th ro u g h p h o n o g rap h
re c o rd s.
T hough I h a v e n o t e c h n i c a l k n o w le d g e o f
a n y o f t h e E a s t e r n m u s i c s , t h e i n f l u e n c e , I 'm s u r e ,
is th e re .
I h a v e p r o b a b l y g o t t e n som e o f t h e i n f l u
e n c e f ro m s e c o n d h a n d s o u r c e s .
I lik e ju s t ab o u t
a l l o f t h e v a r i o u s g e n r e s o f E a s t e r n m u s ic I ' v e h e a r d .
R .S .
Do y o u b e l i e v e t h e t y p i c a l u n i v e r s i t y
c o m p o s e r h e l p s o r h i n d e r s h i s m u s ic ?
G .C .
I d o n ' t t h i n k i t h a s m uch t o d o w i t h t h e q u a l i t y
o f o n e 's m u sic .
I t d o e s s e rv e to h e lp one g a in an
u n d e r s ta n d in g o f th e t e c h n i c a l s id e o f m u sic , b u t
i t ' s u s u a lly s e v e r a l y e a rs a f t e r a com poser i s o u t
o f s c h o o l , t h a t h e r e a l l y co m es i n t o h i s ow n.
In te rv ie w ,
tra in in g of a
30 A u g u s t 1976
R .S .
Do y o u b e l i e v e t h a t a p r e c o n c e i v e d f o r m a l s t r u c t u r e
d e v is e d in d e p e n d e n tly o f m u s ic a l i d e a s u se d a s a
s o r t o f m o ld , c a n r e s u l t i n v i a b l e m u s ic ?
G .C .
I c o u l d im a g in e t h a t a c o m p o s e r m ig h t h a v e a p r e
c o n c e p t i o n o f a f o rm , b u t a t som e p o i n t t h i s w o u ld
a l s o h a v e t o becom e a m u s i c a l c o n c e p t i o n .
I have
h e a r d w o rk s i n w h ic h t h e m u s i c a l a s p e c t d o e s n o t
se em t o m a t u r e , a n d w h a t r e m a in s i s a r a t h e r a b s t r a c t
e x p o s itio n o f s tr u c tu r a l p r in c ip le s o r te c h n ic a l p ro
c e d u re s.
I te n d to t h in k t h a t i n th e m o st s u c c e s s f u l
m u s ic I h a v e h e a r d , t h e r e i s a s y n t h e s i s o f t e c h n i q u e
and c o n te n t:
t h e i m a g i n a t i o n . And I w o u ld g u e s s
t h a t t h e tw o t h i n g s n o r m a l l y come t o g e t h e r i n c o n c e p
tio n a ls o .
The m ore I t h i n k o f w h a t c o m p o s i t i o n
r e a l l y i s , t h e m ore i t s e em s t o me t h a t c o n c e p t i o n
i s t h e p r im a r y e l e m e n t ; s o m e tim e s , I t h i n k i t i s a
m is ta k e to i s o l a t e te c h n iq u e to th in k o f i t a s
s o m e t h in g s e p a r a t e .
I t ' s h a r d f o r me t o s e p a r a t e
th e tw o .
P e o p le s p e a k o f t h e c r a f t o f c o m p o s i t i o n ,
b u t i t i s d i f f i c u l t f o r me t o c o n c e i v e o f c r a f t
a s in d ep e n d e n t o f c o n c e p tio n .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 0 6 R .S .
H ave y o u y o u r s e l f e v e r u s e d s u c h a m o ld , d i v o r c e d
f ro m a g e r m i n a l i d e a o f som e k i n d ?
G .C .
Y e s , s o m e tim e s I h a v e i d e a s o f t h a t k i n d , b u t u n l e s s
s u c h a n i d e a b e c o m e s i m p r e g n a t e d w i t h som e l a r g e r
e x p r e s s i v e i m p u l s e I w o u ld c a l l t h i s t h e s p i r i t u a l
s i d e o f m u s i c i t i s s o m e t h in g w h ic h I w o u ld n o t b e
a b le to c a r r y th ro u g h .
I w o u l d n 't b e a b l e t o m ake
i t w o rk .
I c o u l d n ' t w r i t e a p i e c e w h ic h w as i n v o l v e d
o n ly w ith a s t r u c t u r a l id e a o r te c h n i c a l p r i n c i p l e .
G e n e r a l l y , my o r i g i n a l i d e a t e n d s t o b e t h e e x p r e s s i v e
i d e a , a n d t h e m o s t d i f f i c u l t t h i n g f o r me i s e v o l v i n g
t h e s t r u c t u r e f ro m t h a t p o i n t .
R .S .
In a s e n s e , d i d n 't th e co m p o se rs o f th e C l a s s i c a l
a n d R o m a n tic p e r i o d s h a v e t h e s t a n d a r d f o rm s a s p r e
c o n c e i v e d m o ld s ?
In o t h e r w o rd s, a b o u t 95$ o f th e
f i r s t m o v e m e n ts o f s y m p h o n ie s o f t h o s e p e r i o d s e m p lo y
s o n a t a - a l l e g r o fo rm .
H ie p r o c e s s o f c o m p o s in g t h e
p r o b le m s i n v o l v e d w as s o m e w h at d i f f e r e n t t h e n t h a n
i t i s f o r c o m p o s e r s t o d a y , w a s n 't i t ?
G .C .
I t w as d i f f e r e n t , b u t I 'm n o t c o n v in c e d t h a t i t w a s
any e a s ie r th a n i t i s to d a y .
The q u e s t i o n o f o v e r
a l l fo rm w a s p e r h a p s l e s s p r o b l e m a t i c I 'm n o t s u r e .
When c o m p o s e r s i n h e r i t o r e m p lo y som e k i n d o f s t a n
d a r d f o r m , p e r h a p s t h e p r o b le m t h e n i s f i n d i n g a n
a r t i s t i c w ay o f u s i n g t h a t .
I t ' s t r u e t h a t m any o f
t o d a y ' s c o m p o s e r s seem c o m p e l le d t o r e i n v e n t f o rm
w i t h e a c h new p i e c e t h e y w r i t e .
The b re a k d o w n o f
t h e f o r m s , o f c o u r s e , h a d t o d o w i t h t h e b re a k d o w n
o f t o n a l i t y , due to th e v e ry o rg a n ic r e l a ti o n s h ip
b e tw e e n t h e tw o .
R .S .
H ave y o u b e e n i n f l u e n c e d t o a n y e x t e n t b y t h e
t h e o r i e s o f S c h e n k e r a n d / o r H i n d e m ith ?
G .C .
N o.
I h a v e b e e n e x p o s e d t o som e S c h e n k e r a s a
r e s u l t o f h a v i n g o n c e h a d a s t u d e n t who w as v e r y
i n t e r e s t e d i n h i s t h e o r i e s , a n d f o r whom I m ade a
t r a n s l a t i o n o f S c h e n k e r 's P e r F r e i e S a t z .
T ills
w as p e r h a p s s e v e n o r e i g h t y e a r s a g o .
I te n d n o t
to be I n te r e s t e d in th e o ry in th e a b s t r a c t .
I
p r e f e r t o lo o k a t s c o r e s , l i s t e n to m u sic , an d
a n a l y z e m u s ic f o r my own p u r p o s e s .
I w as e x p o s e d t o t h e t h e o r i e s o f H i n d e m i t h w h i l e
s tu d y in g a t th e U n i v e r s i ty o f I l l i n o i s , an d i t
s t r u c k me t h a t H i n d e m i t h 's i d e a s w e r e a v e r y g o o d
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 0 7 ( G .C .) i n t r o d u c t i o n t o h i s own m e th o d o f c o m p o s i t i o n .
I
d o n 't b e li e v e t h a t th e s e t h e o r e t i c a l i d e a s a r e v a li d
fo r o th e r s ty le s .
I t h i n k t h a t c o m p o s e r s who t h e o r i z e
t e n d t o d ra w f ro m t h e i r own m u s i c , r a t h e r t h a n l o o k i n g
a t m u s ic i n a l a r g e r p e r s p e c t i v e .
I f e e l to o , t h a t a
t h e o r i s t s h o u ld be a " s e p a r a te a n im a l" ; I d o n 't t h in k
t h a t c o m p o s e r s n o r m a l l y m ake v e r y g o o d t h e o r i s t s .
I
t h i n k t h e y 'r e in v o lv e d w ith o t h e r t h i n g s w ith a
d i f f e r e n t w ay o f t h i n k i n g a b o u t m u s i c .
R .S .
One o f t h e p i t f a l l s o f c o n te m p o r a r y m u s ic s e e m s t o
b e t h e tre m e n d o u s e m p h a s i s o n t h e o r i z i n g , w h ic h h a s
c a u s e d a g r e a t m any c o m p o s e r s t o g i v e t h e a b s t r a c t
a n a l y t i c a l a s p e c t s o f t h e i r m u s ic g r e a t p r o m in e n c e
a t th e ex p en se o f e x p r e s s iv i ty and m u s ic a lity .
A f t e r a l l , t h e p i e c e t h a t a n a l y z e s o u t w e l l may n o t
m ake s e n s e a s a c t u a l s o u n d .
G .C .
T h a t 's t r u e .
I th in k t h i s a r i s e s a s a r e s u l t o f
m u s ic b e i n g i n t h e u n i v e r s i t y , w h e re t h e r e i s a n
in c l i n a t io n to r a t i o n a l i z e th e a r t .
T h e re i s a
te n d e n c y , i n th e u n i v e r s i t y , f o r one to t r y to
v e r b a l iz e h i s th o u g h ts an d i d e a s , a n d p e rh a p s th e
m o s t i m p o r t a n t t h i n g s i n m u s ic c a n n o t b e v e r b a l i z e d .
R .S .
I n y o u r s t u d i e s w i t h F i n n e y , w as a n a l y s i s
y o u r tra in in g ?
G .C .
Y e s , i n c o m p o s i t i o n s e m i n a r we a n a l y z e d a g r e a t d e a l
o f t h e l a t e s t m u s ic o f t h o s e y e a r s , a n d a l s o , we
s p e n t t im e w i t h B a r t o k , a n d V i e n n e s e c o m p o s e r s , a n d
S tra v in s k y .
R .S .
I n y o u r p r i v a t e l e s s o n s w i t h F i n n e y , w e re y o u g i v e n
t h e f r e e d o m t o w r i t e m o re o r l e s s i n t h e s t y l e a n d
f o r t h e i d io m o f y o u r c h o i c e ?
G .C .
T h e r e w as a g r e a t d e a l o f f r e e d o m .
F i n n e y w as n o t
i n t e r e s t e d i n p r o m o t in g a n y p a r t i c u l a r s t y l i s t i c
v i e w p o i n t , s o i n f a c t , t h e r e w as a w id e d i v e r s i t y
o f s t y l e s r e p r e s e n t e d am o n g h i s s t u d e n t s .
R .S .
p a rt o f
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 0 8 G .C .
C o n c e r n i n g my u s e o f t h e s m a l l e r u n i t s o f b e a t , I
w o u ld s a y t h a t t h i s i s a p e r s o n a l m a t t e r w i t h e a c h
c o m p o s e r ; i n my m u s i c , t h e e i g h t h - n o t e h a s b eco m e
th e s ta n d a rd u n i t o f d u r a tio n .
T h i s m ay b e p a r t i a l l y
th e r e s u l t o f a h i s t o r i c a l p ro c e s s :
th e r e h a s been
a d im u n itio n o f th e b a s ic n o te v a lu e e v e r s in c e n o ta
t i o n w as i n v e n t e d .
In th e e ig h te e n th and n in e te e n th
c e n t u r i e s i t w as t h e q u a r t e r - n o t e ; n o w , I t h i n k i t s
becom e t h e e i g h t h - n o t e .
I ' v e n o t i c e d t h i s i n m any
c o n t e m p o r a r y s c o r e s ; i t i s c e r t a i n l y t r u e i n my own
m u sic .
S o m e tim e s I w i l l b r e a k i t down s t i l l m o re ,
a n d u se th e s ix t e e n th o r t h ir ty - s e c o n d n o te a s a
u n it.
B u t, t h a t ' s j u s t th e h i s t o r i c a l p e r s p e c ti v e
I d o n ' t know w h e r e i t w i l l a l l e n d !
T h e re i s a n
a d v a n t a g e , o f c o u r s e , i n b e i n g a b l e t o beam n o t e s
t o g e t h e r , i f y o u w a n t t o show c o n n e c t i o n s .
R .S .
When y o u d o u s e t h e s i x t e e n t h o r t h i r t y - s e c o n d n o t e
as a u n it,
i s t h e r e som e r e a s o n b e h i n d t h i s t h a t
y o u c a n p u t y o u r f i n g e r on?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h i s i s a c o m p o s e r 's c h o i c e .
You c h o o s e
t h e n o t a t i o n t h a t seem s v i s u a l l y a p t f o r th e
m u sic a l i d e a s .
R .S .
H ave y o u e v e r n o t a t e d s o m e t h in g w i t h o n e u n i t o f
b e a t, and th e n l a t e r r e n o ta te d i t u s in g a d i f f e r e n t
u n it f o r v is u a l re a so n s?
G .C .
Y es, t h a t h as h ap p en ed .
B ut j u s t t h i n k , e v en w ith
B e e t h o v e n , o f t h e e n o rm o u s v a r i e t y o f n o t a t i o n s t h a t
w ere u s e d ,
i n te rm s o f th e b a s ic u n i t .
R .S .
W hat a b o u t
y o u r u se o f s p ir a l n o ta tio n ?
G .C .
I t h i n k o f t h a t a s a k i n d o f s y m b o l ic r e p r e s e n t a t i o n .
Such n o t a t i o n i s a p e rs o n a l q u ir k , I s u p p o s e , and
I t ' s s o m e t h in g t h a t t h e l i s t e n e r , o f c o u r s e , i s n o t
a w a re o f .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u s a y a l i t t l e
en ced by a s tr o lo g y ?
G .C .
I d o n ' t t h i n k t h a t I h a v e r e a l l y b e e n i n f l u e n c e d by
a s tro lo g y .
I n t h e tw o v o lu m e s o f t h e M a k ro k o s m o s ,
I i n c o r p o r a t e d th e s ig n s o f th e z o d ia c i n t o t h e t i t l e s
o f th e p ie c e s ; b u t, I th in k o f th e s e a s c u lt u r a l
r e f e r e n c e s o r c u l t u r a l s y m b o ls .
I 'm n o t r e a l l y t h a t
d eep in to a s tr o lo g y .
H o w e v e r, I t h i n k t h a t a n y t h i n g
i s a v a i l a b l e to co m p o se rs a s a c u l t u r a l r e f e r e n c e o f
som e k i n d .
a b o u t how y o u h a v e b e e n i n f l u
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 0 9 R .S .
D oes t h e f i n a l a p p e a r a n c e o f y o u r m u sic o n t h e p r i n t e d
p a g e o c c u r t o y o u a s y o u a r e c o m p o s in g , o r a f t e r w a r d s ?
G .C .
I n m o s t c a s e s , t h e a p p e a r a n c e o f t h e m u s ic d o e s come
e a r l y in th e s k e tc h in g p r o c e s s .
I t h i n k o f m u s ic a s
h a v in g i t s v i s u a l s i d e i t i s p r im a r i ly , o f c o u r s e ,
s o m e t h in g f o r t h e e a r t o p e r c e i v e .
N e v e rth e le s s ,
t h e r e e x i s t s a b e a u t i f u l s y s te m f o r p u t t i n g i t o n
p a p e r , a n d c o m p o s e r s h a v e a lw a y s b e e n s e n s i t i v e t o
t h i s a s p e c t o f c o m p o s itio n .
I hav e fo u n d t h a t i n
a l l o f t h e m u s ic o f t h e p a s t , som ehow , t h e b e s t m u sic
r e a l l y lo o k s good on th e p a g e .
The n o t a t i o n i n t h e s e
w o rk s i s a lw a y s a p p r o p r i a t e , a n d t h i s i n a way e n h a n c e s
th e c o m p o s itio n .
R .S .
Y o u r m u s ic se e m s t o c o n s i s t o f r h y th m ic g e s t u r e s ,
s e p a r a t e d by p a u s e s o f v a r y i n g l e n g t h s , c o m b in e d t o
f o rm a s o r t o f m u s i c a l m o s a i c . How m uch o f t h i s i s
c o n s c io u s ?
G .C .
I t i s m o s t ly u n c o n s c i o u s .
I th in k t h a t t h i s i s in
t h e a r e a o f t h e i n t u i t i v e way t h a t o n e a r r i v e s a t
fo rm s a t l e a s t f o r m y s e lf .
I do i t , m o re o r l e s s ,
by f e e l i n g my w a y . As I m e n t i o n e d e a r l i e r , a r r i v i n g
a t a fo rm i s , f o r m e, t h e m o s t d i f f i c u l t p a r t o f
c o m p o s i t i o n ; o n c e I h a v e t h e b a s i c g e rm s t h e c e l l s
t h e b a s i c i n s p i r a t i o n s ( w h a te v e r t h o s e m ig h t b e ) ,
I t h e n e l a b o r a t e t h e s e t i n y e le m e n ts i n t o a l a r g e r
seq u en ce.
T h i s e l a b o r a t i o n f o r me i s t h e m o s t d i f f i
c u lt th in g .
I n f a c t , t h a t i s c o m p o s in g :
th e r e a l
s e n s e o f t h e t e r m c o m p o s in g i s p u t t i n g t o g e t h e r
l i t t l e t h i n g s t o m ake s o m e t h in g l a r g e r .
R .S .
You o n c e m e n t i o n e d t o me t h a t c o n te m p o r a r y m u s ic i s
o f t e n m ade u p o f t i n y p i t c h c e l l s , a n d t h a t t h i s
se e m s I n a s e n s e t o b e a l a r g e p a r t o f t h e v o c a b u l la r y o f t w e n tie th - c e n tu r y co m p o sers.
C o u ld y o u
e l a b o r a t e on t h i s a b i t ?
G .C .
I have n o tic e d t h a t th e r e te n d to be r e c u r r e n t
a p p e a ra n c e s o f c e r t a i n p i tc h g r o u p in g s , u s u a ll y o f
th r e e o r f o u r n o t e s , and t h i s a p p li e s to b o th th e
v e r t i c a l and h o r iz o n t a l p la n e s .
T h e s e w o u ld i n c l u d e
t h e t h r e e o r m o re c h r o m a t i c s e m i t o n e s , t h e tw o t r i
t o n e s , t h e t r i t o n e p l u s a m in o r s e c o n d , a n d t h e m a j o r
a n d m in o r t h i r d c o m b in e d ( t h e l a t t e r w as u s e d b y
W ebern i n a l m o s t e v e r y w o rk h e e v e r w r o t e ) .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 1 0 R .S .
Do y o u p l a n t o w r i t e m uch s y m p h o n ic m u s ic i n t h e
f u tu r e ?
G .C .
I w o u ld v e r y m uch l i k e t o g e t b a c k t o w r i t i n g f o r
o r c h e s t r a ; i n f a c t , I ' v e s k e t c h e d tw o w o rk s w h ic h
h a v e n o t b e e n c o m p l e te d . One i n v o l v e s t h e o r c h e s t r a
p lu s v o ic e , and th e o th e r , th e o r c h e s tr a w ith o u t
a d d itio n s .
R .S .
Do y o u e v e r e x p e c t t o w r i t e a n o p e r a , a n d w h ic h o p e r a 3
h av e m o st in f l u e n c e d you?
G .C .
I d o n ' t know i f I w i l l e v e r u n d e r t a k e s u c h a p r o j e c t
p e r h a p s some d a y .
W o zzeck i s , I t h i n k , o n e o f t h e
s e m i n a l w o rk s o f t h e t w e n t i e t h c e n t u r y , a n d h a s i n f l u
e n c e d m u s ic i n a l l k i n d s o f w a y s :
th e tre a tm e n t o f
t h e o r c h e s t r a ; t h e s e n 3 e o f d ram a i n t h e m u s i c ; c e r
t a i n g e s t u r e s w h ic h B e r g i n v e n t e d , s u c h a s w h a t I
w o u ld c a l l t h e o s c i l l a n d o g e s t u r e o f t h e c l o s i n g
m e a s u r e s ; c e r t a i n i n s t r u m e n t a l c o m b i n a ti o n s a n d o r
c h e s t r a l I n v e n t i o n s ; t h e way t h a t h e e m p lo y s t o n a l i t y
w ith in a v e ry c h ro m a tic s t y l e ; an d so f o r t h .
A ll o f
t h i s h a s b e e n v e r y i n f l u e n t i a l f o r m e, a n d I t h i n k
f o r m any o t h e r c o m p o s e r s .
R .S .
W hat a b o u t o p e r a s i n c e i 960 ?
G .C .
I 'm n o t t h a t f a m i l i a r w i t h o p e r a s t h a t h a v e b e e n
co m p o se d s i n c e t h a t d a t e .
I 'm s u r e t h e r e h a v e b e e n
a n u m b e r o f o p e r a s o f a m o re c o n v e n t i o n a l n a t u r e . .
R .S .
You o n c e s a i d t h a t y o u t h o u g h t o b s c u r i t y w as a good
t h in g f o r a c o m p o se r.
W hat do y o u m ean b y t h i s ?
G .C .
W e ll , I t h i n k t h a t i t i s e a s y t o b e d i s t r a c t e d , a n d
i n o r d e r t o f o l l o w t h r o u g h o n a w o rk , I t i s g o o d n o t
to be d i s t r a c t e d .
B u t , u n f o r t u n a t e l y , o n c e a w o rk
I s f i n i s h e d , one l i k e s f o r i t to be p e rfo rm e d . A t
t h a t p o i n t , I g u e s s you d o n 't w ant o b s c u r i t y .
I n te r v ie w ,
6 N o v em b er 1976
R .S .
G .C .
The i n i t i a l c o n c e p t i o n i s t h e g e r m i n a l i d e a t h e
f i r s t in sp ira tio n .
I t i s a n i d e a , s o m e tim e s v e r y
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 1 1 ( G .C .) f a i n t , w h ic h d e v e l o p s i n t o a p i e c e .
I t c o u ld be
a n y t h i n g a t i m b r e , a t e x t u r e , a g e s t u r e ( f o r exam
p l e , a r h y th m ic g e s t u r e ) , a n a b s t r a c t c o n c e p t i o n o f
som e k i n d , a f o r m a l c o n c e p t i o n , e t c .
I th in k any
p i e c e h a s t o b e g i n w i t h a t i n y i d e a o f som e k i n d ,
a l t h o u g h I c a n ' t a lw a y s re m e m b e r t h e i n i t i a l im
p u l s e f o r my c o m p l e te d c o m p o s i t i o n s .
I n som e c a s e s ,
i t i s a n i d e a t h a t h a s o c c u r r e d som e y e a r s e a r l i e r ,
w h ic h a c t s a s a k i n d o f s p r i n g b o a r d , w hen t h e com po
s i t i o n f in a l ly ta k e s sh a p e.
R .S .
Y o u r m u s ic s e em s t o em body a g r e a t v a r i e t y o f
e m o t i o n a l s t a t e s o r m o o d s.
I s t h i s k in d o f v a r ie ty
s o m e t h in g y o u c o n s c i o u s l y a t t e m p t t o a c h i e v e ?
G .C .
I c o n s c i o u s l y t r y t o i n c l u d e a s m uch v a r i e t y a s I
c a n i n my c o m p o s i t i o n s ; f o r e x a m p l e , my p i e c e s
n o r m a l l y h a v e b o t h s lo w a n d f a s t m u s i c , a s w e l l a s
som e c o n t r a s t i n d y n a m i c s .
I th in k i t is e a s ie r
t o c o n s t r u c t a p i e c e o f som e d u r a t i o n i f t h e r e a r e
a re a s o f c o n tra s t.
I n my s e t s o f p i e c e s , I 'm e q u a l l y
c o n c e r n e d w i t h t h e s i m i l a r i t i e s b e tw e e n t h e v a r i o u s
p i e c e s , a n d w i t h t h e d i f f e r e n c e s b e tw e e n t h e m .
If
y o u a r e s e t t i n g p o e t r y , I t h i n k t h i s m ig h t p ro m p t a
v a r i e ty o f e x p re s s io n .
R .S .
G .C .
I h a d c l a r i n e t l e s s o n s w i t h my f a t h e r a t a b o u t a g e
f iv e o r s ix .
I n e v e r c o n s id e r e d g o in g i n t o a f i e l d
o t h e r th a n m u sic .
I d i d n ' t r e a l l y d e c i d e t o m ake
m u s ic my c a r e e r :
I a lw a y s j u s t a s s u m e d t h i s w o u ld
be th e c a s e .
I g u e s s t h i s a s s u m p t i o n w as p r i m a r i l y
d u e t o h a v i n g a f a t h e r w h o se f i e l d w as m u s i c .
R .S .
Was y o u r f a t h e r a m u s ic t e a c h e r ?
G .C .
Y e s, he ta u g h t c l a r i n e t , an d a l s o p e rfo rm e d on t h a t
in s tr u m e n t in th e l o c a l sym phony.
He w as a l s o a
band d i r e c t o r a t one tim e .
R .S .
How e a r l y d i d y o u b e g i n c o m p o s in g ?
G .C .
I c a n ' t p i n t h a t down e x a c t l y , b e c a u s e I t h i n k t h a t
I w as c o m p o s in g i n e f f e c t when I p l a y e d b y e a r a t
th e p ia n o .
I c a n re m e m b e r n o t a t i n g m u s ic a s e a r l y
a s ag e e le v e n .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-412R .S .
I n y o u r o p i n i o n , 13 t h e r e a n y v a l u e I n l i s t e n i n g
m u s ic w h i l e d o i n g s o m e t h in g e l s e ?
to
G .C .
N o.
I c o u l d n ' t d o t h i s m y s e l f i t w o u ld m ake me
v e ry n e rv o u s .
I f t h e m u s ic w e r e w o r t h l i s t e n i n g t o ,
i t w o u ld p u l l me i n t o i t s w o r l d , a n d I w o u l d n 't b e
a n y good f o r a n y th in g e l s e .
T h i s i s b e c o m in g m o re
common t h e s e d a y s t r e a t i n g m u s ic a s a b a c k d r o p t o
o th e r th in g s t h a t one d o e s .
B u t, i f y ou a r e r e a l l y
i n t e r e s t e d i n th e m u sic , you c o u l d n 't d i v id e y o u r
m in d l i k e t h i s .
A l t h o u g h t h e r e i s m u s ic w h ic h i s
m ade e s p e c i a l l y f o r t h i s p u r p o s e , I m u s t s a y t h a t
I d o n 't e v e n l i k e t h a t .
I th in k th e r e i s a lre a d y
t o o m uch m u s i c , a n d t h a t s i l e n c e i s v a l u a b l e .
R .S .
How I m p o r t a n t do y o u f e e l f a c t u a l o r v e r b a l k n o w le d g e
i s to a c o m p o ser?
G .C .
R .S .
Do y o u f e e l t h a t y o u h a v e b e e n i n f l u e n c e d
s i g n i f i c a n t d e g r e e b y p o p u l a r m u s ic ?
to any
G .C .
I r e a l l y d o n 't t h in k s o , b u t i t i s im p o s s ib le to
a v o i d h e a r i n g som e o f i t , a n d i t s i n f l u e n c e c o u l d
p o s s ib l y c r e e p i n t o o n e 's w o rk .
R .S .
W hat i s t h e v a l u e o f l i s t e n i n g t o a p i e c e o f m u s ic
o n c e o r t w i c e , a s o p p o s e d t o l i s t e n i n g m any t i m e s ,
a n d r e a l l y g e t t i n g t o know i t ?
G .C .
I n o r d e r t o c o v e r t h e g r o u n d , a s i n g l e h e a r i n g w o u ld
u s u a ll y t e l l one w h e th e r o r n o t a p ie c e i s o f s u f f i
c ie n t i n te r e s t to m e rit re p e a te d h e a rin g s .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 1 3 R .S .
B en J o h n s t o n o n c e s a i d t h a t h e f e l t t h a t t h e m a j o r i t y
o f B e e t h o v e n 's s o n a t a s w e r e n o t r e a l l y t h a t g o o d .
He
s a i d t h i s i n th e c o n te x t t h a t h e f e l t t h a t t o d a y 's
c o m p o s e r s h o u l d n ' t w o r r y a b o u t o r e x p e c t e v e r y w o rk
to be a m a s te rp ie c e , s in c e even th e g r e a t m a s te rs d id
n o t a c h ie v e t h i s t h a t f r e q u e n tl y .
G .C .
I w o u ld s a y t h a t B e e t h o v e n 's s o n a t a s a r e a l l v e r y
g o o d e v e n h i s l e a s t i n s p i r e d w o rk s a r e , b y a n y o n e
You c a n t a k e
e l s e 's s ta n d a r d s , e x tr e m e ly im p r e s s iv e .
B e e t h o v e n 's w o r k s o n e c a t e g o r y a t a t i m e ; t h e r e a r e
n o n e o f t h e s y m p h o n ie s , n o n e o f th e p ia n o c o n c e r t o s ,
and none o f th e s t r i n g q u a r t e ts t h a t a r e l e s s th a n
m a s t e r p i e c e s ; a n d I w o u ld s a y t h i s a l s o a b o u t t h e
p ia n o s o n a ta s .
Some o f t h e s o n a t a s a r e l e s s d r a m a t i c
t h a n o t h e r s , som e a r e l i g h t e r i n m ood, b u t a l l o f th em
a r e b e a u t i f u l l y w ro u g h t.
I f y ou a r e g o in g t o t a l k
a b o u t a n y I n f e r i o r p i e c e s o f B e e th o v e n , I t h in k you
h a v e t o l o o k a t o t h e r c a t e g o r i e s p e r h a p s som e o f t h e
e a r l y w o r k s 3ome o f t h e p i a n o v a r i a t i o n s a r e j u s t
c o m p e te n t a n d n o t s p e c t a c u l a r .
R .S .
Of th e g r e a t m a s t e r s , do you f e e l t h a t a l l w ro te
g r e a t w o rk s c o n s i s t e n t l y ?
G .C .
M o z art i s a s p e c i a l c a s e .
By t h e a g e o f f i f t e e n o r
s i x t e e n , h e was a f i n i s h e d m a s t e r , b u t , o f c o u r s e ,
m uch o f t h e m u s ic h e w r o t e b e f o r e t h i s t im e l a c k s t h e
m a t u r it y a n d c r a f t o f h i s l a t e r m u sic .
I guess th a t
a t som e p o i n t i n t h e l i v e s o f a l l s i g n i f i c a n t com
p o s e r s , t h e r e i s a w o rk t h a t r e p r e s e n t s a b r e a k t h r o u g h .
R .S .
How do y o u t r e a t t h e o c t a v e i n y o u r m u s ic ?
G .C .
I d o e m p lo y o c t a v e s o c c a s i o n a l l y .
I te n d e d n o t t o a
n um ber o f y e a r s b a c k .
S p e c i f i c a l l y , I w o u ld t e n d t o
u se o c ta v e s in a to n a l c o n te x t, and o th e rw is e a s a
c o l o r i s t i c tim b ra l d e v ic e .
In th e u se o f b e l l - l i k e
p e r c u s s io n in s t r u m e n t s , s in c e th e s e a r e so h ig h in
u p p e r p a r t i a l s t h a t th e l i s t e n e r i s o f te n n o r s u re
o f w h ic h o c t a v e h e i s h e a r i n g ^
I w o u ld n o t h e s i t a t e
t o d o u b l e tw o o r t h r e e o c t a v e s .
I n te r v ie w ,
R .S .
27 N o v em b er 1 976
I n y o u r M a k ro k o sm o s I I I , t o w h a t e x t e n t w e re y o u
i n f l u e n c e d b y B a r t 6 k ' s S o n a t a f o r tw o P i a n o s a n d
P e rc u s s io n ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 1 4 G .C .
The i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n w a s , o f c o u r s e , s u g g e s t e d b y
B a r t o k 's s o n a t a .
I h a d f o r q u i t e a w h i l e , w a n te d t o
w r i t e a w o rk f o r t h i s m ed iu m , a n d f o u n d i t s u r p r i s i n g
t h a t t o t h e b e s t o f my k n o w le d g e n o o t h e r w o rk s
h a d b e e n w r i t t e n f o r t h i s c o m b in a tio n o f i n s t r u m e n t s .
I d o n t b e li e v e t h a t th e B a rto k s o n a ta h a d a n y i n f l u
en c e o t h e r th a n th e in s t r u m e n t a t io n .
I th in k th a t
t h e m u s i c a l i m p u l s e f o r M ak ro k o sm o s I I I d e v e lo p e d t o
a g r e a t e x t e n t f ro m t h e tw o e a r l i e r s e t s o f M ak ro
ko sm o s p i e c e s .
R .S .
I n m uch o f y o u r m u s i c , t h e t i t l e s a n d i n s c r i p t i o n s
su g g e st an i n t e r e s t in and a n in flu e n c e by v a rio u s
a s p e c ts o f tim e .
C o u ld y o u s a y s o m e t h in g a b o u t t h i s ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t im e h a s b e e n a n i n f l u e n c e i n my w o r k , a n d
i n t h e w o rk o f m any c o m p o s e r s w o r k in g n o w .
I can
t h i n k o f m any w o rk s t h a t a r e som ehow i n v o l v e d w i t h
t h e r e c o g n i t i o n t h a t t im e i s a v e r y s t r a n g e t h i n g
w o rk s t h a t c o n c e r n o u r r e l a t i o n s h i p w i t h t h e p a s t .
F o r e x a m p le , o n e m o v em en t o f t h e B e r i o S i n f o n i a i s
i n v o l v e d w i t h t h e S c h e r z o o f t h e M a h le r s e c o n d
sy m p h o n y .
B e r io c o n s t r u c t e d , i n t h i s p i e c e , a
m o n ta g e o v e r l o n g s e c t i o n s o f t h i s M a h le r S c h e r z o ,
a s i f t o m ake som e k i n d o f c o m m e n ta ry o n M a h l e r s
tim e .
B e r i o ' s c a s e i s j u s t o n e o f m an y .
I t 's as
I f c o m p o s e r s w e re t a k i n g a c a r e f u l l o o k a t t h e
e n t i r e t r a d i t i o n o f W e s te r n m u s i c , a n d t r y i n g t o
f i n d o u t j u s t w h a t t h a t m ea n s t o th e m , a n d how i t
r e l a t e s to t h e i r m u sic .
R .S .
I n t h e l a s t p i e c e o f y o u r M ak ro k o sm o s I I I , M u sic o f
th e S ta r r y N ig h t, you in c lu d e d a s an I n s c r ip t i o n th e
f o llo w in g R ilk e l i n e s :
"And i n t h e n i g h t s t h e h e a v y
e a r t h i s f a l l i n g f ro m a l l t h e s t a r s down i n t o l o n e
lin e s s ."
Was t h i s q u o t a t i o n y o u r p r im a r y i n s p i r a t i o n
i n c o m p o s in g M u3lc o f t h e S t a r r y N i g h t ?
G .C .
I l o v e t h o s e p a r t i c u l a r l i n e s f ro m R i l k e , a n d a s I
w as c o m p o s in g , a l l o f t h e f a l l i n g g e s t u r e s r e c a l l e d
t h a t p a r t i c u l a r q u o t a t i o n t o m in d ; h e n c e , t h e i n c l u
s i o n o f R i l k e ' s w o rd s a t t h e b e g i n n i n g o f t h e p i e c e .
C o n c e r n in g t h e B ach q u o t a t i o n ^ /in t h e sam e p ie c e y 7,
t h i s p a r t i c u l a r p i e c e t h e d - s h a r p m in o r f u g u e f ro m
t h e s e c o n d v o lu m e o f t h e W e ll-T e m p e re d C l a v i e r
h a p p e n s t o b e my f a v o r i t e am ong a l l o f B a c h 's f u g u e s .
T h e r e s e em s t o b e s o m ^ t ^ l n g m e t a p h y s i c a l a b o u t a l l o f
B a c h 's m u s i c , b u t e s p e c i f l y a b o u t t h i s d - s h a r p m in o r
f u g u e , a n d som ehow I t b e c am e a s s o c i a t e d i n my m in d
w ith th e R ilk e q u o t a t i o n .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 1 5 R .S .
O fte n in y o u r s e t s o f p ie c e s , a c y c li c a l d e s ig n i s
a p p a r e n t , a lo n g w ith v a rio u s k in d s o f s m a l l- s c a l e
s y m m e tr y . Do y o u f e e l t h a t y o u h a v e b e e n i n f l u e n c e d
by o t h e r c o m p o se rs i n t h i s r e s p e c t?
G .C .
B a r t o k i s a p r im a r y i n f l u e n c e i n t h i s r e s p e c t .
H is
m u 3 ic i s a lw a y s i n v o l v e d w i t h s y m m e tr i e s o f m any k i n d s
r h y t h m i c , p i t c h , a n d f o r m a l s y m m e tr i e s a b o u n d i n
B a r t o k 's m u s i c ; s o m e tim e s t h e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f a n e n t i r e
w o rk w i l l b e i n some k i n d o f a r c h d e s i g n .
S y m m etry i s
j u s t o n e m ean s o f o r g a n i z i n g a w o rk ; i t ' s n e c e s s a r y t o
h a v e s o m e t h in g m ore t h a n j u s t a n a b s t r a c t s y m m e t r i c a l
sch em e.
S ym m etry m ig h t b e s t b e c o n s i d e r e d a s a k i n d
o f fra m e.
R .S .
W hat a r e some o f t h e p r im a r y u n i f y i n g e l e m e n t s t h a t
y o u a t t e m p t t o em p lo y i n y o u r m u s ic ?
G .C .
T h e s e i n c l u d e r h y th m ic a n d p i t c h a s s o c i a t i o n s , s u c h
a s m o tiv e s an d th e m a tic r e l a t i o n s h i p s .
In a d d itio n ,
f o rm i n t h e l a r g e r s e n s e i s o n e m ea n s o f e s t a b l i s h i n g
th e m u sic a l h ie r a rc h y .
R .S .
W hat r o l e h a s n u m e r o lo g y p l a y e d i n y o u r m u s ic ?
G .C .
N u m e ro lo g y becam e m o st o v e r t i n B l a c k A n g e l s , w h ic h
g i v e s c e r t a i n n u m e r o l o g i c a l m o t t o s . N u m e ro lo g y o c c u r s
i n m uch o f my m u s ic , a n d i n f a c t , o c c u r s f r e q u e n t l y
i n m uch m u s ic o f a l l p e r i o d s .
M u sic h a s t o do w i t h
q u a n t i t i e s , a n d n u m b e rs a r e v e r y i m p o r t a n t .
I have
f o u n d n u m b e r s y m b o lis m i n S c h u m a n n 's , i n B a r t o k ' s ,
a n d i n B a c h 's m u s ic ; I t h i n k t h i s i n v o lv e m e n t w i t h
t h e m a g ic o f n u m b e rs i s p a r t o f t h e m u s i c a l l a n g u a g e .
I n t h e p r o c e s s o f w r i t i n g B l a c k A n g e r s , t h e n u m b e rs
se em e d t o b e b e c o m in g o v e r t i n a c e r t a i n s y m b o l ic
s e n s e , an d a t t h a t p o in t i n t h e p i e c e , I d e c id e d t o
m ake i t t o t a l l y o v e r t .
R .S .
W ould y o u c o n s i d e r s t a r t i n g a c o m p o s i t i o n w i t h a
s y s te m o f n u m b e rs i n t h e a b s t r a c t , a p a r t fro m m u s i c a l
id e a s ?
G .C .
N o.
R .S .
S t r a v i n s k y s a i d w o rd s t o t h e e f f e c t t h a t a c o m p o s e r
f i n d s fre e d o m th ro u g h th e l i m i t a t i o n s he Im p o se s upo n
h im s e lf.
C o u ld y o u g i v e y o u r v ie w s on t h i s ?
I d o n 't t h in k s o .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 l6 G .C .
In any s ty l e t h a t I s a t a l l e f f e c ti v e , I th in k th e r e
have to be l im it a t i o n s .
Any a s p e c t o f t h e m u s ic c a n
p r e d o m i n a t e a t a g i v e n m o m en t, b u t t h e r e i s a h i e r
a rc h y im p lie d , a n d a d i s c i p li n e i s n eed ed in th e u sa g e
o f th e m a t e r i a l s o f c o m p o s itio n .
I t h i n k S t r a v i n s k y 's
w o rd s a r e p a r t i c u l a r l y r e l e v a n t t o t o d a y ' s c o m p o s e r ;
s in c e t h e r e a r e a w e l t e r o f s t y l e s , a n d a l l a s s u m p tio n s
a r e q u e s t i o n e d , we m u s t h a v e a s e n s e o f d i s c i p l i n e .
And w i t h a l l t h e p o s s i b i l i t i e s , t h e f a c t i s t h a t a n y
g iv e n co m p o ser c h o o s e s to u s e o n ly a s m a ll p o r tio n o f
w h a t h e know s t o b e p o s s i b l e .
T hese c h o s e n p o s s i b i l
i t i e s a r e w h a t d e f i n e s a c o m p o s e r 's s t y l e .
In te rv ie w .
18 J a n u a r y 1977
R .S .
To w h a t e x t e n t h a v e y o u b e e n
G .C .
I n o t i c e h i s i n f l u e n c e i n t h e God M u sic f ro m B l a c k
A n g e ls a n d i n p a r t s o f Vox B a l a e n a e . A lt h o u g h I
d o n ' t t h i n k I h a v e b e e n i n f l u e n c e d b y M e s s i a e n 's
t h e o r i e s , t h e r e a r e som e s i m i l a r i t i e s i n h a n d l i n g
r h y th m .
H o w e v e r, I r e a l l y d i d n ' t know t h a t m uch
M e s s i a e n w hen I w a s d e v e l o p i n g my own r h y th m ic
la n g u a g e .
( I 'm s p e a k i n g o f s i m i l a r i t i e s i n t h e u s e
o f a d d i t i v e r h y t h m s , w h ic h M e s s i a e n t r a c e s t o H in d u
m u s ic i n h i s T h e o r y o f My M u s ic a l L a n g u a g e . )
R .S .
G .C .
Some o f th e m a r e w h i m s i c a l l y c h o s e n ; som e a r e s u g
g e s t e d , i n t h e c a s e o f v o c a l w o rk s , by a t e x t .
Some
o f my t i t l e s a r e p o e t i c i n n a t u r e , a n d r e a l l y s h o u l d n ' t
m ean t h a t m uch t o t h e l i s t e n e r .
M o st o f my t i t l e s a r e
s u b je c tiv e r a t h e r th a n o b je c tiv e .
I g e n e ra lly choose
a w o rk in g t i t l e v e r y e a r l y i n th e p r o c e s s o f w r i t i n g
a new p i e c e ; t h i s w o u ld h a v e som e i m p l i c a t i o n a s t o
t h e e m o t i o n a l q u a l i t y o f t h a t w o r k . A w o r k in g t i t l e
m ig h t c h a n g e s e v e r a l t i m e s i n t h e p r o c e s s o f w o r k in g
on a new c o m p o s i t i o n .
R .S .
W hat t y p e s o f , a n d how m u ch , l i b e r t y w o u ld y o u
s u g g e s t t o t h e p e r f o r m e r o f y o u r m u s ic ?
G .C .
i n f l u e n c e d b y M e s s ia e n ?
why y o u c h o o s e t h e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 1 7 R .S .
I r e c e n tly re a d y o u r a n a ly s is o f a p ie c e o f P e te r
W e s t e r g a a r d , w h ic h a p p e a r e d i n P e r s p e c t i v e s o f New
M u s ic t e n o r s o y e a r 3 a g o , a n d I t i m p r e s s e d me w i t h
' i t s k e e n a n a l y t i c a l o b s e r v a t i o n s . Do y o u f e e l t h a t
s u c h a n a l y s i s h a s h e lp e d y o u a s a c o m p o se r?
G .C .
T h a t w as t h e o n l y a n a l y t i c a l p a p e r o f t h a t k i n d I ' v e
e v e r w r i t t e n , a n d t h a t w as q u i t e a fe w y e a r s a g o .
I f e e l now , t h a t w e r e I t o a n a l y z e t h a t p i e c e o r
a n y p i e c e f o r t h a t m a t t e r - - I w o u ld d o i t q u i t e
d iff e re n tly .
I w o u ld c o n c e n t r a t e f a r l e s s o n s t r u c
t u r a l m i n u t i a e f o rm s o f t h e row a n d s y m m e tr i e s t h a t
th e l i s t e n e r i s n o t aw are o f an d r a t h e r , t r y to
l o o k a t t h e p i e c e i n te r m s o f w h a t i t s a y s m u s i c a l l y .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u nam e a fe w c o n te m p o r a r y c o m p o s i t i o n s t h a t
y o u m ig h t r e g a r d a s p e r s o n a l f a v o r i t e s ?
G .C .
A l l o f S t r a v i n s k y 's
N o c e s ; S c h o e n b e r g 's
W e b e r n 's o r c h e s t r a l
tio n s f o r s tr in g q u
w o rk s.
R .S .
W hat a b o u t P i e r r o t L u n a i r e ?
G .C .
I t e n d t o a d m i r e t h a t w o rk m o re t h a n I l i k e i t i n
t h e sam e way t h a t I d o m any o f h i s o t h e r p i e c e s .
F o r o n e t h i n g , I t h i n k t h e c o n s t a n t S p r e c h s tim m e
m ak e s i t a l i t t l e r e l e n t l e s s ; i t m ig h t h a v e b e e n
l e s s s o , h a d a fe w o f t h e poem s b e e n a c t u a l l y s u n g .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u d e s c r i b e som e o f t h e p r o b le m s t h a t a r o s e
i n c o m p o s in g y o u r l a t e s t p i e c e , D ream S e q u e n c e ?
G .C .
The D ream S e q u e n c e c o n s i s t s o f t h r e e d i f f e r e n t m u s i c s ,
w h ic h a r e n o t c o o r d i n a t e d i n t e r m s o f e n s e m b l e ; t h i s
p ro d u c e s a k in d o f p h a s in g a c o u n te r p o in t o f m u s ic s ,
e x c e p t t h a t th e m u sic s a r e n o t c o n tin u o u s , b u t a r e
r a t h e r f r a g m e n ta ry , w ith in th e m s e lv e s .
The t o t a l
e f f e c t o f t h e w o rk i s a l m o s t l i k e a n a c c o m p a n im e n t
t o a n o n e x i s t e n t p r im a r y m u s i c . T h e n o r m a l i d e a o f
a h ie r a r c h y i s in t h i s p ie c e a b a n d o n ed .
I 'm n o t s u r e
w h e t h e r t h i s m ak e s i t a g o o d o r a b a d c o m p o s i t i o n ,
b u t i t w as a n a t t e m p t t o e x p l o r e new t e r r i t o r y , a n d
f o r m e, w as a b i t e x p e r i m e n t a l .
R .S .
D o e s t h i s r e l a t e i n a n y way t o
c o m b in in g s e p a r a t e m u sic s ?
e a r l y b a l l e t s , L ' H i s t o l r e , L es
F i v e P i e c e s ; B e r g 's o p e r a s ;
p i e c e s , a n d h i s t h r e e c o m p o s i
a r t e t o n e c o u l d nam e m any s u c h
Iv es'
p ra c tic e
of
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 1 8 G .C .
I t w o u ld seem t o .
A c t u a ll y , I d o n 't th in k t h a t t h i s
p a r t i c u l a r w o rk w o u ld b e h e a r d i n t h e sam e way t h a t
I v e s ' F o u r t h Sym phony i s h e a r d , w h ic h , i n f a c t , c o n
s i s t s o f m any d i f f e r e n t s t r e a m s o f m u sic t h a t a r e
c o n tin u o u s in th e m s e lv e s .
And t h i s i s h i s n o r m a l
p r a c t i c e : t o o p p o s e tw o m u s i c s t h a t r e a l l y a r e n o t
fra g m e n ta ry , b u t t h a t a r e q u ite s u s ta in e d and con
tin u o u s .
I t h i n k I am d o i n g s o m e t h in g l i k e t h i s i n
t h e o r c h e s t r a l p i e c e I 'm w o r k i n g o n no w .
In c o n
t r a s t , t h e t h r e e m u s i c s o f my D ream S e q u e n c e a r e s o
f r a g m e n t a r y t h a t t h e y b a r e l y a d d u p t o o n e c o m p l e te
m u s ic / T a u g h t e r7 *
R .S .
I n y o u r M y th , a n d i n o t h e r p i e c e s , y o u em p lo y p h o n e t i c
u n i t s w h ic h a p p a r e n t l y h a v e n o l i n g u i s t i c c o n n o t a t i o n s .
How d o y o u c h o o s e s u c h s y l l a b l e s ?
G .C .
T hey a r e c h o s e n f o r t h e s o u n d q u a l i t i e s o f t h e p h o
n e t i c s y l l a b l e s t h e m s e l v e s ; f o r e x a m p le , c o n s o n a n t s
h av e c e r t a i n p e r c u s s iv e v a lu e s , a n d vow el so u n d s
e x p re s s c e r t a in tim b re s .
I th in k a com poser c an
d i v o r c e p h o n e t i c s f ro m l a n g u a g e a l t o g e t h e r , s i n c e h e
i s d e a l i n g w i t h , a n d h a s a t h i s d i s p o s a l , t h e w h o le
w o r ld o f s o u n d .
On t h e o t h e r h a n d , I i m a g in e t h a t
a l m o s t a n y p h o n e t i c s y l l a b l e y o u c o u ld com e u p w i t h
w o u ld h a v e a m e a n in g i n som e l a n g u a g e .
R .S .
Why i s s o m uch c o n te m p o r a r y m u s ic d i f f i c u l t f o r t h e
a v e ra g e m u s ic ia n to -in d e rsta n d ?
G .C .
F o r one t h in g , th e la n g u a g e i t s e l f i s o f te n v e ry
c h r o m a t i c , s o t h a t t h e r e a d i n g a n d c o m p r e h e n s io n i s
m ade m o re d i f f i c u l t .
A l s o , t h e r h y th m s t e n d t o b e
m uch m o re c o m p le x t h a n t h o s e o f t h e t r a d i t i o n a l
re p e rto ry .
U n u s u a l d e m a n d s a r e o f t e n m ade on p e r
f o r m e r s , s u c h a s p r o d u c i n g u n u s u a l s o u n d s . As p e r
f o r m e r s p l a y a n d l i s t e n t o m o re a n d m o re new m u s i c ,
th e d i f f i c u l t i e s w i l l s u b s id e .
R .S .
Do y o u f e e l t h a t y o u h a v e b e e n i n f l u e n c e d t o a n y
d e g r e e by M e d ie v a l a n d R e n a i s s a n c e m u s ic ?
G .C .
P r o b a b ly ,
w ays v e r y
s tu d ie d M
to a good
R .S .
You a r e q u o t e d i n t h e D i c t i o n a r y o f C o n te m p o r a ry M u sic
a s s a y i n g t h a t " m u s ic c a n o n l y e x i s t when t h e b r a i n
i s s in g in g ."
C o u ld y o u e x p l a i n w h a t y o u m e a n t?
b e c a u s e I t h i n k M e d ie v a l m u sic I s i n som e
c lo s e to o u r id e a l o f sou n d .
I have n e v e r
e d ie v a l m u s ic m e t h o d i c a l l y , b u t h a v e l i s t e n e d
deal of i t .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 1 9 G-.C.
I n c o m p o s i t i o n , t h e r e i s a k i n d o f d i c h o to m y o f
th o u g h t a n d i n t u i t i o n ; th e s in g in g i s b a s i c a l l y a
c o m p o s e r 's l y r i c a l i m p u l s e ; t h e r o l e o f t h e b r a i n
i s s im p ly t o a p p ly r e a s o n to v a r io u s a s p e c t s o f
c o m p o s itio n .
I b e l i e v e t h a t t h e r e i s a te n d e n c y
to a d o p t a o n e -s id e d e s t h e t i c .
T h is , on th e one
h a n d , w o u ld b e t h e i r r a t i o n a l a p p r o a c h , w h ic h w o u ld
h a v e a s a d a n g e r , t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f t h e m u s ic
b e c o m in g a m a t e u r i s h a n d d i l e t t a n t i s h .
On t h e o t h e r
h a n d , t h e u l t r a r a t i o n a l a p p r o a c h w o u ld b e t h e
o p p o s it e e x tr e m e , a n d h a s a s i t s d a n g e r th e p o s s i
b i l i t y o f t h e m u s ic b e c o m in g d o c t r i n a i r e a n d
a c a d e m ic .
I t s e em s t h a t t h e s e t w i n d a n g e r s a r e
v e ry r e a l i n t o d a y 's m u s ic .
In f a c t , th e r e a re
n o t v e r y m any c o m p o s e r s who a r e w i l l i n g t o w o rk
i n t h e m id d l e g r o ii n d .
In te rv ie w ,
7 A p r i l 1977
R .S .
How i m p o r t a n t i s t h e c o m p r e h e n s io n o f t h e t e x t i n
y o u r v o c a l w o rk s t o t h e l i s t e n e r ?
G .C .
F i r s t o f a l l , I t r y to a r r a n g e th e t e x t u r e s and
in s t r u m e n t a t io n so t h a t th e v o ic e i s n e v e r c o v e re d .
B u t, e v e n i n t h e b e s t c ir c u m s ta n c e s , i t i s d i f f i c u l t
f o r a l l o f t h e w o rd s t o come o u t i n a n y s u n g p h r a s e
o f a n y c o m p le x ity .
In th e c a s e o f f o r e ig n t e x t s , I
t h i n k t h e t r a n s l a t i o n s h o u ld a lw a y s b e p r i n t e d a s
p a r t o f t h e p r o g ra m n o t e s , s o t h a t t h e a u d i e n c e i s
a s s u r e d o f g r a s p i n g t h e e s s e n t i a l m e a n in g o f t h e
p o e try .
R .S .
G .C .
N ot c o n s c io u s ly .
I t w as b u i l t i n t o som e o f t h e
th e m a tic m a t e r i a l , an d te n d s to o c c u r f a i r l y o f t e n .
I t d e r i v e s f ro m t h e w h o l e - t o n e s c a l e , a n d I f i n d
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-420( G .C .) t h a t s u c h c o n f i g u r a t i o n s o c c u r f r e q u e n t l y i n c e r
t a i n w o rk s o f m in e .
I t may b e a r e s u l t o f B e r g 's
in flu e n c e .
R .S .
H ave y o u c o n s i d e r e d p e r f o r m i n g y o u r own p i a n o w o rk s ?
From w h a t I h a v e h e a r d o f y o u r p l a y i n g , y o u w o u ld
c e r t a i n l y be c a p a b le o f d o in g s o .
G .C .
N o, I ' v e n e v e r p e r f o r m e d my own p i a n o w o r k s , a l t h o u g h
I do w o rk a t t h e p i a n o w hen w r i t i n g p i a n o m u s i c .
I
h a v e n e v e r th o u g h t o f m y s e lf a s a p e rf o r m e r , b u t I
su p p o se t h a t w ith s e r i o u s a p p l i c a t i o n a n d c a r e f u l
s t u d y , I w o u ld b e a b l e t o p l a y t h e t h r e e w o rk s I
have w r itt e n f o r th e p ia n o .
R .S .
I n o tic e d in th e re c o rd ja c k e t n o te s t h a t you co n
d u c t e d t h e r e c o r d i n g s e s s i o n f o r N i g h t M u sic I , a n d
t h i s b r o u g h t t o my m in d t h e q u e s t i o n :
how m uch
c o n d u c tin g h av e you done?
G .C .
N o t much a t a l l .
I h a v e c o n d u c te d t h a t w o rk o n o c c a
s i o n , a s w e l l a s B l a c k A n g e l s . A lth o u g h i t i s f o r
s t r i n g q u a r t e t , B la c k A n g e ls w as d o n e i n i t s e a r l i e s t
p e r f o r m a n c e s w i t h c o n d u c t o r ; I c o n d u c te d i t s p r e m i e r e ,
a s w e ll a s th e P h ila d e lp h ia p e rfo rm a n c e .
I n e m e r
g e n c i e s , I h a v e a l s o c o n d u c te d a c o u p le o f o t h e r
p ie c e s .
R .S .
I n te r m s o f r o y a l t i e s fro m N i g h t M u3ic I . d i d y o u
r e c e i v e a n i n c r e a s e i n r e c e i p t s fro m t h e r e c o r d i n g ,
s i n c e y o u w e re o n e o f t h e p e r f o r m e r s ?
G .C .
I d o n ' t know t h e b re a k d o w n t h e r e a t a l l I m ay n o t
h av e ev en b een c o n s id e r e d one o f th e p e rf o r m e r s .
R .S .
When y o u b e g i n a new c o m p o s i t i o n , d o y o u h a v e t o w a i t
f o r i n s p i r a t i o n , o r c a n y o u j u s t b e g i n w hen y o u l i k e ?
G .C .
W e ll , s o m e tim e s , i n s p i r a t i o n co m es o u t o f a n u m b e r o f
f a l s e s t a r t s and s k e tc h in g in th e d a rk ; o f te n th e
i d e a s do n o t s t a r t f l o w i n g r i g h t a w a y .
I f in d gen
e r a l l y t h a t I t i s h a r d t o g e t i n t o a new p te c e ; I t h a s
t o d e v e l o p m om entum . Many i d e a s h a v e t o b e I n v e s t i
g a t e d , a n d a l o t i s d i s c a r d e d i t ' s a s lo w p r o c e s s .
R .S .
D id t h e
fa n ta s y
kosm os
your in
p e r s o n a l i t i e s o f t h o s e t o whom y o u d e d i c a t e d
p i e c e s i n t h e f i r s t tw o v o lu m e s o f t h e M a k ro ( r e p r e s e n te d by i n i t i a l s ) s e rv e a s p a r t o f
i t i a l c o n c e p tio n f o r th e v a rio u s p ie c e s ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- - '2 1 G .C .
I n som e c a s e s , y e s , t h o u g h m o re o f t e n I t h i n k t h e
p r i m a r y i m p u l s e d e r i v e d f ro m t h e z o d i a c a l s i g n s th e m
s e lv e s .
T h e w h o le s e t w as a l i t t l e f a n c i f u l ; I d i d n ' t
im p ly a n y l i t e r a l a s s o c i a t i o n s .
A fte r a l l , th e re i s
a g r e a t d e a l o f w h im sy i n m u s ic t h r o u g h o u t i t s h i s t o r y .
R .S .
How c a n s u c h i d e a s a s t h e a b o v e , o r i n som e c a s e s
a s i n d ic a te d i n y o u r s k e tc h book p u r e ly s o n o ro u s
i d e a s , s u c h a s a b ow ed p i a n o , a c t a s t h e i n i t i a l c o n
c e p ti o n o f a c o m p o s itio n ?
G .C .
A lm o s t a n y t h i n g i n t h e w o r l d c o u l d s e r v e a s a g e r m i n a l
i d e a , i f i t seem ed p r e g n a n t to th e co m p o se r i f i t
se em e d t o p u l l i n o t h e r i d e a s , o r i f i t s e e m e d t o dom
i n a t e a c o n c e p t i o n . A s o n o ro u s I d e a c o u ld c o l o r a
w h o le p i e c e a p i e c e c o u l d g ro w f ro m t h i s .
R e a lly ,
w hat i s a g e rm in a l id e a ?
I t m ig h t b e a s m a l l m o ti v e
i n a c o n v e n t i o n a l s t y l e , a n d a s I s a i d , i t m ig h t b e
a l m o s t a n y t h i n g i n some s t y l e s .
R .S .
As I h e a r t h i s , I t o c c u r s t o me t h a t t h e r e a r e m any
c o m p o s e r s who n e v e r i s o l a t e w h a t t h e g e r m i n a l i d e a
i s i n t h e i r m u s i c , a s y o u a lw a y s do i n t h e e a r l y
s ta g e s o f w r itin g a p ie c e ; b u t, n e v e r th e le s s , th e r e
m u st b e s u c h a n i d e a ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h e r e h a s t o b e s o m e t h in g h a s t o move t h e
m u sic .
S o m e tim e s i t i s h a r d t o f i n d t h e m a in i d e a s
in a p ie c e .
I s u p p o s e t h a t d e te r m in in g w hat i s
p rim a ry a n d w h at i s s e c o n d a r y th ro u g h s k e tc h i n g i s
u s u a lly p a r t o f t h i s .
R .S .
I n y o u r n o t a t i o n , y o u a lw a y s t e n d t o
na m e s f o r s e m i t o n e s , r a t h e r t h a n o n e
a s h a r p o r a f l a t s i g n ; f o r e x a m p le ,
r a t h e r t h a n F to F - s h a r p a n d you do
a s w e l l a s h a r m o n i c a l l y . Why?
G .C .
T h e re i s t h e p r a c t i c a l m a t t e r o f n o t a t i n g a c l u s t e r
lik e c h o rd .
T h is i s a l s o a p e r s o n a l q u i r k , s in c e In
a c h ro m a tic c o n t e x t , th e n o t e s no l o n g e r c a r r y th e
t r a d i t i o n a l id e a o f th e p r o g re s s io n o f d e g re e s w ith in
a s c a l e s y s t e m s o t h i s i s j u s t a c o m p o s e r 's c h o i c e .
R .S .
u s e tw o l e t t e r
l e t t e r nam e w i t h
F to G - f la t,
t h i s m e lo d ic a lly
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 2 2 G .C .
T hey c a r r y , f o r o n e t h i n g , t h e B i b l i c a l i d e a o f a
b e g in n in g .
T hey a r e b o t h a k i n d o f p r i m i t i v e m u s i c ,
t h e o n e i n a s u s t a i n e d m o d e, a n d t h e o t h e r m ore
v o la tile .
T he t h i r d v o lu m e b e g i n s w i t h "M o rn in g
M u s ic " a g a i n a k i n d o f b e g i n n i n g , b u t t h e r e i s n o
s y m b o l ic r e l a t i o n s h i p b e tw e e n t h e s e t h r e e p i e c e s .
R .S .
I n t h e s e c o n d v o lu m e o f t h e M a k ro k o s m o s , t h e r e se em s
t o b e a l a r g e s c a l e i n t e n s i f i c a t i o n f ro m p i e c e s 1 - 8 ,
and th e n , a f t e r re a c h in g t h i s peak o f in te n s it y , a
g rad u a l r e la x a tio n .
I s t h e r e a c u rv e o f t h i s s o r t
i n t h e f i r s t v o lu m e ?
G .C .
I c o n s c i o u s l y t r i e d t o g i v e t h e s e c o n d v o lu m e a
l a r g e r c u rv e th a n th e f i r s t .
The m id d l e f o u r p i e c e s
i n t h e f i r s t v o lu m e t e n d t o b e s lo w i n t h e f i r s t
v o lu m e , w h e r e a s t h e y t e n d t o b e f a s t i n t h e s e c o n d
so t h e r e i s a k in d o f c u r v e , b u t n o t one o f i n t e n s i
f i c a t i o n , a s i n M a k ro k o s m o s , V olum e I I .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u d i s c u s s y o u r u s e o f t h e a t r i c s
m u s ic ?
G .C .
The t h e a t r i c s , s u c h a s m a s k s , l i t c a n d l e s , p r o
c e s s i o n s , s p e c i a l l i g h t i n g , e t c . , w e r e g e s t u r e s w h ic h
se em e d t o com e o u t o f t h e m u s i c a l i d e a s t h e m s e l v e s .
An i d e a s u c h a s a p r o c e s s i o n c a n b e e x p r e s s e d i n
p u re ly m u sic a l te rm s ; i f , i n f a c t , i t e x i s t s , i t , o f
c o u r s e , i s m ade m o re c o n c r e t e .
A p a r t f ro m t h e sym
b o l i s m c & .r rie d b y s u c h i d e a s , t h e a u r a l f a c t o r o f
s o u n d m o v in g i n t h e p e r f o r m a n c e h a l l i s a l s o a c o n
s id e ra tio n .
The o f f - s t a g e m u s ic i n N i g h t o f t h e
F o u r M oons i s a l i t t l e m o re o b v i o u s t h a n t h e d e v i c e s
i n som e o'f t h e o t h e r p i e c e s , i n t h a t d e p a r t u r e i s
in d ic a te d in th e t e x t .
I c a n 't a c c o u n t f o r a l l o f
th e t h e a t r i c a l to u c h e s l o g i c a l l y , e x c e p t to say t h a t
t h e y se em t o o c c u r a s p a r t o f t h e i n i t i a l c o n c e p t i o n .
R .S .
G .C .
Y es, t h i s i s u n d o u b te d ly t r u e , b u t in a s e n s e , an y
o n e who l i s t e n s t o a r e c o r d i n g o f a n y m u s i c , r a t h e r
th a n h e a r i n g i t l i v e , m is s e s p a r t o f i t s im p a c t.
R .S .
I n a r e v i e w C a r l t o n G am er d i d o f t h e f i r s t p e rf o r m a n c e
o f M a k ro k o s m o s, V o l . I , h e s t a t e s t h a t y o u e m p lo y t h e
fa m o u s V a r i a t i o n 18 f ro m t h e R a c h m a n in o f f R a p s o d ie
(N o. 1 1 ) , w h ic h d o e s n o t e x i s t i n t h e m u s ic a s p u b
lis h e d .
How d i d t h i s h a p p e n ?
in y o u r
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 2 3 G .C .
The f i r s t p e r f o r m a n c e d i d , i n f a c t , i n c l u d e t h e
R a c h m a n in o ff.
L a t e r , I l e a r n e d t h a t I c o u l d n 't
g e t th e c le a r a n c e f o r t h i s p ie c e , so I had t o f in d
a s u b s t i t u t i o n , w h ic h t u r n e d o u t t o b e C h o p i n 's
F a n t a i s l e I m p r o m p tu . T h e m a in c o n s i d e r a t i o n w as
t h a t t h e s u b s t i t u t i o n h a d t o be i n th e ro m a n tic
s t y l e o f th e R a c h m a n in o ff, a n d h a d t o be i n th e
k e y o f D - f l a t ( a s w as t h e R a c h m a n i n o f f ) .
R .S .
Was t h e e n d i n g o f M a k ro k o sm o s I I I , M u sic o f a S t a r r y
N i g h t i n f l u e n c e d b y t h e e n d i n g o f M a h le r * s D a s L i e d
von d e r E rd e ?
G .C .
Y e s , t h e f a l l i n g s e c o n d i d e a w as I n s p i r e d b y M a h le r ,
a s w as t h e o v e r a l l d y i n g g e s t u r e .
R .S .
E r i c S a lz m a n h a s w r i t t e n t h a t y o u c o n s c i o u s l y a t t e m p t
t o s u s p e n d t h e s e n s a t i o n o f t h e p r o g r e s s i o n o f tim e
i n y o u r m u s i c . C o u ld y o u e l a b o r a t e a l i t t l e o n t h i s ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t t h i s c a n b e f o u n d i n m uch o f t o d a y ' s
s e r i o u s m u sic .
I n my m u s i c , i t o c c u r s f r e q u e n t l y .
I t in c lu d e s th e e lim in a tio n o f a se n se o f m e tric s
a n d t a c t u s , b u t i t i s m o re c o m p l i c a t e d t h a n t h a t ,
i t h a s to do w ith e r a s i n g th e s e n s e o f s tr o n g p ro
g r e s s i o n t h a t e x i s t s i n m any t r a d i t i o n a l t y p e s o f
m u s i c . An e x a m p le o f t h i s s u s p e n s i o n , o r s t r e t c h i n g
o u t o f t im e i s t h e e n d i n g o f M u s ic o f a S t a r r y N ig h t
/ T ic ro k o s m o s I I l 7 .
R .S .
O ff th e to p o f y o u r h e a d , c o u ld y o u s in g l e o u t any
e v e n t s t h a t m ay h a v e h a d p a r t i c u l a r s i g n i f i c a n c e t o
y o u r m u sic a l l i f e ?
G .C .
A ny a r t i s t s a r e a lw a y s d r a w in g on o t h e r l i f e e x p e r i
e n c e s ; e v e ry th in g t h a t h a p p en s to one i s p ro b a b ly o f
som e c o n s e q u e n c e , i n t e r m s o f t h e a r t p r o d u c e d .
O n e 's
f i r s t e n c o u n t e r w i t h t h e g r e a t m a s t e r s i s a lw a y s a n
e x c i t i n g e v e n t t o a y o u n g c o m p o s e r , w i t h w h o m - - u n t il
h e l e a r n s t h e l i t e r a t u r e n e a r l y e v e r y w o rk i s a
d isc o v e ry .
R .S .
W hat w as y o u r i n i t i a l r e a c t i o n t o som e o f t h e m a s t e r
p ie c e s o f th e tw e n tie th c e n tu ry ?
G .C .
W ith t h e R i t e o f S p r i n g , my r e a c t i o n w as v e r y s t r o n g l y
f a v o r a b l e ; w i t h P i e r r o t L u n a i r e , my r e a c t i o n w as o n e
o f p e r p l e x i t y I d i d n 't u n d e rs ta n d i t .
I f i r s t h e a rd
i t on a r e c o r d in g a t th e a g e o f tw e n ty - o n e . A t t h a t
t i m e , t h e B a r t o k s t r i n g q u a r t e t ? s e e m e d v e r y c o m p le x .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 2 4 I n te rv le w ,
14 A p r i l 1977
R .S .
C o u ld y o u s p e c u l a t e a b i t a b o u t t h e r e a s o n s why s o
m any c o m p o s e r s o f t o d a y s u c h a s y o u r s e l f f e e l f r e e
t o u t i l i z e e l e m e n t s fro m d i v e r s e s t y l i s t i c s o u r c e s ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h e r e i s m o re t o i t t h a n j u s t t h e a t t i t u d e
o f co m p o se rs:
i t ' s p a r t o f a tre n d e x is t in g w ith in
o u r s o c ie ty in g e n e ra l.
The p a s t i s b e i n g t h o u g h t o f
v e r y a n a l y t i c a l l y a s s o m e t h in g v e r y r e a l , a n d h a v in g
g re a t re le v a n c e .
T h e re i s a g r e a t i n t e r e s t c u r r e n tl y
i n h i s t o r y o f a l l k i n d s , o ld r e c o r d in g s , e a r l y p h o to
g rap h s, e tc .
We a r e i n a p e r i o d t h a t t e n d s t o u t i
l i z e a v e ry d i v e r s e v a r i e t y o f phenom ena, r a t h e r th a n
a p e r i o d t h a t i s p u r i s t a n d r e s t r i c t i v e i n i t s w o r ld
v ie w .
Much o f t h e m u s ic t h a t w as w r i t t e n i n t h e f i f
t i e s , som e o f w h ic h i s s t i l l b e i n g w r i t t e n t o d a y , was
(a n d i s ) v e ry p u r i s t , a n d i s l im it e d by a r t i f i c i a l
re s tra in ts .
R .S .
You o n c e s a i d i n a p r o g ra m n o t e :
" I am o f t e n h a u n te d
b y t h e i d e a t h a t a l l o f t h e m any m u s ic s o f t h e w o r ld
a r e c o m in g t o g e t h e r t o f o rm o n e m u s i c . L u x A e t e m a
w as w r i t t e n i n t h e s p i r i t o f t h i s i d e a . "
D oes t h i s
r e l a t e to th e p r e v io u s q u e s tio n ?
G .C .
Y e s , i t e x p r e s s e s t h e sam e i d e a t h a t a c o m p o s e r c a n
d r a w fro m a n y s o u r c e a n y t h i n g i s p o t e n t i a l l y m e a n in g
f u l , a n d t h u s , c o u ld c o n c e i v a b ly be u t i l i z e d w i t h in
a g iv e n s t y l e .
R .S .
You s p e n t a b o u t a y e a r i n E u ro p e on a F u l b r i g h t ;
how d i d y o u f i n d i t ?
G .C .
I e n j o y e d b e i n g i n E u r o p e I v e r e t u r n e d s e v e r a l t im e s
s in c e .
H o w e v e r, my s t u d y o f c o m p o s i t i o n t h e r e w as n o t
e x c itin g a t a l l l
I h a d v e r y few l e s s o n s , t h e s e b e i n g
w ith B o ris B la c h e r .
I h e a rd l o t s o f c o n c e r ts , and
s tu d i e d p ia n o f o r t h e m o st p a r t .
'B ie re w e re a g r e a t
m any o p p o r t u n i t i e s t o a t t e n d t h e o p e r a i n b o t h E a s t
a n d W est B e r l i n .
R .S .
D id y o u c o m m u n ic a te w i t h B l a c h e r i n G erm an?
G .C ,
A s I r e c a l l , i t w as a m i x t u r e .
q u a i n t e d a t T a n g le w o o d .
R .S .
We h a d beco m e a c
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 2 5 G .C .
N oi F i lm m u s ic i s a d i s t i n c t g e n r e o f c o m p o s i t i o n ,
and r e q u i r e s a v e ry s p e c i a l i z e d k in d o f t a l e n t .
I w o u l d n 't f e e l c o m f o r t a b l e a t t e m p t i n g s o m e t h in g o f
t h i s n a tu r e .
R .S .
W hat a r e y o u r f a v o r i t e
t h a n c o m p o s in g ?
G .C .
I s u p p o s e my f a v o r i t e i s r e a d i n g .
I am v e r y f o n d o f
b o o k s o n a s tr o n o m y , h i s t o r y , a r c h e o l o g y , f i c t i o n
I e n j o y a w id e r a n g e .
I am p a r t i c u l a r l y f o n d o f t h e
S h e r l o c k H olm es n o v e l s . A l s o , s i n c e I am n o t a p r o
f e s s i o n a l p i a n i s t , I w o u ld i n c l u d e f o u r - h a n d a n d
c h a m b e r p i a n o p l a y i n g a s a f o rm o f r e l a x a t i o n I
f in d t h i s h ig h ly e n jo y a b le .
R .S .
You p o s s e s s a r e a d i n g k n o w le d g e o f s e v e r a l f o r e i g n
la n g u a g e s , do you n o t?
G .C .
I u s e d t o m ore t h a n I d o n o w .
I r e a d G erm an v e r y
f lu e n t ly ; F re n c h , I t a l i a n , and S p a n ish , l e s s s o .
ty p e s o f r e c r e a tio n ,
o th e r
R .S .
You p l a y s e v e r a l i n s t r u m e n t s ,
G .C .
A l i t t l e v io la .
c la r in e t.
d o n 't you?
R .S .
Do y o u h a v e a n y i d e a a b o u t w h a t y o u r n e x t p i e c e
m ig h t b e ?
G .C .
A t some p o i n t , I n e e d t o w r i t e a p i e c e f o r t h e
W e is b e r g E n s e m b le t h i s w o u ld b e a c h a m b e r o r c h e s
t r a p ie c e .
I h a v e n 't b e g u n s k e t c h i n g a s y e t .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u s a y a few w o r d s a b o u t y o u r l a t e s t p i e c e ,
w h ic h i s t o b e p r e m i e r e d b y t h e New Y o rk P h i lh a r m o n i c
i n a few w eeks?
G .C .
O n ly t h a t i t i s b a s e d o n a f r e e a d a p t a t i o n o f m e d i
e v a l t e x t s o f th e t h ir te e n t h c e n tu ry , in c lu d in g th e
D i e s I r a e , a n d M a s s a c r e o f t h e I n n o c e n t s . B o th a r e
f ro m a n o n y m o u s s o u r c e s , a n d I h a v e f r e e l y e x c e r p t e d .
T h e s e t e x t s fo rm e d p a r t o f my i n i t i a l c o n c e p t i o n .
B o th a s o l o s o p r a n o a n d a c h i l d r e n ' s c h o r u s a r e
u tiliz e d .
The i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n I n c l u d e s w o o d w in d s
i n f o u r 3 , s i x h o r n s , s e v e n t r u m p e t s (so m e o f w h io h
a re o f f s ta g e ) e ig h t p e r c u s s io n i s ts , and o rg a n .
The
b r a s s s e c t i o n i s i n a way e x p a n d e d t h r o u g h t h e U3e
o f s e v e r a l d i f f e r e n t k i n d s o f m u te s i n a d d i t i o n t o
t h e s t a n d a r d s t r a i g h t m u te .
Many y e a r s a g o , I a l s o
p la y e d
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-426R .S .
How w o u ld y o u c o m p a re t h i s w o rk w i t h y o u r E c h o e s o f
T im e a n d t h e R i v e r ?
G .C .
I t r e q u i r e s a l a r g e r e n s e m b l e , a n d i n a w a y , m ak es
a m o re t r a d i t i o n a l u s e o f t h e i n s t r u m e n t s .
F o r m e,
i t ' s a l i t t l e e x p e rim e n ta l i n te rm s o f l a y e r in g
d i f f e r e n t m u s i c s s o m e t h in g I a l s o d i d t o a n e x t e n t
i n D r e a rn - S e q u e n c e . When l a y e r i n g d o e s o c c u r , t h e r e
i s n e v e r t h e l e s s a lw a y s a c l e a r h i e r a r c h y o f m u s i c s .
R .S .
T he AAA t o d - s h a r p (tw o a n d o n e - h a l f o c t a v e ) g l i s s a n d o
t h a t o c c u r s i n Vox B a l a e n a e a l s o o c c u r s f r e q u e n t l y i n
t h e t h r e e v o lu m e s o f t h e M a k ro k o s m o s .
Is th e re
a c o n n e c tio n I n te n d e d ?
G .C .
T he p i t c h e s t h e r e a r e n ' t i m p o r t a n t , o t h e r t h a n t o
sh o w t h e t e r m i n a l p o i n t s o f t h e g l i s s a n d o .
I d o n 't
th in k one h e a rs th e o u te r t r i t o n e , b u t r a t h e r h e a rs
t h i s a s a n o n - p itc h e d , ta m -ta m -lik e so u n d .
R .S .
I n S e a Theme /V o x B a l a e n a e 7 w h a t d i f f i c u l t i e s
th e s c o r d a tu r a tu n in g p r e s e n t to th e c e l l i s t ?
G .C .
I t ' s n o t p r o b le m a tic a t a l l , s in c e m o st o f th e
p la y in g i s done on th e A s t r i n g , an d in f a c t , v e ry
l i t t l e m u s ic i n t h e p i e c e i n v o l v e s f i n g e r i n g t h e
th re e f a ls e ly - tu n e d s tr in g s .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u com m ent on t h e g e o l o g i c a l t i t l e s ?
G .C .
T h e se a r e p u r e ly w h im s ic a l.
The p i e c e w a s , i n f a c t ,
c o n c e iv e d a s a s e t o f v a r i a t i o n s .
F o r e x a m p le , I n
o n e v a r i a t i o n th e A rc h e o z o ic I in c l u d e th e " s e a
g u l l " e f f e c t , w hen i n f a c t , t h e r e w as no f o rm o f l i f e
i n e x is t e n c e d u r in g t h a t p e r i o d .
R .S .
G .C .
O n ly t h a t i t i s a s o u r c e c h o r d i n a l o t o f p i e c e s ;
i t i s a so u n d I l i k e - - a s y m m e tr ic a l s t r u c t u r e .
R .S .
You u s e w h i s t l i n g i n t h i s p i e c e , a n d a l s o i n m any o f
y o u r o t h e r w o rk s.
W ere y o u t h e f i r s t s e r i o u s c o m p o s e r
to u se w h is tlin g ?
does
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-4 2 7 G .C .
I m ay b e t h e f i r s t t o u s e i t i n a s u s t a i n e d l y r i c
w ay.
T h ere i s , a f t e r a l l , a p a s sa g e in v o lv in g
w h i s t l i n g i n W ozzeck.
I t i s a v e ry p u re sound t h a t
c o m p o s e r s a r e b e g i n n i n g t o u s e m o re f r e q u e n t l y .
R .S .
I n t h e r e c o r d j a c k e t n o t e s t o Vox B a l a e n a e , y o u
m e n tio n t h a t th e key o f B m a jo r u s e d i n y o u r Sea
N o c tu rn e i s lu m in o u s .
I t h i n k I know w h a t y o u
m ean b y t h i s i t h a s f i v e s h a r p s , a n d s h a r p k e y s
a r e g e n e r a l l y t h o u g h t o f a s b e i n g b r i g h t o r lu m i
nous.
C o u ld y o u e x p l a i n ?
G .C .
T h e re i s a ls o th e f a c t o r t h a t a l l o f th e p ie c e s t h a t
o n e t h i n k s o f i n a p a r t i c u l a r key c o l o r o n e 's s e n s e
o f w hat t h a t k ey m ean s.
One t h i n k s o f t h e L i e b e s t o d
o f T r i s t a n , o f t h e s e c o n d m ovem ent o f t h e Etoiperor
C o n c e r to , a n d e s p e c i a l l y o f th e p ia n o p i e c e s o f
C h o p in i n w h ic h B m a j o r i s a lw a y s a v e r y s p e c i a l
key.
R .S .
G .C .
I t i s a s i f t o s a y t h a t t h i s i s a poem t o i n s p i r e
p e o p l e who a r e n o t w i l l i n g t o c o n s i d e r t h e p o s s i
b i l i t y o f e t e r n a l l i g h t p e o p le o f l i t t l e f a i t h
^ /la u g h te r /.
R .S .
S u z a n n e H a r k i n s , i n h e r M a s t e r 's T h e s i s o n y o u r M ak ro
ko sm os, V o l. I , k e p t p o i n ti n g o u t th e s i g n i f i c a n c e o f
m o tiv e s b e in g tr a n s p o s e d by t h e t r i t o n e .
Do y o u f e e l
t h a t t h i s i s c o n s c io u s ?
G .C .
I am a w a r e a t t i m e s t h a t t h e r e i s a t r i t o n e t r a n s p o
s i t i o n ; a t o t h e r t i m e s , i t ' s s o m e t h in g t h a t I do b y
e a r.
A ch o rd a t th e t r a n s p o s i t i o n o f th e t r i t o n e i s
a f r e s h s o u n d e n t i r e l y m o s t c h o r d s a n d m any s t r u c
tu re s .
R .S .
Do y o u h a v e p e r f e c t p i t c h ?
G .C .
N o, n o t r e a l l y .
I w as t e s t e d o n c e , a n d l a c k e d a fe w
p o i n t s o f h a v in g i t .
B u t I h a v e a g o o d m em ory f o r
p i tc h , an d a good s e n se o f r e l a t i v e p i t c h .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 2 8 In te rv ie w ,
2 9 A p r i l 1 977
R .S .
W hat d o y o u t h i n k o f t h e m u s ic o f x e n a k i s ?
G .C .
C e r t a i n o f h i s p i e c e s a p p e a l t o m e.
H is E o n ta f o r
b r a s s a n d p i a n o c o n t a i n s som e e x c i t i n g p a s s a g e s f o r
b rass.
I m u st s a y , I h a v e a te n d e n c y to f o r g e t
t h o s e i n v o l v e d G re e k t i t l e s t h a t h e u s e s !
I fin d
some o f h i s m u s ic i n t e r e s t i n g , a n d some n o t s o
in te re s tin g .
R .S .
He c l a i m s t h a t a l l o f h i s m u s ic i s b a s e d on s t a t i s t i c a l
f o r m u l a e , w h ic h h e r u n s t h r o u g h a c o m p u t e r .
G .C .
I w o u ld h a v e t o c o n c lu d e t h a t t h e c o m p u te r h a s i t s
i n s p i r e d m o m e n ts, a n d i t s u n i n s p i r e d m om ents
/ l a u g h t e r / 7.
R .S .
Y o u r m u s ic o f t e n i n c l u d e s p e r f o r m a n c e d i r e c t i v e s t h a t
se em t o b e d ra w n fro m t h e s u p e r n a t u r a l .
F o r e x a m p le ,
" l i k e a g h o s tly p r e s e n c e ," " h a u n ti n g ly ," " e e r i e ," and
so f o r t h .
A re y o u d e e p l y i n v o l v e d i n a s p e c t s o f t h e
su p e rn a tu ra l?
G .C .
N ot r e a l l y .
I t h i n k t h a t s u c h d i r e c t i v e s a r e a m ean s
o f g e t t i n g a s c l o s e a s we c a n t o a c e r t a i n k i n d o f
m u s ic t h a t c o m p o s e r s a r e w r i t i n g n o w , a n d f o r w h ic h
som e o f t h e o l d e r t e r m s w o u l d n 't s u f f i c e .
Such
p r a c t i c e s a s o n l y g i v i n g a te m p o , o r s u c h a w o rd a s
d o l c e , w o u ld o f t e n b e o f l i t t l e h e l p .
A so m ew h at
p o e tic a d je c t iv e w i l l o f te n g iv e th e p e rfo rm e r an
i n d i c a t i o n a s t o how t o a p p r o a c h t h e m u s ic p s y c h o
l o g i c a l l y e x a c t l y a s D e b u s s y d i d i n some o f t h e
p re lu d e s .
He u s e d t e r m s s u c h a s " l u m i n o u s , " a n d
"as i f h e a rd i n th e d i s t a n c e ."
R .S .
G .C .
Many c o m p o s e r s t a k e t h e i r s t a n c e s o s e r i o u s l y t h a t
t h e y f e e l th e y n e e d t o d e fe n d i t by in d u lg in g in
p o le m ic s .
I t h in k t h i s i s r a t h e r u n n e c e s s a r y , and
d o n 't f e e l an y p e r s o n a l n e e d t o g e t in v o lv e d i n
t h i s s o r t o f th in g .
A f t e r a l l , t h e m u s ic i t s e l f
i s a p o l e m i c ; a n y t h i n g c o m m itte d t o p a p e r r e p r e s e n t s
a s ta n c e o r a v ie w p o in t.
I n e v e r saw th e s e n s e i n
e x te n d in g t h i s beyond th e n o t e s .
A n y th in g i n th e
n a t u r e o f a n a p o lo g y f o r w h a t o n e i s d o i n g i s
re d u n d a n t.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 2 9 R .S .
H ave y o u h e a r d m uch o f t h e m u s ic o f H a r r y P a r t c h ?
G .C .
I ' v e h e a r d m o st o f h i s m u s i c .
I h a v e n 't r e a d h i s
t h e o r e t i c a l w r itin g s , b u t have re a d a l i t t l e a b o u t
h is in s tru m e n ts .
I f in d th e in s tru m e n ts a t t r a c t i v e ,
b u t t h e s t y l e se e m s a l i t t l e b l a n d . A lth o u g h v e r y
a t t r a c t i v e i n s o u n d , I f i n d h i s m u s ic p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y
o n e -d im e n s io n a l.
R .S .
W hat d o y o u t h i n k o f t h e m u sic o f E l l i o t t C a r t e r ?
G .C .
I th in k t h a t th e e a r ly V a r ia tio n s f o r o r c h e s tra i s
a v e ry s tr o n g p ie c e , a s a re th e f i r s t and seco n d
q u a rte ts .
The t h i r d q u a r t e t i s v e r y h a r d t o come
t o te rm s w ith .
T h e r e i s a k i n d o f r h y th m ic e x c i t e
m e n t, an d a g r e a t d e a l o f t e n s io n in s o u n d .
T h is
m u s ic i s w o r l d s a p a r t f ro m my own i d e a s a b o u t m u s i c ,
so I fin d i t a l i t t l e a lie n .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u f i l l me i n a b i t a b o u t y o u r b o y h o o d e x p e r i
ences?
G .C .
I h a d c l a r i n e t l e s s o n s w i t h my f a t h e r a t a b o u t a g e
s ix .
P ia n o l e s s o n s d i d n o t b e g i n s e r i o u s l y u n t i l
I w as i n a b o u t t h e n i n t h g r a d e .
T h o se w e re t h e
p r e - L . P . d a y s , s o we h a d p r o b a b l y n o t m o re t h a n
t w e n t y a lb u m s . An a lb u m t h e n w o u ld p r o b a b l y c o n
t a i n o n l y o n e w o rk s u c h a s a s y m p h o n y . My f a t h e r
h a d a s c o r e c o l l e c t i o n , c o m p r is e d o f many o f t h e
m o s t c e l e b r a t e d w o r k s , a n d s o I l e a r n e d many o f
t h e s e t h r o u g h w o r k in g th e m o u t a t t h e p i a n o .
R .S .
W hat do y o u t h i n k o f t h e m u s ic o f t h e B e a t l e s ?
G .C .
I ' v e p r o b a b l y h e a r d m o st o f i t , a s a m a t t e r o f f a c t ,
t h r o u g h my s o n P e t e r , who u s e d t o p l a y t h e i r m u s ic
c o n s ta n tly .
I t h i n k t h a t t h e m o st i m a g i n a t i v e a s
p e c ts a r e th e m e lo d ic l i n e s and th e t e x t s e t t i n g .
I t i s c e r t a i n l y s u p e r i o r m u sic o f i t s k i n d ; i t h a s
p e r s o n a l i t y a n d sh o w s a g o o d d e a l o f t e c h n i q u e .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u g i v e a n o v e r a l l v ie w o f y o u r s c h e d u l e when
w o r k in g on a new c o m p o s i ti o n ?
G .C .
I t t e n d s t o v a r y so m e , b u t I n g e n e r a l , I h a v e a v e r y
s lo w way o f w o r k in g on s m a l l I d e a s .
The l e n g t h o f
w o r k in g on a p i e c e c o u ld r u n I n t o many m o n th s .
Some
t i m e s a c o u p l e o f h o u r s a d a y w i l l t i r e me o u t ; a t
o t h e r t i m e s I c a n w o rk much l o n g e r .
S o m e tim e s I d o n ' t
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 3 0 ( G .C .) p r o d u c e a n y t h i n g t h a t I w a n t t o s a v e .
G e n e ra lly ,
a f t e r t h e i n i t i a l i d e a s h a v e co m e , t h e s e s s i o n s
t e n d t o becom e l o n g e r .
I n t e r v i e w , 2 0 May 1 9 7 7
R .S .
W hat r o l e h a s r e l i g i o n
G .C .
I had th e e x p e rie n c e o f p la y in g f o r c h u rc h c h o i r s 3
a n d h e a r d a l o t o f t h e " g o s p e l t y p e " o f m u s ic w hen
I w as v e r y y o u n g .
I t h i n k my own i d e a s a b o u t
r e l i g i o n w o u ld t e n d n o t t o b e t h e c o n v e n t i o n a l o n e s ,
su ch a s th e b e l i e f in one p a r t i c u l a r c h u rc h a lth o u g h
I w as a P r e s b y t e r i a n a t o n e t i m e .
I th in k t h a t a l l
o f t h e g r e a t r e l i g i o n s h a v e s o m e t h in g t o c o n t r i b u t e
t o th e w o r ld , an d I te n d t o f o c u s i n on th e t h i n g s
t h a t t i e th e m t o g e t h e r , r a t h e r t h a n on t h o s e t h a t
s e p a r a t e th e m .
p la y e d in y o u r l i f e ?
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t a common s t y l e o f c o m p o s i t i o n , s u c h
a s e x i s t e d am ong c o m p o s e r s o f t h e R e n a i s s a n c e ,
B a r o q u e , a n d R o m a n tic p e r i o d s w i l l e v e r a g a i n e x i s t ?
G .C .
Y es.
I c a n s e e t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f t h i s h a p p e n in g
a g a in .
I w o u l d n 't i m a g in e t h a t t h i n g s w i l l e v e r
p r o g re s s i n d e f i n i t e l y in one d i r e c t i o n .
The h i s t o r y
o f o u r c e n t u r y h a s se em e d t o o p p o s e t h e f o r m a t i o n o f
a n y common s t y l e , b u t t h i s c o u l d c h a n g e .
The i n
c r e a s i n g p r e d o m in a n c e o f e c l e c t i c i s m may b e a n i n d i
c a t i o n t h a t t h i s i s h a p p e n in g .
H o w e v e r, i t m ay b e
m any y e a r s b e f o r e a n a c t u a l common s t y l e i s a c h i e v e d .
R .S .
W hat a r e y o u r r e a c t i o n s
G .C .
I f i n d som e o f h i s m u s ic t o b e q u i t e i n t e r e s t i n g
and e f f e c t i v e .
L o n ta n o i s a c a s e i n p o i n t .
The
t e x t u r e s a re o f te n w e ll c o n c e iv e d .
The i d e a o f t h e
s u s p e n s i o n o f t im e i n hi> m u s ic s t r i k e s a r e s o n a n t
c h o r d i n my own t h i n k i n g .
R .S .
How w o u ld y o u c o m p a re W e st V i r g i n i a w i t h o t h e r s t a t e s
i n w h ic h y o u 'v e l i v e d ?
G .C .
I t h i n k o n e 's home s t a t e a lw a y s h a s s p e c i a l m e a n i n g s ,
so t h a t i t i s h a rd to be o b j e c t iv e .
L i v i n g i n W est
V i r g i n i a t e n d s t o i n s u l a t e o n e f ro m e v e r y t h i n g o u t s i d e
th e s t a t e .
The m o u n ta i n s t h e m s e l v e s a r e a b a r r i e r ,
t o t h e m u s ic o f L i g e t i ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 3 1 ( G . C .) b u t m o re o f a p s y c h o l o g i c a l d i v i s i o n .
T h ere i s a
t o t a l l y d i f f e r e n t s e n s e when o n e i s s u r r o u n d e d b y
h ills .
T he r o a d s w e r e n o t t h a t a c c e s s i b l e u n t i l
q u i t e r e c e n t l y ; i t w as a h a r d s t a t e t o g e t i n t o .
I t c e rta in ly i s a b e a u tifu l s ta te .
R .S .
I n a n i n f o r m a l c o n v e r s a t i o n , y o u r e c e n t l y t o l d me
t h a t y o u f e l t t h a t M ak ro k o sm o s I I I r o u n d e d o f f o n e
p e r i o d o f y o u r d e v e lo p m e n t, b u t y o u w e r e n 't v e r y
s p e c ific ab o u t th is .
W ould y o u com m ent o n t h i s ?
G .C .
I hope t h a t t h i s t u r n s o u t to be th e c a s e .
One
w o u ld l i k e t o t h i n k t h a t t h i n g s d o c h a n g e .
I s till
c a n ' t b e v e r y o b j e c t i v e a b o u t my f i r s t tw o w o rk s
s i n c e M ak ro k o sm o s I I I /B r e a m - S e q u e n c e a n d S t a r - C h l l d . 7 .
I f i n d t h a t I s o m e tim e s h a v e a r e a l i z a t i o n t h a t I ' v e
m oved f ro m t h i s p o i n t t o t h a t p o i n t , o n l y a f t e r I ' v e
w o rk e d a n u m b e r o f y e a r s , a n d c a n v ie w t h e m u s ic
m o re o b j e c t i v e l y .
R .S .
B e in g b r o u g h t u p i n W e st V i r g i n i a , w e r e y o u e x p o s e d
t o c o u n t r y m u s ic a t a l l ?
G .C .
Y e s , i t w as b e i n g p l a y e d on t h e r a d i o c o n s t a n t l y ,
a n d I m e n t i o n e d e a r l i e r t h e c h u r c h m u s ic t h a t o n e
c o u ld h e a r i n r e v i v a l s t y l e an d t h a t s o r t o f t h i n g .
S e c u l a r c o u n t r y m u s ic w as v e r y p o p u l a r i n t h e h i l l s
a ro u n d C h a r le s t o n .
T h i n g s a r e p r o b a b l y so m e w h at
d i f f e r e n t n o w , a l t h o u g h t h e c o u n t r y m u s ic t r a d i t i o n
p r o b a b l y e x i s t s i n t h e m o re r e m o te a r e a s .
H o w e v e r,
now t h a t s o m any r e s e a r c h e r s a r e g e t t i n g i n t e r e s t e d
i n t h e g e n u i n e f o l k m u s ic o f A p p a l a c h i a , t h i s m ay
v e ry q u ic k ly p a ss o u t o f e x is te n c e .
C u ltu re s lik e
t h i s a r e so f r a g i l e , t h a t in th e v e ry a c t o f s tu d y in g
th e m , y o u d e s t r o y th e m i n som e c a s e s .
B a r to k s p o k e
a b o u t t h i s in c o n n e c tio n w ith h i s f o lk - s o n g r e s e a r c h .
He h a d t h e f e e l i n g t h a t a t r a d i t i o n w as c r u m b l i n g
b e fo re h is e y e s.
O th e r th a n c e r t a i n in s tr u m e n ts
a n d t i m b r e s , t h e r e i s n o d e e p i n f l u e n c e i n my own
m u s ic f ro m my e x p o s u r e t o t h e n a t i v e m u s ic o f W e st
V ir g in ia .
R.S.
When y o u w e re w r i t i n g t h e i n d i v i d u a l p i e c e s f o r
M a k ro k o s m o s, V o l . I, I h a v e n o t i c e d f ro m y o u r s k e t c h
b o o k ' t h a t t h e r e w e re p e r h a p s f i v e o r s i x p r o p o s e d
o r d e r i n g s , b e f o r e t h e f i n a l fo rm w as a r r i v e d a t .
How d i d y o u know , w hen y o u w e re w r i t i n g t h e p i e c e s ,
t h a t t h e r e w o u ld b e a c o m b i n a t i o n y o u c o u l d u s e ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 32G .C .
I c o m p l e te d s e v e r a l a n d t h e n r e a l i z e d a m u s i c a l c u r v e
f o r t h e w h o le w o r k .
In o t h e r w o rd s , I d i d n 't w r i te
a l l t w e l v e p i e c e s , a n d t h e n e x p e r i m e n t w i t h w ays o f
c o m b i n i n g th e m ; I b e g a n t o t h i n k i n t e r m s o f t h e
l a r g e r c u rv e so o n a f t e r th e f i r s t c o u p le o f p ie c e s
w e re w r i t t e n .
A ls o , th e c o n c e p tu a l in flu e n c e o f
t h e z o d i a c s i g n s w o u ld a u t o m a t i c a l l y p r o v i d e a
k in d o f u n i ty .
R .S .
D o e s y o u r f r e q u e n t r e f e r e n c e t o e c h o e s i n y o u r m u s ic
r e f e r i n a n y w ay t o y o u r e x p e r i e n c e i n W e st V i r g i n i a ?
G .C .
I 'v e o f te n th o u g h t t h a t t h i s i s th e c a s e , s in c e
e c h o e s a r e a ph en o m en o n a s s o c i a t e d w i t h h i l l s a n d
r iv e r v a lle y s .
I t i s s t r a n g e how r i v e r v a l l e y s c a n
p ro d u ce c u rio u s a c o u s t i c s .
S o m e tim e s y o u h e a r s o u n d s
v e r y d i s t a n t s o u n d s a n d c a n ' t i m a g i n e w h e re t h e y a r e
c o m in g f r o m .
R .S .
W hat i s
G .C .
I t h i n k I h a v e b e e n i n f l u e n c e d b y som e o f h i s v o c a l
m u s i c b y som e o f t h e M a lla rm e s e t t i n g s i n p a r t i c u l a r .
I n f a c t , I g u e s s I a d m i r e h im m o s t l y a s a v o c a l com
p o s e r ; I f i n d h i s p i a n o i d io m a l i e n .
I d o n 't u n d e r
s t a n d h i s a p p r o a c h t o t h e p i a n o a s i n t h e s o l o w o rk s
a n d t h e S t r u c t u r e s f o r tw o p i a n o s .
He a c h i e v e s a
v e ry d e f i n i t e l y r i c is m in h i s v o c a l m u sic , i n s p i t e
o f t h e 3 t r i c t s t r u c t u r a l c o n f i n e s w i t h i n w h ic h t h e y
w e re w r i t t e n .
B u t t h i s l y r i c a l i m p u l s e d o e s n 't f i n d
i t s w ay i n t o h i s i n s t r u m e n t a l w o r k s .
H is u s e o f
i n s t r u m e n t s , a t t i m e s s e e m s t o me r a t h e r i m a g i n a t i v e .
I n L e M a r t e a u , f o r e x a m p l e , t h e r e a r e som e n i c e t h i n g s ,
b u t a l s o , i t s e e m s t o me t h a t t h e r e i s a r e l e n t l e s s
u s e o f th e i n s t r u m e n t s : w h a te v e r t h e s c o r in g h a p p e n s
to be f o r e a ch p ie c e , e v e ry o n e te n d s to p la y a t a l l
tim e s .
I t ' s a d i f f e r e n t c o n c e p tio n o f in s tr u m e n ta tio n
t h a n my ow n .
I w o u ld s a y t h a t t h e I n t e r e s t i s m o re
in th e i n t e r p l a y o f c o m b in a tio n s , r a t h e r th a n w hat
h ap p en s w ith in one p a r t .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t B e r g 's L u l u i s
G .C .
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a w o rk a s W o z z e c k .
I t ' s k in d o f a s tr a n g e Id e a t h a t
ft-, i, B e r g w a n t s t o k e e p t h e s c o r e t o t h e f i n a l a c t
o f L u lu .
I s p o k e t o B o u le z a b o u t t h a t .
He h a s a g r e e d
t o l o o k i t o v e r w hen i t f i n a l l y b e c o m e s a v a i l a b l e .
y o u r o p i n i o n o f t h e m u s ic o f B o u le z ?
o n a p a r w i t h W o zzeck?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-433( G .C .) He f e e l s t h a t t h e r e w i l l b e v e r y l i t t l e t o a c t u a l l y
do.
The s c o r e i s v i r t u a l l y c o m p l e t e , s o h i s t a s k
w i l l be m a in ly one o f e d i t i n g .
R .S .
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G .C .
When I w as e i g h t e e n o r n i n e t e e n I w as s t r o n g l y
a ttr a c te d to i t .
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T o n a l i s . a n d s e v e r a l o f t h e p i a n o s o n a t a s w ere
am ong t h e w o rk s b y H in d e m ith t o w h ic h I was
a ttra c te d .
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b u t I s t i l l t h i n k t h a t M a th is d e r M a h le r i s a n
im p r e s s iv e w o rk .
Now, t h e r e i s a t som e u n i v e r s i t i e s
a s e n s e o f i n d i f f e r e n c e to w a r d H i n d e m i t h ; many o f
th e y o u n g e r s tu d e n t s a r e c o m p le te ly o b liv io u s to
h i s m u sic .
S o m e tim e s , t h e r e i s a n a n t a g o n i s t i c
a t t i t u d e w ith r e g a r d to h i s w o rk .
I th in k h is b e st
m u s ic r e a l l y i n v o l v e s b u t a s m a l l f r a c t i o n o f h i s
o u tp u t.
Many o f h i s c o m p o s i t i o n s d o n ' t c r e a t e a
v e ry s tr o n g im p re s s io n .
y o u r r e a c t i o n t o t h e m u s ic o f H in d e m ith ?
R .S .
We t a l k e d a l i t t l e a b o u t t h e n u m e r i c a l sy m b o lis m i n
B l a c k A n g e l s e a r l i e r , b u t y o u d i d n ' t s a y w h e th e r
t h i s w as a h e l p o r a h i n d r a n c e .
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it
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R .S .
T h e re seem s to b e a v e ry s tr o n g a t t r a c t i o n to
M a h le r i n y o u r m u s i c . W ould y o u com m ent on t h i s ?
G .C .
I b e c am e f a m i l i a r w i t h a l l o f t h e M a h le r sy m p h o n ie s
i n t h e l a t e 1 9 5 0 ' s , a n d w as i m p r e s s e d b y c e r t a i n
t h i n g s t h a t c a r r i e d o v e r i n t o B e r g a n d S c h o e n b e rg
v e r y s t r o n g l y som e t h i n g s t h a t s t i l l se em t o h a v e
g re a t r e le v a n c e .
Among t h e s e a r e h i s s e n s e o f a n d
h a n d lin g o f tim e , h i s c u r io u s I v e s - l i k e m ix tu re o f
m u s i c s , t h e c o s m ic g e s t u r e , t h e b e a u t i f u l a n d v e r y
m odem in s t r u m e n t a t io n , and h i s u s e o f q u o ta tio n
( b o t h f r o m h i m s e l f a n d fro m t h e m u s ic o f o t h e r s ) .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u d i s c u s s y o u r e a r l y t e a c h i n g p o s i t i o n s ?
G .C .
My f i r s t t e a c h i n g p o s i t i o n w as i n 1 9 5 4 -1 9 5 5 a t
H o l l in s C o lle g e in V i r g in i a .
A t t h a t t im e i t was
a n a l l w om en s s c h o o l I 'm n o t s u r e i f I t s t i l l i s
b e c am e p a r t o f t h e c o n c e p t i o n o f t h e p i e c e , s o
had to have b een a h e lp .
T h is i s th e o n ly p ie c e
w h ic h I u s e d s u c h a m e th o d o f c o n s t r u c t i o n .
It
th e c l o s e s t t h in g t o a s e r i a l c o m p o s itio n t h a t
e w r itte n .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-434( G . C .) o r n o t .
( I had done a l i t t l e te a c h in g a s a g ra d u a te
a s s i s t a n t b y t h e way a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f M i c h i g a n .)
A t H o llin s C o lle g e , I ta u g h t b e g in n in g th e o r y and an
a n a ly s is c la s s .
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w as f o l l o w e d b y f o u r y e a r s a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f
C o l o r a d o , w h e re I t a u g h t p i a n o .
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p i a n o , th o u g h t h e h o u r s w e re l o n g .
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t e a c h i n g m u s ic , and h ad an i n t e r e s t i n p ia n o l i t e r a
tu re .
I t w as t i r i n g t h e s c h e d u l e w as f u l l , a n d a
l o t o f t h e t e a c h i n g w as s e c o n d a r y p i a n o . A l t h o u g h
I w as s t r i c t l y on t h e p i a n o f a c u l t y , I d i d t e a c h a
l i t t l e c o m p o s i t i o n o n t h e s i d e d u r i n g t h e l a s t c o u p le
o f y e a rs.
F o llo w in g t h i s , I r e c e i v e d a g r a n t in
1 9 6 4 - 1 9 6 5 fro m t h e R o c k e f e l l e r C o m m issio n t o b e
C o m p o se r i n R e s i d e n c e a t t h e C e n t e r o f B u f f a l o .
(I
w as c a l l e d a " C r e a t i v e A s s o c i a t e . " )
W h ile t h e r e my
t i m e w as m ore o r l e s s my ow n; h o w e v e r , I g o t d raw n
i n t o m ore p e r f o r m a n c e t h a n I h a d c o u n te d o n a lt h o u g h
t h i s w as n o t a r e q u i r e m e n t .
I p la y e d th e p ia n o in
v a r io u s p e rfo rm a n c e s t h e r e .
T h i s w as t h e f i r s t y e a r
o f t h a t p ro g ra m .
I rem e m b e r b e i n g a s k e d b y L u c a s
F o s s i f I w e re i n t e r e s t e d a s I r e c a l l , I d i d n ' t
r e a l l y have t o a p p ly .
I n s p i t e o f my in v o lv e m e n t
i n p e r f o r m a n c e , I d i d f i n d som e tim e t o c o m p o s e .
F o l l o w i n g t h i s y e a r i n B u f f a l o , I w as i n v i t e d b a c k
t o t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f C o l o r a d o , b u t w as so m ew h at
r e lu c ta n t to r e tu r n .
A lt h o u g h I h a d m any f i n e c o l
l e a g u e s t h e r e , i t se em e d v e r y r e m o t e , a n d t h e com po
s i t i o n d e p a r t m e n t w as m o v in g i n a d i r e c t i o n t h a t
d i d n ' t p a r t i c u l a r l y i n t e r e s t m e.
I t w a s n 't u n t i l
l a t e s p r i n g o f 1964 t h a t a p o s i t i o n a t t h e U n i v e r s i t y
o f P e n n s y l v a n i a cam e u p . My t e a c h i n g a t t h e u n i v e r
s i t y i s , w i t h r a r e e x c e p t i o n s , on t h e g r a d u a t e l e v e l .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u d e s c r i b e w h a t a t y p i c a l d a y f o r y o u i s
G .C .
I d o n 't th in k t h e r e i s su ch a t h in g a s a t y p i c a l day
f o r m e. F o r e x a m p le , t o d a y I s p e n t s e v e r a l h o u r s
e d i t i n g ; t h e r e a r e o f t e n p h o n e c a l l s t o m ak e , l e t t e r s
t o w r i t e , o c c a s i o n a l c o m p o s itio n l e s s o n s to g i v e . . . .
I t ' s a w f u l l y h a r d t o do a n y p a r t i c u l a r t h i n g e v e ry
day.
O c c a s i o n a l l y I w i l l r e a d t h r o u g h som e f o u r - h a n d
p i a n o m u s ic w i t h my s o n D a v i d , o r som e s o l o p i a n o
m u s ic i n t h e e v e n i n g s , b u t c e r t a i n l y n o t e v e r y d a y .
I s o m e tim e s go m o n th s w i t h o u t p l a y i n g .
I t J u s t depends
on w h a t I h a v e t o d o .
lik e ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-435In te rv le w ,
10 J u n e 19 7 7
R .S .
How i m p o r t a n t do y o u f e e l t h e t i t l e s
a r e to th e l i s t e n e r ?
i n y o u r m u s ic
G .C .
I t h i n k o f t i t l e s a s s u b j e c t i v e c o m m e n ta r ie s a b o u t a
p i e c e , a n d t h e r e f o r e , n o t a s s o m e t h in g o f g r e a t
i m p o r ta n c e ; o n ly r a r e l y do I f i n d t h a t t i t l e s r e a l l y
t e l l y o u m uch a b o u t w h a t a p i e c e r e a l l y i s .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k , t h e n , t h a t a l i s t e n e r who h e a r d a
r e c o r d i n g o f t h e M ak ro k o sm o s v o lu m e s w i t h o u t s c o r e ,
a n d w i t h o u t k n o w le d g e o f t h e t i t l e s , c o u l d d e r i v e
t h e f u l l m e a n in g o f t h e m u s ic ?
G .C .
I th in k s o , b e c au se e v e ry th in g e s s e n t i a l i s a lr e a d y
p r e s e n t in th e m u s ic .
P e o p l e a lw a y s e m p h a s iz e t h e
t i t l e s , b e c a u s e t h e y f u r n i s h s o m e t h in g t o t a l k a b o u t .
T he sam e t h i n g i s t r u e a l s o o f t i t l e s i n t r a d i t i o n a l
m u sic :
W hat i f S i e g f r i e d I d y l w e r e c a l l e d s o m e t h in g
e ls e ?
The e s s e n t i a l c h a r a c t e r o f t h e m u s ic i s s t i l l
i d y l l i c , a n d t h i s w o u ld come t h r o u g h .
The B e e th o v e n
P a s t o r a l Sym phony i s a n o t h e r c a s e i n p o i n t .
B e e th o v e n
w ro te o t h e r p a s t o r a l m u sic , w ith o u t t i t l i n g i t ; in
a n y o f t h e m o v em e n ts fro m t h e P a s t o r a l Sym phony o n e
c o u l d e a s i l y i n f e r fro m t h e m u s ic t h e c h a r a c t e r im
p lie d in th e t i t l e s .
R .S .
G .C .
R .S .
I n a d i s c u s s i o n o f C . C u r t i s S m i t h 's p i a n o p i e c e s f o r
bow ed p i a n o . D a v id B u rg e s a i d a f t e r a U n i v e r s i t y o f
M a ry la n d per> r ^ a n c e t h a t i f o n e w e re t o t a k e a s u r
v e y by s e c r e t b a l l o t o f th e a u d i e n c e 's r e a c t i o n to
a n y g i v e n p i e c e , S h a t t h i s w o u ld v a r y w i t h e v e r y o n e
o f f e r in g an o p in io n .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 3 6 G .C .
T h a t 's t r u e .
A nd s p e a k i n g o f t h e S m ith p i e c e s ,
I re m e m b e r th e m , i n t e r m s o f m u s i c , a s b e i n g v e r y
e f f e c t i v e , b u t I h a v e n o r e c o l l e c t i o n now o f t h e
title s .
T h i s o f t e n h a p p e n s w i t h t h e m u s ic o n e h e a r s .
R .S .
How s t r o n g h a s I v e s b e e n w i t h
G .C .
R .S .
I n y o u r Vox B a l a e n a e t h e r e a p p e a r s t h e f o l l o w i n g
s p e c i a l d e v i c e s (am ong o t h e r s l : t h e " a e o l i a n h a r p
e f f e c t , " th e " s e a g u ll e f f e c t , " a n d " c h i s e l - p i a n o ."
D id y o u i n v e n t t h e s e e f f e c t s ?
G .C .
I f i r s t u s e d t h e " a e o l i a n h a r p e f f e c t i n my F i v e
P i e c e s f o r P l a n o , a n d I h a d n o t h e a r d a n y m u s ic
w h ic h i n c l u d e d t h i s s o u n d .
I do know t h a t t h e r e i s
a p i e c e by H e n ry C o w e ll w h ic h i s e n t i t l e d T he A e o l i a n
H a r p , b u t I h a v e n e v e r h e a r d t h i s p i e c e s o I m ig h t ,
o r m ig h t n o t h a v e b e e n t h e i n v e n t o r .
T he " s e a g u l l
e f f e c t " w as i n v e n t e d by B e r tr a m T u r e t z k y on t h e c o n t r a
b a s s , f ro m whom I h e a r d i t a n d a p p l i e d i t t o c e l l o .
" C h i s e l - p i a n o " i s my i n v e n t i o n , a s f a r a s I know
b u t I w o u l d n 't b e s u r p r i s e d i f i t t u r n e d o u t t h a t
som eone h ad u s e d t h i s so u n d p r e v io u s t o m y s e lf .
R .S .
S t r a v i n s k y o n c e s t a t e d w o rd s t o t h e e f f e c t t h a t t h e r e
w as v e r y l i t t l e t r a d i t i o n i n T he R i t e o f S p r i n g , a n d
no t h e o r y .
C o u ld y o u o f f e r a n i m p r e s s i o n o n w h a t
h e m ig h t h a v e m e a n t by t h i s ?
G .C .
I g u e s s h e m e a n t t h a t i t w as c o m p o se d i n t u i t i v e l y .
A s f a r a s t h e t r a d i t i o n g o e s , I w o u ld s a y t h a t t h e r e
w e r e u p b e a t s t o Le S ac r e .
The S c h e r z o o f B r u c k n e r 's
n i n t h sym phony h a s some o f t h e sam e p r i m i t i v e q u a l i t y ,
a n d I w o u ld s a y t h a t m any o f B e e t h o v e n 's m o v em e n ts
h a v e t h e k i n d o f r h y th m ic e n e r g y i n v e r y g e n e r a l t e r m s
t h a t Le S a c re h a s .
S tr a v in s k y c e r t a i n l y d i d n 't in v e n t
r h y th m ; h e e x p l o i t e d a c e r t a i n a s p e c t o f i t m a i n l y
d e a lin g w ith th e a d d it iv e p r in c i p l e .
R .S .
How m uch do y o u f e e l y o u h a v e b e e n i n f l u e n c e d by
S tra v in s k y ?
G .C .
N o t v e r y m u ch .
you a s an in flu e n c e ?
R e la tiv e ly l i t t l e .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 3 7 R .S .
S a lz m a n te r m s y o u , i n h i s I n t r o d u c t i o n t o T w e n t i e t h C e n t u r y M u s ic , a !,S t r a v i n s k y i t e t u r n e d m i n i m a l i s t .
G .C .
I r e a l l y d o n 't s e e th e c o n n e c tio n .
c lo s e to S tra v in s k y .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u d i s c u s s how t h e new m u s i c a l l a n g u a g e e v o lv e d ,
w h ic h a p p e a r e d f o r t h e f i r s t t im e i n F i v e P i e c e s f o r
P ia n o . T h e re m u st h a v e b e e n a p r o c e s s o f e v o lu t i o n .
G .C .
T h e r e a r e som e a s p e c t s t h a t g o b a c k t o my e a r l i e r
m u s i c . I f e l t t h a t t h e d e v e lo p m e n t o f t h e new s t y l e
w as a n i n t u i t i v e p r o c e s s .
I d o n 't f e e l t h a t
R .S .
When so m e o n e b e g i n s w r i t i n g t w e l v e - t o n e m u s ic
who
h a s a lw a y s w r i t t e n m u s ic i n a m o re t r a d i t i o n a l m a n n e r ,
i n a s e n s e h e h a s c o n s c i o u s l y a d o p t e d a new t e c h n i q u e
a n d /o r s t y l e .
D id y o u do s o m e t h in g c o m p a r a b le t o
th is ?
G .C .
N o, u n l e s s i t h a d t o d o w i t h t h e r h y th m ic q u a l i t y
l o o k i n g f o r a new r h y th m ic l a n g u a g e .
A k in d o f s u s
p e n d e d s e n s e o f r h y th m se e m s t o me t o b e t h e g r e a t e s t
d i f f e r e n c e b e tw e e n my c u r r e n t s t y l e a n d my e a r l i e s t
m u sic .
T h e re i s a l s o th e i n t e r e s t i n tim b r e s , b u t
t h e r e w as som e o f t h i s , e v e n i n my e a r l i e r w o r k s .
R .S .
W hat w o u ld y o u s a y a b o u t a n a p p r o a c h t o c o m p o s i t i o n
t h a t e m p h a s iz e s s t y l i s t i c d i v e r s i t y t o th e e x t e n t o f
i n c o r p o r a t i n g a d i f f e r e n t s t y l e i n n e a r l y e v e r y w o rk ?
G .C .
S u c h a n a p p r o a c h w o u l d n 't i n t e r e s t me a t a l l .
I
know t h a t t h i s i s a n e s t h e t i c o f som e c o m p o s e r s .
Even
t h e i d e a o f n o t r e p e a t i n g a n y t h i n g w i t h i n o n e w o rk
t h a t t h e m u s ic s h o u l d b e r e - i n v e n t e d f ro m p o i n t t o
p o i n t s e e m s f o r m e, t o b e a t h e o r e t i c a l c o n c e p t
d i v o r c e d fro m m u s i c a l r e a l i t y .
V i a b l e fo rm i n m u sic
se e m s t o d e p e n d o n a c e r t a i n a m o u n t o f r e p e t i t i o n a n d
c o n n e c t i o n o f i d e a s ; I d o n ' t s e e m uch f u t u r e i n t h e
o t h e r a p p r o a c h a l t h o u g h i t h a s b e e n e s p o u s e d i n much
re c e n t m u sic .
A lso , to even a c h ie v e a s t y l e , th e r e
h a s t o b e a c e r t a i n c a r r y o v e r f ro m o n e w o rk t o a n o t h e r
o t h e r w i s e t h e m u s ic w o u ld h a v e n o p e r s o n a l i t y .
To h a v e
c o m m itm e n t i n o n e 's w r i t i n g i n v o l v e s f o l l o w i n g a l i n e
o f t h o u g h t , a n d n o t w r i t i n g a l l o v e r t h e m ap . Com m it
m e n t i s a q u a l i t y l a c k i n g i n m uch n ew m u s i c . W ith in
a c o m p o s itio n , i f a c o m p o ser i s s k i t t i s h i f h e i s
a f r a i d t o com e t o t e r m s w i t h a s i n g l e I d e a ( b e c a u s e
i t ' s n o t f a s h io n a b le o r s im ila r r e a s o n s ) , th e r e s u l t
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 3 8 ( G .C . ) i s t h a t t h e t h r e a d o f t h e p i e c e i s a l t o g e t h e r m i s s i n g ;
s u c h m u s ic i s c o n f u s i n g t o l i s t e n t o a n d o n e s e n s e s
a l a c k o f c o m m itm e n t f ro m t h e c o m p o s e r .
S u ch com
p o s e r s se em t o b e a f r a i d o f e x p o s i t o r y i d e a s a f r a i d
t o t a k e s u c h a n i d e a a n d d e v e l o p , c o n t r a s t , o r w o rk
w ith i t in an y w ay.
So m any p i e c e s o f t o d a y a r e v e r y
te n ta tiv e in sound.
The m u sic t h a t i m p r e s s e s me m o st
has a c o n tin u ity o f id e a s .
R .S .
To y o u , w h a t i s t h e m o s t i m p o r t a n t t h i n g t o l i s t e n
f o r i n a p i e c e o f m u s ic ?
G .C .
T h a t w o u ld b e d e t e r m i n e d b y t h e m u sic i t s e l f .
T h e re
i s a h i e r a r c h y o f a l l m u s i c a l d i m e n s io n s , w h ic h c h a n g e s
fro m m om ent t o m om ent i n a p i e c e . A t o n e m om ent t h e
r h y th m ic im p u l s e i s t h e s t r o n g e s t , o r i t m ig h t b e t h e
m e lo d ic i d e a s , t im b r a l q u a l i t y , a g e s tu r e o f s u s p e n
s i o n ; i t a lw a y s c h a n g e s , a n d c o u ld b e a n y e l e m e n t .
I d o n ' t t h i n k I c o u l d b e m o re s p e c i f i c ; i t w o u ld
d e p e n d on t h e s t y l e , o n t h e c o m p o s e r , on t h e s p e c i f i c
p ie c e , and th e s e c t i o n w ith in th e p ie c e .
R .S .
G .C .
T h a t 's a v e r y h a r d q u e s t i o n , b e c a u s e y o u w o u ld h a v e
to d e te r m in e w h at s e n s e y ou a r e u s in g th e te r m .
T h ere
a r e t h e q u e s t i o n s o f w h e t h e r o n e 's m u sic i s f r e q u e n t l y
p e r f o r m e d , w h e t h e r t h e m u s ic i n f a c t c o n v e y s g e n u in e
m u s i c a li ty , and so f o r t h .
I c o u ld im a g in e a c o m p o s e r
m ig h t c o n c e i v a b l y w r i t e b e a u t i f u l m u s ic , a n d y e t
r e m a in u n p e r f o r m e d f o r o n e r e a s o n o r a n o t h e r .
W a g n e r 's
R in g o p e r a s come t o m in d a s a c l a s s i c c a s e o f s c o r e s
t h a t w e re p u t i n t h e d e s k f o r a c o u p le o f d e c a d e s a n d
w e r e n 't h e a r d ; t h e r e i s a l s o t h e c a s e o f I v e s .
G e o rg e
G e rs h w in w as a n e m i n e n t l y s u c c e s s f u l c o m p o s e r i n t e r m s
o f in c o m e fro m h i s s o - c a l l e d s e r i o u s p i e c e s .
In h is
c a se th e r e i s a se n se o f s in c e r it y , in s p ite o f th e
p o p u la r id io m .
To a c o m p o s e r , t h e m ain t h i n g i s
s a y in g w h at he h a s t o s a y ; i f he h a s s a t i s f i e d h i m s e l f
i n d o i n g t h i s , h e i s i n t h a t s e n s e a s u c c e s s f u l com
p o se r.
The q u e s t i o n o f w h a t h a p p e n s t o t h e m u s ic a f t e r
i t s c o m p o s i t i o n w o u ld c o n s t i t u t e a n o t h e r d e f i n i t i o n o f
th e te rm " s u c c e s s f u l ."
R .S .
How v a l u a b l e t o a c o m p o s e r do y ou f e e l s u c h b o o k s o n
e s t h e t i c s s u c h a s H i n d e m i t h 's A C o m p o s e r's W o r l d , a n d
R o g e r S e s s i o n s ' The M u s ic a l E x p e r ie n c e a r e ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 3 9 G .C .
I 'v e n e v e r fo u n d books v a lu a b le In th e s e n s e o f
m a k in g o n e a b e t t e r c o m p o s e r .
The m o s t i m p o r t a n t
k n o w le d g e i s d e r i v e d fro m s c o r e s , a n d a c t u a l l y h e a r i n g
m u s i c ; t h i s t e a c h e s o ne a l l o n e r e a l l y n e e d s t o know .
One c o u l d e a s i l y o v e r e m p h a s iz e b o o k s a b o u t m u s i c , a n d
l o s e c o n t a c t w i t h w h a t m u sic i s r e a l l y a l l a b o u t .
We s p o k e o f t h e d i f f i c u l t y o f v e r b a l i z i n g a b o u t m u sic
i n e a r l i e r i n t e r v i e w s ; b e c a u s e i t i s i n f a c t a la n g u a g e
i n i t s e l f ; i t i s a lm o s t t o t a l l y s e l f - e x p l a n a t o r y ; i t
i s much m ore s u b t l e t h a n a n y d e s c r i p t i v e w o r d s . A l l
m u s ic h a s a n e l u s i v e q u a l i t y .
I suppose i t i s n a tu r a l
i n a u n i v e r s i t y s e t t i n g to t r y to v e r b a l iz e a b o u t
m u sic y o u h a v e to t a l k a b o u t s o m e th in g .
I f you pu t
t h e r e c o r d i n g o n , t h i s w o u ld r e a l l y b e m o re a p r o p o s
b e t t e r t h a n t h e r e c o r d i n g w o u ld b e a p e r f o r m a n c e o r
r e a d in g by th e s tu d e n t s th e m s e lv e s .
I sup p o se th e re
i s s o m e t h in g t o b e g a in e d by a n a t t e m p t t o v e r b a l i z e
m u s ic s o m e t h in g i s l e a r n e d i n r e a d i n g t h e l e t t e r s
o r th e l i f e o f a co m p o ser, b u t th e r e a l l y e s s e n t i a l
t h in g s a r e a l l i n th e m u sic .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t t h e i d e a o f c o l l a b o r a t i o n am ong tw o
o r m ore c o m p o s e r s i n w r i t i n g a p i e c e o f m u s ic h o l d s
any p o t e n t i a l i t y f o r th e c r e a t io n o f s e r io u s a r t ?
G .C .
I w o u ld d o u b t i t .
I d o n 't t h in k t h e r e a r e a n y con
v i n c i n g e x a m p le s o f s u c h c o l l a b o r a t i o n i n a l l o f
m u s ic h i s t o r y , w h e r e a s , i n o t h e r a r t s , t h e r e a r e
s u c c e s s f u l e x a m p le s.
T h e re _is t h e v i o l i n s o n a t a
t h a t B rahm s d i d w i t h Schum ann a n d so m eo n e e l s e , an d
t h e R u s s i a n c o m p o s e r s g o t t o g e t h e r a n d d i d som e
l i t t l e s u i t e s f o r q u a r t e t m o v e m e n ts .
T h e re a r e a ls o
a few c o n te m p o r a r y e x a m p le s .
I t se em s o d d t h a t com
p o s e r s h a v e n e v e r h a d a p p r e n t i c e s t o do t h e i r o r c h e s
t r a t i o n ; R e n a i s s a n c e p a i n t e r s h a d t h e i r w h o le s t u d i o
f i l l e d w i t h a p p r e n t i c e s , some o f whom w o u ld f i l l i n
c e r t a i n l e s s e r f i g u r e s , w h i l e o t h e r s w o u ld p a i n t t h e
t r e e s a n d g r a s s g r e e n , and so f o r t h .
R .S .
W hat a r e
G .C .
I d o n ' t know t h a t t h e r e a r e a n y d i s a d v a n t a g e s , e x
c e p t t h a t t h e y a r e m ore e x p e n s i v e now t h a n t h e y w o u ld
h a v e b e e n i n S c h u b e r t 's d a y / l a u g h t e r y 7, a n d o f c o u r s e ,
i t ' s p ro b a b ly h a rd to f in d a good c o p y is t .
I guess
m o s t o f t h e g r e a t c o m p o s e rs u s e d c o p y i s t s ; i n t h o s e
d a y s , b e f o r e p h o to g ra p h ic d u p l ic a ti o n , e x t r a c t i n g
p a r t s w o u ld h a v e r e a l l y b e e n a g r e a t t a s k .
I m a g in e
e x t r a c t i n g a l l o f th e d u p lic a te s t r i n g p a r t s by hand]
th e p ro s
a n d c o n s o f u s i n g a m u s ic c o p y i s t ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 4 0 R .S .
I f i t w e re p o s s i b l e , a n d u n d e r i d e a l c o n d i t i o n s ,
do y o u f e e l t h a t i t w o u ld b e b e t t e r f o r a y o u n g
c o m p o s e r t o go t o m u s ic s c h o o l , o r t o l e a r n com
p o s i t i o n t h r o u g h p r i v a t e i n s t r u c t i o n , a n d on h i s
own t h r o u g h t h e s t u d y o f s c o r e s ?
G .C .
T h a t w o u ld d e p e n d o n a n u m b e r o f f a c t o r s .
Many
o f th e b e s t t e a c h e r s a r e on th e f a c u l t i e s o f u n i
v e r s i t i e s a s a m a t t e r o f e c o n o m ic n e c e s s i t y .
T h e r e a r e , I 'm s u r e , a l s o f i n e f r e e - l a n c e t e a c h e r s .
A lb a n B e r g w as a c o m p o s e r who n e v e r w e n t t o a
m u s ic s c h o o l ; h e g o t t o know m u s ic t h r o u g h p l a y i n g
a l o t o f m u s ic a t t h e p i a n o , g o i n g t o c o n c e r t s
f r e q u e n t l y , a n d p r i v a t e i n s t r u c t i o n , a l l o f w h ic h
o n e s h o u l d d o , e v e n i f o n e _is g o i n g t o a u n i v e r s i t y .
U l t im a te ly , th e im p o r ta n t t h in g i s n o t w h e th e r one
d o e s o r d o e s n 't a t t e n d a u n i v e r s i t y , b u t t o k e e p
c l o s e t o t h e s o u r c e t h i s y o u c a n d o o n y o u r ow n .
M aybe t h e m a in p i t f a l l t o a v o i d i n t h e u n i v e r s i t y
i s t h e t e n d e n c y t o d e p e n d t o o m uch on o t h e r p e o p l e .
One n e e d s t o d e v e l o p s e l f r e l i a n c e a n d t o f u l f i l l
o n e 's own e x p e c t a t i o n s .
T h e r e _is a l o t o f tim e
w a s te d i n th e u n i v e r s i t y , so i t becom es a q u e s
tio n o f tr y in g to g lid e th ro u g h th e th in g s th a t
a r e n o t so c r i t i c a l f o r y o u .
R .S .
Had c o m p o s e r s s u c h a s C h o p in , P u r c e l l , M e n d e ls s o h n ,
S c h u b e r t , a n d M o z a r t, who a l l d i e d i n t h e i r t h i r
t i e s , l i v e d o u t a n o r m a l l i f e s p a n , how m uch b e t t e r
c o u l d t h e i r m u s ic h a v e g o t t e n ?
G .C .
I g u e s s y o u c o u l d t h i n k o f B a c h . He d i d n ' t
r e a l l y g e t b e t t e r fro m t h e t im e h e w as t h i r t y f i v e u n t i l t h e t im e h e w as s i x t y - f i v e .
I su p p o se
y o u c o u l d d e s c r i b e l a t e B a c h a s m o re i n t r o s p e c
t i v e o r m o re l e a r n e d , b u t h e w a s n 't r e a l l y b e t t e r .
And I d o n ' t t h i n k y o u c o u l d d e s c r i b e l a t e B e e
t h o v e n a s n e c e s s a r i l y b e t t e r t h a n m id d l e B e e t h o
ven.
In g e n e r a l, one o f te n p r iz e s th e e a r l i e r
w o rk s o f a c o m p o s e r , w h ic h o f t e n h a v e q u a l i t i e s
u n i q u e t o th e m .
R .S .
Who w o u ld y o u s a y w as t h e g r e a t e s t c o m p o s e r o f
t r a d i t i o n a l m u s ic ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 4 1 G .C .
E v e r y o n e w o u ld h a v e t h e i r own r a n k i n g .
To me t h e r e
i s o n e c a t e g o r y t h a t I w o u ld t e r m t h e t r a n s c e n d e n t a l
c o m p o s e r s ; t h e l a s t o n e w as B e e t h o v e n , b e f o r e t h a t
M o z a rt, B ach a n d J o s q u in d e s P r e z .
I 'm n o t s u r e
w h e t h e r o r n o t P a l e s t r i n a o r H ay d n q u a l i f y .
By t h i s
r e a s o n i n g , B rahm s b e c o m e s a s e c o n d r a n k c o m p o s e r a s
g o o d a c o m p o s e r a s h e w a s ; M a h le r a s e c o n d r a n k ,
T c h a ik o v s k y a t h i r d r a n k , M e n d e ls s o h n a t h i r d r a n k ,
D v o ra k a t h i r d r a n k .
I d o n 't t h in k t h a t w h e th e r o r
n o t th e t r a n s c e n d e n t a l c o m p o se rs w e re i c o n o c l a s t i c
w o u ld h a v e a n y t h i n g t o do w i t h t h e i r s t a t u r e ; B ach
a n d M o z a r t w e r e n ' t r e a l l y g r o u n d b r e a k e r s B e e th o v e n
w as.
T h ese co m p o se rs h av e tra n s c e n d e d s u c h i s s u e s .
I n t h e t w e n t i e t h c e n t u r y , t h e q u e s t i o n i s i f w e 'v e
r e a c h e d ev e n th e se co n d ra n k w ith B a r to k , S c h o e n b e rg ,
B e r g , S t r a v i n s k y , a n d W e b ern w h e t h e r t h e y a r e s e c o n d
o r th ir d ran k .
You h a v e t o re m e m b e r t h a t i n t h i s
r a n k in g , ev en a t h i r d ra n k com poser i s a n e x c e p tio n a l
c o m p o s e r ; I 'm n o t s u r e t h e r e i s a c o m p o s e r i n t h e
U n i t e d S t a t e s who i s a s g o o d a s T c h a ik o v s k y w a s .
S c h u b e r t a n d Schum an n w e re s e c o n d r a n k c o m p o s e r s ,
C h o p in t h i r d r a n k , B r u c k n e r f o u r t h r a n k . D e b u s s y
w as a s e c o n d r a n k , R a v e l a t h i r d r a n k c o m p o s e r .
D e b u ssy i s a w f u ll y im p r e s s iv e - - o n e o f t h e m o st
o r i g i n a l co m p o se rs t h a t e v e r l i v e d .
B ut i t ' s a l l
s u b j e c t i v e ; a n y o n e y o u t a l k e d t o w o u ld h a v e t h e i r
own r a n k i n g .
I d o n ' t t h i n k t h a t a n y o n e w o u ld d i s
a g r e e w i t h my r a n k i n g o f t h e t r a n s c e n d e n t a l c o m p o s e r s ,
h o w e v e r e x c e p t t h a t som e p e o p l e w o u ld i n c l u d e H aydn
a u t o m a t i c a l l y I 'm n o t s u r e a b o u t h im .
R .S .
G .C .
A n a ly s is c o u rs e s , a c la s s e x p lo r in g th e p o s s i b i l i t i e s
o f in s tru m e n ts ( s o r t o f a la b o r a to r y - ty p e c o u rs e ) ,
a c l a s s o n M a h le r , s u r v e y c o u r s e s i n c o n te m p o r a r y
a n d R o m a n tic m u s i c , a n d a c o u r s e o n B ra h m s .
I w o u ld
m uch r a t h e r t e a c h t r a d i t i o n a l m u s ic t h a n c o n te m p o r a r y
m u s ic i n c l a s s e s .
You c a n h a v e m o re p e r s p e c t i v e ,
a n d I t h i n k e v e r y t h i n g y o u l e a r n c a r r i e s o v e r t o m o re
r e c e n t m u s ic .
I t h in k t h a t i t i s a m is ta k e to h av e
s o m any c o n te m p o r a r y m u s ic c o u r s e s i n t h e u n i v e r s i t y .
F o r a l o n g t im e t h e r e w as a c r y t h a t m o re e m p h a s is
s h o u l d b e g i v e n t o c o n te m p o r a r y m u s i c . Now t h i s h a s
beco m e a l i t t l e t o o s t r i d e n t ; i t ' s a l m o s t a s i f som e
p e o p l e h a v e p r o t e s t e d t o o m uch a l l m u s ic i s s o o r g a n
i c a l l y c o n n e c t e d . A s a r e s u l t , m any y o u n g c o m p o s e r s
a r e s t a r t i n g t o d e n y t h a t t h e m u s ic t h e y a r e w r i t i n g
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 4 2 ( G .C .) h a s a n y t h i n g t o d o w i t h a n y t h i n g w r i t t e n p r e v i o u s l y ,
w h ic h i s p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y a n i m p o s s i b i l i t y f o r a n y o n e
who h a s e a r s .
R .S .
W hat do y o u t h i n k C a g e 's c o n t r i b u t i o n
been?
t o m u s ic h a s
G .C .
P r i m a r i l y a s a p h i l o s o p h e r , I w o u ld t h i n k .
He h a s
s tim u la te d a l o t o f th o u g h t a b o u t m u sic .
I 'm s u r e
t h a t I h a v e n 't b e e n a t a l l i n f l u e n c e d b y h i s m u s i c .
I h a d n ' t h e a r d h i s p r e p a r e d p i a n o p i e c e s a t t h e tim e
I w as w r i t i n g my f i r s t p i e c e s i n v o l v i n g s p e c i a l
tim b re s .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u d i s c u s s t o w h a t e x t e n t y o u r t e a c h i n g o f
c o m p o s i t i o n w o u ld v a r y f r o m s t u d e n t t o s t u d e n t , a n d
t o w h a t e x t e n t i t w o u ld r e m a in c o n s t a n t ?
G .C .
I t w o u ld t e n d t o v a r y w i t h t h e s t r e n g t h s a n d w e a k
n e sse s o f each s tu d e n t.
F o r e x a m p le , f o r th o s e
s t u d e n t s t h a t se em t o h a v e n o c o n t a c t w i t h t r a d i
t i o n a l m u s i c , I w o u ld h a v e th em t o w r i t e s t y l e p i e c e s ,
in o r d e r to d e v e lo p a s e n s e o f c o n ta c t w ith th e p a s t .
T h is com es u p f r e q u e n t l y , i n c i d e n t a l l y , a s s u r p r i s i n g
a s i t s o u n d s ; t h e r e a r e som e s t u d e n t s who d o n ' t i d e n
t i f y i n a n y w ay w i t h t h e o l d e r s t y l e s .
I ev e n w onder
how t h e y g o t t o l o v e m u s i c , w i t h o u t l o v i n g s o m e t h in g
o f th e m u sic a l t r a d i t i o n .
I t i s i m p o s s i b l e f o r me t o
i m a g i n e t h a t o n e c o u l d ju m p r i g h t i n t o P e n d e r e g k i a n d
l o v e i t i n q u i t e t h a t sam e w ay ; a s a m a t t e r o f f a c t ,
i c a n n o t u n d e r s t a n d how o n e c o u l d e v e n e n j o y P e n
d e r e g k i o r a n y o f t h e new m u s i c , w i t h o u t h a v i n g t h e
b a s ic p e r s p e c ti v e o f t r a d i t i o n a l m u sic .
W hat w o u ld
t h e p a s s i o n m u s ic o f P e n d e r e g k i m ean w i t h o u t k n o w le d g e
o f B a c h 's c o n t r i b u t i o n i n t h i s a r e a ( i r r e s p e c t i v e o f
how i t m a t c h e s u p t o t h e B a c h ) ?
The a r g u m e n t t h a t
t h e r e c a n b e a t o t a l l y new m u s ic u n r e l a t e d t o t h e
p a s t h a s t o me a lw a y s se e m e d s p e c i o u s .
R .S .
I w o u ld t h i n k t h a t y o u w o iild s t r e s s i d i o m a t i c n o t a
t i o n , a n d w r i t i n g f o r in s tr u m e n ts w ith a l l o f y o u r
s tu d e n ts .
G .C .
Y es, b u t I se e th e s e a s r a t h e r p e r i p h e r a l to th e
m u s ic a l i d e a s th e m s e lv e s .
To d i g r e s s a b i t , I t h i n k
t h a t o n e c a n s e e e le m e n ts o f i n s t r u m e n t a l e x p l o r a t i o n ,
ev e n i n t r a d i t i o n a l m u s ic .
I n B e e t h o v e n 's m u s ic t h e r e
i s m uch i d i o m a t i c e x p l o r a t i o n th o u g h we t e n d t o f o r g e t
t h i s ; th e v e ry h ig h n o te s in th e v i o l i n , th e u n u su a l
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 4 3 ( G . C .) s p a c i n g i n a s t r i n g q u a r t e t , t h e b o l d u s e o f t h e
tim p a n i, th e u s e o f s u l p o n t ic e ll o i n th e C -s h a rp
m in o r s t r i n g q u a r t e t .
W hat w o u ld a l l o f t h i s h a v e
s o u n d e d l i k e t h e n ? M o n te v e r d i o f c o u r s e f i r s t u s e d
s u l p o n t i c e l l o h e w as a n e x p e r i m e n t e r t o o b u t t h i s
w as t h e n n o t u s e d a g a i n u n t i l B e e t h o v e n .
B e e th o v e n
w as n o t a f r a i d t o u s e n e w ly i n v e n t e d d e v i c e s .
When
t h e u n a c o r d a p e d a l w as i n v e n t e d , h e i m m e d i a t e l y u s e d
i t i n h i s n e x t s o n a t a . A s p l i t u n a c o r d a w as i n v e n t e d
w h e r e b y t h e t o p o f t h e p ia n o c o u l d b e o n t h e t h r e e
s t r i n g s , a n d t h e l o w e r p a r t on t h e o n e s t r i n g ;
B e e th o v e n u s e d i t i n h i s M o o n lig h t S o n a t a . As s o o n
a s a k e y w as a d d e d t o t h e r a n g e o f t h e p i a n o , t h i s
w o u ld a p p e a r i n B e e t h o v e n 's n e x t s o n a t a .
I th in k
t h e r e h a v e a lw a y s b e e n c o m p o s e rs l i k e B e e t h o v e n ,
who w e r e i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e m o st s u r p r i s i n g t i m b r a l
p o s s ib ilitie s ,
R .S .
C o u ld y o u c o m p a re t h e m u sic o f S c h o e n b e r g a n d
S t r a v i n s k y i n te r m s o f i t s e m o t i o n a l q u a l i t y ?
G .C .
R .S .
We t a l k
1^ t l e a b o u t t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f y o u
w r i t i n g ai
,
a n d y o u s a i d m ay b e s o m e d a y .
I
w as w o n d e r m
' you had c o n s id e r e d a p a r t i c u l a r
s u b je c t.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 4 4 G .C .
N o, e x c e p t t h a t I t h i n k t h a t a r e w o r k in g o f F a u s t
w o u ld b e v e r y a p p r o p r i a t e a s a c o m m e n ta ry on " th e
hum an c o n d i t i o n a t t h i s p a r t i c u l a r t i m e .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k y o u m ig h t s e t L o r c a 's p o e t r y a g a i n
in th e f u tu r e ?
G .C .
P o s s ib ly .
I t ' s c o n c e i v a b l e t h a t I m ig h t do some
m o re s o n g s so m e d a y .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t y o u w i l l e v e r p u b l i s h y o u r e a r l y
m u s ic ?
G .C .
N o . Much o f i t , a s a m a t t e r o f f a c t , h a s e i t h e r b e e n
d e s t r o y e d o r th ro w n o u t .
I s t i l l h a v e some s t u d e n t
w o rk s.
I s t i l l h av e a p e n c il s c o re o f a p ia n o t r i o
w r itt e n a t a b o u t age s ix te e n o r se v e n te e n in th e
s t y l e o f B ra h m s , b u t I 'm n o t a t a l l i n t e r e s t e d i n
h a v i n g s u c h w o rk s p e r f o r m e d .
R .S .
Was t h e t i t l e Vox B a l a e n a e s o m e th in g t h a t o c c u r r e d
w i t h t h e c o n c e p t i o n oT ^E he p i e c e ?
G .C .
When I w as c o m m is s io n e d t o do t h e w o rk , I w as r e
q u e s te d to t i e in th e id e a o f w h a le s .
I had a lr e a d y
h e a r d t h e r e c o r d i n g o f w h a le s s i n g i n g r e f e r r e d t o i n
th e re c o rd ja c k e t n o te s .
The t i t l e s o f t h e v a r i a
t i o n s o f t h a t w o rk w e re w h i m s i c a l t h e y w o u ld h a v e
to b e .
How c o u ld y o u d e s c r i b e a l l o f t h o s e m i l l i o n s
o f y e a r s i n a b r i e f p i e c e o f m u s ic ?
R .S .
W ould y o u s a y t h a t b o t h t h e o p e n in g p i e c e a n d t h e
c o n c l u d i n g p i e c e o f Vox B a l a e n a e a r e t i m e - s u s p e n s i o n
p ie c e s ?
G .C .
Y es, t h a t 's r i g h t .
The l a s t p i e c e m ore s o t h a n t h e
f i r s t p i e c e , b u t b o t h t o some e x t e n t .
R .S .
W ould y o u s a y t h a t t h e a c t u a l s o u n d s t h a t y o u h e a r d
o f t h e h u m p -b a c k w h a le w as a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t o f t h e
i n i t i a l c o n c e p tio n ?
G .C .
Y e s , b u t n o t i n a n y v e r y d i r e c t w ay .
I w a s n 't r e a l l y
t r y i n g t o i m i t a t e t h o s e s o u n d s t h a t w o u ld b e h a r d t o
do.
Some w h a l e - l i k e s o u n d s d i d r e s u l t t h o u g h .
R .S .
In th e V o c a lis e o f
d e p r e s s th e dam per
th o u g h t h e p i a n i s t
p ie c e .
Why do y o u
Vox B a l a e n a e y o u a s k t h e p i a n i s t t o
p e d a l th ro u g h o u t th e A s e c t i o n , ev en
d o e s n 't p l a y i n t h i s p a r t o f t h e
a s k h im t o d o t h i s ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 4 5 G .C .
T he p i a n o w o u l d n 't n e c e s s a r i l y p i c k u p a n y a u d i b l e
s y m p a th e tic v i b r a t i o n s , b u t th e d e p r e s s e d dam per
p e d a l g i v e s a k i n d o f l u m in o u s q u a l i t y t o t h e s o u n d .
R .S .
W ere y o u t h e f i r s t
G .C .
As f a r a s I kn o w , b u t t h e e f f e c t h a d a l s o b e e n e x p e r i
m e n te d w i t h i n j a z z a n d r o c k m u s i c .
R .S .
G .C .
I r e a l l y d i d n 't , b u t I assu m ed t h a t i t c o u ld b e le a r n e d
by a n y b o d y , b e c a u s e I c o u l d d o i t m y s e l f .
I b o r ro w e d
my b r o t h e r ' s f l u t e a n d d i d som e e x p e r i m e n c i n g o n i t .
I o f t e n t e s t o u t new s o u n d s o n my own b e f o r e u s i n g th e m .
t o do a n e x te n d e d s i n g - f l u t e
I n te rv ie w .
p ie c e ?
19 J u l y 1 9 7 7
R .S .
I n m u s ic t h a t i s v e r y t i g h t l y c o n t r o l l e d , s u c h a s
t h a t b a s e d o n t o t a l s e r i a l i s m , how m any o f t h e s u b t l e
t i e s c a n even th e com poser p e r c e iv e ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t t h e r e a r e e le m e n ts i n a n y s t y l e t h a t a r e
n o t p e r c e i v e d c o n s c i o u s l y o r i n t e l l e c t u a l l y , b u t w h ic h
n e v e r th e le s s m a n ife s t a s u b lim in a l a u r a l im p re ss io n
on th e l i s t e n e r .
When I l i s t e n t o a B e e th o v e n s t r i n g
q u a r t e t , I d o n ' t c o n s c i o u s l y f o l l o w t h e t o n a l sc h em e
o r c h o r d p r o g r e s s i o n s t h a t w o u ld m e r e l y b e a n a n a
l y t i c a l w ay o f l i s t e n i n g .
We a l l a r e c a p a b l e o f
h e a r i n g m u s ic i n t h i s w ay o r o f l e a r n i n g t
do s o ,
b u t t h e e f f e c t a n d u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f m u s ic d - e s n o t
d e p e n d on t h e c o n s c i o u s r e c o g n i t i o n o f i t s c o n s t r u c
tio n a l b a ses.
T he e m o t i o n a l o r e x p r e s s i v e f o r c e o f
m u s ic e x e r t s i t s e l f i r r e s p e c t i v e o f t h e o r e t i c a l o r
a n a ly tic a l c o n s id e ra tio n s .
I h a v e a lw a y s d i s a g r e e d
w ith th e id e a t h a t a l i s t e n e r m u st h av e e x te n s iv e
k n o w le d g e o f t h e o r y o r a n a l y s i s i n o r d e r t o e n j o y
m u s ic i n t h e t r u e s t s e n s e .
I am s u r e t h a t t h e r e a r e
m any p e o p le l a c k i n g i n k n o w le d g e o f t h e t e c h n i c a l
s i d e o f m u s i c , who h a v e a v e r y h i g h s e n s i t i v i t y t o
th e m o3t fu n d a m e n ta lly im p o r ta n t a s p e c t s o f th e a r t .
R .S .
W hat i s t h e r e l a t i o n s h i p b e tw e e n a n a l y t i c a l v a l i d i t y ,
a n d a c t u a l m u s ic a l v a l i d i t y i n a g i v e n c o m p o s itio n ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 4 6 G .C .
Many c o m p o s i t i o n s h a v e b e e n w r i t t e n w h ic h a r e f i l l e d
w i t h a n a l y t i c a l s u b t l e t i e s , b u t w h ic h a r e t o t a l l y
la c k in g in i n s p i r a t i o n .
One c a n m ake d e t a i l e d a n a l y s e s
o f w o rk s f ro m t h e t r a d i t i o n t h a t a r e n o t v e r y e f f e c
t i v e a s p i e c e s , b u t w h ic h sh o w r o u g h l y t h e sam e
h a r m o n ic v o c a b u l a r y a n d s t r u c t u r a l c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s
a s do m a s t e r p i e c e s f ro m t h e sam e s t y l i s t i c p e r i o d .
I th in k t h a t th e s e q u e s tio n s a re o f te n c o n fu s e d . J u s t
t h i n k o f t h e c o u n t l e s s a c a d e m ic f u g u e s t h a t in ii3 t e x i s t ,
m any o f w h ic h w o u ld b e a s i n t r i c a t e a s t h o s e i n The
A r t o f th e F u g u e , th o u g h d e v o id o f a n y r e a l l y m u s ic a l
im p u ls e .
C o m p o s i t i o n a l c r a f t i s s o m e t h in g t h a t i s
a s s u m e d i n a n y m u s i c ; w h a t t h e m u s ic d o e s b e y o n d t h i s
i s th e e s s e n t ia l q u e s tio n .
A c tu a lly , c r a f t i s f a r
l e s s i m p o r t a n t t h a n i n s p i r a t i o n ; i n som e c a s e s , s u c h
a s t h a t o f M u s s o r g s k y , a n e n o r m o u s ly g i f t e d c o m p o s e r ,
t h e c r a f t i s n o t a lw a y s i m p e c c a b l e .
W ith M u s s o r g s k y ,
t h i s r e a l l y d o e s n 't m a t t e r .
The i d e a s a r e s o s t r i k i n g
a n d p o w e rfu l t h a t th e y e x e r t th e m s e lv e s i n s p i t e o f
any te c h n ic a l w e a k n e sse s. A c tu a lly , th e re d u n d a n c ie s
a n d a w k w a r d n e s s e s a r e p a r t o f t h e c h a rm o f t h a t m u s i c .
R .S .
You o n c e s a i d i t w as a m i s t a k e t o s e p a r a t e c o m p o s i t i o n a l
t e c h n i q u e f ro m c o n c e p t i o n .
W hat do y o u m ean b y t h i s ?
G .C .
A co m p o se r s h o u ld n o t e l a b o r a t e sch em es f o r th e s a k e
of e la b o r a tio n .
V i a b l e m u s ic r e q u i r e s t h a t s u c h
sc h e m e s b e c o m b in e d w i t h sin e x p r e s s i v e i m p u l s e .
E x er
c i s e s c a n b e u s e f u l , b u t w hen o n e i s w o r k in g w i t h
o r i g i n a l i d e a s i n h i s own s t y l e , t h e c o m p o s i t i o n a l
a p p ro a c h i s q u ite d i f f e r e n t .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t ; v i a b l e m u s ic i n t h e s t y l e
th o v e n c o u ld be w r i t t e n to d a y ?
G .C .
I p e r s o n a l l y d o n ' t t h i n k t h a t s u c h m u s ic w o u ld b e
v i a b l e i t w o u ld b e s e c o n d - h a n d , d e r i v a t i v e .
Any
good c o m p o ser c a n o f c o u rs e d u p l ic a te th e e x t e r n a l
c h a r a c t e r i s t i c s o f a n y g i v e n s t y l e , b u t i t w o u ld b e
h a r d f o r s u c h m u s ic t o b e a n y t h i n g m o re t h a n a n a c a
d e m ic e x e r c i s e .
I c a n im a g i n e u s i n g a s m a l l a m o u n t
o f s u c h m u s ic a s a q u a s i - q u o t a t i o n , j u x t a p o s e d w i t h
o t h e r m u s i c , b u t a n y t h i n g i n e x c e s s o f t h i s w o u ld
seem t o l a c k v a l i d i t y .
R .S .
W ould a m o m e n t-to -m o m e n t a p p r o a c h t o c o m p o s i t i o n , i n
w h ic h t h e f o rm o f a w o rk w a s a l l o w e d t o e v o l v e f r o m t h e
p r o c e s s o f w o rk in g , be a s f r u i t f u l a s a n a p p ro a c h i n
w h ic h t h e f o rm w as a r r i v e d a t w i t h t h e v e r y f i r s t
m u s ic a l i d e a s b e f o r e p ro c e e d in g ?
o f B ee
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 4 7 G .C .
I s u s p e c t t h a t m o st c o m p o se rs u s e b o th m e th o d s , o r
a c o m b in a tio n o f t h e s e .
I w o u ld t h i n k a n y p r e p l a n n i n g
w o u ld h a v e t o b e v e r y f l e x i b l e . A c o m p o s e r m ig h t v e r y
w e ll s t a r t w ith a g e n e ra l id e a o f w hat th e o v e r a ll
fo rm o f a p i e c e w i l l e v e n t u a l l y t u r n o u t t o b e , b u t
a t t h e sam e t i m e , h e w o u ld n e e d t o f e e l f r e e t o m o d if y
t h i s a t a n y p o i n t d u r i n g t h e w o r k in g p r o c e s s o r e v e n
a f t e r t h e w o rk h a d b e e n c o n s i d e r e d c o m p l e t e d , i f
l a t e r p e r h a p s a f t e r t h e f i r s t h e a r i n g t h e fo rm
d o e s n 't se em r i g h t .
I t m ig h t a l s o h a p p e n t h a t a com
p o s e r m ig h t b e g i n w o r k i n g o n a p i e c e w i t h o u t a n y i d e a
a s t o w h a t t h e f o rm i s g o i n g t o b e ; a t som e p o i n t i n
t h e p i e c e p e r h a p s a t m i d p o i n t h e may s u d d e n l y
be
a b l e t o s e e t h e e v e n t u a l fo rm a s a w h o l e .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u com m ent o n t h e r o l e i n d e t e r m i n a c y p l a y e d
i n E c h o e s o f T im e a n d t h e R i v e r ?
G .C .
I t h i n k o f t h a t a s b e i n g a v e r y lo w o r d e r o f i n d e
t e r m i n a c y c o n s i d e r i n g how i n d e t e r m i n a n t m u s ic c a n
re a lly b e.
I n my m u s i c , I w o u l d n 't b e i n t e r e s t e d
i n e m p l o y i n g a n y t h i n g m o re i n d e t e r m i n a n t t h a n t h e
c i r c l e m u s ic i n E c h o e s .
In t h a t p ie c e th e e m o tio n a l
q u a l i t y , t h e te m p o , t h e d y n a m ic s , a n d t h e s e q u e n c e
o f e v e n t s were f i x e d ; t h e i n d e t e r m i n a c y i s i n t h e
a r e a o f s p a c i n g b e tw e e n s e g m e n t s , a n d c o n s e q u e n t l y
in th e v e r t i c a l a lig n m e n t.
R .S .
A re y o u s u r e t h a t s u c h p i e c e s w i l l w o rk b e f o r e
h e a r i n g th e m ?
G .C .
R .S .
Do y o u b e l i e v e t h a t t h e p r i n c i p l e o f c o m p l e t i o n i s a
v a l i d c o m p o s i t i o n a l p r o c e d u r e ? W hat I m ean b y com
p l e t i o n i s , i f o n e w as w o r k in g w i t h t h e t o t a l c h r o m a t i c ,
o n e t o n e a t a t im e m ig h t b e s t a t e d u n t i l a l l b u t t h e
f i n a l t w e l f t h to n e had o c c u r r e d ; s p e c i a l s t r u c t u r a l
p r o m in e n c e w o u ld t h e n b e g i v e n t o t h a t n o t e .
D oes th e
f a c t t h a t t h i s t w e l f t h to n e h a s n 't b e e n h e a rd g iv e i t
m o re p r o m i n e n c e , a n d d o e s t h e f a c t t h a t i t c o m p l e te s
th e c h ro m a tic s c a l e a l s o g iv e i t a d d i t i o n a l s t r u c t u r a l
v a lu e ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 4 8 G .C .
The e f f e c t o f s a v i n g a f r e s h n o t e a n d t h e n g i v i n g i t
e m p h a s is i s c o n s t a n t l y u s e d by b o th s e r i a l a n d n o n
s e r i a l co m p o se rs,
M e re ly t h e f a c t t h a t a t o n e com
p l e t e s a g i v e n s c a l e w o u ld n o r m a l l y n o t g i v e t h e t o n s
m o re s i g n i f i c a n t s t r u c t u r a l v a l u e , b u t s u c h q u e s t i o n s
w o u ld a l m o s t h a v e t o d e p e n d o n c o n t e x t .
I t 's d i f f i
c u l t to sp e ak so a b s t r a c t l y a b o u t p i tc h , s in c e any
o f th e o t h e r m u s ic a l d im e n s io n s a lo n e c o u ld g iv e o r
t a k e a w ay p ro m in e n c e t o o r f ro m a n y g i v e n t o n e .
R .S .
B e r g o n c e s t a t e d t h a t t h e g r e a t e s t m u sic r e s u l t e d
fro m e c s t a s i e s o f l o g i c .
W hat w o u ld y o u s a y a b o u t
s u c h a v i e w p o in t ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h e r e i s a k i n d o f t e n s i o n s e t u p b e tw e e n t h e
e x p r e s s iv e im p u lse , an d th e s t r u c t u r a l s id e o f m u sic ,
and t h is te n s io n - - th is se n se o f s tr u g g lin g a g a in s t
t e c h n i c a l e x ig e n c ie s c a n e n h a n c e th e m u sic a l r e s u l t a n t .
R .S .
Do y o u f e e l t h a t a g o o d c o m p o s e r c o u l d c o n c e i v a b l y go
u n d i s c o v e r e d a s a r e s u l t o f b e i n g a s lo p p y n o t a t e r ?
G .C .
C e r t a i n l y b a d e d i t i n g a n d n o t a t i o n w o u ld s t a n d i n t h e
w ay; on e n e e d s to be a s c l e a r a s p o s s i b l e .
The
b e l a t e d r e c o g n i t i o n o f I v e s p r o b a b l y h a d s o m e t h in g
t o do w i t h t h e p o o r e d i t i o n s o f h i s m u s i c .
S e v e ra l
o f h i s w o rk s a r e s t i l l i n t h a t s t a t e .
He w as w r i t i n g
s o f a s t h e m ig h t h a v e f e l t t h a t t o s p e n d a l o t o f
tim e w i t h c a r e f u l e d i t i n g w o u ld h a v e b r o k e n t h e f lo w
o f id e a s .
When h e d i d t a k e t h e t i m e , a s i n t h e c o l l e c
t i o n o f so n g s t h a t he p u b lis h e d p r i v a t e l y , th e e d i t i n g
i s q u ite c le a r , a s i s th e n o ta tio n .
R .S .
Some c o m p o s e r s f e e l t h a t t h e y n e e d t o co m p o se e v e r y
day to m a in ta in t h e i r te c h n iq u e .
How do y o u f e e l
ab o u t th is ?
G .C .
I w o u ld h a v e t o b e d o i n g s o m e t h in g e a c h d a y t h a t r e
l a t e d t o c o m p o s i t i o n , e v e n i f i t w e r e n 't a c t u a l l y
c o m p o s in g .
T h e r e a r e a lw a y s t h i n g s s u c h a s c o p y in g
a n d e d i t i n g t o d o , a n d I w o u ld f e e l t h e n e e d t o a t
l e a s t do s o m e t h in g o f t h i s n a t u r e , i f n o t c o m p o s e .
R .S .
W ould y o u i n c l u d e r e a d i n g a b o o k o n n o t a t i o n a s p a r t
o f t h i s c o m p o s itio n a l a c t i v i t y ?
G .C .
^ /L a u g h t e r 7
c a te g o r y .
N o>
som ehow se e m s i n a s e p a r a t e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 4 9 R .S .
C o u ld y o u nam e s e v e r a l t r a d i t i o n a l p i e c e s w h ic h y o u
m ig h t r e g a r d a s y o u r p e r s o n a l f a v o r i t e s ?
G .C .
T h a t w o u ld b e v e r y d i f f i c u l t .
T h ere a r e c e r t a i n
s p e c i a l p i e c e s , i n c l u d i n g some o f t h e l a t e B e e th o v e n
w o r k s ; I t h i n k t h a t m o s t c o m p o s e r s r e g a r d t h e W e ll T e m p ere d C l a v i e r v e r y h i g h l y .
T h e r e a r e som e w o rk s
w h ic h j u s t s t a n d o u t o v e r t h e o t h e r l i t e r a t u r e , b u t
t a k i n g B e e th o v e n a l o n e , t h e r e m u s t b e a t l e a s t f i f t y
w o rk s t h a t j u s t s t a n d o u t .
T a k in g t h e t h i r t y - t w o
p i a n o s o n a t a s , a t l e a s t t w e n ty h a v e t o b e i n t h a t
c a te g o ry ; o f th e s e v e n te e n s t r i n g q u a r t e t s , a t l e a s t
f o u r t e e n o r f i f t e e n u n q u e s t i o n a b l y b e lo n g t o t h e
sta n d o u t c a te g o r y .
R .S .
How i m p o r t a n t f o r y o u i s
m en t i n c o m p o s i t i o n ?
G .C .
I t u s e d t o b e m o re i m p o r t a n t t h a n i t i s now ; I u s e d
t o do q u i t e a l o t o f i t w hen I w as y o u n g e r a s a way
o f e x p e rim e n tin g w ith i d e a s .
I s t i l l s o m e tim e s im p r o
v is e in th e p re lim in a ry s ta g e s o f a p ie c e ; a t o th e r
t im e s I w o rk d i r e c t l y o n p a p e r , a n d am n o t p h y s i c a l l y
in v o lv e d w ith a n in s t r u m e n t .
When I was y o u n g e r , I
f r e q u e n t l y im p r o v is e d s o l e l y f o r p l e a s u r e , b u t now ,
i t h a s t o s e r v e t h e f u n c t i o n o f p r o m o t in g t h e w o r k in g
o u t o f c o m p o s itio n a l i d e a s .
I n t h i s w ay, i t c a n b e
u s e f u l ; i f y o u a r e u n e n c u m b e re d w i t h p a p e r , t h e f lo w
o f c o n s c i o u s n e s s i s much m ore I m m e d ia te . C e r t a i n l y ,
th e r e a r e a l l k in d s o f p r e c e d e n ts f o r t h i s .
I t w as
v e ry I m p o r ta n t f o r B e e th o v e n .
E v en a f t e r h i s h e a r i n g
d e te r io r a te d , he s t i l l lik e d to t r y o u t h is id e a s a t
th e p ia n o .
The t a c t i l e s e n s e i s v e r y i m p o r t a n t i n
m u sic .
R .S .
S t o c k h a u s e n a n d B o u l e z a s w e l l a s c e r t a i n o t h e r com
p o s e rs have c a lle d f o r o n e -h a lf, o n e - th ir d , o n e - s ix th ,
e t c . p e d a l i n t h e p i a n o . Do y o u t h i n k t h i s i s a v a l i d
e ff e c t?
G .C .
I th in k th e r e i s an e f f e c t t h a t you can c a l l h a lf p e d a l,
b u t a n y t h i n g m o re t h a n t h i s w o u ld seem t o b e o v e r l y
fu ssy .
I n m any c o n te m p o r a r y s c o r e s , y o u f i n d o v e r l y
f u s s y n u a n c e s ; t h e s e v a r io u s s h a d in g s o f p e d a l a r e a
p r im e e x a m p le .
T he m a in t h i n g i s t h a t t h e m u s ic
s h o u ld p r o j e c t u n a m b i g u o u s ly .
The sam e t h i n g i s t r u e
w ith th e s p e c i f i c a t i o n o f q u a r t e r , t h i r d , an d s i x t h
to n e s .
T h e y a l l a r e h e a r d b y m o st l i s t e n e r s m e r e ly
a s d i f f e r e n t v a r i e t i e s o f o u t o f tu n e n e s s .
I m p r o v i s a t i o n on a n i n s t r u
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 5 0 R .S .
W hat y e a r d i d y o u b e g i n p u b l i s h i n g y o u r s c o r e s w i t h
P e te rs ?
G .C .
I t w as r i g h t a f t e r t h e c o m p l e t i o n o f A n c i e n t V o i c e s
o f C h i l d r e n , s o t h a t w o u ld h a v e b e e n i n l ^ l .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k o t h e r s y s t e m s o f i n t o n a t i o n , s u c h a s
j u s t i n to n a t io n , h a v e v ia b le c o m p o s itio n a l a p p li
c a tio n s ?
G .C .
As a g e n e r a l p r i n c i p l e I w o u ld b e s k e p t i c a l a b o u t
th in g s t h a t a r e n o t r e a l l y p e r c e p tib le to th e l i s t e n e r .
I t h i n k t h a t t h e r e i s m o re o f a c h a n c e t h a t a p i e c e
w i l l p r o j e c t i f i t i s c a l c u l a t e d i n te rm s o f r e a l l y
s o u n d in g .
I w o u ld o n l y b e o p p o s e d t o f i n e d i s t i n c t i o n s
th a t a re n o t p r a c tic a l.
Many c o n te m p o r a r y c o m p o s e r s
h a v e becom e o b s e s s e d w i t h i n a u d i b l e r e f i n e m e n t s .
R .S .
How i m p o r t a n t t o t h e
w o rk in g t i t l e s ?
G .C .
T hey a r e i m p o r t a n t t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t t h e y a r e i n v o l v e d
w ith th e s p i r i t u a l c o n te n t o f th e m u sic .
In any c a se ,
t h e y h a v e a c e r t a i n s y m b o l ic m e a n in g , w h ic h i n a way
f o c u s e s som e f e e l i n g o n e h a s a b o u t a p i e c e .
F o r ex
a m p le , i f one e n t i t l e s a c o m p o s itio n " N o c tu rn e ," i t
l i m i t s a n d d e f i n e s t h e e x p r e s s iv e r a n g e ; a c e r t a i n k in d
o f m u s ic i s s u g g e s t e d .
The r e l a t i o n s h i p s i n e t h o s o r
e m o t i o n a l c h a r a c t e r b e tw e e n a n y w o r k in g t i t l e s em
p lo y e d w h ile c o m p o s in g a g iv e n p i e c e , an d th e d e f i n i
t i v e p e r m a n e n t t i t l e w o u ld i m m e d i a t e l y b e a p p a r e n t .
R .S .
G .C .
c o m p o s itio n a l p ro c e s s a r e
your
How s t r o n g h a s t h e i n f l u e n c e o f R o b e r t Sch u m an n b e e n
w i t h y o u r m u s ic ?
T h e r e h a s n ' t b e e n a s t r o n g c o n s c i o u s i n f l u e n c e fro m
n i 3 m u s i c , b u t I w o u ld s a y t h a t I l o v e m any o f S c h u
m a n n 's c o m p o s i t i o n s .
I n h i s d a y M e n d e ls s o h n w as
c o n s i d e r e d t h e p r e m i e r c o m p o s e r o f E u r o p e ; now i t
h a s b ecom e o b v i o u s t h a t Sch u m an n i s s e v e r a l t i m e s t h e
c o m p o s e r M e n d e ls s o h n w a s .
I c a n ' t i m a g in e a p i a n i s t
o r a L ie d e r s i n g e r w i th o u t Schum ann.
Sch u m an n c a n s a y
s o m uch i n s u c h a s h o r t s p a n , a n d w i t h s u c h s e e m i n g ly
s im p le m a t e r i a l s .
W hen y o u g e t t o t h e r e a l l y g r e a t
p i a n o w o r k s , s u c h a s t h e S y m p h o n ic E t u d e s , t h e C - M a jo r
F a n t a s i e (o n e o f my f a v o r i t e s a r e a l l y f a b u l o u s p i e c e ) ,
and C a r n iv a l , you a r e t a l k i n g a b o u t i n c r e d ib l e l i t e r a
tu re .
T he s o n a t a s a r e f i n e , b u t u n d e r r a t e d w o r k s , a n d
t h e r e i s a n e n o rm o u s o u t p u t o f m i n i a t u r e s , a n d
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-4 5 1 -
(G.C.) c o l l e c t i o n s o f t h o s e m any o f th e m e x t r e m e l y e l e g a n t .
You h e a r s o m uch a b o u t t h e o r c h e s t r a t i o n o f t h e
s y m p h o n ie s b e i n g d e f e c t i v e ; b a s i c a l l y , I d o n ' t f e e l
th is is tru e .
I c a n u n d e r s t a n d a fe w m o d i f i c a t i o n s ,
s u c h a s o c c a s i o n a l l y p u t t i n g t h e h o r n s w i t h t h e w ood
w in d s , b u t an y d r a s t i c o v e rh a u l i s n o t n e c e s s a r y .
I t h i n k M a h le r , f o r e x a m p le , w e n t a l i t t l e t o o f a r
w i t h t h e S chum ann s y m p h o n ie s ; h i s i n s t i n c t , w h ic h
w as a l m o s t i n f a l l i b l e i n h i s own s c o r i n g , s e e m e d fco
d e s e r t h im w hen h e b e g a n t o u c h i n g u p t h e o r c h e s t r a t i o n
o f o th e rs .
W ith t h e Sch u m an n s y m p h o n ie s , t h e o n l y
to u c h in g up t h a t n e e d s to be done u s u a ll y in v o lv e s th e
a d d i t i o n o f t h e h o r n s t o t h e w o c d w in d s - - w h ic h a r e
o c c a s io n a lly a l i t t l e w eak.
B ut a f t e r a l l , in th e
B e e th o v e n n i n t h , y o u h a v e t o d o t h e sam e t h i n g ^ /a t
t h i s p o i n t , t h e c o m p o s e r hummed a p a s s a g e f ro m B e e
t h o v e n 's N i n t h S y m p h o n y 7 ; i t ' s j u s t a m i s c a l c u l a t i o n .
I n g e n e r a l , I t h i n k S chum ann g o t t h e s o u n d t h a t h e
w a n te d .
B rahm s w as a m a r v e lo u s o r c h e s t r a t e r , a n d
n e v e r t h e le s s , you h e a r c r i t i c i s m a b o u t th e tu r g id
q u a li t y o f h i3 s c o r in g .
He w a n te d a d a r k , r i c h
f a b r i c , w h ic h i s a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t o f h i s s t y l e .
I t w o u l d n 't b e B rah m s w i t h o u t t h i s q u a l i t y .
Even
i n h i s p ia n o m u sic , he f a v o r e d v e ry r i c h v o ic in g s
i n th e lo w e r r e g i s t e r .
R .S .
W ith r e g a r d t o t h e R a c h m a n in o f f q u o t a t i o n t h a t y o u
o r i g i n a l l y i n c o r p o r a t e d i n M a k ro k o s m o s , V o l . I , d o
y o u t h i n k y o u w i l l r e i n c o r p o r a t e t h i s w hen i t b e c o m e s
a v a i l a b l e i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a in ?
G .C .
I'm r e a l l y n o t s u r e I ' v e b e c o m e f o n d o f t h e C h o p in ;
m aybe o n e d a y a d o u b l e v e r s i o n w i l l b e t h e s o l u t i o n .
I t w o u ld b e n i c e t o b e a b l e t o u s e t h e R a c h m a n in o f f
s i n c e i t w as p a r t o f t h e i n i t i a l c o n c e p t i o n .
R .S .
G .C .
W hat d o y o u t h i n k o f t h e m u s ic o f S a t i e ?
I t h i n k S a t i e ' s m u s ic i s q u i t e d r o l l ; i t c a n b e
a m u s in g a t t i m e s , b u t i t i s s o r e s t r a i n e d a n d r e s e r v e d
t h a t i t b e c o m e s t i r i n g t o t h e e a r w hen o n e h e a r s v e r y
m uch a t a t i m e .
T h e re i s v e ry l i t t l e b a s ic v a r i e t y i n
h i s m u s ic fro m o n e p i e c e t o t h e n e x t .
In te r v ie w ,
R.S.
5 A u g u s t 19 7 7
A re y o u s t r o n g l y a t t r a c t e d
to
t h e m u sic o f M e s s i a e n ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 5 2 -
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 5 3 -
R.S.
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
R.S.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 5 5 -
R.S.
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 5 6 -
G.C.
R .S.
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 5 7 -
R.S.
G.C.
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 5 8 -
R.S.
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
R.S.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 5 9 ( G .C .) o t h e r p i e c e s t h a t I h a v e n o t y e t beco m e f a m i l i a r w i t h ,
( jh e t h e o r i z i n g o f B a b b i t t h a s b e e n i n v o l v e d w i t h a n
e x t e n s i o n o f t h e s o r t o f t h i n k i n g t h a t W e b e rn , S c h o e n
b e r g , a n d o t h e r c o m p o se rs d e lv e d i n t o , a n d w ith a p p ly
in g t h i s s e r i a l lo g ic n o t o n ly to p itc h , b u t a ls o to
t h e o t h e r p a r a m e t e r s o f m u sic
R .S .
G .C .
T h o s e w o rd s a p p l y n o t o n l y t o M a k ro k o sm o s I I I , b u t
a l s o t o m any o f my c o m p o s i t i o n s ^
B a s ic a lly t h is
m e th o d o f c o n s t r u c t i o n c o n s i s t s o f t h e e l a b o r a t i o n
a n d e x p a n s i o n o f m in u t e p i t c h a n d r h y th m ic e l e m e n t s .
From t h e s e , I t e n d t o b u i l d l a r g e r s h a p e s , a s o p p o s e d
t o b e g i n n i n g w i t h , a n d w o r k in g w i t h l a r g e r u n i t s .
R .S .
I n my a n a l y s i s o f y o u r m u s i c , I h a v e f o u n d tw o l e v e l s
o f m o s a ic c o n s t r u c t i o n :
on t h e f i r s t l e v e l , p i t c h a n d
r h y th m a r e t r e a t e d i n a m a n n e r r e m i n i s c e n t o f t h e e a r l y
a t o n a l m u s ic o f S c h o e n b e r g , B e r g , a n d W e b e rn ; on t h i s
le v e l, a p itc h c e ll o f th re e o r fo u r n o te s , o r a
r h y th m ic c e l l o f a l i m i t e d n u m b e r o f a t t a c k s , o r a
c o m b i n a ti o n o f t h e s e , k e e p s r e c u r r i n g I n d e p e n d e n t l y
o f l a r g e r o r g a n i z a t i o n a l g r o u p in g s , su c h a s m o tiv e s
a n d p h r a s e s ; on t h e s e c o n d l e v e l , a l i m i t e d n u m b e r
o f e v e n t s w h ic h a r e c o m p l e te i n t h e m s e l v e s ( t h e s e
c o u ld v a r y , e . g . , a s i n g l e a t t a c k on a p e r c u s s io n
i n s t r u m e n t , a s i n g l e g l i s s a n d o , a m o ti v e i n t h e t r a
d i t i o n a l s e n s e , o r a p h r a s e ) o f t e n c o m p rise d o f
" l e v e l I " p i t c h a n d r h y th m ic u n i t s a r e c o m b in e d a n d
r e c o m b in e d ( o f t e n i n v a r i e d f o r m s ) , a n d t h u s i n l a r g e
p a r t , g e n e r a t e t h e s u b j e c t m a t t e r o f a g i v e n c o m p o s i
tio n .
G .C .
I t h in k y o u r d e s c r i p ti o n o f t h i s g e n re o f c o n s tr u c ti o n
is c o rr e c t.
S uch a m e th o d o f w o r k in g i s d i s t i n c t f ro m
th e t r a d i t i o n a l p r a c t i c e o f b u i ld i n g a ro u n d lo n g e r
th e m e s ; I t h in k t h a t t h i s " a to m iz a tio n " o f th e m u s ic a l
la n g u a g e i s a d i s t i n c t i v e t w e n t i e t h - c e n t u r y a p p r o a c h
a l t h o u g h I 'm s u r e o n e c o u l d f i n d a c e r t a i n l e v e l o f
i t i n t h e m u s ic o f e a r l i e r c o m p o s e r s .
R .S .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 6 0 ( R .S .)
s i n g l e a t t a c k , a n d s o m e tim e s t h e y c o n s t i t u t e a n e n t i r e
p h r a s e , w h ic h w o u ld se em t o c o n t r a d i c t t h e t r a d i t i o n a l
i m p l ic a ti o n s o f " m o tiv e ."
G .C .
" S o n i c e n t i t y " w o u ld b e a g o o d d e s i g n a t i o n f o r s u c h
u n i t s i t w o u ld i n c l u d e e v e r y t h i n g f ro m t h e s m a l l e s t
to th e l a r g e s t e v e n ts .
R .S .
G .C .
T h i s w a s t h e r e s u l t o f a s s o c i a t i o n s I h a d m ade w i t h a
k i n d o f c o s m ic m u s ic i n some o f t h e d e s c r i p t i v e te r m s
a n d t i t l e s w i t h in th e w o rk .
I th in k th e r e i s a c e r
t a i n q u a l i t y i n a l l t h r e e w o r k s , w h ic h m ig h t b e t e r m e d
" c o s m ic ."
T h e re i s su ch a th in g a s a c o s m ic -s o u n d in g
m u sic .
A d m itte d ly , t h i s i s a r a t h e r s u b je c t iv e id e a ,
b u t i n c e r t a i n w o r k s o f B e e th o v e n n o t a b l y i n t h e
N i n t h S y m p h o n y , a n d i n c e r t a i n m o v em e n ts o f t h e l a t e
q u a r t e t s , a s e n s e o f t h e c o s m ic i s e v o k e d .
M a h le r
o c c a s i o n a l l y t o u c h e s t h a t n o t e ; B a c h 's m u s ic i s f i l l e d
w i t h w h a t I w o u ld c a l l " c o s m ic i m p l i c a t i o n s . "
T h is
q u a l i t y i n m u sic o c c u r s i n f r e q u e n t l y ; o n e w o u ld n e v e r
c a l l a n y t h i n g b y C h o p in o r Sch u m an n c o s m i c .
The c o s m ic
q u a l i t y i n m u s ic i s d i f f i c u l t t o o b j e c t i v e l y d e f i n e ;
s u c h m u s ic e m b o d ie s c e r t a i n m y s t i c a l , s p i r i t u a l i s t i c
c o n n o ta tio n s , evokes a sen se o f v a s t d is ta n c e s , su g
g e s ts th e f a t e f u l .
To m e, t h e r e i s a s e n s e o f t h e
c o s m ic i n c e r t a i n w o rk s o f D e b u s s y .
F o r e x a m p l e , La
M er c a r r i e s t h e s e i m p l i c a t i o n s f o r me i t g o e s b e y o n d
j u s t a n o c e a n ic s e n s e ; th e E n g u lfe d C a th e d r a l a l s o h as
t h i s q u a l i t y a s I s a i d , t h e c o s m ic d i m e n s io n i s t i e d
i n w ith th e m y s t ic a l and w ith th e f e e l i n g o f v a s tn e s s
t h i s p ie c e c e r t a in l y su g g e sts th e s e s u b je c tiv e s t a t e s .
R .S .
G .C .
O f t h o s e p i e c e s o f h i s I 'v e h e a r d , I h a v e g o t t e n t h e
i m p r e s s i o n t h a t F e l d m a n 's m u s ic n e a r l y a lw a y s s e e m s t o
e m body a v e r y r e l a x e d a t m o s p h e r e .
The r a n g e o f c o n
t r a s t a n d o f e t h o s i s m uch m o re c o n s t r i c t e d t h a n I
w o u ld w a n + , p e r s o n a l l y ; h i s p i e c e s a r e s o m e w h a t l i k e
p a s te ls .
S o m e tim e s h i s m u s ic c o n t a i n s m any v e r y i n t e r
e s tin g c o lo rs .
V e r t i c a l l y , h i s m u s ic i s o f t e n i n v o l v e d
w ith im p r o v is a to ry c o in c id e n c e s .
I c a n i d e n t i f y w ith
t h a t m ood o r e t h o s - ~ a s w e l l a s w i t h F e l d m a n 's m e th o d
o f w o r k i n g , b u t I w o u ld t h i n k o f t h i s a s b e i n g , i d e a l l y ,
j u s t o n e e le m e n t o f a p o s s i b l e s t y l e , w h ic h w o u ld b e
c o n t r a s t e d w i t h s o m e t h in g e l s e .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 6 lR .S .
G .C .
I am r e f e r r i n g t o t h e e x t r a m u s i c a l i d e a s t h a t f u n c t i o n
a s p a r t o f my i n i t i a l c o n c e p t i o n s , a n d a l s o t o t h e
e x p r e s s i v e s i d e o f m u s ic i n g e n e r a l ; t h i s w o u ld i n c l u d e
a n y th in g o t h e r th a n th e o v e r t c o n s tr u c ti o n , an d o b v io u s
m e c h a n ic s o f a c o m p o s itio n .
S o m e tim e s i t i s d i f f i c u l t
t o s e p a r a t e t h e t e c h n i q u e f ro m t h e i n s p i r a t i o n t h e y
can be i n tim a te l y c o n n e c te d .
R .S .
How w o u ld y o u e x p l a i n t h e d i f f e r e n c e b e tw e e n s e r i o u s
a r t m u s i c , a n d p o p u l a r t y p e s o f m u s ic t o a n o n m u s i c ia n ?
G .C .
T hat i s a d i f f i c u l t q u e s tio n .
The d i f f e r e n c e h a s so m e
t h i n g t o do w i t h s t a n c e , t h a t i s , w i t h t h e m o t i v a t i o n
o f th e c o m p o se r.
P o p u l a r m u s ic i s w r i t t e n f o r i t s
i m m e d ia te e f f e c t .
To b e p o p u l a r , b y d e f i n i t i o n , m ea n s
t o c o m m u n ic a te d i r e c t l y a n d i m m e d i a t e l y ; w i t h s u c h
m u s ic t h e r e i s n o e x p e c t a t i o n o f r e f l e c t i o n o r m e d i t a
t i o n on th e p a r t o f th e l i s t e n e r .
T h e re fo re , th e b a s ic
i d e a o f s u c h m u s ic w o u ld h a v e t o b e r a t h e r s u p e r f i c i a l .
I d o n ' t m ean t h i s a s a c o n d e m n a t io n o f p o p u l a r m u s ic
a t a ll.
m e r e i s a n u n d e n i a b l e c r a f t i n v o l v e d ina c h ie v in g su c h m u sic .
In r e c e n t p o p u la r m u s ic , i t h a s
becom e t r a d i t i o n a l f o r th e p e rf o r m e r to a l s o be th e
c o m p o s e r ; I f i n d t h i s i n t e r e s t i n g , b e c a u s e i n a r t m u s ic
t h e tw o h a v e g o n e t h e i r own w a y s .
W ith t h e p o p u l a r
c o m p o s e r , w h e t h e r t h e r e a l m o t i v a t i o n i s c o m m e r c ia l
o r n o t (a n d i t p r o b a b l y i s i n m o s t c a s e s ) , i t w o u ld
i n a n y c a 3 e t i e i n w i t h t h e d e s i r e f o r t h e m u s ic t o
i m m e d i a t e l y becom e p o p u l a r ; t h e r e f o r e , t h e m u s ic c o u l d
n o t a f f o r d t o m ake t h e k i n d o f d e m a n d s t h a t a r t m u s ic
m akes on th e l i s t e n e r .
The w h o le a t t i t u d e s u r r o u n d i n g
p o p u l a r m u s ic i s v e r y c a s u a l .
I t i s o fte n a rra n g e d
f o r a num ber o f i n s t r u m e n t a l c o m b in a tio n s , so t h a t
t h e r e i s no one d e f i n i t i v e v e r s i o n .
O f t e n t h e com
p o s e r m e r e ly p r o v i d e s t h e m e lo d y a n d a h a r m o n ic s k e l e
to n , and le a v e s th e in s tr u m e n ta tio n to o t h e r s .
R .S .
W hat h a s b e e n y o u r r e a c t i o n
B a rb e r?
G .C .
The m u s ic o f h i s w i t h w h ic h I am f a m i l i a r w as w r i t t e n
a num ber o f y e a rs a g o .
When I f i r s t h e a r d i t d u r i n g
my c o l l e g e y e a r s , I s e n s e d a c e r t a i n e x p r e s s i v e e l e
gance.
Now, t h a t sam e m u s ic s e e m s , t h o u g h o f t e n
p l e a s a n t an d w e ll m ade, to b e lo n g to a n o th e r e r a .
I
t h i n k i t w o u ld b e h a r d t o p r e d i c t how t h a t m u s ic w i l l
to
" s p ir itu a l
t h e m u sic o f S a m u el
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-462( G .C . ) h o l d u p I n t e r m s o f e n g a g i n g f u t u r e a u d i e n c e s , j u s t
a s I t i s a l t o g e t h e r i m p o s s i b l e t o know w h ic h m u s ic o f
m o re r e c e n t y e a r s w i l l s u r v i v e .
W e r e s t i l l to o c l o s e
i n t im e t o c o m p o s e r s s u c h a s B a r b e r a n d C o p la n d .
To
m e, t h e d e g r e e o f b o l d n e s s i n r e l a t i o n s h i p t o a n y
a s p e c t o f m u s ic i s a l m o s t i r r e l e v a n t , a s f a r a s t h e
q u a l i t y o f t h e m u sic i s c o n c e r n e d .
The q u e s t i o n o f
th e im p o r ta n c e o f b o ld n e s s o r in n o v a t i o n i s a d i f f i
c u lt one.
I t h i n k t o s u r v i v e , m u s ic h a s t o h a v e t h e
p o t e n t i a l to engage th e a tt e n ti o n o f l i s t e n e r s , and
to c a p tu r e t h e i r im a g in a tio n s o v e r th e lo n g ru n
w h a te v e r t h i s q u a l i t y i s i n m u sic i t i s im p o s s ib le
to know .
R .S .
To me B a r b e r 's A d a g io f o r S t r i n g s s t a n d s o u t , i n r e l a
t i o n t o t h e o t h e r m u s ic b y h im w i t h w h ic h I am f a m i l i a r .
I s i t p o s s ib l e f o r a c o m p o ser to w r i te o n ly one m a s te r
p ie c e ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t t h i s w o u ld b e p o s s i b l e , a l t h o u g h t h e r e a r e
p r o b a b l y m o re c a s e s o f s u c h a t h i n g i n t h e l i t e r a r y
w o r l d t h e r e a r e m o re c a s e s o f a s i n g l e g r e a t b o o k ,
th a n t h e r e a r e o f a s in g l e g r e a t c o m p o s itio n .
One
t h i n k s o f H u m p e r d in c k 's H a n s e l a n d G r e t e l a n d G o u n o d 's
F a u s t.
R .S .
How w o u ld y o u c o m p a re t h e e x p e r i e n c e o f l i s t e n i n g t o
m u s ic w i t h s c o r e , w i t h t h e e x p e r i e n c e o f l i s t e n i n g t o
m u s ic w i t h o u t s c o r e ?
G .C .
I l i k e t o do b o t h ; s o m e tim e s I d o l i k e t o f o l l o w t h e
s c o r e , b u t I t h i n k i t i s g o o d a l s o t o l i s t e n t o m u s ic
w i t h o u t t h e s c o r e , s i n c e m u s ic i s p r i m a r i l y s o m e t h in g
w h ic h I s c r e a t e d t o " e n t e r t h e e a r . "
Of c o u r s e , b e in g
i n m u s ic a s a p r o f e s s i o n a l , I am I n t e r e s t e d i n I t s
v i s u a l a s p e c t , w h e r e a s , I am s u r e t h a t t h e r e a r e v e r y
i n t e l l i g e n t l i s t e n e r s , who w o u ld n o t c a r e t o f o l l o w
th e s c o re w h ile l i s t e n i n g .
W ith t r a d i t i o n a l s t y l e s ,
t h e s c o r e i s n o t i n th e w ay, an d c a n b e a n a id to c o n
c e n t r a t i o n , b u t w i t h c o n te m p o r a r y m u s ic i n t h e m o re
a b s t r a c t s t y l e s , th e s c o re i s v e ry o f te n a h in d ra n c e
to th e f u l l a p p r e c ia tio n o f th e f i r s t h e a rin g , b e c au se
one c a n so e a s i l y g e t c a u g h t u p w ith a tte m p tin g to
f o llo w su ch a s c o re , to th e d e trim e n t o f r e c e iv in g
t h e f u l l im p a c t o f th e m u s ic .
A f t e r a l l , f o llo w in g
th e s c o re i s n o t th e p o i n t, so i t i s b e t t e r w ith s c o re s
t h a t p re s e n t d i f f i c u l t i e s in fo llo w in g , to f i r s t l i s t e n
t o t h e m u s ic w i t h o u t s c o r e .
O t h e r w is e i t w o u ld b e m o re
d i f f i c u l t t o e v a l u a t e t h e m u s ic f a i r l y .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 6 3 R .S .
How v a l u a b l e d o y o u f e e l t h a t k n o w le d g e o f f o r e i g n
l a n g u a g e s i s t o a c o m p o s e r?
G .C .
J u s t i n g e n e r a l , I f e e l t h a t a l i t t l e la n g u a g e t r a i n i n g
w o u ld b e v a l u a b l e f o r a n y o n e c o m p o s e r o r n o n c o m p o s e r -i n te r m s o f c u l t u r a l a p p r e c i a t i o n .
I n te r m s o f t h e
c o m p o s e r , i f o n e w e re s e t t i n g a f o r e i g n t e x t , o ne w o u ld
n e e d som e k n o w le d g e o f t h e l a n g u a g e , J u s t t o d e a l w i t h
t h e p r o b le m o f s e t t i n g t h e w o r d s . A l s o , a l l o f t h e
v o c a l m u sic w h ic h i s s e t i n f o r e i g n la n g u a g e s w o u ld
b eco m e m uch m o re m e a n i n g f u l i f o n e w e r e f a m i l i a r w i t h
th e g iv e n la n g u a g e s .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k i t i s i m p o r t a n t f o r a y o u n g c o m p o se r to
e n t e r a l o t o f c o m p e titio n s ?
G .C .
I s u p p o s e i t d o e s n o h a rm , a s l o n g a s t h i s
t h i n g d o e s n o t becom e a c e n t r a l c o n c e r n .
R .S .
G .C .
I th in k i t i s a n im p r e s s iv e c o m p o s itio n .
I t exem
p l i f i e s a l l o f t h e t e c h n i q u e s P e n d e r e p k i h a s e v o lv e d .
T he p a s s i o n i s i n v e n t i v e i n t e r m s o f t h e o r c h e s t r a l
f a b r i c , and th e v o c a l w r i ti n g i s v e ry im p re ss iv e a t
tim e s .
I n a s e n s e , i t i s o n e o f t h e few c o n te m p o ra r y
c h o r a l w o rk s t h a t s u c c e s s f u l l y m ak e s a l a r g e r g e s t u r e
c o m p a r a b le t o t h a t o f som e o f t h e o l d e r l a r g e c h o r a l
w o rk s.
R .S .
Why i s i t t h a t c o m p o s i t i o n a l m a t u r i t y se em s t o be
r e a c h e d a t a s o m uch l a t e r a g e t h a n w as t h e c a s e w i t h
co m p o se rs o f th e t r a d i t i o n ?
G .C .
P r o b a b l y b e c a u s e o f t h e w id e v a r i e t y o f c o m p o s i t i o n a l
t e c h n iq u e s t h a t a r e a v a i l a b l e a n d a r e b e in g u s e d ; i n
a w ay, y o u n g c o m p o s e r s a r e s lo w e d down b y t h e m u l t i
p lic ity of in flu e n c e s .
A ls o , w ith th e re a d y a v a i l a
b i l i t y o f r e c o r d i n g s , i t h a s b eco m e p o s s i b l e a n d
d e s i r a b l e t o becom e a c q u a i n t e d n o t o n l y w i t h t h e m u sic
o f t h e p a s t , b u t a l s o w i t h t h e m u s ic o f o t h e r c u l t u r e s ,
a n d w i t h t h e l a r g e q u a n t i t y o f m u s ic b e i n g w r i t t e n b y
t o d a y 's c o m p o s e rs.
T h e r e i s s o m uch m o re now t h a t n e e d s
t o b e a b s o r b e d , b e f o r e a v i a b l e s t y l e c a n b e d e v e lo p e d .
A l s o , c o m p o s i t i o n i n t h e s e n s e o f a c t u a l l y w r i t i n g m u sic
d o w n , w as a n a c t i v i t y w h ic h w as u n d e r t a k e n a t a much
e a r l i e r age by co m p o se rs o f th e t r a d i t i o n , th a n i s
th e c a se to d a y .
so rt of
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-464R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t t h e t i m b r a l s i d e o f m u s ic h a s
a c h i e v e d , i n t o d a y 's m u s i c , e q u a l i m p o r ta n c e w i t h
t h e o t h e r p a r a m e t e r s o f m u s ic ?
G .C .
I t h in k i t h a s a c h ie v e d t h i s i n c e r t a i n m u s ic s , b u t
w ith in a g iv e n p ie c e t h e r e i s a s h i f t i n g h i e r a r c h y o f
m u s i c a l d i m e n s i o n s , s o t h a t p i t c h m ig h t b e m o re im p o r
t a n t i n a p a r t i c u l a r p a s s a g e , a n d a c o m b in a tio n o f
p i t c h a n d t i m b r e w o u ld d o m in a te a n o t h e r p a s s a g e .
In
g e n e r a l , I t h i n k t i m b r e h a s b eco m e e v e n m o re i m p o r t a n t
t h a n i t w as i n D e b u s s y .
R .S .
W ith t h e a d d e d d i m e n s io n o f t i m b r e , i t a p p e a r s t h a t t h e
q u a l i t y o f m u s ic w o u ld b e e n h a n c e d .
G .C .
I d o n 't t h in k th e e x p l o i t a t i o n o f tim b re h a s a n y th in g
t o do w i t h t h e i n t r i n s i c q u a l i t y o f m u s i c . A f t e r a l l ,
yo u c o u l d s a y t h a t G r e g o r i a n C h a n t i s l a c k i n g t h e
d i m e n s io n s o f h a rm o n y , c o u n t e r p o i n t , a n d y e t i t s m u s i
c a l i m p a c t c a n b e o v e r w h e lm in g .
The n u m b e r o f m a t e r i a l s
a v a i l a b l e t o a n a r t i s t d o e s n 't r e a l l y d e t e r m i n e t h e
q u a lity o f h is p ro d u c tio n s.
A c o m p o s e r m ig h t h a v e a
v e ry l im it e d s t y l e i n c e r t a i n w ay s, an d s t i l l be a
g reat a r t i s t .
One c o u l d s a y t h a t C h o p in d e n i e d h im
s e l f a l l o f th e o r c h e s t r a l p o s s i b i l i t i e s i n t h a t he
w r o t e v e r y few w o rk s t h a t i n v o l v e a n y t h i n g o t h e r t h a n
p ia n o .
B ut w ith in t h i s one ra n g e , you have su c h an
im p re ss iv e d is p la y o f m u s i c a lity i
I t i s a s i f he
s e n s e d t h a t t h i s i s w h a t h e c o u l d w o rk w i t h , a n d s o
l i m i t e d h i m s e l f t o t h i s m ed iu m .
R .S .
I g u e s s e v e ry c o m p o se r e v e n t u a l l y d e c id e s on a c e r t a i n
m u s ic a l v o c a b u la r y .
G .C .
T h a t 's r i g h t , b e c a u s e t h e r e a r e n o w o rk s t h a t u s e a l l
o r even a f r a c t i o n o f one p e r c e n t o f th e e x i s t i n g
p o s s ib ilitie s .
A c h o ic e , w h e th e r c o n s c io u s o r u n co n
s c i o u s w o u ld h a v e t o b e m a d e .
R .S .
One i n t e r e s t i n g t h i n g a b o u t m u s ic f o r me i s t h a t t h e
co m p o ser w ith th e s m a l le s t m u s ic a l v o c a b u la r y c o u ld
c o n c e iv a b ly be a f in e a r t i 3 t , w h e re a s , th e com poser
w ith th e l a r g e s t m u s ic a l v o c a b u la ry o f te n t u r n s o u t
to be a t e r r i b l e a r t i s t .
G .C .
Y e s , i n f a c t t h e r e a r e m any u n s u c c e s s f u l c o n te m p o r a r y
w o rk s w h ic h I h a v e h e a r d t h a t f a i l l a r g e l y a s a r e s u l t
o f t r y i n g to p u l l in e v e r y th in g , an d you a r e l e f t upon
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-465( G . C .) h e a r i n g th e m w i t h a n i m p r e s s i o n o f d i s o r g a n i z a t i o n .
M aybe t h e r e a r e t o o m any t i m b r e s , o r m aybe t o e m any
t h e m a t i c i d e a s , o r m aybe t h e r h y th m s a r e m u d d le d
th ro u g h c o m p le x ity a n d o v e ra b u n d a n c e ; i n su c h c a s e s
t h e p r o p e r h i e r a r c h y o f m u s i c a l i d e a s w o u ld b e o b
s c u re d , p e rh a p s l o s t .
I t h a s a lw a y s i n t e r e s t e d me
t h a t th e h i e r a r c h y o f m u s ic a l id e a s i n im p r e s s iv e
m u s ic i s a lw a y s v e r y c l e a r .
T h o u g h s u c h m u s ic w o u ld
n o d o u b t b e v e r y c o m p le x p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y ( i t w o u ld
h a v e t o b e , f o r t h e m u s ic t o c o n t i n u e h o l d i n g i t s
i n t e r e s t ) , t h e c o m p o s e r i s a b l e t o m ake t h e p r im a r y
i d e a s so u n d p r im a ry , a n d th e s e c o n d a r y id e a s so u n d
seco n d ary .
R .S .
You s t a t e d i n a n e a
i m p o r t a n t f o r m u sic
t h a t m u s ic m ig h t b e
a s B a c h a t t h e sam e
r l i e r in te r v ie w t h a t i t i s v e ry
in any s ty le to have c l a r i t y , and
a s s i m p l e a s B a c h a n d a s c o m p le x
tim e .
W hat d i d y o u m ean b y t h i s ?
G .C .
I g u e s s I w as t r y i n g t o s a y t h a t i t d o e s n 't r e a l l y
m ake s e n s e t o e v a l u a t e a p i e c e i n t e r m s o f s i m p l i c i t y
a n d c o m p le x ity .
W hat r e a l l y d o e s o n e m ean when h e
s a y s a p i e c e i s o v e r l y c o m p le x , o r o v e r l y s im p le ?
P e rh ap s c l a r i t y i s th e b e t t e r te rm , s in c e in an un
s u c c e s s f u l p ie c e , t h i s i s w hat e m erg es.
M u sic n e e d s
to h a v e a p r o p e r ly h a n d le d h i e r a r c h y o f i d e a s , so
t h a t th e e x p re s s iv e i n t e n t o f th e com poser i s c l e a r .
I n t e r m s o f B a c h , m any o f h i s c o m p o s i t i o n s a r e o f a
h i g h o r d e r o f c o m p l e x i t y , i n te r m s o f c o n s t r u c t i o n ,
a n d y e t e x p r e s s i v e l y h i s w o rk s n e a r l y a lw a y s a r e v e r y
c l e a r a n d d i r e c t ; t h e y m ig h t b e m y s t e r i o u s o r p r o
v o c a t i v e , o r seem t o o p e n t h i n g s u p , b u t t h e y a r e
s t i l l c le a r in s u g g e stin g th e s e q u a l i t i e s .
R .S .
G .C .
A f t e r I c o m p l e te t h e i n k c o p y o f a s c o r e , I s h o r t l y
t h e r e a f t e r s u b m it i t t o P e t e r s , a n d u n t i l t h e f i n a l
p r i n t e d e d i t i o n i s p r e p a r e d som e t h r e e o r f o u r y e a r s
l a t e r , t h e y s e n d o u t c o p i e s o f t h e m a n u s c r i p t fro m
f i l m t r a n s p a r e n c i e s m ade d i r e c t l y f ro m t h e m a n u s c r i p t .
U s u a lly , an y a l t e r a t i o n o f th e m a n u s c r ip t p r i o r to
t h e p r e p a r a t i o n o f t h e f i n a l p r i n t e d s c o r e ^ w h ic h i s
a n e x a c t d u p l i c a t i o n o_f t h e c o m p o s e r 's m a n u s c r i p t ,
v ia th e o f f s e t p r o c e s ^ / in v o lv e s o n ly e d it i n g c h a n g e s ,
t h o u g h i n som e c a s e s a n a s p e c t s u c h a s a n u n s u c c e s s f u l
i n s t r u m e n t a l t e c h n i q u e , o r s o m e t h in g t h a t d i d n ' t s o u n d
v e r y w e l l , m ig h t b e a d j u s t e d .
T h e re i s n e v e r an y
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 6 6 ( G .C .) d r a s t i c o v e r h a u l o f a p i e c e .
I d i d c o m p l e te a s i x t h
m o vem ent o f M ak ro k o sm o s I I I w h ic h I l a t e r d e c i d e d
n o t to u s e ; a l s o , in th e F o u r N o c tu rn e s f o r V io lin
a n d P la n o t h e r e w as o r i g i n a l l y a f i f t h m o v em en t
w h ic h w as s c r a t c h e d .
In th e l a t t e r p ie c e , th e c u t
w as n o t m ade u n t i l t h e f i r s t r e h e a r s a l h a d t r a n s p i r e d .
T h e s e w e r e t h e o n l y tw o c a s e s t h a t p i e c e s w h ic h w e re
a c t u a l l y c o m p l e te d w e r e a b a n d o n e d .
T h e r e w as t h e
q u e s t i o n i n my m in d o f w h e t h e r t h e s e m o v e m e n ts a d d e d
a n y t h i n g , a n d I cam e t o t h e c o n c l u s i o n t h a t t h e y d i d
n o t.
R .S .
I n y o u r m u s ic f o r v o i c e a n d i n s t r u m e n t s , I h a v e b e e n
im p re s s e d w ith y o u r e x p l o i t a t i o n o f th e v o ic e , t h i s
s o m e tim e s i n v o l v i n g v e r y f l o r i d g r a c e - n o t e p a s s a g e s ,
an d la r g e , d i f f i c u l t le a p s in r a p id s u c c e s s io n .
C o u ld
y o u com m ent o n y o u r c o n v i c t i o n s a s t o t h e c a p a b i l i t i e s
o f th e v o ic e ?
G .C .
I th in k t h a t th e v o ic e i s v e ry v e r s a t i l e , an d t h a t o n ly
a sm a ll f r a c t i o n o f th e r ic h p o s s i b i l i t i e s have a c tu a l ly
been u se d .
I t h i n k t h a t t h e r e a r e m any t e c h n i q u e s w h ic h
a r e b o t h p o s s i b l e a n d i d i o m a t i c f o r v o i c e , w h ic h d o n o t
f o rm p a r t o f t h e c o n v e n t i o n a l s t y l e o f t h e e i g h t e e n t h
and n in e te e n th c e n tu r ie s .
Good m u s i c i a n s t r a i n e d i n
t r a d i t i o n a l t e c h n i q u e s c a n a c q u i r e t h e s e new t e c h n i q u e s
i f th e y a r e w i l l i n g to e x p e rim e n t w ith t h e i r i n s t r u
m e n ts i n o r d e r t o s o l v e t h e p r o b le m s o f c o n te m p o r a r y
v o c a l r e q u ir e m e n ts ; i f one had b e e n t r a i n e d i n a t r a
d i t i o n a l s c h o o l o f s in g in g , th e n one h a s to in v e n t
new w a y s t o h a n d l e c e r t a i n p r o b le m s w h ic h c r o p u p i n
c o n te m p o r a r y m u s i c .
S u c h p r o b le m s a r e u s u a l l y s o l v
a b le i f th e com poser h a s any s e n s i t i v i t y a t a l l to
t h e v o i c e , e v e n th o u g h t h e s e m ig h t l o o k o u t r a g e o u s on
t h e p a g e I n te r m s o f a n y e a r l i e r v o c a l s t y l e .
P itc h ,
o f c o u r s e , i s a p r o b le m i n much n ew m u s ic w h ic h
a c t u a l l y g o e s beyond te c h n iq u e , b u t e v e n t h i s c an be
a c q u i r e d t o som e e x t e n t t h r o u g h e a r t r a i n i n g a n d e x e r
c is e s .
J a n D e G a e ta n i i s a go o d e x a m p le o f a v e r y f i n e
s i n g e r o f new m u s ic who d o e s n o t h a v e p e r f e c t p i t c h ,
b u t who h a s a c q u i r e d f l u e n c y i n t h e h a n d l i n g o f p i t c h
a n d t e c h n i c a l p r o b le m s t h r o u g h g o o d m u s i c i a n s h i p , a n d
a good s e n s e o f r e l a t i v e p i tc h .
R .S .
D id y o u c o m p o se a l l o f t h e m u s ic t o N i g h t o f t h e F o u r
M oons i n n i n e d a y s ?
G .C .
C o n c e p t u a l l y i t w as a l l t h e r e , a n d t h e r e w e r e n o t e s
f o r a l l o f th e sp a ce t h a t th e p ie c e o c c u p ie s , b u t I
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
467( G .C .) a l l o w e d m uch r e v i s i o n a f t e r t h a t .
B u t f o r me t o h a v e
g o t t e n a n y v e r s i o n o f a p i e c e down i n t h a t tim e w as
v e ry u n u s u a l, s in c e
I w o rk v e r y s l o w l y .
R .S .
W hat p r o b le m s d i d t h e g l a s s r o d , o r i g i n a l l y c a l l e d
f o r i n t h e f i r s t p i e c e o f M a k ro k o s m o s . V o l . I , p r o
d u c e t h a t m ade y o u d e c i d e n o t t o u s e i t ?
G .C .
I w as e x p e r i m e n t i n g o n my p i a n o w h i l e c o m p o s in g t h a t
p i e c e , a n d t h e r o d se em e d t o w o r k , b u t on a f u l l c o n
c e r t g r a n d , D a v id B u rg e d i s c o v e r e d t h a t t h e r o d w o u ld
f l y o u t o f th e p ia n o a l t o g e t h e r _ b e c a u s e o f t h e g r e a t e r
s tr i n g le n g th , I su p p o se.
I d i d k e e p t h e r o d i n Vox
B a l a e n a e , b u t t h e r e i t i s p l a y e d o n t h e m id d l e s t r i n g s -;
b u t e v en t h e r e , i t h e lp s to ta p e th e ro d to one o f th e
beam s w i t h a s m a l l p i e c e o f m a s k in g t a p e , i n o r d e r t o
k e e p i t f ro m m o v in g
a r o u n d t o o m u ch .
R .S .
In a t h e a t r e o f th e
a b s u r d c o n t e x t , I c a n i m a g in e
h avin g a gla3S rod f l y i n g o u t o f t h e piano and b reak in g
on t h e f l o o r /la u g h t e r y 7-
G .C .
T h a t 's r i g h t ,
R .S .
W ould y o u s a y t h a t y o u r m u s ic i s
if
o n e w a n te d t h a t e f f e c t .
G .C .
Y es, I t h i n k s o , i n th e s e n s e o f b e in g a k in d o f l y r i c a l
m u sic , an d i n th e u s e o f r e p e t i t i o n an d r e s t a te m e n t in
th e c o n s t r u c t i o n o f fo rm s .
R .S .
I n t e r m s o f o r c h e s t r a t i o n , t h o u g h , y o u r m u s ic i s m o re
e x p e r i m e n t a l t h a n j u s t a b o u t a n y m u s ic b e i n g w r i t t e n .
G .C .
Y es, b u t I d o n 't t h i n k o f t h i s a s b e in g n o n t r a d i t i o n a l .
E x p e r im e n ta tio n w ith th e p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f in s tr u m e n ts
h a s a lw a y s b e e n u n d e r t a k e n by a n u m b e r o f c o m p o s e r s .
I h e a r t h i s , f o r e x a m p le , i n m uch o f t h e m u s ic o f
B e e th o v e n , an d y e t e x p e r im e n ta tio n w ith th e s e p o s s i
b i l i t i e s i s a lm o s t n e v e r m e n tio n e d a s an im p o r ta n t
f a c to r in h is s ty le .
B e e t h o v e n 's p i a n o s o n a t a s a r e
v e r y e x p e r i m e n t a l i n te r m s o f s o u n d , n o t o n l y i n
te r m s o f h i s u s a g e o f e x te n d e d r a n g e a n d p e d a l i n n o
v a t i o n s , b u t e v e n m o re s o i n t e r m s o f v o i c i n g s .
He
w as u s i n g u n u s u a l s p a c i n g s a n d d o u b l i n g s t h a t y o u
j u s t d o n 't f i n d i n M o z a rt.
He a l s o e x p l o i t e d t h e
r e g i s t e r s o f th e p ia n o v e ry e f f e c t i v e l y .
And D e b u s s y
i s a n o t h e r e x a m p le o f a c o m p o s e r who w as i n v o l v e d w i t h
e x p e rim e n ta tio n .
W ith h i s i m a g i n a t i v e u s e o f t h e d a m p e r
p e d a l, h e c o m p le te ly tr a n s fo r m e d th e s o n ic c h a r a c t e r o f
th e p ia n o .
o r ie n te d ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 6 8 R .S .
When y o u a r e d o i n g y o u r c o p y w o r k , do y o u p r e f e r com
p l e t e s i l e n c e , o r do y o u l i k e t o h a v e some b a c k g r o u n d
sound?
G .C .
B a c k g r o u n d n o i s e d o e s n 't b o t h e r me w hen I am c o p y i n g ,
b e c a u s e t h a t i s p u r e l y m e c h a n i c a l w o r k . A few y e a r s
b a c k , I w o u ld s o m e tim e s l i s t e n t o b a c k g r o u n d m u sic
w h i l e c o p y i n g , b u t now I n o r m a l l y w o u l d n 't do t h i s ;
h o w e v e r , i f I h e a r d my s o n , D a v i d , p r a c t i c i n g , t h a t
w o u l d n 't b o t h e r me i n f a c t , t h a t w o u ld b e k i n d o f
n ic e .
R .S .
We t a l k e d a b o u t t h e v a l u e o f l i s t e n i n g t o m u s ic w h i l e
y o u a r e d o i n g s o m e t h in g e l s e , a n d y o u s a i d i t w o u ld
be o f l i t t l e v a lu e .
I 'v e fo u n d t h a t i f you l i s t e n to
a p i e c e s e v e r a l t i m e s w h i l e y o u a r e c o n c e n t r a t i n g on
s o m e t h in g e l s e s u c h a s c o p y w o rk , t h e n w hen y o u
do d e v o te y o u r f u l l a t t e n t i o n to l i s t e n i n g to t h a t
p a r t i c u l a r p ie c e , i t rin g s in y o u r e a r a f t e r a s in g le
h e a r i n g , w h e r e a s , o t h e r w i s e i t m ig h t r e q u i r e r e p e a t e d
l i s t e n i n g s to a c h ie v e t h i s .
G .C .
I 'm s u r e y o u a r e r i g h t ; t h e r e I s a k i n d o f s u b l i m i n a l
a b s o r p t i o n , b u t t h e r e a r e a l o t o f p e o p le who w o u ld
n e v e r d e v o te t h e i r f u l l a t t e n t i o n t o i t a l l o f t h e i r
l i s t e n i n g w o u ld p r o b a b l y b e o f t h e p a s s i v e v a r i e t y .
R .S .
You i n d i c a t e d i n t h e p e r f o r m a n c e r o t e s t o M a k ro k o s m o s ,
V o l. I I , t h a t c e r t a i n o f th e f o u r - p i e c e p a r t s i n b o th
v o lu m e s o f M a krokosm o s p i e c e s m ig h t b e d e t a c h e d , a n d
p la y e d s e p a r a t e l y .
C o u ld o n e a l s o d e t a c h s i n g l e
p ie c e s ?
G .C .
When I o r i g i n a l l y d e s i g n e d t h e s e t s o f M ak ro k o sm o s
p i e c e s , I w as t h i n k i n g o f a l l o f t h e p i e c e s b e i n g
e x t r a c t a b l e a s a r e th e D eb u ssy P r e lu d e s , b u t i t d i d n 't
r e a l l y w o rk o u t t h a t w a y .
T h ey a r e s h o r t e r p i e c e s f o r
o n e t h i n g , a n d a ra n d o m s e l e c t i o n w o u l d n 't m ake much
s e n s e , b u t th e f o u r - p i e c e g r o u p in g s o f th e v a r io u s
s e c t i o n s w o u ld p r o v i d e e x p r e s s i v e c u r v e s .
Of th e s ix
p o s s i b l e g r o u p i n g s w i t h i n t h e tw o v o lu m e s , som e w o u ld
n o d o u b t w o rk b e t t e r t h a n o t h e r s .
I n t h e f i r s t v o lu m e ,
I w o u ld t h i n k t h a t t h e m id d l e f o u r p i e c e s w o u ld b e t h e
m o st e f f e c t i v e g r o u p in g , a n d th e f i r s t f o u r p i e c e s
becau se o f t h e i r in tr o d u c to r y c h a ra c te r l e a s t
e ff e c tiv e .
I n t h e s e c o n d v o lu m e , t h e f i r s t f o u r p i e c e s
w o u ld b e t h e m o s t d e s i r a b l e g r o u p i n g , a n d t h e m id d l e
f o u r w o u ld b e t h e l e a s t e f f e c t i v e .
C e rta in s in g le
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 6 9 ( G .C .) p i e c e s c o u l d b e e x t r a c t e d , b u t I am n o t s u r e how much
t h e y w o u ld g a i n t h e g r o u p i n g s o f f o u r p i e c e s w o u ld
b e m ore s a t i s f a c t o r y .
I w o u ld l o v e t o w r i t e a n o t h e r
p i a n o w o rk o n e d a y , w i t h l o n g e r p i e c e s t h a t w o u ld
s ta n d a lo n e .
R .S .
W hat a b o u t d e t a c h i n g p a r t s o f t h e F i v e P i e c e s ?
G .C .
N o, t h o s e w o u ld h a v e t o b e p e r f o r m e d a s a w h o l e ,
b e c a u s e o f t h e s y m m e tr ic a l s t r u c t u r e .
R .S .
I n t h e f i r s t tw o M a k ro k o sm o s v o lu m e s , w h a t a b o u t t a k i n g
th e f i r s t p ie c e o f e a ch g ro u p o f f o u r , o r th e l a s t p ie c e
o f e a c h g ro u p ? T h ere a r e c e r t a i n m u s ic a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s
b e tw e e n t h e s e p i e c e s .
G .C .
I h a d n 't e v e n th o u g h t o f s u c h a p o s s i b i l i t y .
I w o u ld
h a v e t o go t h r o u g h e a c h v o lu m e , c o n s i d e r i n g t h a t
p o s s ib ility .
I t w o u ld d e p e n d o n f a c t o r s o f tem p o
c o n t r a s t , a n d o t h e r e l e m e n t s , b u t m aybe i t w o u ld w o rk
o u t.
I w o u ld w a n t t o go t h r o u g h t h e v o lu m e s w i t h t h i s
i n m in d , b e f o r e I o f f e r e d a n o p i n i o n .
R .S .
I n D a v id C o p e 's b o o k o n t w e n t i e t h - c e n t u r y c o m p o s i t i o n ,
he r e f e r s to " a n tim u s ic ."
C o u ld y o u com m ent o n t h i s ?
G .C .
I t h i n k h e i s r e f e r r i n g p r i m a r i l y t o c e r t a i n W e st
C o a s t d e v e lo p m e n ts .
To me t h i s d i r e c t i o n d o e s n 't
seem p r e g n a n t w i t h p o s s i b i l i t i e s .
R .S .
One o f t h e e x e r c i s e s h e s u g g e s t s i s t o b u i l d a n i n s t r u
m e n t t h a t w i l l p l a y i t s e l f , s u c h a s w in d c h im e s , a n d
t o t a k e t h i s t o t h e m o s t r e m o te a r e a p o s s i b l e , l e a v e
th e In stru m e n t t h e r e , d e p a rt, and n e v e r r e t u r n .
Do
you ta k e t h i s k in d o f t h in g s e r io u s ly ?
G .C .
T h e r e i s D a d a - ty p e t h i n k i n g i n t h e b a c k g r o u n d o f t h i s
ty p e o f a c t i v i t y .
Such an e x e r c i s e a s you d e s c r ib e
i s t h e k i n d o f t h i n g t h a t m ig h t b e d o n e o n c e m a y b e ,
to n g u e -in -c h e e k .
B u t I s u p p o s e t h a t som e o f t h e s e
p e o p le a r e s e r i o u s a b o u t t h i s s o r t o f t h i n g , a s a
m a tte r o f f a c t .
T h i s m ig h t r e l a t e t o s o m e t h in g w h ic h
i s o u t o f k i l t e r i n o u r c i v i l i z a t i o n ; i t seem s l i k e
a v e r y n e g a t i v e w ay o f a p p r o a c h i n g a r t .
I t m ig h t
a l s o r e l a t e t o t h e u s e o f m i n d - b e n d in g d r u g s , w h ic h
I am s u r e h a s h a d som e i n f l u e n c e w i t h i n t h e f i e l d o f
s e r i o u s c o m p o s itio n ; I s u s p e c t th o u g h , t h a t t h e s e n e v e r
l e a d t o a n y v i s i o n s t h a t m ake s e n s e a s a r t .
Tfte o n l y
d ru g t h a t seem s t o h e l p c o m p o se rs i s c o f f e e . / I a u g h t e r 7 .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 7 0 R .S .
W hat d o y o u t h i n k o f t h e s lo w r e p e t i t i v e , p h a s e d t y p e
o f m u s ic s u c h a s S t e v e R e ic h a n d T e r r y R i l e y a r e i n t o ?
G .C .
The p r i n c i p l e , I t h i n k , i s i n t e r e s t i n g , b u t e v e r y t h i n g
u l t i m a t e l y d e p e n d s on w h a t e l s e i s g o i n g on i n t h e
m u s i c , t h a t i s , on c o n t e x t .
T h ere a r e b r i e f p h a ses in
W o zzeck w h ic h a r e b e a u t i f u l l y h a n d l e d .
T h is p r i n c i p l e
c o u ld ev e n be a p p li e d t o a n e n t i r e c o m p o s itio n , a s h a s
b e e n d o n e b y t h e tw o c o m p o s e r s t h a t y o u m e n t i o n e d .
M o st o f t h e p i e c e s I h a v e h e a r d o f t h a t k i n d , h o w e v e r ,
d o n ' t q u i t e m ake i t ; t h e b a s i c i d e a i s p r a c t i c a l l y t h e
o n ly id e a in th e s e p ie c e s , an d t h i s i s n o t r ic h enough
t o s u s t a i n o n e 's i n t e r e s t .
The e l a b o r a t i o n o f t h i s
s i n g l e s im p le id e a i s s u p p o s e d t o g e n e r a t e s u b t l e t i e s
w h ic h w o u ld k e e p t h e i n t e r e s t o f t h e m u s ic a l i v e f o r
r e l a t i v e l y lo n g p e rio d s o f tim e , b u t t h i s n e v e r q u i te
seem s t o h a p p e n .
In o t h e r w o rd s, m o st o f th e p ie c e s
I h a v e h e a r d w h ic h w e re b a s e d on t h i s p r i n c i p l e , seem
r a t h e r m e c h a n ic a lly c o n s tr u c te d , r a t h e r th a n i n s p i r e d .
A r a r e e x a m p le o f a m u s ic w h ic h i s q u i t e m in im a l i n
c o n c e p t , b u t w h ic h w o rk s v e r y w e l l i s S c h o e n b e r g 's
F a r b e n am S e e ; t h i s p i e c e i s s o a r t i s t i c a l l y h a n d le d
t h a t i t s e em s t o l i v e t o q u i v e r w i t h l i f e .
I am s u r e
t h a t m any c o m p o s e r s who a r e i n t o t h e m in im a l a s p e c t s
o f c o m p o s itio n h av e b e e n i n f l u e n c e d by t h i s p i e c e .
I n te r v ie w ,
10 S e p te m b e r 1 9 7 7
R .S .
W hat d o y o u f e e l i s
to s o c ie ty ?
t h e p r im a r y v a l u e o f a r t m u s ic
G-.C.
I n v e r y g e n e r a l t e r m s , a n y t h i n g w h ic h h a s e x c e p t i o n a l
e x c e l l e n c e be i t a m u s ic a l c o m p o s itio n , a p a in t i n g ,
a l i t e r a r y w o rk , o r w h a te v e r , i s p a r t o f th e s p i r
i t u a l i n h e r i t a n c e o f o n e 's c u l t u r e , a n d i s a v a i l a b l e
a s a r ic h p o te n tia l so u rc e o f g r a t i f i c a t i o n .
W h e th e r
t h i s s o u rc e i s ta p p e d o r n o t i s u p t o e a c h i n d i v i d u a l .
I s u p p o s e m u s ic h a s n o r e a l v a l u e i n p r a c t i c a l t e r m s ,
b u t I t h in k t h i s i s a ls o t r u e o f th e m o st im p o rta n t
th in g s in l i f e and in th e w o rld .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k i t w o u ld b e f e a s i b l e f o r a y o u n g p e r s o n
s t u d y i n g t o becom e a c o m p o s e r t o f o r e g o t r a d i t i o n a l
h a rm o n y a n d c o u n t e r p o i n t ?
G .C .
N o.
I t h in k i t i s im p o r ta n t t o h a v e a b a c k g ro u n d i n
t r a d i t i o n a l th e o r y , a s a k in d o f d i s c i p l i n e a n d e a r
tra in in g .
I t i n c r e a s e s o n e 's u n d e r s t a n d i n g o f how
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
471( G .C .) m u s ic w o rk e d i n t h e p a s t ; h a v in g a n a w a r e n e s s o f t h e
t o n a l s y s te m w h ic h d o m in a te d m u s ic f o r c e n t u r i e s
w o u ld c e r t a i n l y g i v e i n s i g h t s i n t o new m u s i c , a n d
i n to th e c o m p o s itio n a l p ro c e s s in g e n e r a l.
R .S .
I n t o t h e p r o g ra m t o S t a r - C h i l d , y o u s t a t e d t h a t t h i s
c o m p o s itio n h ad n o p a r t i c u l a r p h i lo s o p h ic a l b a s i s ,
a n d t h i s se e m e d t o i m p ly t h a t some o f y o u r o t h e r w o rk s
m u s t b e b a s e d on p h i l o s o p h i c a l b a s e s ?
G .C .
N ot r e a l l y .
I t h i n k o f a l l o f my m u sic o n l y i n te r m s
o f m u s i c ; o f t e n t o o m uch i s m ade o f v a g u e p r o g r a m a t i c
i d e a s a n d e x t r a m u s i c a l a s s o c i a t i o n s p e o p le g e t fro m
th e v a rio u s w o rk s.
H o w e v e r, h a l f o f my w o rk s i n v o l v e
t h e s e t t i n g o f t e x t s , a n d w ith th e s e , t h e r e i s o b v i
o u s l y 3ome e x t r a m u s i c a l m e a n in g p r o j e c t e d a s p a r t o f
t h e w o rk .
R .S .
Was y o u r B l a c k A n g e ls w r i t t e n a s a p r o t e s t a g a i n s t t h e
V ie tn a m W ar?
G .C .
I t w as w r i t t e n a s a p r o t e s t a g a i n s t w a r g e n e r a l l y . I t
I s t r u e t h a t i t w as w r i t t e n d u r i n g t h e V ie tn a m W ar, a n d
I t m ig h t n o t h a v e b e e n w r i t t e n a t a n y o t h e r t i m e ; b u t
i t h a s a lw a y s se em e d t o me t h a t a m u s i c a l w o rk c a n n o t
becom e s o a c t u a l o r s p e c i f i c .
I f th e s u b je c t i s i n
h u m a n i t y , t h i s w o u ld b e a g e n e r a l i z a t i o n t h a t a p p l i e s
to any p e rio d .
R .S .
When I t h i n k o f B l a c k A n g e ls i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h w a r ,
I th in k o f th e s c re a m in g so u n d s o f th e s t r i n g s , b u t
o t h e r t h a n t h i s t y p e o f e f f e c t , how c a n t h e i d e a o f
w a r b e r e f l e c t e d i n a p i e c e o f m u sic ?
G .C .
T h a t 's r i g h t .
I t i s i n c r e d i b l e t h a t s o much i s d e r i v e d
a n d v e r b a l i z e d fro m m u s ic i n g e n e r a l .
T a k in g t h e m u sic
o f B e e th o v e n , y o u h e a r s u c h q u e s tio n s a s , "w hat i s th e
r e a l m e a n in g o f t h e f i f t h sy m p h o n y ?" You h e a r d i s
c u s s io n s a b o u t th e a s p e c t o f s tru g g le and i t s re s o
l u t i o n i n t h e f i n a l e , o r t h e c u r i o u s m e a n in g o f t h e
r e t u r n o f th e s c h e rz o in th e f i n a l e , o r q u e s tio n s
s u c h a s , " w h a t i s t h e m e a n in g o f t h e s e c o n d th em e o f
t h e s e c o n d m o v e m e n t? " , e t c . .
S u c h m a t t e r s m ig h t b e
f u n t o t a l k a b o u t f o r som e p e o p l e , b u t c o n s i d e r a t i o n s
o f t h i s k i n d a r e c o m p l e t e l y o u t s i d e t h e r e a lm , o f
m u sic .
R .S .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 7 2 G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t t h i s s t a t e m e n t s im p ly r e f l e c t e d my
f e e l i n g s a t th e tim e ; t h a t i s , th o s e t h in g s p ro b a b ly
w e re g o i n g t h r o u g h my m in d , a n d i n f l u e n c e d me t o a
c e r ta in e x te n t.
H o w e v e r, I d i d n ' t a c t u a l l y s i t down
a n d s a y t o m y s e l f , " I 'm g o i n g t o w r i t e t h i s p i e c e i n
p r o te s t o f w a r", o r a n y th in g l ik e t h a t :
m u s ic i s n o t
c a p a b l e o f c a r r y i n g l i n g u i s t i c c o m m u n ic a tio n .
I t is
i n t e r e s t i n g , a l o n g t h e s e l i n e s , t h a t m any p i e c e s
b e a r i n g p r o g r a m a t i c t i t l e s w e re g i v e n t h o s e t i t l e s
a f t e r t h e w o rk s w e re c o m p l e te d a n e x a m p le t h a t co m es
t o m in d i n P e n d e r e g k i 's T h re n o d y f o r t h e V i c ti m s o f
H iro sh im a .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u b e a l i t t l e m o re s p e c i f i c a b o u t why y o u c o n
s i d e r e d B la c k A n g e l s t o b e a p r o t e s t ?
G .C .
The i n d i c a t i o n i n t h e s c o r e i s s im p ly I n T em p o re B e l l i
( i . e . i n tim e o f w a r ) , w h ic h was s u g g e s t e d b y t h e Haydn
m ass c a r r y in g t h a t t i t l e ; an d so t h i s i n s c r i p t i o n
f i x e d t h e e r a d u r i n g w h ic h t h e p i e c e w as w r i t t e n .
B l a c k A n g e ls w as w r i t t e n p u r e l y a s a m u s i c a l e x p r e s s i o n ,
a l t h o u g h I am s u r e t h a t o n e 's e n v ir o n m e n t , a n d e v e n t s
o f g r e a t s i g n i f i c a n c e a lw a y s i n f l u e n c e o n e ' s m u sic
s u b lim in a lly .
R .S .
W hat do y o u t h i n k o f s p e c i a l l i g h t i n g e f f e c t s , s u c h
a s c o lo re d l i g h t s , and s tr o b e l i g h t s f la s h in g o f f
a n d on i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h s e r i o u s m u sic ?
G .C .
I n a c o u p le o f p i e c e s I h a v e g iv e n c a s u a l i n d i c a t i o n s
f o r a fe w e f f e c t s , b u t i n t h e c a s e w h e re s u c h e f f e c t s
becom e a n i m p o r t a n t p a r t o f t h e t o t a l c o n c e p t i o n , I am
n o t to o e n t h u s i a s t i c .
I t s t r i k e s me t h a t d a r k n e s s
w o u ld b e t h e m o re f a v o r a b l e e n v ir o n m e n t ; w hen I w as
y o u n g e r , I w o u ld s o m e tim e s l i s t e n t o r e c o r d i n g s , a n d
p l a y t h e p ia n o u n d e r t h e s e c o n d i t i o n s t h e a u r a l
sen se i s g re a tly enhanced.
I n a way t h e r e i s a lw a y s
a b a t t l e b e tw e e n t h e v i s u a l a n d t h e a u r a l .
I th in k
t h a t e l a b o r a t e l i g h t i n g e f f e c t s w o u ld t e n d t o d e t r a c t
fro m , r a t h e r th a n to e n h a n c e , th e a u r a l im p r e s s io n s a
l i s t e n e r w o u ld r e c e i v e .
R .S .
Do y o u a t t e m p t t o e v o k e a d e f i n i t e e m o t i o n a l r e s p o n s e
fro m t h e a u d i e n c e w i t h y o u r c o m p o s i ti o n s ?
G .C .
I d o n 't b e li e v e t h a t th e co m p o ser i s t h in k i n g a b o u t
t h e a u d i e n c e w hen h e w r i t e s a p i e c e .
He i s w o r k in g
a p i e c e o u t i n t e r m s o f h i s own r e s p o n s e s ; i n a w ay ,
t h e c o m p o s e r i s h i s own a u d i e n c e w h i l e h e i s w r i t i n g
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 7 3 (G .C . ) a p i e c e .
M aybe t h e q u e s t i o n s h o u l d b e " i s t h e com
p o s e r t r y i n g t o e v o k e som e e m o t i o n a l r e s p o n s e w i t h i n
h im s e lf? "
A f t e r a c o m p o s i t i o n i s c o m p l e t e d , a com
p o s e r t h e n h o p e s t h a t t h e m u s ic w i l l c o m m u n ic a te t o
o t h e r s i n t h e sam e w ay t h a t i t c o m m u n ic a te d t o h im .
R .S .
How v a l u a b l e d o y o u f e e l j a z z h a s b e e n a s a n i n f l u e n c e
on t o d a y 's c o m p o s e rs?
G .C .
R .S .
D id y o u e v e r p l a y j a z z o r p o p u l a r m u sic p r o f e s s i o n a l l y ?
G .C .
Y e s , a s a s t u d e n t I p l a y e d a l i t t l e p o p u l a r m u s ic o n
p ia n o w ith a g r o u p .
I t w as m o re a l o n g t h e l i n e s o f
a c o m m e r c ia l t y p e o f d a n c e m u s ic t h a n i t w as a l o n g
th o s e o f j a z z .
We p l a y e d fro m t h e s o - c a l l e d f a k e
b o o k s , a n d f ro m m em o ry .
R .S .
G .C .
One o f t h e m a in t h i n g s t h a t l e d me i n t o t h e u s e o f
a m p l i f i c a t i o n w as my d e s i r e t o p r o j e c t d e l i c a t e t i m b r e s .
I t h e n b e c am e i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e " l a r g e r t h a n l i f e "
s o u n d t h a t y o u c a n g e t fro m a m p l i f i c a t i o n .
I w as
n e v e r i n te r e s te d in th e d i s t o r ti o n a s p e c ts and p o s s i
b i l i t i e s , e x c e p t f o r som e r e v e r b e r a t i o n i n B l a c k
A n g e l s . When a n i n s t r u m e n t i s a m p l i f i e d , t h e r e i s
a c u r i o u s a m b i e n c e ; i t i s m o re t h a n j u s t a l a r g e r
r e a l o r n a t u r a l s o u n d a n o t h e r d i m e n s io n h a s b e e n
added.
I d o n 't s e e a m p l i f i c a t i o n a s n e c e s s a r i l y th e
o n l y , o r e v e n t h e p r i m a r y , mode o f p e r f o r m a n c e f o r
m u s ic o f t h e f u t u r e .
I s im p ly f e l t I n e e d e d i t f o r
c e r t a i n w o rk s.
I a c t u a l l y h a v e n 't u s e d a n y a m p l i
f i c a t i o n s i n c e M u s ic f o r a Summer E v e n i n g .
R .S .
A re y o u i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e s p e c i a l s o u n d e f f e c t s o n e
c a n g e t f ro m c e r t a i n a m p l i f i e r s ?
G .C .
N o.
I am s u r e t h e r e i s f e r t i l e t e r r i t o r y t h e r e f o r
c o m p o s e rs , b u t I h a v e n o t p e r s o n a l ly b e e n so i n t e r e s t e d
in t h i s .
One p r o b le m w i t h t h i s w o u ld b e t h e m any v a r i
a b l e s f ro m a m p l i f i e r t o a m p l i f i e r .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 7 4 R .S .
C o u ld y o u d i s c u s s t h e r o l e
i n y o u r m u s ic ?
i m p r o v is a tio n h a s p la y e d
G .C .
I h a v e n 't r e a l l y u s e d m uch i m p r o v i s a t i o n , b u t t h e
q u a l i t y o f i m p r o v i s a t i o n i s s o m e t h in g w h ic h I h a v e
i n c o r p o r a t e d i n t o my m u s i c .
I h a v e s o m e tim e s g i v e n
p a s s a g e s d e s i g n a t i o n s su c h a s Q u a si Im p r o v ls a n d o
i n o t h e r w o r d s , I am i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e s t y l e , T u t
n o t th e s u b s ta n c e o f im p r o v is a tio n .
M aybe t h i s
d e r i v e s f ro m t h e R o m a n tic c o m p o s e r s .
One t h i n k s o f
m any o f t h e i r w o r k s a s b e i n g som ehow i m p r o v i s a t o r y ,
e s p e c i a l l y c e r t a i n w o rk s o f C h o p i n .
The o n e w o rk
o f m in e i n w h ic h i m p r o v i s a t i o n p l a y e d a s i g n i f i c a n t
r o l e , N i g h t M u sic I , h a s now b e e n r e v i s e d :
th e
im p r o v is e d p a s s a g e s h a v e b e e n w r i t t e n o u t .
I fe lt
t h a t t h e s e p a s s a g e s w e re n o t p r e d i c t a b l e e n o u g h ,
s i n c e t h e y o c c u r r e d w i t h i n o t h e r s e c t i o n s w h ic h w e re
w o rk e d o u t .
I f e l t t h a t th e im p r o v is e d s e c t i o n s
s o u n d e d som ehow l e s s i m p r e s s i v e .
To p e r f o r m t h o s e
p a s s a g e s a s th e y w e re , s e v e r a l m u s ic ia n s h ad to
i m p r o v i s e a t t h e sam e t i m e , a n d h a d t o b e e q u a l l y
i n s p i r e d o n t h e sam e d a y a n d t h e sam e h o u r , w h ic h
i s m o re t h a n o n e c a n e x p e c t s t a t i s t i c a l l y .
I s ta te d
t h a t t h e i m p r o v i s a t i o n i n t h a t w o rk s h o u l d b e d o n e
i n th e c o n te x t o f th e o t h e r m u sic , b u t you n e v e r
know .
One c o u l d g e t a C - m a jo r s c a l e .
I fe e l b e tte r
now t h a t i t i s w r i t t e n o u t .
R .S .
H ave y o u b e e n i n t e r e s t e d i n t h e u s e o f i m p r o v i s a t i o n
by F o s s a n d o t h e r c o m p o se rs?
G .C .
R .S .
How w o u ld y o u d e f i n e e x p r e s s i o n i n m u s ic ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t e a c h v i a b l e p i e c e o f m u s ic h a s i t s own
e th o s o r e s s e n t i a l c h a r a c te r , and e a ch p ie c e , in
p u r e l y m u s i c a l t e r m s , c o m m u n ic a te s t h a t e t h o s .
I
w o u ld k e e p t h e d e f i n i t i o n t h i s g e n e r a l .
In th e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 7 5 ( G .C .) B a r o q u e p e r i o d , m u s ic w as t i e d i n w i t h v e r y d e f i n i t e
g e s t u r e s ; t o me t h i s " d o c t r i n e o f a f f e c t i o n s " se em s
a r a t h e r s c h o la s tic a p p ro a c h .
To me t h e e t h o s i s
th e u lti m a t e s u b s ta n c e th e t o t a l s e n se o f a p ie c e ,
a n d i n e v e r y w e l l- c o m p o s e d p i e c e o f m u s i c , t h i s
a s p e c t i s v e ry c l e a r .
E v en i n a w o rk w h ic h i s v e r y
c o m p le x p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y , i f i t i s w e l l c o m p o s e d , t h e
e th o s w i l l b e p e r f e c t l y c l e a r .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u com m ent o n t h e v a l u e o f e x t r a m u s i c a l
i n f l u e n c e s i n c o m p o s itio n ?
G .C .
I t h i n k e x t r a m u s i c a l e le m e n ts an d i d e a s h a v e p la y e d
a n i m p o r t a n t r o l e i n t h e m u s ic o f c e r t a i n c o m p o s e r s
o f a l l p e rio d s .
H o w e v e r, s u c h c o n c e p t u a l i d e a s a r e
i m p o r t a n t o n l y t o t h e c o m p o s e r , a n d t o t h e com po
s i t i o n a l p r o c e s s ; t h e s e w o u ld n t be a t a l l im p o r ta n t
f o r th e l i s t e n e r t o b e aw a re o f .
I t is in te r e s tin g
t h a t th e g r e a t e s t m a s te rs o f s o - c a l l e d a b s t r a c t m u sic ,
B e e th o v e n a n d B ach , w ere so i n v o lv e d w ith e x tr a m u s i c a l
im p u ls e s .
R .S .
A re y o u o p t i m i s t i c
G .C .
Y e s , I t h i n k m u s ic a lw a y s r e n e w s i t s e l f .
I t m ay f l a g
a t c e r t a i n i n t e r v a l s , b u t i t s m omentum i s a lw a y s
re g a in e d .
The p o s s i b i l i t i e s a r e i n e x h a u s t i b l e ;
m u s ic w i l l n e v e r r u n o u t o f m a t e r i a l s .
C e r ta in te c h
n i c a l p r o c e d u r e s may beco m e e x h a u s t e d , b u t new p r o
c e d u r e s w i l l a lw a y s r e p l a c e t h e s e .
W ith r e g a r d to
th e s m a ll f o ll o w i n g o f s e r i o u s c o n te m p o ra ry m u sic ,
o b v io u s ly i f t h e r e a r e co m p o sers t h a t a r e w r i t i n g
m u s ic , a n d p e o p le a r e n o t h e a r i n g i t , a n d a r e n o t
i n t e r e s t e d i n h e a r i n g i t , s o m e t h in g i s o u t o f k i l t e r .
On t h e o t h e r h a n d , i t i s p o s s i b l e t h a t t h e r e a r e n o
s u p e rb c o m p o se rs l i v i n g a t t h i s p a r t i c u l a r tim e .
D u rin g th e p a s t t w e n ty - f iv e y e a r s , th o u g h , I h a v e s e e n
a l o t o f m u s ic m ove f ro m t h e c a t e g o r y o f c o n t r o v e r s i a l
o v e r to th e r e p e r to r y .
I t t a k e s a l i t t l e t im e f o r t h i s
t o h a p p e n , b u t m any w o rk s o f B a r t o k a n d S t r a v i n s k y
now f r e q u e n t l y a p p e a r t o h a v e b e e n a c c e p t e d b y t h e
g e n e ra l m u sic a l p u b lic .
a b o u t t h e f u t u r e o f s e r i o u s m u s ic ?
R .S .
Why i s
G .C .
I am d i s t u r b e d b y t h e s p a s t i c q u a l i t y p r o d u c e d b y t h e
e x t r e m e l y f a s t h a r m o n ic rh y th m a n d r a t e o f g e n e r a l
ch a n g e i n S c h o e n b e rg s m u sic ; S tr a v i n s k y a l s o f e l t
t h i s w ay.
S c h o e n b e r g 's m e t a b o li s m w as f i v e t im e s
S c h o e n b e r g 's m u s ic s o h a r d t o
lis te n
to ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 7 6 (G .C . ) f a s t e r t h a n t h a t o f m o st m u s i c i a n s ; t h i n g s h a p p e n
to o f a s t in th e m u sic ; i t i s a t o t a l l y d i f f e r e n t
s e n se o f tim e .
H is i s a n i n c r e d i b l y i n t e n s e s t y l e ,
d e r i v e d fro m C e n t r a l E u ro p e a n e x p r e s s i o n i s m , w h ic h
s e ld o m se e m s t o r e l a x i n a s i g n i f i c a n t w a y ; i t
a lw a y s s e em s t o b e s t r i v i n g .
T h i s i n t e n s i t y may
s te m fro m W a g n e r 's T r i s t a n , b u t e v e n T r i s t a n h a s
p o i n t s o f im m ense r e p o s e M a h le r h a s p o i n t s o f
im m e n se r e p o s e : t h e r e a r e a lm o s t n o p o i n t s o f
r e p o s e i n S c h o e n b e r g 's m u s i c .
R .S .
I s i t t r u e t h a t y o u p u b l i s h e d y o u r own s c o r e s f o r a
few y e a r s ?
G .C .
F o r s e v e r a l y e a r s , I h a d t h e m a s t e r s f o r p h o to p r i n t s ,
a n d w o u ld s e n d o u t c o p i e s , a s t h e y w e re r e q u e s t e d , b y
m a il.
T h i s w as b e f o r e a n y w o r k a b le r e l a t i o n s h i p h a d
b een e s ta b lis h e d w ith a p u b lis h e r.
E v en i n t h o s e
e a r l i e r y e a r s , t h e in v o lv e m e n t i n te r m s o f tim e a n d
e n e r g y w as e n o r m o u s .
T h is i n c l u d e d t h e p a c k i n g a n d
p r e p a r a t i o n o f s c o r e s , a n d c o m m u n i c a t io n s . By t h e
tim e y o u h a v e e x p e n d e d a l l o f t h i s t i m e , a n y i n c r e a s e
i n r o y a l t i e s w o u ld seem t o b e l e s s t h a n a d e q u a t e
c o m p e n s a tio n .
P u b l i s h e r s w o u ld b e a b l e t o p r o m o te
th e s c o r e s f a r b e t t e r th a n a n y i n d i v i d u a l c o u ld .
When I w as s e n d i n g o u t my own s c o r e s , I w o u ld s im p l y
resp o n d to i n q u ir ie s .
I t w a s n 't e v e n a n n o u n c e d a n y
w h e re t h a t t h e s c o r e s w e re a v a i l a b l e .
R .S .
Why do y o u t h i n k i t i s t h a t a lm o s t e v e r y g r e a t c o m p o s e r
had a k e y b o a rd in s tr u m e n t a s h i s m a jo r in s tr u m e n t?
G .C .
F o r one t h i n g , w ith th e p ia n o t h e r e i s th e p o s s i b i l i t y
o f g e t t i n g t h e t o t a l so u n d o f t h e m u s ic t h r o u g h i m p r o v i
s a tio n .
T h a t i s p e r h a p s t h e m ain r e a s o n .
I t i s no
d o u b t s ti m u l a t i o n to a co m p o ser, e s p e c i a l l y i n h i s
e a r l i e r y e a r s , t o h a v e a c o m p l e te a n d t o t a l o u t l e t f o r
h i s i d e a s , su c h a s k e y b o a rd in s tr u m e n ts p r o v id e .
R .S .
Do y o u p r e f e r w r i t i n g a p i e c e fro m b e g i n n i n g t o e n d ,
o r do y o u s o m e tim e s w r i t e t h e s e c t i o n s o u t o f o r d e r ?
G .C .
U s u a lly th e id e a s a r e i n i t i a l l y d e r iv e d o u t s i d e o f
t h e i r lo g ic a l and f in a l o rd e r.
O fte n th e f i r s t im p u lse s
o f a p i e c e t h a t o c c u r t o me a r e n o t t h e f i r s t i d e a s o f
t h e c o m p l e te d p i e c e .
I t j u s t s e em s t o h a p p e n t h a t
w ay.
R .S .
W hat a r e som e o f t h e a d v a n ta g e s o f b e l o n g i n g t o
o r g a n i z a t i o n a s ASCAP o r EMI?
s u c h an
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 7 7 G .C .
I h a v e a c o u p l e o f w o rk s w i t h ASCAP, a n d a l l o f t h e
o t h e r s a r e w i t h BMI.
T h ese o r g a n i z a ti o n s a r e a s o u rc e
o f r o y a l t i e s f o r th e c o m p o ser; su ch r o y a l t i e s a r e
d i s t r i b u t e d a c c o r d i n g t o t h e n u m b er o f p a i d p e r f o r m a n c e s ,
t h e n u m b e r o f t i m e s t h e w o rk s o f a c o m p o s e r a r e p l a y e d
o v e r th e r a d io , e tc .
T h e y h a v e b e e n w o r k in g o n t h e
p o s s i b i l i t y o f a ls o g iv in g r o y a ltie s f o r u n iv e r s ity
p e r f o r m a n c e s , b u t I 'm n o t s u r e w h e t h e r o r n o t t h i s
p o l ic y h a s y e t b e e n a d o p te d .
F o r m o st c o m p o s e rs, I
t h i n k t h a t t h e l a r g e s t p o r t i o n o f r o y a l t i e s co m es
f ro m ASCAP o r BMI, r a t h e r t h a n fro m s u c h t h i n g s a s
p u b l ic a ti o n and s a le s o f r e c o r d in g s .
R .S .
How v a l u a b l e do y o u f e e l t h a t s u c h o r g a n i z a t i o n s a s
t h e A m e ric a n S o c i e t y o f U n i v e r s i t y C o m p o se rs h a v e
p r o v e n t o be ?
G .C .
R .S .
How i m p o r t a n t i s i n n o v a t i o n a s a c r i t e r i o n
t h e i n t r i n s i c w o r th o f a c o m p o s i ti o n ?
G .C .
I t h in k t h a t i n a l a r g e r s e n s e th a n i s n o rm a lly
a s s o c i a te d w ith th e te rm , in n o v a tio n i s im p o r ta n t.
A p i e c e m ig h t n o t u s e a n y e x t r a o r d i n a r y t i m b r a l ,
r h y t h m i c , o r h a rm o n ic d e v i c e s , a n d y e t t h e u l t i m a t e
s e n s e o f t h a t w o rk c a n s t i l l b e i n n o v a t i v e .
The u s e
o f m o re f a m i l i a r e l e m e n t s i n new w ays a n d i n new
c o m b in a tio n s i s , I t h i n k , an im p o r ta n t k in d o f
in n o v a tio n .
in
ju d g in g
I n t e r v i e w , 26 S e p te m b e r 1977
R .S .
How g o o d o f a c o m p o s e r d o y o u t h i n k L i s z t vras?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 7 8 G .C .
I have n e v e r been in te r e s te d in L is z t.
I have h e a rd
a l l o f t h e t o n e p o e m s , t h e F a u s t S y m p h o n y , t h e tw o
c o n c e r t o s , a n d a good d e a l o t th e p ia n o m u s ic .
It
i s s o m e tim e s v e r y p l e a s a n t , b u t n o t v e r y p r o f o u n d .
I h av e h e a rd s e v e r a l o f th o s e l a t e p ia n o p i e c e s t h a t
w e r e m ade a g o o d d e a l o f a s p r e f i g u r i n g D e b u s s y ; I
fo u n d t h e s e i n t e r e s t i n g i n a w ay, b u t n o t v e r y e f f e c
t i v e a s m u sic , d e s p i t e t h e i r a d v a n c e d m u s ic a l la n g u a g e .
E v e n t h e F a u s t Sym phony i s a d v a n c e d i n i t s l a n g u a g e
to a d e g r e e i t b e g i n s w i t h f o u r d i f f e r e n t a u g m e n te d
t r i a d s , p r o d u c in g a l l tw e lv e t o n e s .
S o m e tim e s t h e s e
c o m p o se rs h a v e a vogue f o r a w h ile .
A few y e a r s a g o
t h e r e w as a b i g s t i r a b o u t S a t i e ' s m u s i c , w h ic h a g a i n
i s a p l e a s a n t m u s i c , b u t w h ic h i s v e r y l i m i t e d i n i t s
e x p r e s s i v e r a n g e , a n d w h ic h s e e m s i n c a p a b l e o f s u s
t a i n i n g p ro lo n g e d i n t e r e s t .
T he L i s z t B - m in o r S o n a t a
i s e f f e c t i v e , in a w ay, b u t i t i s j u s t n o t a s t a s t e f u l
a s C h o p i n 's m u s ic i n g e n e r a l .
Many o f t h e L i s z t p i a n o
p ie c e s a r e v e r y , v e ry b r i l l i a n t , an d a r e m o st im a g in a t iv e in th e u se o f th e in s tru m e n t, b u t t h i s d o e s n o t
s a y m uch a b o u t t h e a c t u a l q u a l i t y o f t h e m u s i c .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u d i s c u s s y o u r u s e o f m o v em en t fro m p l a c e
p la c e by p e rfo rm e rs d u r in g p e rfo rm a n c e s o f y o u r
m u s ic ?
to
G .C .
A fe w o f my w o rk s d o i n v o l v e som e k i n d o f m o v em e n t
d u r i n g p e r f o r m a n c e ; m o s t n o t a b l y , E c h o e s o f T im e a n d
t h e R i v e r a n d N i g h t o f t h e F o u r M o o n s.
S o m e tim e s my
u s e o f m ovem ent e m a n a t e s f ro m t h e n a t u r e o f t h e s i t u
a t i o n ; e . g . , I m ig h t h a v e p e r f o r m e r s o n s t a g e , b u t
d e s i r e o f f - s t a g e e f f e c t s b y t h e sam e p l a y e r s ; i n
N i g h t o f t h e F o u r M oons t h e e x i t i n s u c h a s i t u a t i o n
is s tr u c tu r e d .
In o t h e r w o rd s, th e p e rfo rm e rs a r e
p l a y i n g a s t h e y e x i t , s o t h a t t h e m o v em en t b e c o m e s
a n i n t e g r a l p a r t o f th e c o m p o s itio n .
R .S .
W hat w e re y o u r p r i m a r y m o t i v e s f o r u s i n g s u c h e f f e c t s ?
G .C .
I n t h e c a s e o f N i g h t o f t h e F o u r M o o n s, I s i m p l y w a n te d
th e o f f - s t a g e e f f e c t , and t h i s p r e s e n te d th e q u e s tio n
o f how t o g e t t h e p e r f o r m e r s e f f e c t i v e l y o f f o f t h e
s ta g e .
I t s e e m e d t o me t h a t t h e b e s t w ay t o d o t h i s
w o u ld b e t o p r o v i d e p r o c e s s i o n a l m u s ic w h i l e t h e e x i t s
w e re b e i n g m a d e , w i t h t h e p e r f o r m e r s p l a y i n g a s t h e y
l e f t ( r a t h e r t h a n j u s t h a v i n g th e m w a lk o u t ) .
An
e a r l i e r e x a m p le o f t h i s i s H a y d n 's F a r e w e l l S y m p h o n y ,
i n w h ic h c a s e t h e p l a y e r s s im p l y l e a v e t h e s t a g e ,
c re a tin g a th e a te r e f f e c t.
I n E c h o e s o f T im e and, t h e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-479( G .C .) R i v e r t h e p r o c e s s i o n i s a s y m b o l ic r e p r e s e n t a t i o n o f
t h e f lo w o f t i m e , w h ic h i s r e p r e s e n t e d b y t h e p e r
fo rm e rs b o th v i s u a l l y and a c o u s t i c a l l y .
R .S .
A lo n g t h e s e sam e l i n e s , c o u l d y o u d i s c u s s t h e p o t e n t i a l
o f s p a c e a s a p a ra m e te r o f m u s ic a l c o m p o s itio n ?
G .C .
I th in k th e c o m p o s itio n a l u sa g e o f sp a c e o f f e r s g r e a t
p o s s ib ilitie s .
C o m p o s e rs t o d a y s e em t o b e t a k i n g a n
i n t e r e s t i n t h e s e p o s s i b i l i t i e s , w h ic h o f c o u r s e ,
h av e t h e i r r o o t s i n th e a n ti p h o n a l m u sic s o f th e
R e n a i s s a n c e a n d M e d ie v a l p r o c e s s i o n s .
O p e ra i s f u l l
o f s u c h u s a g e s , w i t h o c c a s i o n a l i n s t r u m e n t a l m u s ic
b e i n g p e r f o r m e d o n s t a g e , a n d f r e q u e n t m o vem ent o f
th e s i n g e r s .
I t m ay b e t h a t t h e i n v e n t i o n o f s t e r e o
p h o n ic an d q u a d ra p h o n ic so u n d h a s ren ew ed a n i n t e r e s t
in th e m u sic a l p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f s p a c e .
A se rio u s
d r a w b a c k o f s u c h e f f e c t s a r e t h e m a rk e d d i f f e r e n c e s
i n v a rio u s c o n c e rt h a l l s .
B u t on th e o t h e r h a n d , I
h a v e n e v e r f e l t t h a t t h e s e d e v i c e s w e re i n d i s p e n s a b l e
i n my own m u s i c .
I t i s n i c e i f th e c o m p o s itio n s c a n
b e p e r f o r m e d a s c o n c e i v e d , b u t I a lw a y s a t t e m p t t o
m ake t h e m u 3 ic t h e m a in t h i n g , s o t h a t s u c h e f f e c t s ,
I b e lie v e , a re r e a l ly o p tio n a l.
R .S .
I o n c e knew a c o m p o s e r who s e t a t e x t , a n d t h e n f o u n d
o u t t h a t i t w as n o t a v a i l a b l e i n t h e p u b l i c d o m a in .
He t h e n p r o c e e d e d t o f i n d a new t e x t f o r t h e m u s i c ,
o n ly c h a n g in g th e o r i g i n a l s c o r e i n te rm s o f s l i g h t
r h y th m ic v a r i a n t s s u g g e s t e d b y t h e new t e x t .
W hat
w o u ld y o u s a y a b o u t s u c h a p r o c e d u r e ?
G .C .
I w o u ld t h i n k t h a t t h i s w o u ld b e v e r y d i f f i c u l t t o d o ,
w ith o u t d e s tr o y in g th e v i a b i l i t y o f th e c o m p o s itio n .
One w o u ld h a v e t o b e d e s p e r a t e t o a t t e m p t s o m e t h in g
o f t h i s n a tu r e / l a u g h t e r / . A f te r a l l , a t e x t s e t to
m u s ic i s c o n n e c t e d t o t h a t m u s ic i n m y s t e r i o u s w a y s ;
s u c h a p r o c e d u r e w o u ld a l m o s t h a v e t o l e a d t o i n
c o n g r u e n c y b e tw e e n t e x t a n d m u s i c .
R .S .
When I l i s t e n t o r e c o r d s o f t h e g r e a t c h o r a l m u 3 ic o f
th e t r a d i t i o n , I ve n o tic e d t h a t d e s p it e th e f a c t t h a t
t h e t e x t i s u s u a l l y v e r y d i f f i c u l t t o c o m p re h e n d I
s u p p o s e b e c a u s e s o m any v o i c e s a r e l n v o l v e d - - t h e m u s ic
n e v e rth e le s s r e ta in s i t s v i a b i l i t y .
C o u ld y o u com m ent
on th e im p o rta n c e o f t h e c o m p re h e n sio n o f a g iv e n t e x t ,
i n r e l a t i o n s h i p t o t h e o v e r a l l im p a c t o f t h e m u s ic ?
G .C .
I a g re e w ith you t h a t , b e in g r e a l i s t i c , p e rh a p s n i n e t y f i v e p e r c e n t o f t h e w o rd s a r e l o s t t o t h e l i s t e n e r
d u r in g a p e rfo rm a n c e o f a c h o r a l w o rk , o r e v e n i n a
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 8 0 ( G .C .) w o rk i n v o l v i n g s o l o v o i c e s .
W ith w o rk s i n a n y l a n
g u a g e e v e n i n o n e s n a t i v e l a n g u a g e m e lis m a s a n d
o t h e r f a c t o r s t e n d t o w o rk a g a i n s t t h e c l a r i t y o f
th e la n g u a g e .
I t i s c u r i o u s t h a t m o st a n a ly s e s an d
d i s c u s s i o n s o f v o c a l m u s ic a s s u m e t h a t a l , l o f t h e
t e x t i s g e t t i n g t h r o u g h t o t h e l i s t e n e r , when a c t u a l l y
t h i s i s n o t th e c a s e .
I t b o i l s down t o t h e f a c t t h a t
s in g in g d o es n o t have th e c l a r i t y o f speech f o r ex
p r e s s i n g w o r d s , b u t i t e m p h a s i z e s t h e " m u s ic " t h a t i s
im p lie d in th e w o rd s.
I n a s e n s e , t h e t e x t m uch
l ik e any o th e r e x tra m u s ic a l id e a s e rv in g a s p a r t o f a
c o m p o s e r 's c o n c e p t i o n i s m uch m o re i m p o r t a n t f o r t h e
com poser th a n f o r th e l i s t e n e r .
A ny t e x t s e t t o
m u s i c , o f c o u r s e , w o u ld a l m o s t h a v e t o b e t h e p r im a r y
in s p ira tio n .
A t t h e sam e t i m e , o n a n o t h e r l e v e l , when
o ne g e ts i n t e r e s t e d i n a v o c a l w o rk , an d f a m i l i a r i z e s
h i m s e l f w i t h t h e t e x t , a n o t h e r d i m e n s io n i s i n v a r i a b l y
added.
R .S .
One h e a r s f r e q u e n t d i s c u s s i o n s c o n c e r n i n g t h e d i v i s i o n
o f m u s ic i n t o tw o d i s t i n c t t y p e s :
v o c a l a n d n o n v o c a l.
W hat we h a v e b e e n s a y i n g w o u ld se em t o s u g g e s t t h a t
th is is n o t tru e .
G .C .
T h a t 's r i g h t .
I h a v e a lw a y s q u e s t i o n e d t h a t d i s t i n c
tio n .
O f t e n t h e t e x t i n v o c a l m u s ic i s g i v e n u n d u e
a t t e n t i o n , a s i f t h e m u s ic i s n o t c a r r y i n g i t s e l f .
I w o u ld a g r e e t h a t t h e m u s ic i n s u c h w o rk c a n p e r
f e c t l y w e l l c a r r y i t s e l f , a n d m a i n t a i n i t s own i n
te g rity .
A f t e r a l l , i n m any c h o r a l w o r k s , t h e w o rd s
c o u ld be s u b s t i t u t e d f o r by s o l f e g e s y l l a b l e s o r
n e u t r a l s y l l a b l e s o f some k i n d w i t h o u t d e s t r o y i n g
th e r e a l im p a c t o f th e m u s ic .
R .S .
A lo n g t h e s e sam e l i n e s , t h e r e i s p r o b a b l y a g r e a t
d e a l o f v o c a l m u s ic w h ic h i s f i n e m u s i c a l l y , b u t
w h ic h h a s a f a u l t y t e x t , d u e t o t h e c o m p o s e r w r i t i n g
th e te x t h im s e lf , and o th e r f a c t o r s .
G .C .
I 'm s u r e y o u a r e c o r r e c t .
N a t i v e G erm an m u s i c i a n s
s a y t h a t W a g n e r 's l a n g u a g e i s r e a l l y f i l l e d w i t h
s e r i o u s s h o r t c o m i n g s , a n d t h a t h e i n f a c t w as n o t
a lt o g e th e r th a t g i f t e d w ith w o rd s.
T h ere a r e c a s e s
w i t h o t h e r c o m p o s e r s s u c h a s M a h le r a n d I v e s w r i t i n g
t h e i r own w o r d s .
I am s u r e t h a t t h e i r t e x t s w o u ld
n o t s t a n d a l o n e a s l i t e r a r y w o rk s o n a n y h i g h l e v e l ,
b u t t h e m e a n in g o f t h e m u s ic n e v e r t h e l e s s com es
th ro u g h .
E v e n m any o f t h e S c h u b e r t s e t t i n g s a r e
s e t to t e x t s w r i t t e n by t h i r d an d f o u r t h ra n k p o e ts .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 8 1 R .S .
Why i s i t t h a t m o s t o f t h e g r e a t c o m p o s e r s w e r e m o re
o r l e s s s e l f t a u g h t i n c o m p o s i ti o n ?
G .C .
I t no d o u b t h a s to do w ith th e f a c t t h a t c o m p o s itio n
i t s e l f c a n n o t r e a l l y be ta u g h t anyw ay.
I th in k t h a t
t h e e x t e n t o f t h e c o m p o s i t i o n a l i n s t r u c t i o n o f m any
o f t h e g r e a t e s t c o m p o s e r s w as l i m i t e d t o t h e a r e a s
o f c o u n te rp o in t, fu g u e, fig u re d -b a s s s tu d ie s , e tc .
I n o t h e r w o rd s , i n s t r u c t i o n o n ly i n th e p u r e l y t e c h
n i c a l a s p e c t s o f c o m p o s itio n .
I th in k th a t t h is i s
a n i d e a t h a t m aybe s h o u l d b e r e v i v e d ; i t m ig h t b e
i n t e r e s t i n g t o s e e w h a t w o u ld r e s u l t m u s i c a l l y i f
s tu d e n t s h ad c o n ta c t w ith t h e i r c o m p o s itio n t e a c h e r
o n l y t h r o u g h r i g o r o u s t e c h n i c a l t r a i n i n g , a n d w e re
on t h e i r own i n f r e e c o m p o s i t i o n .
1 have o fte n
w o n d e re d a b o u t t h e e f f i c a c y o f t h e mode o f w h a t
g e n e r a l l y p a s s e s f o r c o m p o s i ti o n t e a c h i n g t o d a y ,
w h ic h b a s i c a l l y c o n s i s t s o f d i s c u s s i n g t h e f r e e l y
c o m p o se d m u s ic o f a s t u d e n t .
B e c a u s e f r e e co m po
s i t i o n i s s u c h a p e r s o n a l , s e l f - d e v e l o p m e n t a l ty p e
o f t h i n g , i n v o l v i n g q u e s t i o n s s u c h a s t h e d e v e lo p m e n t
o f a v ia b le s t y l e an d th e c o n s tr u c tio n o f fo rm s,
t o t a l l y f a i r and o b j e c t iv e c r i t i c i s m i s e x tr e m e ly
d iff ic u lt.
O fte n one i s fo rc e d to l i m i t o n e s e l f to
p u re ly te c h n ic a l o b s e rv a tio n s .
R .S .
How w o u ld y o u c o m p a re t h e m u sic o f H a n d e l w i t h t h a t
o f B ach?
G .C .
H a n d e l w as a f i n e c o m p o s e r , b u t l a c k e d B a c h 's r a n g e
o f e x p re s s io n .
He d o e s n 't e v e r b e g i n t o t o u c h t h e
w e l l o f m y s t i c i s m t h a t o c c u r s i n m any o f B a c h 's w o r k s .
A w o rk s u c h a s t h e W e ll-T e m p e re d C l a v i e r i s i n c r e d i b l y
b r o a d i n i t s e x p r e s s i v e r a n g e ; s u c h b r e a d t h w o u ld h a v e
b e e n b e y o n d H a n d e l 's c a p a b i l i t i e s , a s g r e a t a c o m p o s e r
a s he w as.
I t h i n k B e e th o v e n w o u ld h a v e r a n k e d H a n d e l
a n d B ach f a i r l y c l o s e l y .
He h a d e n o rm o u s e n t h u s i a s m
f o r H a n d e l.
E v i d e n t l y H a n d e l s m u s ic c o n t a i n e d c e r
t a i n c h ro m a tic e f f e c t s t h a t h e ld a p a r t i c u l a r f a s c i n a
t i o n f o r B e e th o v e n .
He m ade a v e r y c a r e f u l s t u d y o f
much o f H a n d e l 's m u s i c ,
R .S .
How w o u ld y o u c o m p a re m a t u r e H aydn w i t h m a t u r e M o z a r t?
G .C .
I ra n k b o th o f th o s e
c o m p a r is o n i s r e l a t e d
t h i s c a s e , t h e m u s ic
m u s ic h a s i n c r e d i b l e
a c e r ta in in n o v a tiv e
s t y l e s v e ry h i g h l y .
I n a way t h i s
t o t h e H a n d e l-B a c h d i c h o t o m y .
In
o f M o z a r t h a s m o re d e p t h , b u t H a y d n 's
v i t a l i t y a n d r e s i l i e n c e , a n d sh o w s
b o ld n e s s .
P s y c h o l o g i c a l l y H a y d n 's
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 8 2 ( G .C .) m u s ic l a c k s a l i t t l e o f t h e d e p th o f M o z a r t 's ; t h e r e
a r e s tr a n g e i r o n i e s in M o zart t h a t n e v e r o c c u r in
H aydn.
R .S .
How i m p o r t a n t do y o u t h i n k d i c t a t i o n a n d e a r t r a i n i n g
a r e f o r a co m p o ser?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t b e i n g a b l e t o do t h e s e t h i n g s i s im p o r
t a n t , b u t I im a g in e t h a t m o st c o m p o se rs h a v e a lr e a d y
d e v e lo p e d t h e i r e a r s b y t h e tim e t h a t t h e y a r e e x
p e c te d t o ta k e c l a s s e s o f t h a t s o r t .
C o m p o s e rs
s h o u ld h av e f i n e l y h o n ed h e a r i n g , b u t I do n o t th in k
t h a t a c o u r s e i n e a r t r a i n i n g s h o u ld h a v e t o b e p a r t
o f a s y s te m o f s t u d i e s .
Su ch t r a i n i n g i s s o m e t h in g
w h ic h i s d e v e lo p e d a l l a l o n g ; o n e , a f t e r a l l , t r a i n s
h i s e a r e v e r y tim e h e c o m p o s e s , p l a y s , a n d l i s t e n s
to m u sic .
R .S .
You o n c e s t a t e d t h a t y o u f e l t a g o o d w o rk f o r c h a m b e r
e n s e m b le w as e q u a l i n a r t i s t i c m e r i t t o a g o o d w o rk
fo r o rc h e s tra .
C o u ld y o u com m ent o n why y o u f e e l
t h i s way?
G .C .
I r r e s p e c t i v e o f t h e s i z e o f t h e e n s e m b le , a w o rk c a n
b e e i t h e r v e r y w e i g h ty o r v e r y l i g h t i n t e r m s o f i t s
e m o tio n a l c o n te n t .
F o r e x a m p le , a n y o f t h e B rahm s
c h a m b e r w o rk s a r e f u l l y a s s e r i o u s a s t h e s y m p h o n ie s
o r c o n c e rto s.
A ls o , d e s p i t e th e s m a l le r e n s e m b le , a
c h a m b e r w o rk c a n c o s t a c o m p o s e r m o re w o rk , a t t i m e s ,
th a n a n o r c h e s t r a l w o rk , i n te rm s o f c r e a t i v e e n e rg y .
W orks s u c h a s B e e t h o v e n 's B - f l a t Q u a r t e t w i t h D ie
G r o s s e F u g a , o r t h e H a m m e r c la v le r S o n a t a c o u l d e a s i l y
h a v e i n v o l v e i a s m uch e x p e n d i t u r e o f e n e r g y a s a w o rk
su c h a s th e E ig h th Sym phony.
R .S .
How m any y e a r s d i d y o u p l a y p o p u l a r m u s ic ?
G .C .
T h i s w o u ld h a v e b e e n o v e r a s p a n o f f o u r o r f i v e
y e a r s , b e g in n in g a t th e U n iv e r s ity o f I l l i n o i s .
It
w as a v e r y o c c a s i o n a l t h i n g a way o f e a r n i n g som e
e x t r a in c o m e w hen I w as a s t u d e n t .
R .S .
How m uch h a v e y o u b e e n i n f l u e n c e d b y D as L i e d v o n P e r
E rd e?
G .C .
I t h i n k D as L i e d h a s h a d a s t r o n g i n f l u e n c e , e s p e c i a l l y
th e l a s t p a g e s o f P e r A b s c h le d , w ith t h a t v e ry b e a u t i f u l
d y in g g e s tu r e .
I s u p p o s e o t h e r M a h le r m o v em e n ts show
a s i m i l a r u s e o f t h i s k in d o f r e p e a t in g id e a , b u t th e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 8 3 ( G .C .) c o n c l u s i o n o f D as L i e d i s e s p e c i a l l y e l o q u e n t a n d
e le g a n t.
T c h a ik o v s k y a l s o t o u c h e s o n t h i s n o t e i n
m a n y ^ o f h i s s lo w m o v e m e n ts , a n d i n p a r t i c u l a r i n t h e
P a t h e t l q u e S y m p h o n y , w h ic h h a s q u i t e a l e n g t h y d y i n g
g e s tu r e .
T h e r e a r e a l s o S ch u m an n p i e c e s w h ic h e n d
t h a t w ay.
R .S .
W ould y o u s a y t h a t s u c h u s a g e s a r e r e l a t e d
h a v e r e f e r r e d t o a s t im e s u s p e n s i o n ?
t o w h a t we
G .C .
Y es,
R .S .
How w o u ld y o u c o m p a re P e t r u s h k a t o
I th in k s o .
G .C .
I th in k th e y a r e o f e q u a l q u a l i t y .
I re c o g n iz e t h a t
th e R i te o f S p r in g h a s o p en ed u p a n d s t i l l o p e n s u p
t h i n g s f o r c o m p o s e r s , w h e r e a s P e t r u s h k a d o e s n 't h a v e
q u i t e t h a t sam e k i n d o f i n t e r e s t .
The R ite in g e n e r a l
i s t h e m o re i n n o v a t i v e o f t h e t w o , b u t I h a v e n e v e r
f e l t t h a t t h i s w as th e m o st i m p o r ta n t c r i t e r i o n .
T h e r e a r e m any g r e a t w o rk s b y B r a h m s , a n d som e b y
B e e t h o v e n w h ic h a r e n o t i n n o v a t i v e a t a l l .
R .S .
How i m p o r t a n t d o y o u t h i n k T r i s t a n w as a s a w o rk
w h ic h s t i m u l a t e d c o m p o s e r s t o r e a c h t o w a r d new h o r i z o n s ?
G .C .
I t h i n k i t w as v e r y i m p o r t a n t a s a s o u r c e w h ic h o p e n e d
u p m any new p o s s i b i l i t i e s ; f o r e x a m p l e , s u c h a s p e c t s
a s t h e i d e a o f t h e e n h a r m o n ic , t h e d e g r e e o f i n t e n s e
c h r o m a t i c i s m , t h e v o c a b u la r y o f c h o r d s , a n d t h e b o l d
tre a tm e n t o f th e a p p o g g ia tu ra .
T he l a t t e r d e v i c e
i n f l u e n c e d M a h le r v e r y s t r o n g l y .
D e b u s s y w as v e r y
m uch i n f l u e n c e d b y W a g n e r; i t i s h a r d t o im a g in e h i s
m u s ic w i t h o u t T r i s t a n .
R .S .
Why d o y o u t h i n k i t i s s o i n e f f e c t i v e t o
R e n a i s s a n c e v o c a l m u 3 ic o n t h e p i a n o ?
G .C .
P e rh ap s b e c au se o f th e lo n g e r n o t e s , th e s u s ta in e d
t y p e o f m u s ic ( w i t h o u t d y n a m ic c o n t r a s t s ) , a n d t h e
g r e a t i m p o r t a n c e o f t h e s u s p e n s i o n , w h ic h i s k i l l e d
on th e p ia n o i f th e n o t e s a r e o f a n y l e n g t h .
The
o r g a n w o u ld n o d o u b t p r o d u c e a b e t t e r r e p r e s e n t a t i o n
o f su c h m u sic .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t a s e r i o u s c o m p o s e r s h o u l d b e c o n
c e rn e d w ith w h e th e r o r n o t h i s m u sic w i l l s u r v iv e ?
th e R ite o f S p rin g ?
p la y
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 8 4 G .C .
N o . One h a s n o c o n t r o l o v e r s u c h q u e s t i o n s , s o t h i s
w o u ld n o t b e a r a t i o n a l t h i n g t o w o r r y a b o u t .
Of
c o u r s e , a n y c o m p o s e r w o u ld h o p e t h a t h i s m u s ic w o u ld
s u r v i v e , b u t h e w o u l d n 't l o s t a n y s l e e p o v e r s u c h
c o n s id e r a tio n s .
In te rv ie w ,
25 O c t o b e r 1 9 7 7
R .S .
W hat a r e som e o f t h e p r o b le m s i n v o l v e d w i t h i n c o r
p o r a t i n g m u s ic a n d m u s i c a l q u o t a t i o n s o f a t r a d i
t i o n a l s t y l e i n t o a n a d v a n c e d c o n te m p o r a r y id io m ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h e m a in p r o b le m i s o n e o f i n t e g r a t i o n .
W h at
e v e r o n e w o u ld u s e t h a t w o u ld n o r m a l l y b e a l i e n t o
h i s s t y l e w o u ld h a v e t o b e c a r e f u l l y i n t e g r a t e d .
T h e r e h a s t o b e a r e a s o n f o r u s i n g m u s ic o f a n o t h e r
s t y l e ; p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y i t h a s t o m ake s e n s e .
I t has
a lw a y s b e e n p r o b l e m a t i c a l .
I n my own m u s i c , s u c h
m a t e r i a l i s a lw a y s i n v o l v e d w i t h t h e i n i t i a l c o n c e p
tio n .
R .S .
How w o u ld y o u c o m p a re t h e M a h le r s o n g c y c l e s w i t h
h i s s y m p h o n ie s a s w o rk s o f a r t ?
G .C .
Many o f M a h l e r 's s o n g s w e re i n e f f e c t s k e t c h e s f o r
s y m p h o n ic m o v e m e n ts .
I t h i n k a l l o f M a h l e r 's s o n g
c y c le s a r e b e a u ti f u l l y w r i tt e n , and b e a u ti f u l l y co n
c e iv e d f o r th e v o ic e .
In th e s e n s e o f b e in g b e a u
t i f u l l y m a d e , I f i n d th em o n t h e sam e a r t i s t i c l e v e l
a s a r e th e sy m p h o n ie s , d e s p i t e th e d i f f e r e n c e s i n
sco p e.
R .S .
Who do y o u t h i n k a r e
o f th e t r a d i ti o n ?
G .C .
R .S .
Who do y o u f e e l a r e t h e m o s t u n d e r r a t e d am ong c o n
te m p o ra ry c o m p o se rs?
th e m o st u n d e r r a te d c o m p o sers
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 8 5 G .C .
I d o n 't t h i n k I c o u ld s p e a k a b o u t e x a c t c o n te m p o r a r ie s
c o m p o s e r s w o r k i n g r i g h t now b e c a u s e i t i s i m p o s s i b l e
t o know w h o s e m u s ic d e s e r v e s m o re o r l e s s r e c o g n i t i o n .
T h ere h a s to be a n i n t e r v a l o f tim e .
Of th e e a r l i e r
c o n t e m p o r a r i e s , I v e s i s a c o m p o s e r w h o s e m u s ic i s
n o t a s w e l l know n a s i t s h o u l d b e , i n te r m s o f a v e r a g e
lis te n e rs .
H i s m u s ic i s f o r t h e m o s t p a r t o n l y p l a y e d
o c c a s i o n a l l y , a n d h a s n o t b eco m e r e p e r t o r y .
R .S .
W hat d o y o u t h i n k a r e t h e p o t e n t i a l i t i e s o f w h i s t l i n g
a s a tim b ra l re s o u rc e ?
G .C .
My m o t i v a t i o n f o r u s i n g w h i s t l i n g h a s a lw a y s b e e n
th e d e s ir e f o r i t s v e ry p u re tim b re .
I th in k i t i s
a u s e f u l r e s o u r c e , b u t l i k e m any s p e c i a l i z e d t i m b r e s ,
w h i s tl in g c o u ld e a s i l y be o v e ru s e d .
I t n e e d s to
so u n d I n e v i t a b l e w i t h in a g iv e n c o n t e x t .
R .S .
In th e re c o r d ja c k e t n o te s t o th e r e c o r d in g o f A n c ie n t
V o i c e s o f C h i l d r e n , y o u s t a t e d t h a t t h i s w as p a r t o f
a l a r g e c y c l e o f w o rk s b u i l t o n t e x t s b y L o r c a .
Do
y o u m ean b y t h i s t h a t t h e r e a r e m u s i c a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s
c o n s c io u s ly i n te r c o n n e c t in g th e s e c o m p o s itio n s ?
G .C .
N o.
I w as t h i n k i n g o f t h e t e x t s a s r e p r e s e n t i n g a
body o f w o rk s.
T h ere a r e u n q u e s tio n a b ly a l s o c e r t a i n
m u s i c a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s , b u t t h e s e w o u ld b e u n c o n s c i o u s .
R .S .
W ould y o u h a v e a n y a d v i c e f o r a y o u n g p e r s o n , l e a n i n g
to w a r d c o m p o s i t i o n , o n w h e t h e r o r n o t t o b eco m e a
co m p o ser?
G .C .
N o . Who i s t o s a y ?
I f th e m o tiv a tio n i s t h e r e ,
d e s p i t e t h e f a c t t h a t no s u b s t a n t i a l m o n e ta ry g a in s
a r e r e c e i v e d , t h e n t h i s w o u ld b e a n i n d i c a t i o n f o r
a young p e rs o n to c o n tin u e i n c o m p o s itio n .
R .S .
To w h ic h g e n r e o f n o n - W e s t e m m u s ic a r e y o u m o s t
s tr o n g ly a tt r a c t e d ?
G .C .
I d o n 't t h i n k I c o u ld l i s t a n y p r e f e r e n c e s ; r a t h e r ,
I am i n t e r e s t e d i n a l l n o n - W e s t e m m u s ic t h a t I h a v e
h e a rd .
I h a v e h e a r d m o re I n d i a n m u s i c , t h a n I h a v e
o th e r E a s te r n m u sic s.
R .S .
As a s t u d e n t , d i d y o u e v e r w r i t e a p i e c e t h a t y o u
w ere n o t h a p p y w ith ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 8 6 G .C .
Y es, f re q u e n tly .
T h a t w as t h e c a s e w i t h m o s t s t u d e n t
w o rk s.
I t h in k t h a t s e e in g th e s h o rtc o m in g s o f a
c o m p l e te d p i e c e e n a b l e s o n e t o move a h e a d i n t h e n e x t
p i e c e , a n d i s a n im p o r ta n t p a r t o f l e a r n in g t o co m p o se.
R .S .
G .C .
W ith t h o s e c o m p o s i t i o n s , I r e c o g n i z e a s t y l i s t i c
c o n s is te n c y .
F o r b e t t e r o r w o r s e , i t s e em s t o b e
my own m u s i c .
L ik e m o st c o m p o s e rs, I do n o t f e e l
t h a t I h a v e e v e n come c l o s e t o t h e m u s ic t h a t I
r e a l l y w o u ld l i k e t o w r i t e .
T h e r e i s a lw a y s a m u s ic
t h a t seem s u n r e a c h a b le ; t h e r e a r e id e a 3 a t th e b e
g in n in g o f e v e ry p ie c e t h a t a r e n e v e r q u ite r e a l iz e d .
R .S .
W hat i s y o u r f a v o r i t e
lis te n in g ?
G .C .
I d o n 't r e a l l y h av e a n y f a v o r i t e s , e x c e p t t h a t i n
a w ay, i t i s e a s i e r to l i s t e n t o s t r i n g e d in s tr u m e n ts
o v e r a lo n g p e r io d .
I t i s l e s s d e m a n d in g on t h e e a r .
R .S .
How w o u ld y o u c o m p a re t h e e x p e r i e n c e o f l i s t e n i n g t o
a r e c o r d in g w ith t h a t o f l i s t e n i n g to a l iv e p e r
fo rm a n c e ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t h e a r i n g a l i v e p e r f o r m a n c e i s a lw a y s a
m o re i n t e n s e e x p e r i e n c e p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y .
T h ere i s
no s p e a k e r t h a t can a d e q u a te ly re p ro d u c e l iv e so u n d .
A .lso , i n l i v e p e r f o r m a n c e t h e r e i s t h e s e n s e t h a t
s o m e t h in g c a n go w ro n g i t i s a p r e c a r i o u s s i t u a t i o n ,
an d t h i s a d d s to th e e x c ite m e n t, p s y c h o lo g ic a lly .
R .S .
Why d o e s m u s ic f o r a s o l o w in d o r s t r i n g i n s t r u m e n t
se em t o b e s o d i f f i c u l t f o r t o d a y ' s c o m p o s e r s t o
w r ite ?
G .C .
One o b v i o u s r e a s o n m ig h t b e l i m i t a t i o n s o f r e g i s t e r .
M o st o f t h e r a n g e s a r e fro m t h r e e t o t h r e e a n d o n e n a if o c ta v e s .
T h e r e i s a l s o t h e p r o b le m o f l i m i t e d
tim b ra l r e s o u r c e s .
R .S .
W hat i s y o u r r e a c t i o n t o l a u g h t e r a n d b o o i n g b y t h e
a u d ie n c e i n re s p o n s e to one o f y o u r p ie c e s ?
in s tru m e n t,
in
term s o f
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 8 7 G .C .
I w o u ld p r e f e r t h a t t h i s b e d e l a y e d u n t i l a f t e r t h e
p e r f o r m a n c e , s o t h a t i t w o u ld b e h e a r d a l o n g w i t h
t h e a p p l a u s e i f t h e r e w e re a n y a p p l a u s e / T a u g h t e j ^ .
I n a way b o o i n g sho w s a c e r t a i n i n t e r e s t .
At le a s t
th e y f o llo w e d i t c l o s e l y en o u g h t o ta k e a s ta n d .
I n o t h e r w o rd s, t h a t 's b e t t e r th a n l e a v in g th e h a l l .
I f e e l t h a t I 'm a h e a d o f t h e game i f t h e y s t a y a n d
boo:
th e y c o u ld h a v e l e f t / ! I a u g h te r 7 .
In te rv ie w ,
16 N o v em b er 19 7 7
R .S .
C o u ld y o u com m ent o n y o u r p r e d i l e c t i o n f o r s y m m e t r i c a l
id e a s on b o th th e l a r g e an d s m a ll s c a le ?
G .C .
R .S .
I n y o u r m u s i c , I h a v e f o u n d m any t y p e s o f o r g a n i z a t i o n ,
b u t n o t h i n g c o m p a r a b le t o l e t ' s s a y t h e t r a d i t i o n a l
t y p e o f h a rm o n ic o r g a n i z a t i o n .
I s th e r e an y ty p e o f
o v e r r i d i n g h a rm o n ic sc h em e i n y o u r c o m p o s i t i o n s ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 8 8 G .C .
Y e s , I n t h e s e n s e t h a t t h e r e i s a lw a y s p r e s e n t a
c l e a r l y p e r c e p t i b l e h a r m o n ic r h y th m .
T h e re I s n o t
o r d i n a r i l y a t o n a l c e n t e r ( th o u g h t h e r e i s a t t i m e s ) ,
b u t t h e r e _is n o r m a l l y a t l e a s t a n a x i s w h ic h i s
a g a i n t i e d i n w i t h t h e i d e a o f sy m m e try a n d som e
tim e s t h i s i n i t s e l f c o n s t i t u t e s a k in d o f c e n t e r .
I f t h e r e w e r e , f o r e x a m p l e , a t r i t o n e a x i s , i t w o u ld
n o t b e c l e a r w h i c h m em b er o f t h e t r i t o n e w as c e n t r a l ,
b u t t h e a x i s i t s e l f w o u ld c o m p r i s e a t o n a l f i e l d
a n a l o g o u s i n som e w a y s t o a t o n a l c e n t e r .
R .S .
Do y o u f e e l t h a t y o u r p r e d i l e c t i o n f o r k e e p i n g t h e
d a m p e r p e d a l d e p r e s s e d f o r l o n g t im e p e r i o d s i s a
r e s u l t o f t h e s l o w h a r m o n ic r h y th m i n y o u r m u s ic ?
G .C .
I th in k i t i s .
T h e d a m p e r e f f e c t i s s o m e t h in g I
u se p r im a r ily b e c a u s e o f i t s sound p o s s i b i l i t i e s ,
b u t w hen u s e d e x t e n s i v e l y , i t n o d o u b t i n f l u e n c e s
t h e h a r m o n ic r h y th m v e r y m u c h .
I t w o u ld n o r m a l l y
r e s u l t in s t a s i s , an d g r a d u a l c h a n g e, h a rm o n ic a lly .
R .S .
P e r h a p s y o u r a v o i d a n c e o f d r y , n o n p e d a le d s o u n d
r e s u l t s f ro m y o u r p r e f e r e n c e f o r s lo w h a rm o n ic
rh y th m .
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t w o u ld a l s o g e n e r a l l y h o l d t r u e .
I
su p p o se t h e r e c o u ld be a r e p e t i t i v e s t a c c a t o , b u t
one th in g s o f th e s ta c c a to te c h n iq u e g e n e ra lly in
te r m s o f r a p i d c h a n g e s o f h a r m o n i c i m p l i c a t i o n . Of
c o u rs e , th e m o st c o n s c io u s r e a s o n s f o r u t i l i z i n g o r
a v o i d i n g s u c h i n s t r u m e n t a l m e a n s w o u ld b e i n t u i t i v e ,
an d c o n c e rn e d p r i m a r i l y w ith so u n d p r e f e r e n c e ;
h a r m o n ic r h y th m w o u ld b e a s u b l i m i n a l i n f l u e n c e .
My m u s ic t e n d s t o b e e x t r e m e l y s lo w , i n h a r m o n ic
m o v em e n t p r o b a b l y o f f e n s i v e l y s lo w t o some p e o p le
who a r e a t u n e d t o a s o m e w h at f a s t e r s e n s e o f p a c e .
S t r a v i n s k y c o n s i d e r e d S c h o e n b e r g 's m u s ic m uch to o
f a s t , h a r m o n i c a l l y , f o r h i s e a r , a n d I am c e r t a i n
t h a t my p a c e i s m uch s l o w e r t h a n S t r a v i n s k y ' 3 .
I
t h i n k t h a t t h e r e a s o n s f o r a n y g i v e n c o m p o s e r 's
r a t e o f h a r m o n i c r h y th m a r e v e r y i n t u i t i v e , p s y c h o
l o g i c a l , a n d t h i s p r o b a b l y a l s o h a s s o m e t h in g t o d o
w ith o n e 's m e ta b o lis m a n d p h i l o s o p h i c a l i d e a s .
B ee
t h o v e n 's m u s i c , m o re t h a n t h a t o f a n y o t h e r c o m p o s e r ,
sh o w s a tr e m e n d o u s a m o u n t o f v a r i e t y i n t h i s r e s p e c t .
H i s m u s ic c a n b e e x t r e m e l y v o l a t i l e , a n d t h e n , t h e r e
a r e th o se "su sp en d e d " a d a g io s ; h e re i s an a s to n is h in g
ran g e o f p o s s i b i l i t i e s .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-489R .S .
Do y o u f e e l t h a t A m e r i c a , r a t h e r t h a n E u r o p e , i s
now t h e c e n t e r o f c o n te m p o r a r y s e r i o u s m u s i c ?
G .C .
I t h i n k m o re t im e w o u ld h a v e t o e l a p s e b e f o r e o n e
c o u ld f a i r l y a n s w e r t h a t q u e s ti o n i n q u a l i t a t i v e
te rm s.
H o w e v e r, i n t e r m s o f s h e e r q u a n t i t y o f p e r
f o r m a n c e s a n d r e c o r d i n g s , we m ay v e r y p o s s i b l y b e
ahead.
R .S .
V irg il
th a t a
had to
b e lie v e
G .C .
I n g e n e r a l , I d o n ' t t h i n k i t w o u ld h o l d t r u e t o t h e
e x t e n t t h a t i t d id tw e n ty y e a r s a g o .
New Y o r k , o f
c o u r s e , r e m a in s t h e c e n t e r o f t h e r e c o r d i n g a n d p u b
lis h in g in d u s tr ie s .
I f a c o m p o s e r 's m u s ic i s p l a y e d
o u t s i d e o f New Y o rk t o a n y e x t e n t , n a t u r a l l y t h a t
w o u ld a l s o b e o f i m p o r t a n c e .
I t h i n k U io m so n may
h av e been s p e a k in g o f p a s s in g th e t e s t o f c r i t i c a l
r e c o g n i t i o n i n New Y o r k . O f c o u r s e , I v e s , f o r s o
m any y e a r s , a c h i e v e d a l m o s t n o c r i t i c a l r e c o g n i t i o n ;
o b v i o u s l y t h i s h a d n o t h i n g t o do w i t h h i s r e a l s t a
t u r e a s a c o m p o se r.
I t h i n k Thom son w as u s i n g t h e
w o rd " s t a t u r e i n i t s m o s t p r a c t i c a l s e n s e i n t e r m s
o f p u b l ic a ti o n a n d so f o r t h .
T hom son s t a t e d i n p r i n t a n u m b e r o f y e a r s a g o ,
c o m p o se r, to a c h ie v e an y d e g re e o f s t a t u r e ,
f i r s t a c h i e v e s u c c e s s i n New Y o r k .
Do y o u
th a t th e re i s s t i l l any tr u th in th is ?
R .S .
H ave y o u e v e r h e a r d a p u r e l y e l e c t r o n i c
t h a t y o u f e l t w as a t r u e m a s t e r p i e c e ?
c o m p o s itio n
G .C .
N o . T h is w o u ld b e p a r t l y d u e t o t h e f a c t t h a t I am
n o t m oved i n t h e sam e way b y e l e c t r o n i c m u s ic a s I
am b y m u s ic p e r f o r m e d b y l i v e m u s i c i a n s .
T he hum an
e le m e n t i s q u i t e a l a r g e f a c t o r i n g e t t i n g me e x c i t e d
ab o u t a p ie c e .
I t h i n k som e o f t h e m o re i n t e r e s t i n g
p i e c e s w e re som e o f t h o s e w r i t t e n d u r i n g t h e e a r l i e r
y e a r s o f e l e c t r o n i c m u s i c I 'm t h i n k i n g o f V a r l s e ,
S to c k h a u s e n , an d e a r l y B e r io , b u t m o st cf th o s e
p i e c e s c o n t a i n som e c o n c r l t e e l e . m o i t s t h e y a r e n ' t
p u re ly e le c tr o n ic .
The m a in d i f f i c u l t y t h a t I h a v e
w i t h e l e c t r o n i c m u s ic i s t h e q u a l i t y o f t h e 3 o u n d s
t h e m s e l v e s I g u e s s t h e y l a c k s e x a p p e a l ^ / l a u g h t e r y 7,
to e x p re s s i t v e ry g r o s s ly .
The s o u n d s t e n d t o b e
v e r y n o n c o m p ie x , a s c o m p a re d w i t h t h e s o u n d s o f t r a
d i t i o n a l i n s t r u m e n t s , a n d t h e r e f o r e , th e b a s i c so u n d
c o n s t i t u e n t s o f e l e c t r o n i c m u s ic h a v e n o t , f o r t h e
m o s t p a r t , i n t e r e s t e d m e.
I t i s h a r d f o r me t o a d
m ir e a c o m p o s i t i o n p e r s e , d e s p i t e t h e f a c t t h a t i t
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
A f r i e n d o f m in e m ade t h e s t a t e m e n t t h a t h e f e l t t h e
r e a l l y g o o d w o rk w r i t t e n w i t h i n t h e c o n f i n e s o f t h e
t w e l v e - t o n e s y s te m w e re w r i t t e n n o t b e c a u s e Of a n y
i n t r i n s i c v a l u e o f t h e s y s te m , b u t i n s p i t e o f i t .
W ould y o u a g r e e t o t h i s h y p o t h e s i s ?
G .C .
I w o u ld a g r e e t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t t h e p e r s o n a l s t y l e
o f a c o m p o s e r w o u ld r e m a in e s s e n t i a l l y t h e s a m e ,
r e g a r d l e s s o f w h e t h e r o r n o t s u c h a s y s te m w as em
p lo y ed .
E v id e n c e o f t h i s c a n b e fo u n d i n th e e a r l y
s c o r e s o f S c h o e n b e r g , B e r g , a n d W e b e rn ; t h e s t y l e
o f c e r t a i n o f t h o s e w o rk s i s v e r y s i m i l a r t o t h e
s t y l e o f t h e t w e l v e - t o n e w o rk s w h ic h f o l l o w e d .
R .S .
D o e s t h e t u r n o v e r o f t h e ro w a d d c o h e r e n c e i n
to n e m u sic ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t t h i s i s s o m e t h in g w h ic h i s n o t r e a d i l y
p e r c e p t i b l e t o t h e l i s t e n e r ; i n f a c t , when l i s t e n i n g
t o a tw e lv e - to n e p i e c e , I do n o t t h in k a b o u t th e t u r n
o v e r o f t h e row a t a l l - - I d o n ' t t h i n k t h a t i s w h a t
th e c o m p o se r w a n ts o r e x p e c t s .
A n a lo g u e s t o t r y i n g
t o d o t h i s w o u ld b e t o l i s t e n t o a n y t o n a l p i e c e a n d
a n a l y z e t h e c h o r d s t r u c t u r e i n y o u r m in d , o r t o
c o u n t t h e i n t e r v a l s b e tw e e n n o t e s i n s u c h a p i e c e .
One j u s t d o e s n 't d o t h i s , a n d i t w o u ld b e s i l l y t o
t r y t o h e a r a p i e c e i n t h i s way ( e x c e p t when t a k i n g
d ic ta tio n } .
W ith t w e l v e - t o n e m u s i c , t h e r e w o u ld b e
a c e r t a i n am ount o f i n te g r a t i o n a s a r e s u l t o f th e
tw e lv e - to n e r o t a t i o n , b u t th e p e rc e p tio n o f t h i s
w o u ld b e s u b c o n s c i o u s .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u com m ent o n t h e v a l u e o f a n a l y s i s ?
G .C .
I s u p p o s e t h a t we a l l d o a c e r t a i n a m o u n t o f a n a l y s i s ,
and i t sh a rp e n s o u r e a r in a c e r t a i n d i r e c t i o n .
It
tw e lv e -
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 9 1 ( G .C .) c a n h e l p y o u p i c k u p m o re d e t a i l .
O f c o u r s e , m u s ic
c a n s p e a k t o , an d i n e s s e n c e be u n d e r s t o o d e v e n by
t h o s e who l a c k t h e t e c h n i c a l t r a i n i n g n e c e s s a r y f o r
te c h n ic a l a n a ly s is .
R .S .
How i m p o r t a n t do y o u t h i n k S c h o e n b e r g 's d i s c o v e r y o f
t h e t w e l v e - t o n e s y s te m w as f o r t h e d e v e lo p m e n t o f
s e r i o u s t w e n t i e t h - c e n t u r y m u s ic ?
G .C .
I th in k th e d is c o v e ry i s h ig h ly o v e r r a te d in h i s
t o r i c a l te rm s.
W i t h i n t h e l a s t t w e n t y y e a r s , com
p o s e r s h a v e show n l e s s a n d l e s s i n t e r e s t i n t h e
t w e lv e - to n e s y s te m .
I t n o l o n g e r seem s t o o f f e r
a n a n s w e r t o t h e p r o b le m s o f s t y l e a n d c o h e s i o n
c o m p o se rs a r e f a c i n g .
Who know s w h a t t h e a n s w e r
w i l l t u r n o u t to be?
S e v e r a l y e a r s b a c k , t h e r e w as
th e e v o lu tio n a l id e a o f h i s t o r i c a l n e c e s s ity , and
t h e t w e l v e - t o n e s y s te m w as t h o u g h t b y m any c o m p o s e r s
t o b e t h e o n l y p a t h t h r o u g h w h ic h m u s ic c o u l d c o n t i n u e
to p r o g re s s .
I ' v e com e t o m i s t r u s t t h i s i d e a ; i t may
b e o p e r a t i v e o v e r a g i v e n s p a n o f d e c a d e s , b u t som e
t i m e s s o m e t h in g c a n com e i n t o m u s ic f ro m n o n e v o l u t i o n a r y s o u r c e s , a n d t h e w h o le c o m p l e x io n i s c h a n g e d .
S u c h a n i n f l u e n c e m ig h t b e o r i e n t a l m u s i c , o r a r e
a w a k e n e d i n t e r e s t i n R e n a i s s a n c e a n d M e d ie v a l m u s i c ;
th e r e a r e s tr o n g in d ic a tio n s t h a t su ch c o n c e rn s a re
I n f l u e n c i n g t h e m u s ic o f c e r t a i n c o n te m p o r a r y com
p o s e rs ,.
R .S .
C o u ld y o u com m ent o n t o n a l i t y a s y o u e m p lo y i t
y o u r m u s ic ?
G .C .
S o m e tim e s t h e r e i s a t o n a l c e n t e r i n t h e B a r t o k i a n
sen se.
E ven i n c e r t a i n p i e c e s o f m in e w h ic h a r e
v e r y c h r o m a t i c , t h e r e i s a n e m p h a s is o n o r f o c u s
to w a r d a p i t c h ; t h i s w o u ld n o t b e d e t e r m i n e d b y
a n y d o m in a n t-to n ic r e l a t i o n s h i p , b u t p e rh a p s by a
s y m m e tr ic a l f o c u s a ro u n d a p i t c h , o r a r e p e t i t i o n
o f a n o te .
S h e e r r e p e t i t i o n o f on e n o t e c a n le n d
s t a b i l i t y , i f o th e r th in g s o c c u r in s u p p o rt o f
t h i s ; t h e r e a l s o m ig h t b e a r e c u r r e n c e o f a p i t c h
fo llo w in g in te r v e n in g id e a s .
R .S .
W hat d o y o u c o n s i d e r t o b e t h e p o t e n t i a l i t i e s o f
m ic r o to n a l re s o u r c e s ?
G .C .
T h e re a r e c e r t a i n p s y c h o lo g i c a l d i f f i c u l t i e s I n v o lv e d
w i t h t h e u s e o f m i c r o t o n e s , t i e d i n w i t h t h e way we
a r e a c c u s t o m e d t o h e a r i n g m u s ic w i t h i n o u r W e s te rn
in
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-492( G .C . )
tra d itio n .
T h i s i s s o m e t h in g t h a t c o u l d c h a n g e , b u t
I i m a g i n e i t w o u ld b e a v e r y , v e r y s lo w p r o c e s s .
I n t h e m u s ic I h a v e h e a r d , t h e o n l y r e a l l y e f f e c t i v e
u s e o f m ic r o to n e s h a s b e e n i n t h e i r c o l o r i s t i c a p p l i
c a tio n .
Of t h e s e v e r a l w o rk s w h ic h m ake e x t e n s i v e
a p p l i c a t i o n o f m i c r o t o n a l m a t e r i a l s w h ic h come t o
m in d , i n c l u d i n g w o rk s b y J o h n s t o n , I v e s a n d H a b a ,
n o n e s t r i k e me a s b e i n g e f f e c t i v e a t a l l , i n t e r m s
o f t h e i r i n t e n t i o n , t h a t i s , i n te r m s o f u t i l i z i n g
m ic r o to n a l m a t e r i a l s s t r u c t u r a l l y . O ur W e ste rn e a r s
a r e s im p ly n o t t h a t a c u t e .
U n til v e ry r e c e n t ly , th e
tw o p i a n o s i n t h e o t h e r room w e re n e a r l y a q u a r t e r
t o n e a p a r t i n i n t o n a t i o n ; w hen o n e h e a r s a t w o - p i a n o
p ie c e on su c h i n s tr u m e n ts , th e e a r c o r r e c t s , an d
a c c e p ts th e d if f e r e n c e a s a d is c re p a n c y i t i s n o t
h e a r d a s a n i n t e g r a l p a r t o f t h e h a r m o n ic s t r u c t u r e .
The sam e t h i n g h a p p e n s w i t h a l l o f t h e p i e c e s I h a v e
h e a r d w h ic h a t t e m p t t o m ake s t r u c t u r a l u s e o f m i c r o t o n e s - - o n e t e n d s t o m ake c o r r e c t i o n s , a n d t o p u l l
th em b a c k i n t o " t u n e . "
One h a s t o c o n c l u d e t h a t t h e
s t r u c t u r a l a p p l i c a t i o n o f m ic r o to n e s i s a v e ry a b
s t r a c t t h e o r e t i c a l p ro c e d u re , w ith no r e a l p o s s i
b i l i t i e s in s ig h t.
R .S .
Do y o u c o n s i d e r t h e o r g a n v i a b l e a s a n e n s e m b le
in s tr u m e n t?
G .C .
In c e r t a i n e n s e m b le s , th e o rg a n c a n be q u i t e e f f e c t i v e ;
h o w e v e r , I t h i n k t h a t m any c o m b i n a t i o n s w o u ld p r e s e n t
d iffic u ltie s .
F o r e x a m p le , a fe w s t r i n g i n s t r u m e n t s
c o m b in e d w i t h a n o r g a n w o u ld n o t se em t o b e a v e r y
g r a t e f u l e n s e m b l e on t h e o t h e r h a n d , a fe w b r a s s
i n s t r u m e n t s w i t h o r g a n c o u l d b e e n o r m o u s ly e x c i t i n g .
( T h e r e a r e a l s o e n s e m b le p r o b le m s w i t h t h e p i a n o
i t r e a l l y d o e s n 't c o m b in e w e l l w i t h m any w in d i n s t r u
m e n ts .)
W ith t h e o r g a n , t h e r e i s a l s o t h e d i f f i c u l t y
o f t h e im m ense v a r i a n c e s b e tw e e n d i f f e r e n t i n s t r u m e n t s .
T he b e s t s o l u t i o n w o u ld seem t o b e t o g i v e g e n e r a l
tim b ra l I n d ic a ti o n s , and t r u s t th e m ix tu re s and b a l
a n c e s t o t h e o r g a n i s t a n d t h e c o n d u c t o r ; i t m ig h t e v e n
b e b e s t , w hen u s i n g t h e o r g a n i n e n s e m b l e s , t o w r i t e
f o r i t i n a m a n n e r w h ic h d e e m p h a s iz e s p r e c i s e n u a n c e s
o f t i m b r e p e r h a p s a m o re r o b u s t i d io m w o u ld b e a p p r o
p ria te .
The o r g a n , o f c o u r s e , i s u n i q u e l y a d a p t e d f o r
c e r t a i n k in d s o f so u n d ;
i t i s v e ry e f f e c ti v e f o r th e
p ro d u c tio n o f c l u s t e r s ; th e r e i s th e p o s s i b i l i t y o f
a b s o l u t e l y s t a t i c s u s t a i n e d t o n e s ; t h e r e i s t h e im m en se
r e g i s t e r , w h ic h e x t e n d s w e l l a b o v e a n d b e lo w t h e r a n g e
o f t h e p i a n o ; t h e r e i s t h e im m en se r a n g e o f d y n a m i c s ;
and c e r t a i n e l e c t r o n i c e f f e c t s , su c h a s th e tre m o lo ,
c o u ld b e v e ry u s e f u l .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 9 3 R .S .
G.C
I t h i n k t h a t c o m p o s e r s who s u b s c r i b e t o s u c h a p r o
c e d u re a r e ta k in g th in g s o u t o f t h e i r n a tu r a l o r d e r .
I t h i n k som e k i n d o f m u s i c a l i d e a w o u ld n e e d t o
p re c e d e an y e la b o r a te fo rm a l p la n n in g .
I t c a n be
h e l p f u l to p la n c e r t a i n v e ry g e n e ra l a s p e c t s o f a
p ie c e i n a d v a n c e i d e a s su c h a s a p p ro x im a te l e n g t h ,
n u m b e r o f m o v e m e n ts , a n d i n s t r u m e n t a t i o n .
R .S .
I h a v e n o t i c e d c e r t a i n a n a l o g u e s b e tw e e n t h e e n t i t y
s t r u c t u r e i n y o u r m u sic , and th e p h ra s e s t r u c t u r e in
t r a d i t i o n a l m u s i c . Do y o u f e e l t h a t t h e r e i s s u c h
a re la tio n s h ip ?
G .C .
I n t h e s e n s e t h a t my m u s i c , l i k e t r a d i t i o n a l m u s i c ,
i s g e n e r a t e d fro m s m a l le r u n i t s , th ro u g h t h e i r
a l t e r n a t i o n an d m a n ip u la tio n .
R .S .
A re y o u a t t r a c t e d
S h o s ta k o v ic h ?
G .C .
I am f o n d o f s e v e r a l w o rk s o f P r o k o f i e v , e s p e c i a l l y
th e D m a jo r v i o l i n c o n c e r to an d th e P m a jo r s t r i n g
q u a rte t.
I f i n d P r o k o f i e v 's m u s ic t o b e t h e m o re
w h i m s i c a l , m o re i n v e n t i v e , a n d m o re I n t e r e s t i n g i n
te rm s o f b a s ic so u n d a n d in s t r u m e n t a t io n .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u com m ent on t h e p r o b le m o f a c h i e v i n g d y n a m ic
b a la n c e i n m u s ic , an d t h e v a lu e o f w r i t i n g o b j e c t i v e
v e r s u s s u b j e c t i v e d y n a m ic s ?
G .C .
F i r s t o f a l l , t h e a c h ie v e m e n t o f d y n a m ic b a l a n c e
r e q u i r e s s e n s i t i v i t y on th e p a r t o f c o n d u c to r s an d
p e rfo rm e rs .
I t h i n k t h e r e i s s o m e t h in g t o b e s a i d
f o r w r i t i n g t h e d y n a m ic s o b j e c t i v e l y a s t h e y s h o u l d
be h e a r d r a t h e r th a n s u b je c t iv e l y s u g g e s tin g th e
am o u n t o f e n e rg y r e q u i r e d .
I t h i n k t h a t I m ix b o t h
m e t h o d s , t h o u g h I t e n d t o g i v e t h e o b j e c t i v e d y n a m ic
m o re f r e q u e n t l y t h a n t h e s u b j e c t i v e .
H ie n o t a t i o n
o f d y n a m i c s i s a lw a y s p r o b l e m a t i c a l .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t i t w o u ld b e b e t t e r t o r e v i s e a
c o m p l e t e d p i e c e w h ic h y o u f e e l h a d som e w e a k n e s s e s ,
o r to ab an d o n su ch a p ie c e , and to w r ite in s te a d a
n ew c o m p o s i t i o n ?
t o t h e m u s ic o f P r o k o f i e v a n d
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 9 4 -
in
G .C .
I c a n im a g i n e a p i e c e , f t w h i c h y o u s e n s e d som e f l a w
i n t h e c o n c e p t i o n , f o r w h ic h t h e r e w as n o p r a c t i c a l
s o l u t i o n ; s u c h a p i e c e , o f c o u r s e , w o u ld h a v e t o b e
abandoned.
I f a c o m p o s e r f e e l s a s t r o n g c o m p u n c t io n
t o r e v i s e a c o m p o s i t i o n , t h i s w o u ld i n d i c a t e t h a t c o n
c e p t u a l l y , h e w as m o re o r l e s s s a t i s f i e d .
In such a
c a s e , w h e r e a n y r e v i s i o n w o u ld I n v o l v e t h e l e s s e s s e n
t i a l a s p e c t s o f a w o r k , i t w o u ld p r o b a b l y b e b e s t t o
d o w h a t e v e r t o u c h i n g u p se em e d n e c e s s a r y .
R .S .
W hat d o y o u t h i n k o f J o h n C a g e 's s i l e n t p i e c e ?
G .C .
I t h i n k C a g e h a s som e i n t e r e s t i n g c o n c e p t s , w h ic h
c a n p r o v o k e som e v a l u a b l e i d e a s , b u t I c a n n o t i m a g i n e
m u s ic d i v o r c e d fro m s o u n d .
To m e, m u s ic b y d e f i n i t i o n ,
i s 3 o u n d , p l u s som e o t h e r e l e m e n t s .
I f in d th e id e a
o f a s i l e n t p i e c e t o b e r a t h e r h u m o ro u s ; i f y o u t h i n k
o f i t a s a b i t o f w h im sy , t h e n e x p e r i e n c i n g t h e p e r
f o r m a n c e f o r t h e f i r s t t im e c a n b e f u n .
H ie s e c o n d
" s e e i n g , " I t h i n k , w o u ld l o s e i t s i n t e r e s t - - i t w o u ld
ce a3 e to be fu n n y .
R .S .
I n te rm s o f
e f f e c t i v e n e s s , how w o u ld
y o u c o m p a re t r a
d i t i o n a l h a rm o n y w i t h m o re r e c e n t h a rm o n ic p r o c e d u r e s ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t t h e t o n a l s y s te m o f common p r a c t i c e m u s ic
w as v e r y r i c h , a n d I t h i n k
t o d a y ' s c o m p o s e r s i n a w ay
re g re t th a t
th e y no lo n g e r have su c h
a b e a u tifu lsy s
te m t o w o rk w i t h .
I n t e r m s o f c o n te m p o r a r y h a rm o n y ,
I h a v e n o t i c e d t h a t p i e c e s w h ic h r e l y v e r y h e a v i l y
i n t h e i r c o n s t r u c t i o n on c h ro m a tic s e m ito n e s o f te n
c o m m u n ic a te a s e n s e o f m o n o to n y ; I d o n ' t know why
t h i s I s , e x c e p t t h a t i t may h a v e s o m e t h in g t o do w i t h
t h e e x c e s s i v e s y m m e try o f t h e h a r m o n ie s t h i s w o u ld
a l s o a p p l y t o som e w h o l e - t o n e m u s i c . We t h i n k o f
D e b u s s y 's m u s ic a s b e i n g l o a d e d w i t h w h o le t o n e s ,
b u t t h e r e a r e a c t u a l l y v e r y fe w o f h i s p i e c e s t h a t
a r e c o n s i s t e n t l y w h o le t o n e .
C h o rd s b a s e d on e q u a l
i n t e r v a l s , s u c h a s t h e a u g m e n te d t r i a d a n d t h e d im
in is h e d s e v e n th c h o rd , can a ls o r e s u l t In a f e e l in g
o f s a m e n e s s a n d m o n o to n y t h i s i s s o m e tim e s t r u e i n
t h e c a s e o f W a g n e r 's m u s i c , w h ic h o f t e n r e l i e 3 h e a v i l y
on su c h h a rm o n ie s .
The l a c k o f sy m m e try i n h e r e n t i n
t r a d i t i o n a l h a rm o n y m ay i n p a r t e x p l a i n i t s e f f e c t i v e
n e s s ; h a rm o n ie s f o r th e m o st p a r t a r e b a s e d on s ta c k s
o f m a j o r a n d m in o r t h i r d s u n e v e n I n t e r v a l s .
The
i n t e r e s t o f t h e t o n a l s y s te m a l s o o w es m uch t o t h e
c o n s ta n tly o p e ra tin g se n se o f te n s io n and r e s o lu tio n
r e s u l t i n g f ro m t h e o p e r a t i o n o f t h e l e a d i n g t o n e ,
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 9 5 ( G .C .) w h ic h l o s e s m uch o f i t s f o r c e i n v e r y c h r o m a t i c
m u sic .
When y o u t h i n k a b o u t i t , w h a t f o r c e d o e s
a " n o n h a r m o n ic " t o n e h a v e i n a t o t a l l y c h r o m a t i c
s ty le ?
T he t o n a l s y s te m w as s o r i c h i n s o m any
w ays!
R .S .
W hat a r e y o u r t h o u g h t s c o n c e r n i n g t h e p r o b le m o f
s t y l i s t i c i n s t a b i l i t y t h a t e x i s t s t o d a y , a n d w h ic h
h a s e x i s t e d f o r v i r t u a l l y th e e n t i r e t w e n ti e th c e n tu r y ?
G .C .
The w h o le p r o b le m o f s t y l e r e m a in s a s u n r e s o l v e d now
a s i t w as e a r l y i n t h e c e n t u r y .
Some c o m p o s e r s
th o u g h t th e y had th e a n sw e r in th e f i t i e s , w ith
t w e l v e - t o n e m u s i c , b u t now i t h a s b eco m e a p p a r e n t
t h a t t h e y w e re m is ta k e n .
O f c o u r s e , t h e p r o b le m o f
w r i t i n g a g o o d p i e c e a lw a y s e x i s t e d , w h a t e v e r g e n e r a l
s t y l e w as p r e v a i l i n g .
I d o n 't s e e a n y s t y l i s t i c
s t a b i l i t y i n s i g h t , u n l e s s you c o u ld c a l l th e a v a i l
a b i l i t y o f a l l p o s s i b i l i t i e s a s a s o u rc e o f vocabul a r y a k in d o f s t a b i l i t y I d o n 't t h in k o f t h i s a s
s ta b ility .
I b e lie v e t h a t e v e n tu a lly s t a b i l i t y w ill
r e t u r n , b a s e d on t h e way t h i n g s h a v e h a p p e n e d t h r o u g h
o u t m u s ic h i s t o r y b u t i t ' s h a r d t o s e e , i n o u r c e n
t u r y , a n y m ovem ent i n t h a t d i r e c t i o n .
One g e n e r a l
t r e n d t h a t we c a n s e e f ro m o u r v a n t a g e p o i n t i s
t h a t m any t w e n t i e t h - c e n t u r y c o m p o s e r s h a v e t a k e n a n
i n t e r e s t i n a new tim e s e n s e , w h ic h i n a way i n v o l v e s
t h e " s u s p e n d e d e f f e c t " o f a v e r y s lo w h a rm o n ic
r h y th m .
R .S .
How s t r o n g l y a r e y o u a t t r a c t e d t o o p e r a t i c m u s i c ,
a s o p p o s e d t o n o n o p e r a t i c m u s ic ?
G .C .
I r e a l l y d o n 't h a v e a p r e f e r e n c e , e x c e p t to s a y t h a t
t h e r e a r e f a r f e w e r o p e r a s w h ic h a r e f l a w l e s s m a s t e r
p i e c e s , th a n i s th e c a se w ith n o n o p e ra tic w o rk s.
W ith som e o p e r a s t h e p r o p e r b a l a n c e b e tw e e n t h e m u sic
a n d t h e a t r i c a l a s p e c t s p o s e s p r o b le m s .
To m e, t h e
m o st s u c c e s s f u l o p e ra s h av e been th e th r e e g r e a t ones
b y M o z a r t , B e r g 's W o z z e c k , V e r d i '3 F a l s t a f f , a n d
p e r h a p s W a g n e r 's M e l s t e r s i n g e r .
R .S .
I n y o u r p r o g ra m a n d r e c o r d j a c k e t n o t e s , y o u d i s p l a y
a v e ry d e f i n i t e g i f t f o r v e rb a l w r itin g .
Why h a v e
y o u c h o s e n n o t t o w r i t e m o re a b o u t m u s ic ?
G .C .
I f o u n d t h e w r i t i n g t o w h ic h y o u r e f e r v e r y , v e r y d i f f i
c u lt.
I am g l a d t h a t i t co m es o u t s o u n d in g r i g h t , b u t
f o r m e, a p a r a g r a p h c o s t s a g r e a t d e a l o f e f f o r t , a n d
tim e .
I a l s o f e e l t h a t t h e r e i s t o o m uch w r i t i n g a b o u t
m u s ic a l r e a d y i n e x i s t e n c e .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 9 6 I n te r v ie w , 3 F e b r u a r y 1978
R .S .
G .C .
I w o u ld t h i n k o f t h i s a s a n E a s t e r n c o n c e p t .
W ith
W e s te rn m u s i c , o n e u s u a l l y t h i n k s o f s i n g l e t o n e s ,
in te rm s o f th e m u s ic a l c o n te x t .
H o w e v e r, I am s u r e
t h e r e h a s a l r e a d y b e e n som e i n f l u e n c e a l o n g t h e l i n e s
o f i s o l a t i n g to n e s a n d m o d ify in g t h e i r tim b re .
N o r m a lly s u c h m o d i f i c a t i o n i s n o t u s e d a s a n e x c l u
s i v e p r i n c i p l e i n a c o m p o s itio n , b u t a s one d e t a i l
o f s o m e t h in g m ore c o m p le x .
T h e r e h a v e b e e n a n u m b er
o f r e c e n t p i e c e s w h ic h h a v e b e e n b a s e d on s i n g l e
t o n e s o r s i n g l e c h o r d s , w h ic h no d o u c t r e f l e c t c o n
c e r n f o r t h e k i n d o f s u b t l e n u a n c e a b o u t w h ic h we
a r e sp e a k in g .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h e r e
in e x is te n c e ?
G .C .
In a s e n s e , I d o n 't t h in k t h e r e i s .
The te r m " a v a n t g a r d e " h a s n ' t b e e n u s e d m uch i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h m u sic
s in c e th e e a r ly s i x t i e s .
So much o f t h e e x p e r i m e n t a
t i o n t h a t w as c a r r i e d on u n d e r t h e b a n n e r o f a v a n t g a r d i s m h a s now b eco m e a s s i m i l a t e d i n t o s t a n d a r d
c o m p o s itio n a l t e c h n iq u e s .
I am s u r e t h e r e a r e c e r
t a i n m o v em e n ts w h ic h a r e v e r y much c o n c e r n e d w i t h
e x p e r i m e n t a t i o n , b u t t h i s t y p e o f a c t i v i t y seem s t o
b e m uch m o re p e r i p h e r a l t h a n w as t h e c a s e a n u m b er
o f y e a rs ag o .
R .S .
G .C .
I w as r e f e r r i n g t o t h e s u b l i m i n a l s t r u c t u r i n g t h a t
a lw a y s g o e s o n .
T h e re a r e t e c h n i c a l s u b t l e t i e s in
a l l m u s i c , some o f w h ic h t h e c o m p o s e r i s a w a re o f ,
w h ile o th e r s a re p a r t o f th e i n t u i t i v e p ro c e ss in
h e r e n t i n a l l c o m p o s itio n .
is
s t i l l a m u s ic a l a v a n t-g a rd e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 9 7 R .S .
W hich n e g l e c t e d i n s t r u m e n t s a n d i n s t r u m e n t a l r e
s o u r c e s do y o u f e e l h o l d t h e m o s t p o t e n t i a l f o r
t o d a y 's c o m p o se rs?
G .C .
T h e re a r e v a s t p o s s i b i l i t i e s in t h e u s e o f M e d ie v a l,
R e n a iss a n c e , an d E a s te rn in s tr u m e n ts .
Even th e
c o n v e n t i o n a l w oodw in d a n d b r a s s i n s t r u m e n t s h a v e
m any p o s s i b i l i t i e s w h ic h h a v e s e ld o m , i f e v e r , b e e n
e x p lo ite d .
New p o s s i b i l i t i e s a r e d i s c o v e r e d a n d
a d o p te d w ith t h e p a s s in g o f y e a r s .
In th e f i e l d o f
p e r c u s s i o n , t h e r e a r e m any v e r y s i m p l e i n s t r u m e n t s
w h i c h , th o u g h t h e y d o n o t p o s s e s s a w id e r a n g e o f
e x p r e s s iv e p o s s i b i l i t i e s , c o u ld b e v e ry e f f e c t i v e
in th e p ro p e r c o n te x t.
F o r e x a m p le , I h a v e u s e d
T i b e t a n P r a y e r S t o n e s , w h ic h i n a s e n s e i s a v e r y
l i m i t e d i n s t r u m e n t , b u t w h ic h g i v e n a c e r t a i n c o n
t e x t c a n p r o v id e a v e ry e f f e c t i v e t im b r e .
T h e re
a r e o t h e r i n s t r u m e n t s w h ic h a r e h i g h l y d e v e l o p e d ,
b u t w h ic h h a v e b e e n n e g l e c t e d .
A c a se in p o in t is
t h e H u n g a r ia n c im b a lo m ( w h ic h S t r a v i n s k y u s e d i n
th re e w o rk s).
One d i f f i c u l t y w i t h t h e c im b a lo m i s
t h e m o re o r l e s s t r i a d i c a r r a n g e m e n t o f t h e s t r i n g s ;
B o u le z w as a t o n e p o i n t c o n s i d e r i n g t h e p o s s i b i l i t y
o f a r e s t r u n g c im b a lo m , on w h ic h t h e s t r i n g s w o u ld
b e a r r a n g e d c h r o m a t i c a l l y , a s on a p i a n o .
I f such
n i n s t r u m e n t w e r e a v a i l a b l e i n s u c h a m o d e r n i z e d
f o r " - , i t c o u ld m ake a b e a u t i f u l e x t e n s i o n t o t h e
p e rc u s s io n f a m ily .
The s a x o p h o n e h a s b e e n n e g l e c t e d
by m any c o m p o s e r s .
I h a v e n 't w r i t t e n f o r i t m y s e l f ,
b u t I w o u ld l i k e t o o n e d a y .
I t i s a v e ry a g il e
i n s t r u m e n t , a n d o f f e r s t h e p o a s i b i l i t y o f m uch t i m b r a l
nuance.
Some p e o p le d i s l i k e t h e s a x o p h o n e .
I t c o u ld
be e a s i l y m i s u s e d , b u t I t h i n k t h a t t h e i n s t r u m e n t c a n
be v e ry e f f e c t i v e , g iv e n th e p r o p e r o o n t e x t .
E x c e l
l e n t u s e o f i t w as m ade i n P r o k o f i e v 's L i e u t e n a n t
K1 J e , i n R a v e l 's B o l e r o , a n d i n t h e W e b ern q u a r t e t ;
A n o th e r n e g le c te d in s tr u m e n t i s th e a c c o r d io n ; I
s u p p o se c o m p o sers h e s i t a t e to u s e th e k e y b o a rd w ith
o u t th e c h o rd b u t to n s , b u t j u s t th e k e y b o a rd a lo n e
c o u ld b e v e ry e f f e c t i v e .
I t ' s a p o w e r f u l in s t m o m e n t,
p o s s e s s e s a v e ry s tro n g c h a r a c te r , and h a s u n lim ite d
s u s ta in in g c a p a c ity .
C r y s ta l g la s s e s can be u se d a s
a n o t h e r s im p le b u t b e a u t i f u l i n s t r u m e n t .
R .S .
Do c o m p o s e r s h e s i t a t e t o i n c l u d e t h e h a r p i n t h e i r
ch am b er e n s e m b le s b e c a u s e o f a s c a r c i t y o f c o m p e te n t
p e rfo rm e rs?
G .C .
The h a r p h a s n o t b e e n u s e d a s f r e q u e n t l y a s i t s
p o s s i b i l i t i e s w o u ld s u g g e s t .
I d o n 't b e li e v e t h e r e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
( G . C .) i s a s e r i o u s p r o b le m i n f i n d i n g g o o d h a r p i s t s ; i n
my A n c i e n t V o i c e s o f C h i l d r e n , i n tw o o f t h e b o o k s
o f M a d r i g a l s , a n d i n E c h o e s o f Tim e a n d t h e R i v e r ,
I h a v e g o t te n good p e rfo rm a n c e s fro m a num ber o f
h a r p i s ts in v a rio u s p la c e s .
B e r i o 's C i r c l e s i s a
w o rk w h ic h co m es t o m in d w h ic h m ak e s e x c e l l e n t u s e
o f th e h a rp .
R .S .
W hat a r e t h e d i f f i c u l t i e s o f w r i t i n g f o r e l e c t r i c
g u i t a r , a s opposed to w r i ti n g f o r th e a c o u s tic
g u ita r?
G .C .
R .S .
Y ou o n c e s t a t e d t h a t t h e f o rm o f a c o m p o s i t i o n w as
o f te n th e l a s t th in g to c r y s t a l l i z e in one o f y o u r
c o m p o s itio n s .
C o u ld y o u e x p o u n d a b i t o n why t h i s
is?
G .C .
I t f r e q u e n t l y h a p p e n s t h a t t h e d e f i n i t i v e fo rm I s
p r o b le m a tic a l th ro u g h o u t th e e n t i r e c o m p o s itio n .
Q u e s tio n s a r i s e c o n c e r n in g p a c in g , v a r i e t y an d
eco n o m y o f m a t e r i a l , w h e t h e r o r n o t t o i n s e r t c e r
t a i n i d e a s , how t o c o m b in e s m a l l e n t i t i e s i n t o
l a r g e r o n e s , th e in c lu s io n o f a coda o r an i n t r o
d u c tio n , and so f o r t h .
T h e re a l s o a r e g e n e r a l
q u e s tio n s c o n c e rn in g th e p s y c h o lo g ic a l c u rv e o f th e
l a r g e r f o rm t h i s w o u ld i n v o l v e t h e f lo w o f t h e
p ie c e in te rm s o f i n t e n s i t y ^
R .S .
W hat do y o u t h i n k w as t h e f i r s t c o m p o s i t i o n i n v o l v e d
w i t h t h e s u s p e n s i o n o f t h e u s u a l s e n s e o f t im e i n
m u s ic ?
G .C .
T he A f t e r n o o n o f a F a u n i s t h e e a r l i e s t p i e c e I c a n
r e c a l l o f w hat i s g e n e r a lly r e f e r r e d to a s su sp en d ed
m u sic .
Much o f t h e h a r m o n ic r h y th m , I s u s p e c t , m o v es
v e r y s l o w l y , a n d i n a d d i t i o n , t h e r h y th m ic s t r u c t u r e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-4 9 9 ( G .C .) o f t h e m u s ic i s u n d e f i n e d .
In o th e r w o rd s, th e
r h y th m i n t h i s p i e c e d o e s n o t p ro m o te a f e e l i n g o f
m o ti o n i n t h e t r a d i t i o n a l s e n s e a t a l l .
T h e re a r e
s e v e r a l f a c t o r s in v o lv e d .
E v en t i m b r a l l y , t h e r e
a r e m o m e n ts w hen t h e m u s ic J u s t se em s t o s i t t h e r e ,
so t h a t one i s c o n s c io u s o n ly o f tim b ra l b e a u ty , o r
o f th e v o ic in g o f a c h o rd .
R .S .
You o n c e s t a t e d t h a t C h o p in l a i d t h e g r o u n d f o r
R o m a n tic is m a t t h e a g e o f s e v e n t e e n .
C o u ld y o u
e la b o r a te a b i t a b o u t th is ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t C h o p i n 's c o n t r i b u t i o n s a r e v e r y m uch
n e g le c te d .
When o n e r e a l i z e s t h a t t h e o p u s 10
E t u d e s w e r e w r i t t e n i n t o t a l b e f o r e B e e t h o v e n 's
d e a th , i t h e lp s one to a p p re c ia te h is in v e n tiv e n e s s .
He d e v e l o p e d v e r y e a r l y a s a c o m p o s e r ; h i s s t y l e w as
f i x e d b y t h e t i m e o f h i s o p u s 2 . L i s z t m ade s i g n i f i
c a n t c o n t r i b u t i o n s l a t e r , b u t t h e g r o u n d w o rk w as
l a i d by C h o p in .
I t h i n k t h i s w o u ld b e a r i c h a r e a
f o r r e s e a r c h th e p e rs p e c tiv e needs to be c o rr e c te d .
I am s u r e t h a t L i s z t l e a r n e d a l o t f ro m C h o p i n .
R .S .
By w h ic h m u s ic o f D e b u s s y a r e y o u m o s t i m p r e s s e d ?
G .C .
T h e re a r e s e v e r a l a r e a s o f im p o r ta n c e :
th e p ia n o
m u s ic , th e s o n g s , th e cham ber p ie c e s , an d th e
o r c h e s t r a l m u sic .
R e a l ly , e v e r y th in g h e to u c h e d i s
q u ite im p re s s iv e .
R .S .
How m uch i n f l u e n c e o n t w e n t i e t y - c e n t u r y c o m p o s e r s
d o y o u f e e l I v e s ' F o u r t h Sym phony h a s h a d ?
G .C .
I t h i n k i t h a s e x e r t e d som e i n f l u e n c e i n v e r y r e c e n t
m u s ic .
T h is i s a c a s e o f a v e ry d e la y e d i n f l u e n c e
o f c o u r s e , i t w a s n 't e v e n p l a y e d u n t i l l o n g a f t e r i t
w as w r i t t e n .
Among o t h e r t h i n g s , I v e s ' F o u r t h h a s
s u g g e s t e d t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f c o m b in in g m any d i f f e r e n t
m u s i c s a c o l l a g e t e c h n i q u e w h ic h h a s b e e n u s e d t o
an y d e g re e o n ly d u r in g th e l a s t te n o r so y e a r s .
T h e r e i s a l s o t h e u s e o f q u o t a t i o n s hym ns a n d f o l k
songs in h is c a s e .
I t h i n k i t m ig h t b e a f l a w e d
m a s te rp ie c e .
I n a w a y , I w o u ld l i k e t o d e f e r f i n a l
ju d g m e n t .
I h a v e h e a rd i t o n ly tw ic e i n l i v e p e r
fo rm a n c e s.
I t I s a n i n c r e d i b l y c o m p le x s o u n d s t r u c
t u r e an d e x u d e s a g r e a t d e a l o f e x c ite m e n t, b u t I
d o n ' t f e e l I r e a l l y know i t y e t I n t h e s e n s e t h a t I
know o t h e r w o r k s .
When I s a y f la w e d , I am r e f e r r i n g
p r i m a r i l y t o t h e l y r i c a l t h i r d m ovem ent w h i c h , t o my
e a r , g iv e s th e im p r e s s io n o f n o t b e lo n g in g s t y l i s t i c
a l l y w i t h t h e o t h e r m o v e m e n ts .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 0 0 R .S .
Do y o u f e e l t h e sam e way a b o u t t h e C o n c o r d S o n a t a ?
G .C .
I t h in k t h a t t h e C o n co rd S o n a ta i s a v e ry p o w e rfu l
a n d b e a u t i f u l w o rk .
I s u p p o se i t c o u ld b e c r i t i c i z e d
b e c a u s e o f i t s lo o s e c o n s tr u c ti o n a s h o rtc o m in g in
s e v e r a l o f I v e s ' w o rk s.
P e r h a p s B e r l i o z a n d M u s s o rg
s k y h a d t h a t sam e w e a k n e s s , b u t w hen t h e v i t a l i t y o f
m u s ic i s a s im m ense a s i n t h e c a s e o f t h o s e c o m p o s e r s ,
i t s e e m s l i k e a m in o r f l a w .
R .S .
How i n f l u e n t i a l do y o u f e e l B a r ti S k 's
have been?
G .C .
T hey h a v e b e e n h i g h l y i n f l u e n t i a l , a s h a s B a r t o k 's
m u s ic i n g e n e r a l .
B a r to k p la y e d an im p o r ta n t r o l e
in g e t t i n g o t h e r co m p o se rs i n t e r e s t e d i n v a r io u s sound
p o s s i b i l i t i e s , som e o f w h ic h a r e b e a u t i f u l l y e x p l o i t e d
in th e q u a r t e t s .
W eb ern m ade u s e o f m any o f t h e sam e
p o s s i b i l i t i e s i n h i s t h r e e w o rk s f o r s t r i n g q u a r t e t ,
b u t t h e y a r e u s e d m o re c o m p e n d io u s ly I n t h e B a r t o k
q u a rte ts .
R .S .
O t h e r t h a n P i e r r o t L u n a l r e , The H i t e o f S p r i n g , t h e
B a r to k q u a r t e t s , t h e I v e s F o u r t h S y m phony, a n d W o z z e c k ,
w h ic h w o rk s w o u ld y o u i n c l u d e i n a l i s t o f t h i s c e n t u r y ' s
m o st i n f l u e n t i a l p ie c e s ?
G .C .
W e ll , I c e r t a i n l y w o u ld i n c l u d e t h e o n e s y o u J u s t m en
t i o n e d , b u t I s u s p e c t t h a t o t h e r w o rk s b y t h o s e sam e
c o m p o s e r s w o u ld b e a l m o s t a s i n f l u e n t i a l .
The p i e c e s
y o u m e n t i o n e d h a v e b eco m e r e g a r d e d a s s e m i n a l w o r k s ,
b u t j u s t i n g e n e r a l , a l l o f t h e m u s ic o f V a r e s e a n d
W ebern h a s e x e r t e d a g r e a t d e a l o f i n f l u e n c e .
W eb ern
in tro d u c e d th e p o s s i b i l i t y o f w r iti n g v e ry s h o r t
p i e c e s , w h ic h d e s p i t e t h e i r b r e v i t y se em t o p o s s e s s
m uch s u b s t a n c e a n d i m p o r t a n c e .
He a l s o o p e n e d u p
m any t i m b r a l p o s s i b i l i t i e s , a s w as m e n t i o n e d e a r l i e r .
R .S .
W e b e rn , o f c o u r s e , h a s b ecom e a s s o c i a t e d w i t h s o c a l l e d K l a n g f a r b e n m e l o d l e . As a p r i n c i p l e w h ic h
p r o m o te s s t r u c t u r a l c o h e r e n c e , do y o u t h i n k t h a t
t h i s p a r t i c u l a r m e th o d o f e x p l o i t i n g t o n e c o l o r
s t i l l o ffe rs p o s s ib ilitie s ?
G .C .
As a p r i n c i p l e , i t i s s o m e t h in g w h ic h c o u l d s t i l l b e
u sed im a g in a tiv e ly , and even in d i f f e r e n t w ays.
It
i s t r u e t h a t i t h a s n 't b een u s e d a s s i g n i f i c a n t l y s in c e
W e b e rn .
P e r h a p s t h e p r o b le m h a s t o do w i t h t h e f a c t
t h a t s o m any c o m p o s e r s e m p lo y s u c h d i s j u n c t l i n e s ,
s trin g
q u a rte ts
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 0 1 ( G . C .) t h a t I t b e c o m e s I m p o s s i b l e t o h e a r a t h e m a t i c i d e a
w hen t h e n o t e s a r e s h i f t e d b a c k a n d f o r t h am ong t h e
in stru m e n ts.
P e r h a p s a m o re c o n j u n c t , l e s s c h r o m a ti c
i d io m w o u ld b e t t e r l e n d i t s e l f t o K l a n g f a r b e n t r e a t
m e n t.
C e r ta in p a ssa g e s in th e t r a d i ti o n a l l i t e r a t u r e
g e t a l i t t l e i n t o t h a t k in d o f t r a n s f e r e n c e o f t o n e s .
T h e r e a r e m any b e a u t i f u l p a s s a g e s i n W agner a l o n g
t h a t l i n e , b u t a lth o u g h th e p r in c ip le i s im p lie d , i t
i s n o t f u l l y c a r r i e d o u t ; i n W a g n e r 's c a s e , t h i s
m ig h t i n v o l v e , f o r e x a m p le , t h e t r a n s f e r o f a l i n e
f ro m a c l a r i n e t t o a n o b o e , a n d t h e n b a c k t o t h e
c la rin e t.
The way i t i s l a i d o u t w o rk s b e a u t i f u l l y .
R .S .
H ave y o u b e e n a t t r a c t e d
G .C .
E r w a r tu n g i m p r e s s e s me a s b e i n g a s u p e r - r o m a n t i c
w o r k , w h ic h I s u p p o s e i s w h a t E x p r e s s i o n is m w as a l l
a b o u t.
E s t h e t i c a l l y , I c a n a d m ir e c e r t a i n w o rk s i n
t h a t s t y l e , b u t E x p r e s s i o n i s m i s a s ta n c e I h a v e n e v e r
f e l t c o m f o r ta b le w ith .
I t se em s t o me t o b e a c e n t r a l E u r o p e a n W e lt a n s c h a u u n g .
I t Is in te re s tin g th a t i t
d i d n e a r l y d o m in a t e m u s ic f o r a w h i l e .
N ot o n ly th e
t e c h n i q u e s , b u t a l s o a n d f a r m o re i m p o r t a n t - - , t h e
s t y l i s t i c a s p e c ts had p e rv a s iv e in flu e n c e , ( i n e v e r
h a v e b e e n a b l e t o u n d e r s t a n d why t h e t e c h n i q u e s
d e v e l o p e d b y t h e V i e n n e s e h a v e n o t b e e n u s e d m o re
by c o m p o s e r s o f o t h e r s t y l i s t i c p e r s u a s i o n s . ^
t o S c h o e n b e r g 's E r w a r tu n g ?
R .S .
W hich c o m p o s e r s o f t h e t w e n t i e t h c e n t u r y h a v e m ade
t h e m o s t e x t e n s i v e u s e o f sy m m e try a s a s t r u c t u r a l
p r in c ip le ?
G .C .
I d o n ' t t h i n k t h e r e w as a n y c o m p o s e r t h a t w a s ^30
s t r o n g l y i n v o l v e d w i t h s y m m e tr i e s a s w as B a r t o k .
I 'm n o t s u r e w h a t B a r t S k 's s o u r c e s f o r t h i s w e r e .
He h a d a v e r y l o g i c a l m in d , a n d i t i s i n t e r e s t i n g
t h a t B a r t 6 k l i k e t h e V i e n n e s e - - w a s a C e n t r a l E u ro
pean.
A lt h o u g h h e d i d n ' t go i n t h e d i r e c t i o n o f
t w e l v e - t o n e m u s i c , h i s m u s ic g i v e s t h e i m p r e s s i o n o f
h a v i n g t h e sam e r i g o r o u s o r g a n i z a t i o n .
The M u sic f o r
S t r i n g s , P e rc u s s io n , and C e le s ta i s an o u ts ta n d in g
e x a m p le o f B a r t d k 's p r e d i l e c t i o n f o r s y m m e try ; t h e r e
i s t h e t r i t o n a l p o l a r i t y , t h e i n v e r s i o n o f t h e th em e
f o r t h e s e c o n d h a l f , t h e c o n t r a r y m o tio n i n v o l v e d
w i t h t h e e n t r a n c e s o f t h e th e m e , a n d t h e c h r o m a ti c
s y m m e try o f t h e th e m e i t s e l f .
B a r to k v e r y o f t e n
f a v o r e d a n a r c h f o r m ; y o u c o u ld go t o a w o rk l i k e
t h e M lk ro k o s m o s a n d f i n d d o z e n s o f p i e c e s b u i l t on
j u s t o n e a s p e c t o f s y m m e tr y . M e s s ia e n i s t h e o n l y
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 502( G . C .) o t h e r c o m p o s e r who c o m e s t o m in d t h a t i s i n t e n s e l y
in v o lv e d w ith s y m m e trie s .
In h is t r e a t i s e , he
w r i t e s e n t h u s i a s t i c a l l y a b o u t v a r i o u s s c a l e fo rm a
t i o n s a n d c h o rd s t r u c t u r e s b a s e d on s y m m e tr ie s , an d
t h e r e a r e a l s o h i s n o n r e t r o g r a d a b le rh y th m s .
He
w as p r o b a b l y i n f l u e n c e d b y B a r t o k , a n d b y D e b u s s y .
D e b u s s y w as v e r y f o n d o f s y m m e t r i c a l c h o r d s , t h e s e
o f t e n b e in g b a s e d on t h e w h o le -to n e s c a l e .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u e x p o u n d on y o u r i d e a s c o n c e r n i n g t h e n o n
e v o l u t i o n o f m u s ic ?
G .C .
I w o u l d n 't w a n t t o o v e r e m p h a s i z e t h i s .
In a re c e n t
l e c t u r e , t h i s s u b j e c t cam e u p , a n d I m ig h t h a v e r e
a c t e d a l i t t l e t o o s t r o n g l y a g a i n s t t h e v ie w t h a t
e v e ry th in g i s a b s o lu te ly e v o lu ti o n a r y .
I th in k th a t
w ith in a s p a n o f tim e , y ou do h av e a g e n e r a l s e n s e
o f e v o lv in g i n a c e r t a i n d i r e c t i o n .
H o w e v e r, I
d o n ' t t h i n k e v e r y t h i n g i n m u s ic c a n b e e x p l a i n e d i n
t h i s w ay; t h e r e h av e b e e n b r e a k s i n t h e l o g i c a l c h a in
o f e v e n ts .
I su p p o se one c o u ld a rg u e t h a t th o s e
b r e a k s w e re e v o l u t i o n a r y i n a c e r t a i n s e n s e ; i t m ig h t
b e s a i d t h a t m u s ic h a d come t o a d e a d e n d , a n d t h a t
t h e n e x t s t y l i s t i c p l a t e a u c o u l d o n l y e m e rg e a f t e r
th e e x h a u stio n o f c e r t a in e a r l i e r p o s s i b i l i t i e s .
B u t t h e r e h a v e a lw a y s s e e m e d t o me t o b e q u i t e a
n u m b e r o f c o m p o s e r s t h a t do n o t c o n f o r m s t y l i s t i c a l l y
t o t h e n o rm o f t h e i r p a r t i c u l a r p e r i o d .
T a k in g Mann
h e im u p t o t h e f i r s t w o r l d w a r a s o n e s t y l i s t i c
t h r u s t , y ou h a v e c o m p o se rs l i k e B e r li o z a n d M u sso rg sk y
t h a t d id n o t c o n fo rm .
E v o l u t i o n i n m u s ic i s a l m o s t
a lw a y s d i s c u s s e d a s i f i t w e r e a p u r e l y W e s t e m E u r o p e a n a f f a i r , w h e r e a s m any E a s t e r n i n f l u e n c e s h a v e
com e i n t o m u s ic d u r i n g t h i s c e n t u r y .
Ih e re i s a ls o
a t e n d e n c y t o l o o k u p o n o l d e r m u s ic a s b e i n g som ehow
i n f e r i o r o r la c k in g in i n t e r e s t .
I b e lie v e t h a t th e
g r e a t w o rk s o f t h e M e d ie v a l a n d R e n a i s s a n c e p e r i o d s
m e a s u r e u p i n e v e r y way t o t h e g r e a t w o rk s o f l a t e r
p e rio d s .
I t h a s a t t i m e s se e m e d t o me t h a t o u r own
c e n tu ry i s a l i t t l e l i k e th e s e v e n te e n th c e n tu r y ,
i n b e i n g v e r y u n c e r t a i n a s t o w h e re i t i s g o i n g .
In
t h e s i x t e e n h u n d r e d s , f o l l o w i n g t h e b re a k d o w n o f t h e
R e n a i s s a n c e t r a d i t i o n , new f o rm s w e r e d e v e l o p i n g a n d
e v e r y t h i n g w as m ore o r l e s s u n s t a b l e .
O ut o f t h a t
w h o le c e n t u r y , o n l y tw o o r t h r e e c o m p o s e r s e m e rg e a s
b e i n g f i r s t - r a t e o n e t h i n k s o f M o n te v e r d i a n d P u r c e l l .
Of c o u r s e , th e e ig h t e e n th a n d n i n e t e e n t h c e n t u r i e s
w e re i n c r e d i b l y r i c h I n t h e s e r e s p e c t s .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 0 3 R .S .
Who i s y o u r f a v o r i t e
p e rio d ?
G .C .
My f a v o r i t e R e n a i s s a n c e c o m p o s e r i s J o s q u i n .
I d o n 't
know t h a t m uch o f h i s m u s i c , b u t w h a t I d o know s e em s
t o h a v e g r e a t e x p r e s s iv e p o w er.
In c o n tr a s t, P a le s
t r i n a se e m s a l m o s t t o o f i n i s h e d l e s s p o w e r f u l .
A
w o rk l i k e t h e H e r c u l e s M ass o f J o s q u i n h a s e n o rm o u s
p o w e r , a n d m uch m o re v a r i e t y t h a n P a l e s t r i n a .
The
m u s ic o f P a l e s t r i n a i s b e a u t i f u l l y m a d e , b u t i n a
w a y , i t s e e m s v e r y a b s t r a c t ; t h e r e i s s o m e t h in g
s tr a n g e a b o u t t h a t m u sic .
R .S .
co m po ser o f th e R e n a is s a n c e
C o u ld y o u s p e c u l a t e o n how we p e r c e i v e m u s ic
e n t l y now , t h a n d i d a m u s i c i a n o f a p r e v i o u s
d iffe r
p e rio d .
G .C .
One t h i n g t h a t com es i n t o i t p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y w o u ld
b e t h a t w hen we l i s t e n t o a w o rk fro m a p r e v i o u s
p e r i o d , we c a n h e a r i t a s b e i n g p o w e r f u l a s a n
e x p r e s s i v e e n t i t y , b u t we c a n n o t h o p e t o h e a r t h e
d e g r e e o f i n n o v a t i o n t h a t a c o n te m p o r a r y o f t h a t
w o rk w o u ld h a v e h e a r d .
I c a n t h i n k o f m any p i e c e s
o f B a r t o k a n d W ebern t h a t h a v e s m o o th e d o u t w i t h i n
my l i f e t i m e , s o t h a t t h e y n o l o n g e r se em r e a l l y
c o n te m p o ra r y .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u m ake some c o m m en ts c o n c e r n i n g t h e n a t u r e
o f m u sic ?
G .C .
M u s ic i s , I t h i n k , b o t h t h e p r i m a r y a n d m o s t a b s t r a c t
a r t . E ven t h e m o s t e l e m e n t a r y p i e c e o f m u s ic i s m o re
o f a n a b s t r a c t i o n th a n r a t h e r s o p h i s t i c a t e d p o e tr y
o r p a in tin g , by th e n a tu r e o f I t s m a t e r i a l s .
P erh ap s
i t i s f o r t h i s r e a s o n t h a t m u s ic g e n e r a l l y d e v e l o p s
l a t e r s t y l i s t i c a l l y in p e rio d s o f ch a n g e th a n do th e
o th e r a r t s .
A r t i s o n e o f t h e fe w f o rm s o f hum an
a c t i v i t y t h a t is n o t s e lf se rv in g .
T h e re i s a q u a l i t y
o f d e ta c h m e n t i n v o l v e d i n c r e a t i n g a w o rk o f a r t .
T h ere i s a q u a l i t y o f a b s t r a c t i o n an a tte m p t to
g e n e ra liz e e x p e rie n c e and to c o n c e n tr a te i t , and in
d o i n g t h a t , a n a t t e m p t t o g e t c l o s e r t o w h a t w as c a l l e d
t r u t h b y som e o f t h e g r e a t p h i l o s o p h e r s .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t t h e r e c o u l d e v e r b e a n o t h e r p e r i o d
o f s t y l i s t i c s t a b i l i t y i n m u s ic , w ith o u t th e d e v e lo p
m e n t o f a s y s te m o f c o m p o s i t i o n a n a l o g o u s t o t h e
t o n a l s y s te m ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 0 4 G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t a p e r i o d o f s t a b i l i t y w o u ld i n v o l v e
a s y s t e m , o r a t l e a s t a v e r y s y s t e m a t i c way o f
w o rk in g .
I i m a g i n e t h a t s u c h a s y s te m w o u ld h a v e
s o m e t h in g t o do w i t h a n ew f o rm o f t o n a l i t y , s i n c e
t h i s h a s h i s t o r i c a l l y b e e n th e r u l e r a t h e r th a n
th e e x c e p tio n .
I n m uch o f t o d a y ' s m u s i c , y o u g e t
a q u e a sy f e e lin g t h a t a l l o f th e n o te s a re f ly in g
a p a r t , t h a t n o th in g i s s t i c k i n g , t h a t n o th in g i s
m a k in g l a r g e r s h a p e s o r p r o m o t i n g t h e b a s i c g e s t u r e .
T h e re i s no s e n s e o f l o g i c .
The s o l u t i o n i s n o t
m e r e l y a q u e s t i o n o f e s t a b l i s h i n g a s y s te m o f
c o m p o s i t i o n t h a t a l o n e w o u l d n 't i n s u r e c o h e r e n c e .
T h e r e i s m uch m o re i n v o l v e d t h a n j u s t m e c h a n i c s .
I t h i n k t h a t s t y l i s t i c s t a b i l i t y w o u ld r e q u i r e c e r
t a i n c o n v e n tio n s , s in c e a l l s t y l i s t i c p e rio d s have
had th e s e .
T h e r e a r e fe w c o n v e n t i o n s now t h a t a r e
a b le to s e rv e a g r e a t num ber o f c o m p o se rs; r a t h e r ,
e a c h c o m p o s e r s e e m s t o b e t r y i n g t o c r e a t e h i s ow n.
Some o f t h e i n s t a b i l i t y i n o u r s o c i e t y w h ic h d i r e c t l y
i n f l u e n c e s co m p o se rs i s , I t h i n k , a r e s u l t o f a
te n d e n c y I c a l l i t th e a p o c a ly p tic ten d e n c y to
w o n d e r i f t h e w o r l d m ay n o t b e on t h e v e r g e o f
p a s sin g o u t o f e x is te n c e .
T h is i s a v e ry r e a l and
f rig h te n in g p ro sp e c t.
Then to o , t h e r e i s th e h i s
t o r i c a l p e r s p e c t i v e w h ic h we m e n t i o n e d e a r l i e r .
C o m p o s e rs o f t h e s e v e n t e e n t h c e n t u r y m u s t h a v e f e l t
v e r y m uch l i k e t o d a y ' s c o m p o s e r s f e e l .
T h ey p r o b a b l y
th o u g h t:
" W a s n 't i t g r e a t i n P a l e s t r i n a ' s t i m e .
It
w as a l l l a i d o u t , a n d c o m p o s e r s w e r e s e c u r e ; h e r e we
a r e w o rk in g w ith new i d e a s I w o n d er i f th e y a r e
l e a d i n g an y w h e re ?
T h ere i s th e id e a o f o p e ra , b u t
d i f f e r e n t co m p o se rs a r e d o in g d i f f e r e n t t h in g s .
No
o n e q u i t e know s w h a t i s r i g h t .
W e 'r e t r y i n g t o
r e v i v e t h e G r e c ia n i d e a , b u t n o b o d y kn o w s w h a t t h e
G re e k m u s ic r e a l l y s o u n d e d l i k e . "
R .S .
W hat c h a n g e s d o y o u t h i n k w o u ld b e h e l p f u l i n im
p r o v i n g h i s t o r y , t h e o r y , a n d c o m p o s i t i o n p r o g ra m s
in th e t y p ic a l u n i v e r s it y .
G .C .
Any m u s ic p r o g ra m , w h e t h e r i t b e c o m p o s i t i o n , t h e o r y ,
o r h i s t o r y , s h o u l d h a v e m uch t o do w i t h e x i s t i n g
m u sic .
Some t e a c h i n g o f t h e o r y i s e x c e s s i v e l y s t y l i z e d ,
a n d p l a c e s u n w a r r a n t e d e m p h a s i s o n a s p e c t s o f m u s ic
t h a t a r e i m m e d i a t e l y p e r c e p t i b l e ; f o r e x a m p le , t h e
t y p i c a l f o rm a n d a n a l y s i s c o u r s e c o u l d e a s i l y b e
t a u g h t i n a few l e s s o n s .
I d o n 't th in k one l e a r n s
m uch a b o u t m u s ic f ro m a n a l y s i s o f t h i s k i n d e v e n
w o r s e i s t h e l a b e l i n g o f c h o r d s w i t h Roman n u m e r a l s .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 0 5 -
(G.C. ) Much m o re I m p o r t a n t a n d i n t e r e s t i n g i s t h e q u e s t i o n
o f w h a t r e a l l y m ak e s t h e m u s ic m o v e.
I may n o t b e
t a l k i n g r e a l i s t i c a l l y m aybe i n f a c t t h i s c o u l d n ' t
r e a l l y be ta u g h t.
The q u e s t i o n i s , w h a t I s r e a l l y
d r i v i n g t h e m u s ic a t a n y g i v e n p o i n t ?
T h e re a r e o f
c o u r s e m any e l e m e n t s i n t e r a c t i n g d u r i n g e a c h m oment
o f a good p ie c e o f m u sic .
T hese th in g s a r e n e v e r
t a l k e d a b o u t ; m aybe i t i s I m p o s s i b l e t o s a y v e r y
m uch m e a n i n g f u l l y m ay b e la n g u a g e f a i l s .
U lti
m a t e l y , p e r h a p s t h e s o l u t i o n t o t h e p r o b le m o f
e f f e c t i v e l y t e a c h i n g m u s ic i n t h e u n i v e r s i t y l i e s
i n m o re e m p h a s is on t h e p r a c t i c a l s i d e o f m u s i c :
m a s t e r i n g a n i n s t r u m e n t , h e a r in g a l o t o f m u sic ,
w r i t i n g m u s ic a n d t h e n h e a r i n g i t p l a y e d , t a k i n g
p a r t In e n s e m b le s , an d c o n d u c tin g . A f t e r a l l , in
p r e v i o u s p e r i o d s t h i s w as how m u s ic w as l e a r n e d .
I t w as i n a s e n s e a b s o r b e d .
I w o n d e r i f t o o much
a n a l y s i s d o e s n 't s o m e tim e s d e s t r o y t h e i n t e r e s t o f
p r o m is in g s t u d e n t s .
T h ey c o u l d e a s i l y b e g i n t o l o o k
a t i t m e c h a n is tic a lly .
When o n e i s i n v o l v e d i n t h e
p r a c t i c a l a s p e c t s o f m u s i c , some a n a l y s i s p r o b a b l y
g o e s on s u b c o n s c i o u s l y , b u t v i a t h e m u s ic i t s e l f
an a lto g e th e r d i f f e r e n t p ro c e s s .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h e t r e a t i s e s o n o r c h e s t r a t i o n by
B e r l i o z a n d R I m s k y -K o rs a k o v h a v e r e l e v a n c e f o r
t o d a y 's c o m p o se rs?
G.C.
I w o u ld d o u b t t h e i r r e l e v a n c e , e x c e p t p e r h a p s a s
g u id e s f o r l e a r n i n g c e r t a i n r u d im e n ta r y f a c t s a b o u t
th e in stru m e n ts.
R I m s k y -K o rs a k o v l a y s down c e r t a i n
r u l e s i n h i s b o o k , s u c h a s tw o h o r n s a r e n e e d e d t o
b a l a n c e o n e t r u m p e t , w h ic h w o u ld a p p l y t o a t r a d i
t i o n a l a p p ro a c h t o o r c h e s t r a t i o n no l o n g e r v a l i d
f o r m o st o f t o d a y 's c o m p o s e rs.
I c a n im a g i n e a
h o rn b e in g lo u d e r th a n a tru m p e t.
I t w o u ld d e p e n d
on r e g i s t e r .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t t h e e s t h e t i c s s u r r o u n d i n g
G e b r a u c h s m u s lk h a s a n y v a l i d i t y f o r c o n te m p o r a r y
c o m p o se rs?
G.C.
I t h i n k i t i s a n u g l y s o u n d in g t e r m .
I d o n 't q u i te
u n d e r s t a n d t h e e s t h e t i c s b e h in d t h e m o v e m e n t.
So
m uch o f t h e m u s ic a s s o c i a t e d w i t h G e b r a u c h s m u s lk i s
u n i m p r e s s i v e w ood en i n c h a r a c t e r .
M o st o f t h e
p r a c t i c a l p i e c e s H in d e m ith w r o t e f o r s o l o i n s t r u
m e n ts a n d p i a n o t e n d t o s o u n d w e l l o n t h e i n s t r u
m e n ts , b u t s t y l i s t i c a l l y and e x p r e s s iv e l y th e y a r e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 506( G . C .) v e r y l i m i t e d .
On t h e o t h e r h a n d , I h a v e a lw a y s
a d m i r e d w o rk s w h ic h m ake m o d e 3 t t e c h n i c a l d e m a n d s ,
b u t w h ic h n e v e r t h e l e s s s u c c e e d i n m ak in g a c o n
v in c in g s ta te m e n t; i n f a c t , th o s e a re p ro b a b ly th e
m o st d i f f i c u l t p ie c e s to w r i t e .
I g u e3 S I d i s l i k e ,
m o re t h a n a n y t h i n g e l s e , t h e t e r m G e b r a u c h s m u s lk .
I t d e n o te d a p a r t i c u l a r s t y l e o f m u sic w h ic h I d o n ' t
f in d v e ry a t t r a c t i v e .
As a s t u d e n t i n t h e e a r l y
f i f t i e s , t h o u g h , I c a n rem e m b e r when H in d e m ith w as
reg a rd e d a s a le a d in g in flu e n c e .
R .S .
Do y o u f e e l t h a t c r i t i c s h a v e h e lp e d o r h i n d e r e d t h e
c a u s e o f c o n te m p o r a r y m u s ic ?
G .C .
I s u p p o s e t o t h e e x t e n t t h a t t h e y h a v e c r e a t e d some
i n t e r e s t , t h e y h a v e h e l p e d . A t l e a s t t h e m u sic i s
g e t t i n g som e d i s c u s s i o n , w h e t h e r i t i s f a v o r a b l e o r
n o t.
P e o p le a r e b e i n g m ade a w a r e t h a t c e r t a i n m u sic
e x is ts .
T h e r e a r e a fe w g o o d c r i t i c s , b u t t h e r e a r e
a l s o m any who e i t h e r d o n o t know t h a t m uch a b o u t
m u s i c , o r who do n o t w r i t e w e l l .
I t h i n k t h a t som e
t h i n g t h i s c o u n t r y l a c k s i n t h e a r e a o f m u sic c r i t i
c is m a r e l o n g e r p e r i o d i c a l a r t i c l e s so m ew h at i n t h e
n a t u r e o f r e v i e w s , b u t d e a l i n g w i t h t h e m u sic m o re
t h o u g h tf u ll y , and w ith o u t an y d e a d lin e p r e s s u r e .
S e v e r a l E u r o p e a n p e r i o d i c a l s d e v o te s p a c e t o s u c h
a rtic le s .
T h e re a r e o c c a s io n a l s e r io u s re v ie w s o f
new m u s ic i n t h e M u s ic a l Q u a r t e r l y , b u t t h o s e seem
to a p p e a r l e s s and l e s s f r e q u e n tly .
P e r s p e c tiv e s
o f New M u sic c l a i m s t o s u p p o r t t h e new m u s i c , b u t
g iv e s h a rd ly an y c o v e ra g e o f th e r e a l ly e s s e n t ia l
th in g s .
M em o irs c o u l d j u s t a s w e l l b e i n b o o k 3 .
T h e re a r e r e a l l y no s e r i o u s re v ie w s a t a l l in
P e r s p e c t i v e s . Moisi o f t h e a r t i c l e s a r e s p e c u l a t i v e
o r th e o re tic a l.
H e re i s a m a g a z in e t h a t r e a l l y h a s
m o re t o do w i t h t h e o r y t h a n i t d o e s w i t h c o m p o s i t i o n ,
an d s p e c i f i c a l l y w ith a v e ry a b s t r a c t a p p ro a c h to
t h e o r y , w h ic h w o u l d n 't a p p e a l t o many o f t h o s e i n
v o l v e d i n t h e f i e l d o f c o n te m p o r a r y m u s i c .
P e o p le
who a r e I n t e r e s t e d I n s p e c u l a t i v e a s p e c t s , a n d who
w a n t t o h a v e t h e i r own m a g a z i n e , s h o u ld d o s o ; b u t
t h i s h a s t h e p r e t e n t i o n s o f b e i n g a m a g a z in e a b o u t
c o n te m p o r a r y m u s i c .
O b v i o u s l y , t h e w h o le m a g a z in e
r e f l e c t s a v e r y , v e r y n a r r o w s p e c tr u m o f m u s i c a l
th o u g h t.
I t s e e m s t o me t h a t a m a g a z in e o n c o n
te m p o r a r y m u s ic s h o u l d d e v o t e a l a r g e p r o p o r t i o n o f
s p a c e to t h o u g h t f u l , s e r i o u s re v ie w s to r e a l l y p ro
v o c a t i v e d i s c u s s i o n s o f new w o r k s .
R .S .
W hat d o y o u f e e l i s t h e p o t e n t i a l o f r h y th m ic m odu
l a t i o n a s a n a i d i n c o h e r e n t l y s t r u c t u r i n g m u s ic ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 0 7 G .C .
T h i s i s a t e c h n i q u e w h ic h I a s s o c i a t e a l m o s t e x
c lu s i v e ly w ith C a r te r .
I su p p o s e t h e r e c o u ld b e
w ays o f u s i n g i t o t h e r t h a n h i s p a r t i c u l a r a p p l i
c a tio n .
I t c a n be a v e ry m e c h a n ic a l d e v ic e , an d
a l l i t r e a l l y a m o u n ts t o i s a w r i t t e n - o u t r i t a r d a n d o
o r a c c e le ra n d o .
R .S .
I n y o u r m u s i c , do y o u t h i n k i n
g re s s io n ?
G .C .
O n ly i n o c c a s i o n a l t o n a l c o n t e x t s .
In n o n to n a l co n
t e x t s , I w o u l d n 't t h i n k i n t e r m s o f r o o t s ; I am
f r e q u e n t l y d e a l i n g w i t h c h o r d s w h ic h l a c k a c l e a r
ro o t.
I d o n ' t t h i n k H i n d e m i t h 's t h e o r y o f r o o t s i s
a p p l i c a b l e t o s t y l e s f a r re m o v e d f ro m h i s ow n.
B a s i c a l l y , t h e c h o r d p r o g r e s s i o n i n my m u s ic w o u ld
u s u a l l y b e d e te r m in e d i n t u i t i v e l y , a c c o r d in g t o t h e
d i c t a t e s o f my e a r .
R.S.
Why i s i t t h a t y o u n e v e r u s e t h e p ia n o w i t h o u t a n y
G .C .
T h a t k i n d o f d r y s o u n d j u s t d o e s n 't a p p e a l t o me i n
t e r m s o f my own m u s i c .
T h is i s j u s t a p e r s o n a l
q u irk .
te rm s o f r o o t p ro
3 o s te n u to o r d am p er p e d a l?
I n te rv ie w ,
18 M a rc h 19 7 8
R .S .
W hat a r e y o u r v ie w s a s t o
r e c o r d e d p e rfo rm a n c e ?
th e c o n c ep t o f a d e f i n i ti v e
G .C .
I f e e l t h a t th e r e i s no su ch t h in g a s a d e f i n i t i v e
p e rfo rm a n c e .
Many r e c o r d i n g s a r e i n r e a l i t y m e r e l y
s y n th e tic p e rfo rm a n c e s c o n s is t in g o f th e j u x ta p o s i
t i o n o f n u m ero u s s p l i c e s ; t h e s e a r e s y n t h e t i c b e c a u s e
t h e y e m a n a te f ro m p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y i s o l a t e d " t a k e s "
p u t to g e t h e r by a r e c o r d in g e n g in e e r .
Many r e c o r d i n g s
m ade i n t h i s w ay a r e l a b e l e d a s , o r a c q u i r e t h e r e p u
t a t i o n o f , t h e d e f i n i t i v e p e r f o r m a n c e . A ny p i e c e o f
m u s ic t h a t h a s r e a l s i g n i f i c a n c e a l l o w s f o r l a t i t u d e
in i t s i n t e r p r e t a t i o n .
S u ch a p i e c e c a n b e a p p r o a c h e d
c o n v i n c i n g l y i n s e v e r a l d i f f e r e n t w a y s , w h ic h w o u l d n 't
n e c e s s a r ily be t h a t s im ila r .
E v en t h e a r t i s t t h a t
m a k e s a r e c o r d i n g w o u ld p l a y t h e sam e w o rk q u i t e d i f
f e r e n t l y i f h e w ere to p la y i t a y e a r a w eek o r
even a day l a t e r .
I f in d th e c o n c e p t o f i m i ta t in g
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 0 8 ( G .C .) a " d e f i n i t i v e p e r f o r m a n c e " t o b e a v e r y u n m u s i c a l
one.
G e n e r a l a t t i t u d e s to w a r d s m u s ic c h a n g e w i t h
tim e .
N o th in g i s f ix e d .
We know f ro m r e c o r d i n g s
t h a t M o z a r t 's m u s ic w as a p p r o a c h e d so m e w h at d i f f e r
e n t l y f o r t y y e a r3 ago th a n i s c u r r e n t l y th e c a s e ,
a n d t h o u g h i t d o e s n o t seem a l t o g e t h e r c o n v i n c i n g
no w , t h a t a p p r o a c h w as p e r f e c t l y v a l i d f o r i t s t i m e .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u com m ent on t h e r o l e m u s i c o lo g y h a s p l a y e d
i n d e te r m in in g s ta n d a r d s o f p e rfo rm a n c e ?
G .C .
A c e r t a i n k i n d o f p s y c h o lo g y i n t r o d u c e d b y m u s i
c o lo g is ts th e d e s ir e above a l l e ls e f o r a h i s t o r i
c a l l y p e r f e c t r e a l i z a t i o n h a s o f te n p ro v en p e d a n tic
and lim itin g .
F o r e x a m p le , w i t h t h e U r t e x t e d i t i o n
o f t h e B e e th o v e n s o n a t a s , c e r t a i n p e r f o r m e r s m i g h t ,
i n t h e i r d e s i r e t o b e f a i t h f u l t o t h e c o m p o s e r 's
i n t e n t i o n s , v a r y a l m o s t n o t a t a l l f ro m t h e n o t e s
o n t h e p a g e , w h e r e a s B e e th o v e n h i m s e l f w o u ld h a v e
a llo w e d a n d e v e n p r e f e r r e d d e l i c a t e v a r i a t i o n s o f
te m p o , r h y th m , a n d d y n a m i c s .
Such m ;a n c e s , i f
n o t a t e d , w o u ld m ake t h e p a g e cu m b e rso m e t o r e a d ,
b u t t h e y a r e n e v e r t h e l e s s i m p l i e d i n t h e s t y l e ; we
know f ro m h i s t o r i c a l a c c o u n t s t h a t B e e t h o v e n h im
s e l f w as a v e r y f r e e p e r f o r m e r o f h i s own m u s i c ,
a n d e m p lo y e d e x p r e s s i v e l y r u b a t o , n u a n c e s o f
r h y th m a n d d y n a m i c s , a n d c h a n g e s i n te m p o .
W ith B a c h 's m u s ic t h e r e i s a t e n d e n c y am ong p e r
f o r m e r s t o m ake e v e r y t h i n g s o u n d m e c h a n i z e d e x
p r e s s io n le s s .
E x c e p t i n c e r t a i n t y p e s o f m o v em e n ts
r e q u i r i n g a c e r t a i n s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d r h y th m ic d r i v e ,
I t h i n k t h a t t h e sam e f r e e d o m o f e x p r e s s i o n i s im
p l i e d i n B a c h 's m u s i c ; B ach h i m s e l f m u s t h a v e f r e
q u e n tly in c lu d e d a g r e a t d e a l o f e x p re s s iv e n u a n c e .
The s t r u c t u r a l I n t e g r i t y o f h i s m u s ic i s o f s u c h a
h ig h o r d e r , t h a t i t t r a n s l a t e s w e ll to a lm o s t a n y
m ed iu m .
I e n j o y h e a r i n g B a c h 's c l a v i e r m u s ic o n
t h e p i a n o a s w e l l a s o n t h e h a r p s i c h o r d ; h e w as a
l i t t l e n o n c o m m i tt a l a s t o t h e i n s t r u m e n t o r i n s t r u
m e n ts t o b e u s e d i n t h i s a n d a n u m b e r o f o t h e r w o r k s
I s u p p o s e t h i s w as a B a r o q u e t r a i t .
B a c h 's f a v o r i t e
i n s t r u m e n t w a s , we a r e t o l d , t h e c l a v i c h o r d a v e r y
i n t i m a t e i n s t r u m e n t c a p a b l e o f m uch e x p r e s s i v e
nuance.
C e r t a i n o f h i s c l a v i e r p i e c e s w o u ld u n q u e s
t i o n a b l y b e v e r y e f f e c t i v e on t h e c l a v i c h o r d .
The
f a c t t h a t B a c h w o u ld p r e f e r s u c h a n i n s t r u m e n t i n
i t s e l f s u g g e s t s h e m u s t h a v e f r e q u e n t l y e m p lo y e d a n
e x p re s s iv e s t y l e o f p e rfo rm a n c e .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 0 9 R .S .
How i m p o r t a n t d o y o u f e e l k n o w le d g e b y a c o m p o s e r
o f t h e m u s ic o f h i s c o n t e m p o r a r i e s i s , a s o p p o s e d t o
k n o w le d g e o f t r a d i t i o n a l m u s ic ?
Q .C .
I t h in k i t i s im p o r ta n t to h e a r r e c e n t m u s ic , b u t I
d o n 't t h in k t h i s i s a n y th in g a c o m p o se r h a s to con
s c io u s ly se ek o u t.
I t i s p a r t o f h i s n o rm a l d e v e lo p
m en t t o ru n i n t o t h e s e p i e c e s w h e th e r h e w a n ts to
o r n o t /la u g h te r 7 .
I th in k t h a t an a w a re n ess o f a l l
m u s ic a l s t y l e s i s o f d e f i n i t e b e n e f i t to a c o m p o se r.
I t i s t r u e t h a t t h e r e i s a l o t o f b a d m u s ic b e i n g
w r i t t e n t o d a y , b u t e v e n f la w e d w o rk s c a n e x e r t i n f l u
ence.
M o st o f t h e g r e a t c o m p o s e r s w e r e i n f l u e n c e d
to a d e g re e by t h e i r l e s s e r c o n te m p o ra rie s .
R .S .
A re y o u a t t r a c t e d
G .C .
I r a n k h im am o n g t h e g r e a t c o m p o s e r s o f t h e c e n t u r y .
I am p a r t i c u l a r l y f o n d o f t h e V i o l i n C o n c e r t o , L u l u ,
t h e L y r i c S u i t e , t h e C h am b er C o n c e r t o , a n d oT c o u r s e ,
W ozzeck.
t o t h e m u s ic o f A lb a n B e rg ?
R .S .
I t i s a m a z in g t h a t B e r g w as a b l e t o w r i t e t h e V i o l i n
C o n c e r t o w i t h i n s u c h a b r i e f tim e s p a n , w hen h e ,
o r d i n a r i l y , w a s s u c h a s lo w w o r k e r .
Why a r e c e r t a i n
c o m p o s e r s a b l e t o w r i t e m o re r a p i d l y a t som e t im e s
th a n a t o th e r s ?
G .C .
I d o n 't know .
I n s u c h i n s t a n c e s t h e r e w o u ld seem t o
b e a p s y c h o l o g i c a l u r g e n c y o f g e t t i n g s o m e t h in g o u t .
T h e r e a r e a l s o c o m p o s e r s , who l i k e S t r a v i n s k y , com
p ose a s e t num ber o f h o u rs e v e ry d a y .
I su p p o se t h i s
i s la r g e ly a m a tte r o f p e rs o n a lity .
R .S .
H ave y o u e v e r w r i t t e n a w o rk t h a t y o u d i d n o t l i k e ?
G .C .
Y e s. T h e re w e re a nu m b er o f s t u d e n t
se e m e d t o l a c k o r i g i n a l i t y , o r t h a t
hav e c e r t a in d e f i n i t e s h o rtc o m in g s ,
t h e l e s s p r o v id e d im p o r ta n t l e a r n in g
R .S .
W hat i s t h e i m p o r t a n c e o f a p a r t i c u l a r k e y o r l e v e l
o f p i t c h i n a p ie c e o f t r a d i t i o n a l m u sic ?
To p u t i t
a n o t h e r w a y , c o u l d we n o t t r a n s p o s e m o s t t r a d i t i o n a l
p i e c e s u p o r down a n a i f s t e p w i t h o u t l o s i n g t h e
e s s e n t i a l m e a n in g
G .C .
No I d o n ' t t h i n k s o .
T h e re a r e v e ry im p o r ta n t p sy c h o
l o g ic a l a s w e ll a s p u re ly p r a c t ic a l c o n s id e r a tio n s
in v o lv e d .
I n m u s ic f o r s t r i n g e d i n s t r u m e n t s , t h e n u m b e r
w o rk s t h a t l a t e r
l a t e r seem ed to
b u t w h ic h n e v e r
e x p e rie n c e s .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 1 0 ( G .C .) o f o p e n s t r i n g s c e r t a i n l y m ak es a g r e a t d e a l o f
d i f f e r e n c e ; f o r e x a m p le , t h e k e y o f D - m a jo r i s s u c h
a d i f f e r e n t sound i n a s t r i n g s e c t i o n a s o p p o sed to
t h a t o f E - f l a t m a jo r!
W ith a p i a n o p i e c e , t h e im p o r
ta n c e o f a g iv e n k ey i s m a in ly p s y c h o lo g i c a l , b u t
th e r e a r e a ls o c e r t a in te c h n ic a l c o n s id e r a tio n s .
T he c o m p o s e r t h i n k s o f t h e t h e m e s , f i g u r a t i o n s , s c a l e
p a s s a g e s , e t c . o f a k e y b o a r d w o rk i n t e r m s o f a p a r
t i c u l a r k e y ; i f tra n s p o s e d to a n o th e r k e y , t h i s con
s i d e r a t i o n o n t h e p a r t o f t h e c o m p o s e r w o u ld b e l o s t .
T r a n s p o s i t i o n w o u ld c e r t a i n l y a f f e c t t h e l e v e l o f
t e c h n i c a l d i f f i c u l t y o f a lm o s t a n y p i e c e .
R .S .
D o e s n 't t h e f a c t t h a t o u r c o n c e p t o f a b s o l u t e p i t c h
d i d n o t e x i s t u n t i l a r o u n d 1 9 0 0 , w hen o n e - l i n e A w as
f i x e d a t 4 4 0 , s u g g e s t t h a t t r a n s p o s i t i o n u p o r down
a h a l f s t e p w o u ld n o t b e t h a t c r i t i c a l ?
G .C .
N ot n e c e s s a r i l y .
No m a t t e r a t w h a t f r e q u e n c y a p ia n o
i s t u n e d , a g i v e n k e y w o u ld s t i l l r e q u i r e c e r t a i n d i s
t i n c t m o ti o n s o f t h e h a n d .
I f , on a d e f e c t i v e phono
g r a p h , o n e w e r e t o h e a r t h e E r o l c a Sym phony i n E
i n s t e a d o f i n E - f l a t , o n e w o u ld s t i l l h e a r a c e r t a i n
s o n o r i t y in th e s t r i n g s and n u a n c e s o f e a s e an d d i f f i
c u l t y c r e a t e d b y t h e k e y o f a c t u a l p e r f o r m a n c e . A lo n g
t h e s e sam e l i n e s , t h e q u e s t i o n a r i s e s , why i s B e e t h o
v e n 's s o n a t a , o p . 78 i n P - s h a r p m a jo r ?
I t s e em s a n
I m p r o b a b le k e y , b u t i t m u s t h a v e h a d som e p s y c h o l o g i c a l
s i g n i f i c a n c e f o r th e c o m p o ser.
E ven m o re d i f f i c u l t t o d i s c u s s i s t h e r a n g e o f e x p r e s
s iv e a s s o c i a t i o n s t h a t d i f f e r e n t co m p o se rs a tt a c h e d to
v a rio u s k e y s.
T h i s m ig h t h a v e b e e n c o n d i t i o n e d b y t h e
m u s ic a c o m p o s e r knew i n a p a r t i c u l a r k e y , a s w e l l a s
b y h i s own o n g o i n g t r a d i t i o n .
B e e th o v e n w as v e r y s e n s i
t i v e to t h i s phenom enon.
I t i s c u r i o u s t h a t h e a v o id e d
t h e k e y o f b - m i n o r a f r e q u e n t k e y f o r m any c o m p o s e r s
a lm o s t c o m p le te ly .
E x c e p t f o r p a s s a g e s i n t h e M ls s a
S o le m n is a n d f o r o n e v e r y b r i e f B a g a t e l l e , I know o f
n o m u 3 ic b y B e e th o v e n i n b - m l n o r .
I t w as e v i d e n t l y a n
u n c a n n y k e y f o r h im .
E v e r y t h i n g we h a v e s a i d h e r e
w o u ld a l s o a p p l y t o c o n te m p o r a r y m u s i c .
I h a v e a lw a y s
f e l t t h a t th e a c tu a l p itc h e s a com poser w r i te s e n t a i l
im p o r ta n t c o n n o ta t io n s .
R .S .
How m uch u n i t y d o y o u f e e l t h e p r o c e s s e s o f i n v e r s i o n ,
r e t r o g r e s s i o n , a n d r e t r o g r a d e i n v e r s io n c a n p r o v id e
to a g ro u p o f p itc h e s ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 1 1 G .C .
T h e s e a r e o n e m eans o f s u p p l y i n g u n i t y .
S im p le i n v e r
s i o n w o u ld p r o b a b l y b e t h e m o s t p e r c e p t i b l e .
B o th
r e t r o g r e s s i o n a n d r e t r o g r a d e i n v e r s i o n w e re e x c e p
t i o n a l l y r a r e p r o c e d u r e s d u r i n g t h e common p r a c t i c e
p e r i o d , d e s p i t e t h e g r e a t i m p o r ta n c e a t t r i b u t e d t o
th em b y t h e t w e l v e - t o n e s c h o o l .
T h ese d e v ic e s c o u ld ,
o f c o u r s e , b e a u r a l l y o b l i t e r a t e d o r s u p p o r t e d by
r h y th m , d y n a m i c s , a n d o t h e r f a c t o r s .
In th e case o f
t h a t t w e l v e - t o n e m u sic t h a t o n e c a n n o t f o l l o w b y e a r ,
some u n i t y w o u ld b e p r o v i d e d b y t h e s y s te m I t s e l f ,
b u t n o m ore u n i t y t h a n i s f o u n d i n a s i m p l e s o n a t a
f ro m t h e common p r a c t i c e p e r i o d .
In th e l a t t e r c a s e ,
t h e u n i t y d e r i v e s fro m t h e s y s t e m a t i c p r o g r e s s i o n o f
common c h o r d s .
I w o u ld n o t m ake a m y s t iq u e o u t o f
m u sic a l u n i ty .
I t h a s b e e n a c h i e v e d b y q u i t e s im p le
m ea n s a t a l l p o i n t s o f m u sic h i s t o r y .
In f a c t , I
h a v e o f t e n f e l t t h a t t h e p r o b le m i n m uch new m u sic i s
n o t one o f u n i ty , b u t one o f v a r i e t y .
T o d a y 's m u sic
o f t e n h a s a l o t o f s m a l l s c a l e v a r i e t y , b u t t h i s to o
f r e q u e n tly ad d s up to c o n fu s io n ; s i g n i f i c a n t v a r ie ty
on th e la r g e s c a le o c c u rs b u t r a r e l y .
One to o o f t e n
g e t s t h e f e e l i n g w i t h new m u s i c , t h a t m uch o f w h at
on e i s h e a r i n g i s c o m p le te ly i r r e l e v a n t .
R .S .
D oes t h e f a c t t h a t P a l e s t r i n a w ro te a lm o s t o n ly c h u rc h
m u s i c , t h a t C h o p in w r o t e a l m o s t o n l y p i a n o m u s i c ,
and
t h a t W a g n er w r o t e a l m o s t o n l y o p e r a m ean t h a t t h e y w e re
i n a c e r t a i n s e n s e l i m i t e d a s c o m p o s e r s ? W o u ld n 't t h e y
h a v e b e e n g r e a t e r c o m p o se rs had th e y w r i t t e n e q u a lly
w e ll f o r o t h e r g e n re s?
G .C .
I n a c e r t a i n s e n s e , I s u p p o se t h e y w ere l i m i t e d , b u t
w h a t t h e y d i d a c h i e v e h a s j u s t l y e a r n e d f o r th em
r e c o g n i t i o n a s t r u l y g r e a t c o m p o s e r s . Had t h e y w r i t t e n
e q u a l l y w e l l i n o t h e r g e n r e s I s u p p o s e t h i s w o u ld h a v e
enhanced t h e i r s ta tu s , b u t t h is i s p r e tty h y p o th e tic a l.
R .S .
Why m ig h t t h e c o m p o s e r s h a v e s e t s u c h l i m i t s ?
G .C .
I i m a g i n e t h a t t h e i r v i s i o n w as d i r e c t a n d t o t a l l y
c o n s u m in g .
P a l e s t r i n a w as p r o b a b l y g u i d e d b y p e r s o n a l
c o n v ic t io n s , a3 w e ll a s by p r a c t i c a l c o n s id e r a t i o n s .
C h o p in se em e d t o h a v e a n i n n a t e f e a r o f w r i t i n g f o r
a n y th in g o t h e r th a n p ia n o .
He w r o t e tw o s o n a t a s f o r
c e l l o a n d p i a n o , i n b o t h o f w h ic h t h e p i a n o t e n d s t o
d o m in a te .
In h is c o n c e r t ! , th e o r c h e s tr a s e rv e s as
l i t t l e m o re t h a n a n a c c o m p a n im e n t; i t n e v e r com es
a l i v e i n i t s own r i g h t .
C h o p i n 's p r e d i l e c t i o n f o r
th e p ia n o t o th e e x c lu s io n o f a lm o s t e v e r y t h in g e ls e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 1 2 ( G .C .) p r o b a b l y h a d s o m e t h in g t o d o w i t h t h e v i r t u o s o p s y
c h o lo g y .
F o r W a g n e r, a n y t h i n g l e s s t h a n a l l o f t h e
r e s o u r c e s c o n n e c t e d w i t h o p e r a w o u ld h a v e p r o b a b l y
been u n in s p irin g .
R .S .
How w o u ld y o u d e f i n e a r t i s t i c
G .C .
I t i s v e ry d i f f i c u l t to s p e c i f ic a ll y d e fin e , b u t i t s
p r e s e n c e o r a b s e n c e i n a p i e c e o f m u s ic f r o m a n y
p e r io d i s im m e d ia te ly p e r c e iv e d i n t u i t i v e l y .
M u s ic
w h ic h i s s i n c e r e p o s s e s s e s c l a r i t y , a c e r t a i n d i r e c t
n e s s , and a v o id s u n n e c e s s a ry d i f f i c u l t i e s .
The
essen ce o f a r t i s t i c s in c e r ity is in ta n g ib le , b u t i s
n e v e rth e le s s f e l t d i r e c t l y .
s in c e rity ?
R .S .
I s a bad p ie c e n e c e s s a r i l y
G .C .
N o . A c o m p o s e r m ig h t h a v e t h e b e s t o f i n t e n t i o n s
a n d , i n s p i t e o f t h e s e , s t i l l p r o d u c e a f la w e d w o r k .
B u t, e v e n i n a b ad p i e c e , th e p r e s e n c e o r a b s e n c e of
a c o m p o s e r 's s i n c e r i t y c a n b e f e l t .
in s in c e re ?
R .S .
C o u ld a m u s ic t h a t i s
be s in c e r e ?
G .C .
Y es.
I t i s s in c e r e i f i t a c h ie v e s w hat th e com poser
i n te n d e d , i n te rm s o f m u s ic a l e f f e c t .
S o u s a 's
m a r c h e s a r e s i n c e r e , a s i s G e r s h w i n 's m u s i c ; i n b o t h
c a s e s , t h e m u s ic r e f l e c t s t h e c o m p o s e r s ' r e a l p e r s o n
a litie s .
R .S .
G .C .
He w as p r o b a b l y p a y i n g t r i b u t e t o t h e f a c t t h a t m u s i c
i s th e m o st a b s t r a c t o f th e a r t s .
I d o n 't th in k h e
m eant w hat he s a id l i t e r a l l y , s in c e in m u sic a l te rm s
b i s own m u s ic e x p r e s s e s a g r e a t d e a l .
I have n e v e r
c a re d f o r t h a t s ta te m e n t; i t i s m is le a d in g .
R .S .
W hat c a n m u s ic e x p r e s s ?
G .C .
I n t e r m s o f I t s own s y n t a x , m u s ic c a n e x p r e s s a l m o s t
a n y th in g .
I t h i n k m u s ic i s a s b r o a d a s , a n d c a n r u n
d e e p e r th a n la n g u a g e .
Language i s l i n e a r , and c a n
t h u s e x p r e s s b u t o n e i d e a a t a t i m e ; m u s ic c a n s i m u l
t a n e o u s l y p r o j e c t d i f f e r e n t l a y e r s o f m e a n in g .
It
i s p o s s i b l e t o m u s i c a l l y e x p r e s s tw o o r m o re s e e m i n g l y
c o n tr a d ic to ry id e a s .
p r i m a r i l y c o m m e r c ia l i n I n t e n t
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 1 3 R .S .
C an m u s ic e x p r e s s a s p e c i f i c
id e a ?
e m o tio n o r e m o t i o n a l
G .C .
N o t i n v e r b a l t e r m s , b u t i n i t s own t e r m s , y e s ;
m u s ic i s b y n a t u r e q u i t e s p e c i f i c :
i t m a tte rs
w h e th e r o r n o t a m e lo d ic l i n e r i s e s o r f a l l s ; i t
m a t t e r s w h ic h k i n d o f a c c i d e n t a l a n o t e h a s i n
fro n t o f i t ; e tc .
R .S .
I n t h a t 3 e n s e , e v e r y p a s s a g e w o u ld e x p r e s s i t s
e m o tio n .
G .C .
I t w o u ld e x p r e s s i t s own e m o t i o n , t h o u g h t , o r i d e a ,
b u t n o t in l i n g u i s t i c te rm s .
E v e ry d e t a i l p r o j e c t s
a d e f i n i te id e a o r im p re ss io n , b u t th e s p e c if ic
n a t u r e o f m u s ic d o e s n o t d e p e n d on a " d e f i n i t i v e
p e r f o r m a n c e ."
T h ere i s bound to be c o n fu s io n , b e
c a u s e we u s e l a n g u a g e t o t a l k a b o u t m u s i c , b u t t h e
e s s e n c e o f w h a t m u s ic e x p r e s s e s c a n n o t b e e x p r e s s e d
lin g u is tic a lly .
M u sic i s a s s p e c i f i c a s , b u t h a s
n o t h i n g t o do w i t h , l a n g u a g e .
M u sic r e s i s t s v e r b a l
d e s c r i p t i o n e x c e p t i n th e m o st g e n e r a l te r m s .
Much
w r i t i n g a b o u t m u s ic i n v o l v e s a d i s t u r b i n g l i n g u i s t i c
b i a s , a d d in g t o th e a l r e a d y w id e s p re a d c o n f u s io n .
R .S .
I f m u s ic i s s p e c i f i c , c a n tw o d i f f e r e n t p a s s a g e s
e x p r e s s t h e sam e i d e a ?
G .C .
Y es.
D i f f e r e n t p a s s a g e s c o u l d e x p r e s s t h e sam e
g e n e r a l e m o tio n o r i d e a .
I s u p p o s e I am i n t h e
m in o r ity in e m p h a s iz in g th e s p e c i f i c n a tu r e o f
m u s i c ; w hen I do s o , I am t h i n k i n g n o t i n l i n g u i s
t i c t e r m s , b u t i n te r m s o f m u s ic i t s e l f .
V is u a l
a r t m ig h t p r o v i d e a u s e f u l c o m p a r i s o n . A p a i n t i n g ,
th o u g h i t d o e s n o t d e a l w i t h w o r d s , i s a l i t t l e
e a s i e r to t r a n s l a t e i n t o v e r b a l te rm s th a n i s m u s ic .
W ith a R e n a i s s a n c e p a i n t i n g , o n e c o u l d b e a w a r e
in l i n g u i s t i c term s t h a t a c e r t a i n g e s tu r e i s
b e i n g m ade b y o n e o f t h e c h a r a c t e r s ; t h e c h a r a c
t e r s , th e g e s tu r e s , th e e x p r e s s io n s , th e p o s tu r e s ,
th e p la c e m e n t in th e l a r g e r s e t t i n g a r e a l l s p e
c i f i c , and to a d e g re e , can be m e a n in g fu lly v e rb a l
iz e d .
M u sic i s s p e c i f i c i n t h e sam e w a y , b u t i s
l e s s t r a n s l a t a b l e i n to v e rb a l te rm s .
R .S .
We s p o k e e a r l i e r a b o u t how a c o m p o s e r 's t o t a l a w a r e
n e s s e v e r y t h i n g h e i s i n v o l v e d w i t h w o u ld s u b
c o n s c i o u s l y f i n d i t s w ay i n t o h i s m u s i c . W ould a
c o m p o s e r who w e r e k n o w l e d g e a b l e i n o n l y tw o o r t h r e e
f i e l d s n e c e s s a r i l y w r i t e w o r s e m u s ic t h a n o n e k n o w l
e d g e a b le in te n f i e l d s ?
own
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 1 4 G .C .
N o . As a m a t t e r o f f a c t , I t h i n k t h a t v e r y fe w o f
t h e g r e a t c o m p o s e r s w e r e w h a t we w o u ld c a l l i n t e l
le c tu a ls .
E v e r y m in d i s d i f f e r e n t ; a b r o a d e r r a n g e
o f i n t e r e s t s w o u l d n 't n e c e s s a r i l y s a y a n y t h i n g a b o u t
t h e q u a l i t y o f a c o m p o s e r 's m u s i c .
Of c o u r s e , a n y
t h i n g t h a t a c o m p o se r e n c o u n te r s i n l i f e c o u ld e i t h e r
c o n s c io u s ly o r s u b c o n s c io u s ly in f lu e n c e h i s m u sic .
F o r e x a m p l e , we know f ro m B e e t h o v e n 's own w r i t i n g s
t h a t k n o w le d g e o f S h a k e s p e a r e a t t i m e s i n f l u e n c e d
h i s m u sic .
W h ile c o m p o s in g c e r t a i n m o v e m e n ts , h e
w o u ld h a v e a g i v e n s c e n e f ro m o n e o f S h a k e s p e a r e 's
p l a y s i n m in d .
One t h i n k s o f W ag n er a s a n e x a m p le
o f a com p o ser p o s s e s s in g e x te n s iv e a w a re n ess in a
n u m b e r o f f i e l d s , b u t t h i s w as n o t s o m e t h in g h e
c u l t i v a t e d b e c a u s e h e w a s a c o m p o s e r i t w as s i m p l y
h is n a tu r e a m a tte r o f p e rs o n a lity .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k i t w o u ld b e a m i s t a k e f o r a c o m p o s e r
t o w r i t e b o t h s e r i o u s a n d c o m m e r c ia l m u s ic ?
G .C .
I t h i n k i t w o u ld b e v e r y d i f f i c u l t p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y ,
b e c au se th e s ta n c e s a r e so a lto g e th e r d i f f e r e n t .
A
p e rs o n w o rk in g i n a c o m m e rc ia l f i e l d i s a s s u m in g ly
c o m m i tt e d , a n d s t r i v i n g t o t u r n o u t h i s b e s t p r o d u c t ,
w h e r e a s a s e r i o u s c o m p o s e r w r i t i n g c o m m e r c ia l m u s ic
w o u ld f i n d i t d i f f i c u l t p e r h a p s i m p o s s i b l e t o
f e e l d e e p l y c o m m itte d t o i t .
T h is i s t i e d i n w ith
th e q u e s tio n c o n c e rn in g a r t i s t i c s i n c e r i t y d i s
cu ssed e a r l ie r .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u com m ent o n t h e r o l e
i n c o m p o s itio n ?
G .C .
O n ly t o s a y t h a t I s u s p e c t t h a t w h a t we n o r m a l l y
r e f e r to a s th e s t y l e o f a co m p o ser i s a m a n if e s
t a t i o n o f t h e s u b c o n s c io u s , r a t h e r th a n o f a n y
c o n s c io u s d e li b e r a t io n o r c a lc u la tio n .
o f th e s u b c o n s c io u s
R .S .
How w o u ld y o u d e f i n e a t o n a l i t y ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t i n r e t r o s p e c t , i t c o u ld be d e f in e d a s
t h e i n t e r m e d i a t e 3 t a g e b e tw e e n t o n a l i t y a n d s e r i a l
m u sic .
T he m u s ic o f t h e a t o n a l p e r i o d , o f c o u r s e ,
la c k e d t h e u n a m b iv a le n t s e n s e o f t o n a l c e n t e r o f
t r a d i t i o n a l m u s i c , t h o u g h a t t im e s t h e r e a r e t o n a l
im p lic a tio n s .
R .S .
How w o u ld y o u d e f i n e
p o r a r y m u sic ?
to n a lity
i n t e r m s o f c o n te m
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 1 5 G .C .
I t can ta k e s e v e r a l fo rm s.
I t c o u ld I n v o lv e th e
r e v iv a l o f th e t r i a d , and ev en o f th e h ie r a rc h y o f
t r a d i t i o n a l h a rm o n ic p r o g r e s s i o n , o r i t c o u ld i n
v o lv e o n ly t h e s e n s e o f a f i x e d c e n t e r o r key n o t e
w i t h o u t a n y s e n s e o f d o m in a n t o r o t h e r e l e m e n ts
t r a d i t i o n a l l y a s s o c i a te d w ith t o n a l i t y .
The t r i t o n e
o r some o t h e r p o l a r i t y m ig h t b e s u b s t i t u t e d f o r t h e
to n ic - d o m in a n t r e l a t i o n s h i p .
S u c h a c e n t e r m ig h t
be s tr e n g th e n e d by s y m m e tric a l s t r u c t u r i n g .
R .S .
Is p itc h
th e m o st im p o r ta n t
o f t h e m u s i c a l e le m e n ts ?
G .C .
T h e r e h a v e b e e n som e p i e c e s
w ith o u t p itc h , b u t I
c a n 't c o n c e iv e o f t h e p o s s i b i l i t y o f a p ie c e w ith
o u t rh y th m e v e n a p i e c e c o n s i s t i n g o f a s i n g l e l o n g
t o n e w o u ld em body a r h y th m ic g e s t u r e .
I th in k t h a t
p i t c h i s i m p o r ta n t , b u t t h e r e h a s b e e n u n w a rra n te d
a n a l y t i c a l b i a s to w a r d i t .
T h e re h a s b een a f i x a t i o n
on p i t c h i n t h e a b s t r a c t , a s i f i t e x i s t e d s e p a r a t e l y
a n d a p a r t fro m t h e o t h e r p a r a m e t e r s .
I d o n 't t h in k
i t can v e ry o f te n be m e a n in g fu lly s e p a r a te d ; i t s r o le
i s q u a l i f i e d b y t h e t o t a l m u s i c a l c o n t e x t i n w h ic h i t
a p p ears.
The a n a l y t i c a l a p p r o a c h w h ic h a d v o c a t e s
t h e b r e a k i n g down a n d i s o l a t i o n o f m u s i c a l p a r a m e t e r s
h a s c a u s e d m uch c o n f u s i o n .
A l l e l e m e n t s o f m u s ic
a r e in tim a te ly in te r c o n n e c te d an d in te r d e p e n d e n t.
R .S .
Who do y o u t h i n k w as t h e g r e a t e s t o r c h e s t r a t o r
am ong t w e n t i e t h - c e n t u r y c o m p o s e r s ?
G .C .
A ll o f th e m a jo r c o m p o se rs o f t h i s c e n tu r y h a v e b e e n
v e ry a d e p t a t h a n d lin g i n s t r u m e n t s , an d a l l g o t a
u n i q u e so u n d f ro m t h e o r c h e s t r a .
I c o u l d n 't s i n g l e
o u t one " p r e - e m in e n t" o r c h e s t r a t o r .
R .S .
D oes t h e s u c c e s s f u l e m p lo y m e n t o f a n e s o t e r i c d e v i c e
such a s c ra b c a n o n , p u z z e l c a n o n , o r s e c t i o n a l i n
v e r s i o n ( i . e . i n v e r s i o n o f a n e n t i r e s e c t i o n ) m ake
a p i e c e a r t i s t i c a l l y s u p e r i o r t o a s i m i l a r s o u n d in g
p i e c e w h ic h c o n t a i n s n o s u c h d e v i c e ?
G .C .
N o.
I d o n 't t h in k s o .
I su p p o se th a t th e in c lu s io n
o f i n a u d i b l e e s o t e r i c a i s a k i n d o f game w i t h c e r t a i n
co m p o se rs.
The t e n d e n c y t o w a r d s t h i s k i n d o f p r o
c e d u r e s e em s t o b e m o re p r e v a l e n t d u r i n g c e r t a i n h i s
t o r i c a l p e r i o d s t h a n i n o t h e r s ; i t a l s o se em s t o v a r y
w i t h a c o m p o s e r 's n a t i o n a l i t y .
I n much o f M o z a r t 's
m u sic t h e r e a r e a l m o s t n o e s o t e r i c d e v ie .e 3 o f a n y
k in d to be fo u n d ; ev en c o u n te r p o in t i s o f te n l a c k in g
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 1 6 ( G .C .) y e t t h i s i n n o w ay d i m i n i s h e s i t s v a l u e .
The sam e
m ig h t b e s a i d a b o u t a n u m b e r o f c o m p o s e r s .
The f u g u e f ro m B e e t h o v e n 's H a m m e r k la v le r s o n a t a i s
a p o w e r f u l c o n c e p t i o n a n d i n v o l v e s m any i n g e n i o u s
c o n t r a p u n t a l c o m b i n a t i o n s , a n d y e t i t i s n o m o re
i m p r e s s i v e t h a n m any o f h i s m o re s t r a i g h t f o r w a r d
m o v e m e n ts .
I n t h a t p a r t i c u l a r w o rk , s t r u c t u r a l
i n t r i c a c y s e em s t o b e p a r t o f t h e c o n c e p t i o n , a n d
i s d i r e c t l y t ie d to th e e x p re s s iv e c o n te n t.
R .S .
S i n c e a l l h a rm o n ic p o s s i b i l i t i e s h a v e b e e n e x h a u s t e d ,
w h a t d o e s t h e f u t u r e h o l d i n s t o r e f o r t h e d i m e n s io n
o f h a rm o n y ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t t h i s i s o n e r e a s o n why we s h o u l d n ' t
o v e re m p h a siz e p i t c h .
P e r h a p s t h e m u s ic o f t h e
f u t u r e w i l l be d e te r m in e d by w hat d i r e c t i o n s th e
o t h e r d i m e n s io n s w i l l t a k e .
I n d i a n m u s ic h a s g o t t e n
a l o n g q u i t e w e l l w i t h o u t a v e r y c o m p l i c a t e d h a rm o n ic
s t r u c t u r e ; d r o n e s a r e t h e p r im a r y v e r t i c a l e l e m e n t ,
b u t m e l o d i c a n d r h y th m ic i n v e n t i o n a r e e x t r e m e l y
r ic h .
S c h o e n b e r g 's t w e l v e - t o n e s y s te m s e em e d t o
o f f e r som e p r o m i s e i n t h e a r e a o f p i t c h .
S c h o e n b e rg
spoke o f i t in v is io n a ry term s he a s s e r te d t h a t i t
a s s u r e d t h e d o m in a n c e o f Germ an m u s ic f o r t h e n e x t
s e v e ra l c e n tu rie s .
H e re we a r e b a r e l y f i f t y y e a r s
l a t e r , a n d t h e s y s te m a l r e a d y seem s t o h a v e e x h a u s t e d
i ts p o s s ib ilitie s .
None o f t h e d i s a d v a n t a g e s o f t h e
s y s te m a r e e v e r com m en ted o n .
I t w o u ld h a v e b e e n f a r
b e t t e r f o r S c h o e n b e rg i f he had s ta y e d w ith f r e e
a t o n a l l t y ; m o s t o f h i s g r e a t e s t w o r k s , f o r e x a m p le
P i e r r o t L u n a i r e , H e r tz g e w a c h e , E r w a r tu n g , J a c o b s
L e id d e r , G lu c k lic h e H and, th e opus lb o r c h e s t r a l
p i e c e s , a n d t h e o r c h e s t r a l s o n g s , o p u s 2 2 , w e re
w r i t t e n i n t h a t i d io m .
R .S .
How w o u ld y o u d e f i n e c o m p o s i t i o n a l t e c h n i q u e ?
G .C .
To p u t i t i n a fe w w o r d s , b e i n g a b l e t o d i r e c t l y
c o m m u n ic a te a m u s i c a l i d e a w i t h o u t l o s t m o t i o n .
I
h a v e a lw a y s h a d d i f f i c u l t y s e p a r a t i n g t h e t e c h n i c a l
i n m u s ic fro m t h e c o n c e p t u a l .
I 'm n o t s u r e how
v a lu a b le t r a i n in g such a s fu g u e , p a r t w r iti n g ,
c h o r a le , an d P a i e s t r i n a c o u n te rp o in t a r e .
I supp o se
a c e r t a i n am ount o f t r a i n i n g in th e s e d i s c i p l i n e s
c o u ld b e b e n e f i c i a l , s in c e c o m p o s itio n a l d e c is i o n s
o f a s o rt a re re q u ire d .
T h e r e m ig h t b e t h e d a n g e r
t h a t t o o m uch t r a i n i n g o f t h i s k i n d c o u l d i n t e r f e r e
w i t h a m o re p e r s o n a l t y p e o f e x p r e s s i o n , s i n c e s u c h
e x e r c i s e s a r e in v o lv e d w ith th e i m i t a t i o n o f o t h e r
s ty le s .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 1 7 R .S .
Why d i d F u x 's G r a d u s Ad P a m a s s u m a c h i e v e v o g u e w i t h
s o m any n o t a b l e c o m p o s e r s ?
G .C .
M aybe t h e y w e r e r i g h t .
M aybe t h e r e i s s u c h a t h i n g
a s t e c h n i q u e i n t h e a b s t r a c t b e i n g a b l e t o m a n ip u
l a t e n o te s w ith g iv e n s t y l i s t i c b o u n d a rie s .
In te rv ie w ,
12 J u n e 1 9 7 8
R .S .
Why d o y o u t h i n k t h a t , o t h e r t h a n W o z z e c k , t h i s
c e n tu r y h a s p ro d u ce d no g r e a t o p e r a s ?
G .C .
W o zzeck , i n a v e ry r e a l s e n s e , c lim a x e d th e lo n g
t r a d i t i o n o f o p e r a ; m any o f t h e i m p o r t a n t d i s
c o v e r i e s m ade b y o p e r a c o m p o s e r s t h r o u g h t h e c e n t u
r i e s cam e t o g e t h e r i n t h i s g r e a t w o r k .
S in c e th e
c o m p o s i t i o n o f W o z z e c k , t h e w h o le a r e a o f o p e r a
c o m p o s i t i o n h a s b eco m e p r o b l e m a t i c a l ; s e r i o u s
q u e s tio n s have a r i s e n su ch a s w hat th e a p p ro p r ia te
f o rm o f o p e r a s h o u l d b e , o r how t h e m u s ic s h o u ld
be t r e a t e d in r e l a t i o n to th e d ram a .
I t h in k th e
w h o le c o n c e p t o f o p e r a w i l l h a v e t o b e r e d e f i n e d .
E v e n tu a lly , I f e e l a s o lu tio n w i l l be fo u n d , a s
i t i s a v e ry n a t u r a l t h in g to w ant to b r in g t o
g e t h e r m u s ic a n d d r a m a .
R .S .
S i n c e t h e r e a r e s o m any e l e m e n t s i n o p e r a d r a m a ,
l i g h t i n g , m o v e m e n t, a n d s t a g e e f f e c t s d o y o u f e e l
t h a t g o o d m u s ic i s l e s s i m p o r t a n t w i t h o p e r a t h a n
w ith o t h e r fo rm s?
G .C .
O n ly i n t h e s e n s e t h a t t h e r e a r e e f f e c t i v e o p e r a s
i n w h ic h t h e m u s ic i s n o t n e c e s s a r i l y f i r s t r a t e ,
b u t I n e v e rth e le s s b e lie v e t h a t th e r e a l m a s te r
p ie c e s o f o p e ra a re g r e a t m u s ic a lly a s w e ll a s
d r a m a tic a lly .
F o r e x a m p le , t h e g r e a t o p e r a s o f
M o z a r t a r e c o m p a r a b le m u s i c a l l y t o a n y o f h i s n o n
o p e r a t ic w o rk s.
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t t h e t w e n t i e t h - c e n t u r y ' s n e o
c l a s s i c a l p e r i o d w as a d e a d e n d ?
G.C.,
I t h in k t h a t by d e f i n i t i o n , a n y n e o c l a s s i c a l p e rio d
i s a dead end.
C e r ta in g r e a t w o rk s, su ch a s S tr a
v i n s k y ' s L ' H i s t o i r e a n d Sym phony o f P s a lm s d i d
e m e r g e , b u t m any o f S t r a v i n s k y 's o t h e r n e o c l a s s i c a l
w o r k s , s u c h a s P e r s e p h o n e , O e d ip u s R e x , t h e v i o l i n
c o n c e r to , an d a l l o f th e n e o c la s s ic a l b a l l e t s , a re
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 1 8 ( G . C .) f a r l e s s e f f e c t i v e a n d t h e r e f o r e m o re t y p i c a l l y
n e o c la s s ic a l.
T h ere I s a c e r t a i n ir o n y im p lie d in
t a k i n g a n o l d s t y l e , d i s t o r t i n g i t , a n d c o m b in in g
i t w ith a d i f f e r e n t k in d o f s e n s i b i l i t y ; in g e n e r a l
t h i s k i n d o f a p p r o a c h d o e s n 't a p p e a l t o m e.
P h ilo
s o p h ic a lly , th e n e o c la s s ic a l s ta n c e im p lie s a la c k
o f m u sic a l / i t a l i t y .
I t i s c o n c e rn e d w ith g o in g
b a c k t o re n e w t h e p a s t , r a t h e r t h a n e x p l o r i n g a n d
d e v e l o p i n g new p o s s i b i l i t i e s .
I n a way n e o c l a s s i
c is m i s a k i n d o f n o s t a l g i a .
R .S .
Do y o u r e l a t e c o l o r t o m u s ic ?
G .C .
I n t e r m s o f common p r a c t i c e m u s i c , I do h a v e a c e r
t a i n s e n s e o f c o l o r a s s o c i a t i o n s i n c o n n e c tio n w ith
c e rta in to n a litie s .
The k e y o f D -m a J o r se e m s a
k i n d o f g o l d e n k e y , A - f l a t i s t o me a p u r p l e k e y ,
an d 3 -m in o r a d a rk o r b la c k k e y .
I th in k t h a t a
n u m b e r o f m u s i c i a n s m ake s u c h a s s o c i a t i o n s .
The
f a c t t h a t t h i s o c c u r s p r o b a b l y r e s u l t s fro m s u b
c o n s c i o u s f a c t o r s i n c o m b i n a t i o n w i t h t h e w o rk s
t h a t o n e know s i n t h e v a r i o u s k e y s .
I t i s p ro b a b ly
a p s y c h o l o g i c a l t r a n s f e r o f som e k i n d .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t M e s s i a e n 's The T e c h n iq u e o f my
M u s ic a l L anguage h a s v a lu e f o r to d a y * s c o m p o se rs?
G .C .
Some y e a r s a g o , I l o o k e d t h r o u g h i t a n d f o u n d c e r
t a i n a s p e c ts to be o f i n t e r e s t .
T h e r e i s n ' t much
i n t h e b o o k t h a t i s r e a l l y n e w . A d d i t i v e r h y th m ,
f o r e x a m p le i s a s t a n d a r d t e c h n i q u e f o r B a r t o k ,
o c c u rs f r e q u e n tly in e a r l y S tra v in s k y , and i s o f te n
f o u n d i n M e d ie v a l a n d H in d u m u s i c .
" N o n -re tro g r a d a b l e r h y th m s " a r e f o u n d f r e q u e n t l y i n B a r t o k .
One p r o b le m w i t h a b o o k s u c h a s M e s s i a e n 's i s t h a t
m any o f t h e m a t e r i a l s a r e s o c l o s e l y c o n n e c t e d w i t h
h i s m u s i c a l s t y l e t h a t a c o m p o s e r who m ade e x t e n s i v e
u s e o f t h e s e w o u ld p r o b a b l y e n d u p s o u n d in g a g r e a t
d e a l l i k e M e ss ia e n .
R .S .
H ave y o u b e e n i n f l u e n c e d b y b i r d
G .C .
N ot to an y a p p r e c i a b l e e x t e n t , a lth o u g h t h e r e i3 a
t y p e o f b i r d - l i k e m u s ic w h ic h h a s p r o b a b l y h a d some
in flu e n c e .
I t o c c u r s i n som e o f R a m e a u 's m u s i c ,
i n H a y d n 's La P o u le S y m p h o n y , a n d e l s e w h e r e .
so n g ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 1 9 k .S .
You o n c e s t a t e d t h a t y o u f e l t t h a t m aybe c o m p o s e r s
s h o u l d b e m o re I s o l a t e d , b u t w i t h r a d i o , t e l e v i s i o n ,
an d r e c o r d in g s , t h a t t h i s I s a d i f f i c u l t th in g to
a c h ie v e .
G .C .
I t i s h a r d t o b e a n y w h e r e t o d a y w h e re y o u d o n ' t come
i n t o c o n t a c t w i t h new m u s i c o r m u s ic o f som e k i n d .
I 'm n o t s u r e i s o l a t i o n i n i t s e l f i s g o o d , b u t I c a n
i m a g i n e c e r t a i n s i t u a t i o n s i n w h ic h i t w o u ld b e
d e s ir a b le to be is o la te d .
R .S .
You h a v e b e e n q u o t e d a s s a y i n g t h a t y o u r p r i m a r y c o n
c e r n a s a c o m p o s e r h a s b e e n " t o f i n d a new v o c a b u l a r y - new w a y s o f c o m b i n i n g s o u n d s ."
Do y o u s t i l l f e e l t h i s
w ay?
G .C .
Y e s , a n d I t h i n k t h a t t h e p r o b le m o f v o c a b u l a r y i s
t h e p r i m a r y c o n c e r n o f m any c o m p o s e r s .
P erh ap s i t
w as a lw a y s t h e m a in p r o b le m ; e v e n i n a m o re s h a r e d
l a n g u a g e , t h e p r i m a r y s t y l e o f a c o m p o s e r w o u ld
d e p e n d on n u a n c e s o f v o c a b u l a r y .
R .S .
You o n c e e x p r e s s e d t h e c o n v i c t i o n t h a t y o u f e l t a n
u n c o n v e n tio n a l tim b re o r in s tr u m e n t f o r c e s one to
l i s t e n m o re i n t e n s e l y .
W ould y o u c a r e t o e l a b o r a t e ?
G .C .
T h e re i s a c e r t a i n a d d i t i o n a l u rg e n c y in a n u n u s u a l
t o n e c o l o r , a f a c t o r n o d o u b t r e s u l t i n g fro m p s y c h o
lo g ic a l c o n s id e ra tio n s .
F o r e x a m p le , a r e c o r d e r
p i e c e w o u ld a u t o m a t i c a l l y a r r e s t t h e l i s t e n e r ' s
a t t e n t i o n m o re t h a n w o u ld a s i m i l a r f l u t e p i e c e o f
e q u a l q u a l i t y , s i n c e t h e r e c o r d e r p r o d u c e s a m o re
u n f a m i l i a r s o n o r i t y i n t e r m s o f t h e im m e d ia te t r a
d itio n .
R .S .
In a w ay, t h i s seem s to r e l a t e to th e p r e v io u s s t a t e
m e n t.
T he s e a r c h f o r a n ew v o c a b u l a r y a n d new w ay s
o f c o m b i n i n g s o u n d s , w h ic h f o r y o u h a s b e e n s u c h a
v i t a l c o n c e r n , w o u ld se em t o r e s u l t t o a s i g n i f i c a n t
d e g r e e f ro m t h e f a c t t h a t new s o u n d s f o r c e o n e t o
l i s t e n w i t h m o re i n t e n s i t y .
G .C .
Y es, I th in k t h a t 's t r u e .
And r e a l l y , I t h i n k t h a t
s u c h a p r a c t i c e h a s a lw a y s b e e n a p a r t o f t h e h i s t o r y
o f m u sic .
D e b u s s y 's new t i m b r e s a n d p i t c h c o m b in a
t i o n s m u st h a v e a r r e s t e d th e a t t e n t i o n o f h i s c o n
te m p o ra rie s .
I t i s t r u e t h a t th e u t i l i z a t i o n o f a
s p e c i a l tim b re i s an e f f e c t o f a k in d , b u t I t h in k
t h a t y o u c o u l d c a l l a l m o s t a n y t h i n g i n m u s ic a n
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- 520 ( G ,C .) e f f e c t i n a c e r t a i n s e n s e .
W it h i n a g i v e n com po
s i t i o n , t h e r e a l p r o b le m s u r r o u n d i n g t h e e x p l o i t a t i o n
o f u n u su a l s o n o r i tie s i s one o f s u c c e s s f u lly i n te
g r a tin g th e s e i n to th e m u sic a l f a b r i c .
In te rv ie w ,
17 J u l y 1 9 7 8
R .S .
W hat d o e s t h e L o r c a p h r a s e , t r a n s l a t e d ,
a r c h e s w h e re t im e s u f f e r s " m ean t o y o u ?
" th e b ro k e n
G .C .
I t h i n k t h i s im a g e r e f e r s t o a n c i e n t m o n u m e n ts, w h ic h
a r e now c r u m b l in g t o d u s t .
I t i s a n im a g e o f d e c a y ;
p e r h a p s i t a l s o r e f e r s t o m a n 's w o r k s , w h ic h a r e
r e a l l y so t r a n s i t o r y .
R .S .
W hat do y o u t h i n k t h e m a in p r o b le m s i n c o m p o s in g
s e r i o u s m u sic f o r t e l e v i s i o n w o u ld b e ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t t n e m a in p r o b le m i n t h i s w o u ld b e t h e
r a t h e r p o o r s o u n d q u a l i t y i n h e r e n t i n T .V . s o u n d
s y s te m s .
I n e a r l i e r T .V . p r o d u c t i o n s , t h e r e w as a
c o n s id e r a b le band o f f re q u e n c ie s c u t o u t a s a s ig n a l
t o n e ; t h i s d i s t o r t e d t h e m u s ic t o a d i s t u r b i n g d e g r e e .
I t s o u n d s t o me a s i f t h i s i s s t i l l b e i n g d o n e i n
a n y c a s e , th e f i d e l i t y te n d s to be v e ry b a d .
I t _is
n i c e t o s e e a n I n t i m a t e o p e r a s u c h a s T r i s t a n on
T . V . , s i n c e m o v ie t e c h n i q u e s a l l o w c l o s e - u p s a n d
v a r i o u s o t h e r p o s s i b i l i t i e s w h ic h c o u ld e n h a n c e t h e
in tim a te c h a ra c te r o f such o p e ra s .
On t h e o t h e r
h a n d , o p e r a s s u c h a s B o r i s G odunov o r M e i s t e r s l n g e r
w o u ld p r o b a b l y seem m i n i a t u r i z e d i f s e e n o n T . V . ,
s i n c e t h e s e a r e s p e c t a c l e o p e r a s ( w i th l o t s o f
p e o p le s i n g i n g a n d c ro w d s c e n e s ) .
R .S .
G .C .
I d o n ' t know .
I t h a s been a b a s ic m u sic a l r e f e r e n c e
f o r a n u m b er o f c o m p o s e r s , i n c l u d i n g L i s z t , B e r l i o z ,
a n d R a c h m a n in o v , a n d i t s e e m s t o o c c u r i n p r o g r a m a t i c
c o n t e x t s i n c o n n e c t i o n w i t h S a t a n , b u t I d o n ' t know
w hy.
R .S .
W hat do y o u t h i n k o f t h e s y s te m o f n o t a t i o n e m p lo y e d
b y M o rto n F e ld m a n ?
G .C .
I s u s p e c t t h a t th e n o t a t i o n m u st a g r e e w ith h i s c o n
c e p tio n o f th e m u sic .
I t c o u l d b e t h a t a m o re s p e c i f i c
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 2 1 ( G .C .) i n d i c a t i o n o f t h e rh y th m w o u ld n o t h a v e c o r r e s p o n d e d
w i t h h i s p r e d o m i n a t i n g s t y l e , w h ic h i s b a s i c a l l y a n
a rh y th m ic a l p ia n is s im o t e x t u r e w ith o u t in d e n t a ti o n s
o r p e rio d ic se n se o f any k in d .
I t w o u ld b e p o s s i b l e
to s p e c if y d e f i n i t e d u r a tio n s w ith o u t lo s in g t h i s
q u a l i t y , a n d d o i n g s o m ig h t m ake t h e m u sic m ore
a c c e s s ib l e p e rfo rm a n c e w is e .
R .S .
H ave y o u f o u n d m e r i t i n t h e p h i l o s o p h i e s o f J o h n
C age?
G .C .
I t h i n k C age h a s e x p o u n d e d som e i n t e r e s t i n g i d e a s ,
b u t t h e s e f o r t h e m o st p a r t a r e n o t o r i g i n a l , a n d
may b e e n c o u n t e r e d i n v a r i o u s w r i t i n g s .
One o f h i s
c o n c e p ts h a s t o do w ith p u l l i n g i n a l l e n v iro n m e n ta l
so u n d s a s a c o m p o s itio n a l r e s o u r c e .
To m e, t h i s d o e s
n o t seem p a r t i c u l a r l y f r u i t f u l .
I c a n im a g in e n a t u r a l
s o u n d s m ig h t m ake a n i c e b a c k d r o p f o r a c e r t a i n p i e c e ,
b u t som ehow t o me m an-m ade s o u n d s w o u ld b e d i s t u r b i n g
(s o u n d s s u c h a s m o t o r s , a i r p l a n e s , a n d s o f o r t h ) I f
t h e y w e re u s e d a s p a r t o f a m u s i c a l c o m p o s i t i o n .
R .S .
C age o n c e s t a t e d i n a l e c t u r e t h a t a n y c o m b i n a ti o n
o f t o n e s c o u l d b e p e r f o r m e d i n s u c h a way a s t o
p ro d u ce g r e a t m u sic .
G .C .
I d o n 't s e e th e s e n s e
a l o t o f p i e c e s w h ic h
by v i r t u e o f t e r r i f i c
r e m a rk i s p r e t t y s i l l y
R .S .
Why i s i t t h a t som e c o m p o s e r s
e m p h a s is on t h e p h i l o s o p h i c a l
p r o c e s s e s b e h in d t h e i r m u s i c ,
above th e a c t u a l sound o f th e
G .C .
I d o n 't u n d e rs ta n d i t .
T h e r e d o n ' t seem t o be a n y
r e a l p r e c e d e n ts f o r t h i s .
W a g n er, o f c o u r s e , w r o t e
e x te n s i v e l y on m u sic , b u t h i s w r i t i n g s te n d i n so
f a r a s t h e y r e l a t e t o m u s ic t o b e f a i r l y p r a c t i c a l
and m a tte r o f f a c t .
T h e re i s h i s bo o k on c o n d u c tin g
a n d i n t e r p r e t a t i o n , a n d h e w r o t e on t h e m e a n in g o f
dram a w i t h i n t h e c o n t e x t o f o p e r a .
I c a n 't th in k
o f a n y b o d y w ho, i n e a r l i e r t i m e s , w as a s p r o l i f i c
w i t h w o rd s a s W a g n e r.
Schum ann a n d B e r l i o z w r o te
a b o u t m u sic a s c r i t i c s , r a t h e r t h a n p r o p o u n d in g a n y
p a rtic u la r e s th e tic .
In te rm s o f th e tw e n tie th
c e n t u r y , I d o n ' t know why c o m p o s e r s e v e n b o t h e r t o
w r i t e m u s ic i f t h e y a r e n o t i n t e r e s t e d i n how i t
in t h a t id e a .
I can th in k o f
w o u ld n e v e r b eco m e g r e a t j u s t
p e r f o r m a n c e s . A c t u a l l y C a g e 's
/Ia u g h te r7
t e n d t o p u t s o much
i d e a s , o r on t h e
even e le v a tin g th e s e
m u s ic ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 522(G .C . )
so unds.
Any p h i l o s o p h y s h o u l d b e I m p l i c i t i n t h e
m u sic .
I t h in k t h a t m u sic c a n i n f a c t im p ly v e ry
b ro a d c o n c e p ts n o t v e r b a l l y t o b e s u r e b u t on I t s
own t e r m s .
R .S .
How i m p o r t a n t d o y o u t h i n k m u s i c a l e s t h e t i c s a r e ,
i n te r m s o f c o m p o s in g ?
G .C .
T he e s s e n t i a l t h i n g s a r e know n b y c o m p o s e r s i n t u i
t i v e l y , e v e n t h o u g h t h e y m ay n o t h a v e b e e n a r t i c u
l a t e d i n v e rb a l te rm s .
One c a n ' t i m a g i n e B e e th o v e n
e la b o r a t i n g on e s t h e t i c s , e x c e p t in a v e ry b le a k
w ay, b u t y e t w h at a d e p th o f i n s i g h t i s i m p l i c i t
in h is m u sic .
R .S .
How m uch h a v e y o u b e e n i n f l u e n c e d b y M u s s o r g s k y ?
G .C .
Q u ite a l o t .
I ' v e a l w a y s l i k e d h i s m u s ic v e r y m u ch ,
a n d h av e a l s o r e c e iv e d h i s in f l u e n c e th ro u g h D e b u ssy o n e o f my f a v o r i t e c o m p o s e r s s i n c e h e g o t s o m uch
f ro m t h e R u s s i a n s a n d p a r t i c u l a r l y fro m M u s s o r g s k y .
O f M u s s o r g s k y 's m u s i c , B o r i s G o dunov s t a n d s o u t a s
one o f th e g r e a t e s t o p e ra s e v e r p ro d u ce d .
I t is
w r itte n in a v e ry o r ig i n a l s t y l e ; i t s o lv e s th e
p r o b le m o f d e c l a m a t i o n ; t h e r e c i t a t i v e i s h a n d l e d
i n a n e f f e c t i v e co m p o se d -o u t m an n e r; th e o r c h e s t r a
i s h a n d le d v e ry w e ll I n r e l a t i o n t o th e s o lo v o i c e s ;
e tc .
A c tu a lly , th e o r ig i n a l in s tr u m e n ta tio n i s
u s u a l l y n o t u s e d , b u t e v e n t h e R im s k y - K o r s a k o v
v e rs io n i s q u ite e f f e c ti v e .
R .S .
How w o u ld y o u a n s w e r a n o n m u s i c i a n , i f o n e a s k e d y o u
w h a t o n e o f y o u r n o n v o c a l w o r k s w as a b o u t ?
G .C .
The o n l y p o s s i b l e a n s w e r i s t h a t a p i e c e o f i n s t r u
m e n t a l m u s ic i s a b o u t i t s e l f .
As a m a t t e r o f f a c t ,
e v e n a p i e c e o f v o c a l m u s ic i s a b o u t I t s e l f i n a
s e n s e i t h a s a l i f e q u i t e a p a r t f ro m t h e t e x t .
T h i s i s d i f f i c u l t t o e x p l a i n t o p e o p l e who w a n t t o
know w h a t a p i e c e o f m u s i c i s a b o u t , s i n c e t h e y s e e
a p a in tin g even an a b s t r a c t p a in tin g and f in d i t
e a s i e r to v e r b a liz e .
Good m u s i c , w h e t h e r v o c a l o r
n o n v o c a l , c a r r i e s m any l a y e r s o f m e a n in g , a n d d o e s
s o m o re s u b t l y t h a n d o e s l a n g u a g e .
M u sic h a s I t s
own l o g i c a n d m e a n i n g , w h ic h i t e x p r e s s e s i n t e r m s
of its e lf .
I t i s t o o e a s y t o m e m o riz e v e r y l o n g
p i e c e s o f m u s ic f o r i t n o t t o c a r r y m e a n in g a n d
i n t e r n a l l o g i c o f m any k i n d s .
A v e r b a l a n a lo g y
w o u ld b e t o t a k e ran d o m g r o u p i n g s o f n o n s e n s e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-523( G .C .) s y l l a b l e s , a n d t o a t t e m p t t o m e m o riz e t e n p a g e s o f
th o se .
I t i s h a r d t o s a t i s f y t h e n o n m u s i c i a n , w hen
y o u t e l l h im a p i e c e o f m u s ic i s a b o u t i t s e l f ;
o n e l a c k i n g a n e a r f o r m u s ic c o u l d n e v e r u n d e r s t a n d
th a t p o in t.
R .S .
C o u ld m u s ic h i s t o r y b e t a u g h t w i t h o u t a t e x t , s im p ly
b y s t u d y i n g a n d g e t t i n g t o know a c t u a l p i e c e s o f
m u s ic ?
G .C .
I su p p o se a t e x t s e r v e s a s a k in d o f lo o s e g u id e ,
b u t I b e l i e v e i t w o u ld b e p o s s i b l e t o t e a c h m u s ic
h i s t o r y s im p l y f ro m a b o d y o f m u s i c a l c o m p o s i t i o n s .
A g r e a t d e a l o f h i s t o r i c a l s i g n i f i c a n c e c o u ld be
d e d u c e d fro m g i v e n w o r k s , w h ic h c o u l d s e r v e t o
i l l u s t r a t e a n d c o u ld be p r e s e n te d in te rm s o f
e s s e n t i a l s o c i a l a n d e s t h e t i c m o v e m e n ts , b i o g r a p h y ,
e tc .
As l o n g a s y o u p r e s e n t e d t h e e s s e n t i a l f a c t s ,
t h e t e x t c o u l d b e d o n e aw ay w i t h .
I t w o u ld b e
h a r d t o go t h r o u g h t h a t m uch m u s i c , b u t i t c o u l d
b e d o n e b y e x p a n d in g t h e a m o u n t o f t im e c u s t o m a r i l y
a llo tte d .
I t w o u ld , o f c o u r s e , b e b e t t e r t o know
t h e n i n e B e e t h o v e n s y m p h o n ie s , r a t h e r t h a n j u s t
k n o w in g t h a t t h e r e a r e n i n e o f th e m .
R .S .
G .C .
I t h i n k Schum ann o f f e r s a g o o d e x a m p le .
The w r i t e r
J e a n P a u l R i c h t e r e x e r t e d th ro u g h h i s l i t e r a t u r e a
s t r o n g i n f l u e n c e o n S c h u m an n .
I n m any o f h i s e a r l y
p i a n o w o r k s , t i t l e s a r e d ra w n fro m R i c h t e r ' s w r i t i n g s .
In su ch a c a s e , th e t e x t p ro b a b ly i n s p i r e s a c e r t a in
m ood o r e t h o s , w h ic h t h e n b e c o m e s a d o m in a n t f o r c e
in th e m u sic .
R .S .
Do y o u a g r e e w i t h S c h o e n b e r g 's p r e m i s e t h a t a go o d
c o m p o s i t i o n i s p l a y a b l e i n o n l y o n e te m p o ?
G .C .
N o.
I t h i n k t h a t p e rf o r m e r s s h o u ld be g iv e n a c e r
t a i n r a n g e o f fre e d o m i n t h i s a r e a . ( In a r e c e n t
r e h e a r s a l o f N i g h t o f t h e F o u r M o o n s, t h e p e r f o r m e r s
w e r e t a k i n g t h e i n d i c a t e d tem p o o f 90 down t o a b o u t
7 0 , w h ic h i n t h a t p a r t i c u l a r c a s e se e m e d e x c e s s i v e l y
s lo w /)
R .S .
A lo n g t h e s e sam e l i n e s , I ' v e n o t i c e d t h a t i t i s
s o m e tim e s p o s s i b l e t o t r a n s f o r m a n u n s u c c e s s f u l
p i e c e i n t o a s u c c e s s f u l p i e c e s im p ly b y a l t e r i n g t h e
te m p o , e v e n t h o u g h t h e new tem p o w as n o t p a r t o f t h e
o r ig in a l c o n c e p tio n .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 2 4 G .C .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t m u s ic c a n e x p r e s s s u b j e c t i v e
e m o tio n s su c h a s f e a r , l o v e , a n d jo y ?
G .C .
Y es, b u t o f c o u rs e n o t v e r b a l ly .
W h e th e r o r n o t
t h e s e t h i n g s w o u ld come t o m in d w h i l e h e a r i n g a
p i e c e o f m u s i c , m u s ic c a n a n d d o e s e x p r e s s s u c h
b a s ic e m o tio n s.
I f o n e w e re t r y i n g t o v e r b a l i z e
a p i e c e o f m u s ic w h i l e h e a r i n g i t , t h e s e e m o t i o n s
i f p r e s e n t p r o b a b l y w o u ld com e t o m in d b u t m o st
m u s ic ia n s d o n 't f e e l a n y n e c e s s i t y o f t r a n s l a t i n g
m u s ic i n t o a n y k i n d o f v e r b a l e q u i v a l e n t .
I th in k
t h a t m u s ic c a n e x p r e s s a l m o s t a n y t h i n g w i t h i n t h e
re a lm o f e m o tio n s , a n d I t h in k t h a t i t e x p re s s e s
n u a n c es t h a t a re so d i f f e r e n t ia t e d and a r t i c u l a t e d
i n s u c h m in u t e i n c r e m e n t s t h a t o n e c o u l d n o t b e g i n
t o v e r b a l i z e th e m .
I n f a c t , I t h i n k t h a t m u s ic
g o e s b ey o n d w o rd s i n i t s f l e x i b i l i t y a s a m ir r o r
f o r th e s o u l o r th e p sy c h e.
R .S .
R o g e r S e s s i o n s m ade t h e s t a t e m e n t i n h i s b o o k ,
Q u e s t i o n s a b o u t M u s ic , t h a t " . . . n o p a t t e r n o f
to n e s o r m u s ic a l i d e a s i s I n h e r e n tl y s u p e r i o r to
a n o t h e r i n te r m s o f w h a t a c o m p o s e r c a n m ake o u t
o f i t , i f i t s tr i k e s h is im a g in a tio n ."
W ould y o u
go a l o n g w i t h t h i s ?
G .C .
I th in k he i s q u a lif y in g th e p h ra s e ; " i f i t s t r i k e s
h i s im a g in a tio n " i s th e k e y .
A s u c c e s s io n o f to n e s
w h ic h m ig h t o n t h e s u r f a c e se em f l i p p a n t , u n i n t e r
e s t i n g , b a s i c a l l y t r i t e , c o u ld be j u s t r i g h t a s p a r t
o f an a p p r o p r ia te l a r g e r c o n c e p tio n o r c o n fig u r a tio n .
On t h e o t h e r h a n d , t h e m o s t i n s p i r e d m e l o d i c i d e a
m i g h t , i n t h e w ro n g h a n d s , a m o u n t t o v e r y l i t t l e .
R .S .
A lo n g t h e s e
d e s p ite th e
id e a s , th a t
m o ld e d i n t o
im a g in a tio n .
sam e
fact
even
fin e
l i n e s , S e s s io n s s t a t e d he f e l t ,
B e e th o v e n r e v i s e d an d p o l is h e d h i s
th e u n p o lis h e d id e a s c o u ld h a v e b een
p ie c e s , had th e s e s tim u la te d h is
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 2 5 -
Gr.C.
T h ere I s one t h in g a b o u t t h a t s ta te m e n t t h a t b o th e r s
me s l i g h t l y .
You h e a r a l l t h e t im e t h a t s o m any o f
B e e t h o v e n 's i d e a s w e re n o t v e r y g o o d , b u t t h a t w h a t
h e d i d w i t h th em w as t h e i m p o r t a n t t h i n g .
To m e,
t h a t h a s n e v e r been lo g ic a l.
The t o t a l c o n c e p tio n
w o u ld m ean t h a t . . . L e t me g i v e a c o n c r e t e e x a m p le .
I n a r o n d o , you m u st h a v e a r e a l l y s o l i d f i r s t i d e a
t h e i n i t i a l I d e a r e a l l y h a s t o m ove h a s t o b e e t c h e d
h a s to have p r o f i le .
T h e s e c o n d (B ) i d e a c a n ' t b e
q u i t e a s g o o d , i n t h e s e n s e t h a t i t c a n ' t h a v e a s much
c h a r a c t e r ; i t h a s t o b e c l e a r l y s u b s e r v i e n t ; i t h a s to
h a v e a lo w e r w e ig h t.
I t c a n ' t c o m p e te w i t h t h e f i r s t
id e a .
N e v e r t h e l e s s , how c a n y o u s a y t h a t i t i s a
l e s s e r id e a i f i t f u l f i l l s i t s e l f e x a c tly i f i t
p ro m o te s t h e fo rm .
Y o u 'v e h e a r d t h e f i r s t n o t e s o f
t h e B e e th o v e n f i f t h d e s c r i b e d a s a r a t h e r f l i p p a n t
m u s i c a l i d e a , w i t h w h ic h B e e t h o v e n d e s p i t e s u c h a
l i m i t e d i d e a m ak e s a g r e a t s t a t e m e n t .
I th in k th a t
t h i s m is s e s th e p o in t a l t o g e t h e r .
The w h o le c o n c e p
t i o n d e p e n d s on t h a t s m a l l i d e a .
I n e v e r c o u ld u n d e r
s t a n d t h i s k i n d o f s e p a r a t i o n , a n d S e s s i o n s se em s t o
b e I m p ly in g t h i s i n h i s s ta t e m e n t .
The s p e c i f i c i d e a
c a n n o t b e s e p a r a t e d fro m t h e o v e r a l l c o n c e p t i o n , a n d
i n a g r e a t w o rk , t h e r e i3 no su c h t h in g a s a s l e n d e r
id e a .
I n su c h a w o rk , th e id e a s a l l h a v e to hav e th e
r i g h t w e i g h t a n d d e n s i t y t o m ake t h e p i e c e come o f f
a s a w h o le .
You c a n ' t s a y t h a t a p a r t i c u l a r i d e a i s
b a d , w i t h o u t l o o k i n g a t t h e c o n t e x t i n w h ic h i t i s
used.
I t h i n k t h a t w h a t S e s s i o n s i s r e a l l y s a y in g
i s t h a t t h e r e a r e m e l o d i c p a t t e r n s w h ic h , on t h e f a c e
o f th e m , w o u ld n o t b e a t t r a c t i v e t o c o m p o s e r s , b u t
w h ic h c o u l d b e g i v e n m u s i c a l m e a n in g b y a c o m p o s e r 's
im a g in a tio n , and I f u l l y a g re e w ith t h i s .
R .S .
W hat d o y o u t h i n k o f t h e m u s ic o f C a r l R u g g le s ?
G .C .
I l i k e t h e m u s ic b y h im I ' v e h e a r d , w h ic h i s p r o b a b l y
a b o u t h a l f o f h i s o u t p u t, s in c e h e d i d n 't w r i te t h a t
m uch.
The Sun T r e a d e r i s a n i m p r e s s i v e w o r k . R u g g l e s '
m u s ic i s v e r y w e l l m a d e .
H is m u s ic i n v o l v e s a r a t h e r
n a r r o w ^ r a n g e o f e x p r e s s i o n , b u t t h e sam e c o u ld b e s a i d
o f V a r e s e a n d p e r h a p s e v e n o f W e b e rn .
I w o u ld r a n k
R u g g l e s am ong t h e t o p A m e ric a n c o m p o s e r s o f h i s t i m e ,
t h o u g h I t h i n k I p e r s o n a l l y h a v e b e e n I n f l u e n c e d m o re
by Iv e s and V a re se.
R .S .
Why d o c o m p o s e r s e n g a g e i n w r i t i n g n a t i o n a l i s t i c
m u s ic ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 2 6 G .C .
I 'm s u r e t h e r e a r e m any c o m p le x r e a s o n s .
I 'm n o t
s u r e I c o u l d come u p w i t h a g o o d a n s w e r .
I guess
C h o p in a n d B e r l i o z w e re tw o o f t h e e a r l i e s t n a t i o n
a l i s t i c co m p o sers.
M aybe i t h a s t o d o w i t h l a r g e r
s o c i a l c o n c e p ts and g e n e ra l c u l t u r a l h i s t o r y .
A fte r
a l l , t h e n i n e t e e n t h c e n t u r y , when n a t i o n a l i s m b e g a n
t o f l o u r i s h , w as t h e c e n t u r y t h a t saw t h e c o a l i t i o n
o f t h e v a r i o u s s t a t e s o f G erm any i n t o a n a t i o n , a n d
w h ic h saw t h e r i s e o f I t a l y i n t o a s i n g l e n a t i o n .
C e r t a i n l y n a t i o n a l i s m i n m u sic h a s c a r r i e d o v e r
i n t o th e tw e n tie th c e n tu r y .
In th e c a s e o f R u s s ia ,
c o m p o s e r s a l m o s t h a v e t o w r i t e t r a d i t i o n a l m u sic
b y d e c r e e , a n d s i n c e t h e t r a d i t i o n o f R u s s i a n m u s ic
i s n a t i o n a l i s t i c , t h e m u s ic t h a t i s now b e i n g w r i t t e n
n a t u r a l l y t e n d s t o b e a l o n g t h e s e sam e l i n e s .
One e le m e n t w h ic h m ig h t h a v e p r o m p te d n a t i o n a l i s m
i n t h e n i n e t e e n t h c e n t u r y i s t h e G erm an d o m in a n c e .
T h i s m u s t h a v e a d d e d s o m e t h in g I n a d d i t i o n t o t h e
n o rm al p a tr io tis m ; a l o t o f n in e te e n th - c e n tu r y
m u s i c i a n s m u s t h a v e f e l t c o n su m e d b y G erm an m u s i c .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t c o m p o s e r s o f t h e t w e n t i e t h
c e n tu r y h a v e o v e re m p h a siz e d c o u n te r p o in t ?
G .C .
C o u n t e r p o i n t c a n c l a r i f y a n d s u p p o r t a c o m p o s e r 's
i d e a s , I f th e s e a r e g e n u in e ly c o n c e iv e d in c o n tr a
p u n ta l te rm s.
B ut i f i t i s u s e d i n k in d o f a n
a r t i f i c i a l w ay , i n a n a t t e m p t t o m ake t h e m u s ic
m o re i n t e r e s t i n g , I t h i n k i t w o u ld c a u s e t h e m u s ic
t o s o u n d c l u t t e r e d , a n d m ig h t d i s g u i s e t h e g e n u in e
im p u lse .
I 'v e h e a rd a g r e a t d e a l o f i n d i f f e r e n t
s - e m in g ly g r a t u i t o u s c o u n te r p o in t i n t w e n ti e th c e n tu r y m u sic .
In f a c t , c o u n te r p o in t i s g e n e r a lly
n o t used e f f e c tiv e ly :
m aybe i t r e q u i r e s a s u p re m e
c o m p o s e r t o m ake s o m e t h in g new o u t o f i t a g a i n .
M o st c o u n t e r p o i n t b e i n g w r i t t e n s o u n d s l i k e a
m e c h a n i c a l a p p l i c a t i o n , r a t h e r t h a n a g e n u in e m u s i
c a l im p u lse .
We may b e l o s i n g o u r s e n s e f o r g e n u in e
c o u n te rp o in t.
I t s e em s t o me t o b e s o m e t h in g v e r y
m uch l o c k e d i n t o o l d e r s t y l e s .
I 'm n o t s u r e e x a c t l y
how i t s h o u ld b e u s e d .
C an o n s e e m s t o h a v e w o rk e d
w e l l f o r s u c h c o m p o s e r s a s W eb ern a n d D a l l i p i c c o l o ,
b u t In g e n e r a l I have th e f e e l i n g t h a t e f f e c t i v e
c o u n t e r p o i n t a l m o s t r e q u i r e s a m o re t r a d i t i o n a l
s ty le .
I n t h e c a s e o f D e b u s s y , when h e d i d e m p lo y
c o u n t e r p o i n t , i t se em s t o b e i n t r u s i v e .
H is m u s i c a l
l a n g u a g e d i d n ' t seem t o a c c o m m o d a te c o n t r a p u n t a l
w r itin g .
T h i s may b e t i e d i n w i t h t h e i n c r e a s e d
e m p h a s i s on s o u n d i n h i s m u s i c .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 2 7 R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t t h e s t u d y o f o r c h e s t r a t i o n , i n
t h e s e n s e o f o r c h e s t r a t i n g t h e m u s ic o f o t h e r s , i s
b e n e f i c i a l to c o m p o se rs?
G .C .
T h a t i s t h e t r a d i t i o n a l w ay o f t e a c h i n g i t .
I w o u ld
q u e s t i o n t h e v a l u e t h i s h a s f o r c o m p o s e r s ..
I th in k
t h a t b e a u t i f u l o r c h e s t r a t i o n i s a lw a y s i n v o l v e d w i t h
s p e c i a l c a s e s , a n d t o t r y t o e s t a b l i s h to o m any p r i n
c i p l e s b e y o n d th e e le m e n ta r y f a c t s o f ra n g e a n d so
f o r t h s u c h a s K o rsa k o v d i d i s n o t v i a b l e .
In
f a c t , som e o f h i s e x a m p le s o f t h e w ro n g w ay o f d o i n g
th in g s a r e r e a l l y q u i te b e a u ti f u l in th e c o n te x t o f
m o d e rn m u s i c .
I t seem s t h a t g r e a t o r c h e s t r a t i o n ,
e s p e c i a l l y i n th e t w e n ti e th c e n tu r y , i s a lm o s t a
s e r ie s o f e x c e p tio n a l in stru m e n ta l a p p lic a tio n s .
R .S .
How i m p o r t a n t do y o u t h i n k t h e o r y i s
p e rfo rm e r?
G .C .
I h a v e o f t e n w o n d ered a b o u t t h a t p o i n t .
I expect
t h a t r e a l l y t a l e n te d p e rfo rm e rs o f te n g e t th e
e s s e n t i a l th in g s i n t u i t i v e l y , w ith o u t n e c e s s a r ily
h a v i n g t h a t m uch i n s i g h t i n t o t h e o r y , i n t h e s e n s e
t h a t th e y m ig h t n o t be a b le t o v e r b a l i z e a b o u t i t .
A ls o , i f yo u a tt e n d m a s te r c la s s e s g iv e n by th e
b e s t p e rf o r m e r s , you f in d t h a t th e y a r e n o t ta l k i n g
a b o u t s t r u c t u r e ; t h e y ' r e t a l k i n g a b o u t m o re t im e
f o r th is n o te o r nuances o f a r t i c u l a ti o n .
O fte n
w i t h th e m , i t ' s a c a s e o f " p l a y i t l i k e I d o , " y o u
know ^ / l a u g h t e r y 7.
R .S .
Why i s i t t h a t s u c h c o m p o s e r s a s S c h o e n b e r g , H in d e
m ith , H a u e r, S c h i l l i n g e r , a n d o t h e r s h a v e p u t so
m uch e m p h a s i s o n t h e d e v e lo p m e n t o f a s y s te m o f
c o m p o s itio n ?
G .C .
I t m ay h a v e g ro w n o u t o f t h e G erm an m e n t a l i t y , s i n c e
t h i s t r e n d e x i s t e d i n G erm an m u s ic b e f o r e i t b ecam e
a g e n e ra l c o n c ern .
I t se e m s t o h a v e a l m o s t beco m e
a tw e n tie ty - c e n tu r y o b s e s s io n .
I d o n ' t know i f t h i s
w ill c o n tin u e .
T h e re a r e s ig n s t h a t c o m p o se rs a r e
n o t h a p p y w i t h t h e way t h i n g s h a v e b e e n g o i n g .
T h ere
I s a r e a l q u e s ti o n o f w h e th e r i t i s so im p o r ta n t to
a lw a y s b e s u p p o r t i n g t h e t w e n t i e t h c e n t u r y i n o n e 's
m u sic .
I t h i n k t h e r e I s a d a n g e r i n b e in g o b s e s s e d
w ith a v e r y s p e c i f i c s y s te m .
T h e re i s , o f c o u r s e ,
" s y s te m " t o a n e x t e n t i n a l l v i a b l e m u s i c , s i n c e
s t y l e i t s e l f n e c e s s i t a t e s a s y s t e m a t i c way o f
w o rk in g .
f o r th e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
- 528 R .S .
W hat d o y o u c o n s i d e r t o h a v e b e e n t h e m o s t v a l u a b l e
p a r t o f y o u r m u sic a l e d u c a tio n ?
G .C .
G e t t i n g i n t o t h e m u s ic o f t h e p a s t , e i t h e r t h r o u g h
p e rfo rm a n c e , s tu d y in g i t a t th e p ia n o , o r by h e a r in g
it.
G e t t i n g t o know t h e l i t e r a t u r e h a s t o be t h e
m o st im p o r ta n t t h i n g .
T h i s i s s o m e t h in g o n e d o e s t o
a l a r g e e x t e n t o n o n e 's ow n.
R .S ,
Why h a v e y o u n o t u s e d t h e p r e p a r e d p i a n o ?
G .C .
You c a n g e t n i c e s o u n d s b y p r e p a r i n g a p i a n o , b u t
by d o in g s o , you have e lim in a te d th e p o s s i b i l i t y o f
u s i n g t h e a f f e c t e d p i t c h e s m odo o r d i n a r i o .
I have
t r i e d t o f i n d w ays o f g e t t i n g som e c o n t r a s t i n p i a n o
to n e w ith o u t d e s tr o y in g w i t h in a c o m p o s itio n th e
p o s s i b i l i t i e s o f th e n o rm a l k e y b o a rd .
T h e r e w o u ld
b e m any v a r i a b l e s i n w r i t i n g f o r p r e p a r e d p i a n o ;
f o r e x a m p l e , i f a s c r e w w e re t o b e p l a c e d b e tw e e n
tw o s t r i n g s , y o u w o u ld h a v e s u c h q u e s t i o n s a s w h a t
t y p e a n d w h a t s i z e o f s c r e w , how f i r m l y s h o u ld i t
b e a t t a c h e d , p r e c i s e l y w h e re on t h e s t r i n g s s h o u ld
i t go, and so f o r t h .
R .S .
W hat a r e y o u r p r im a r y a im s a s a c o m p o s e r ?
G .C .
I d o n ' t know w h a t I c o u l d s a y a b o u t t h a t , e x c e p t
t h a t a c o m p o s e r a im s t o w r i t e t h e b e s t p i e c e h e
can.
T h is i s a q u e s ti o n t h a t com es u p f r e q u e n t l y ,
a n d o n e i s a lw a y s n o n p l u s s e d .
W hat c a n y o u s a y ?
Some c o m p o s e r s o f f e r l e n g t h y a n d e l a b o r a t e a n s w e r s
w h ic h i n r e a l i t y e v a d e t h e q u e s t i o n a l t o g e t h e r .
T h i s i s o n e o f t h o s e i n v a r i a b l e q u e s t i o n s w h ic h i s
a lm o s t n e v e r r e a l l y a n s w e re d ^ /la u g h te j? /.
R .S .
Why do y o u t h i n k
m u s ic b y V i v a l d i
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t he g e n u in e ly a d m ire d t h o s e p ie c e s by
V iv a ld i t h a t he tr a n s c r i b e d .
A nd, ev en a s a c h i l d ,
h e e v i d e n t l y c o p i e d m any p i e c e s b y o t h e r c o m p o s e r s .
T h i s p r o b a b l y m ea n s t h a t h e c o n s i d e r e d t h i s a g o o d
way o f a b s o r b i n g m u s i c .
He h a d a s t r o n g i n s t i n c t
f o r le a r n in g , a s w e ll a s f o r te a c h in g .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k i t w o u ld b e o f v a l u e t o a y o u n g com
p o s e r t o c o p y p a g e s f ro m t w e n t i e t h - c e n t u r y s c o r e s ?
B ach c o p i e d a n d a r r a n g e d
and o th e r s ?
s o m uch
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 2 9 G .C .
T h e r e m ig h t b e som e v a l u e .
I t i s n ' t d o n e m uch a n y
m o re .
I n B a c h 's d a y , I t p r o b a b l y m ade m o re s e n s e
t o do t h a t , s i n c e t h e t o n a l s t y l e w as m o re b a s i c
an d g e n e r a l ; i n t h e p r o c e s s o f c o p y in g , a c o m p o se r
w as p r o b a b l y l e a r n i n g a l o t a b o u t v o i c i n g c h o r d s ,
a b o u t c o u n te r p o in t , a n d o t h e r e le m e n ts , s in c e h i s
a t t e n t i o n w o u ld h a v e b e e n f o c u s e d i n o n e v e r y d e t a i l .
T oday, s t y l e s v a ry to s u c h a n e x te n t , t h a t t h i s ty p e
o f l e a r n i n g w o u ld b e l e s s a p p l i c a b l e .
On t h e o t h e r
h a n d , t h i s t y p e o f c o p y w o rk w o u ld h e l p o n e d e v e l o p
g o o d n o t a t i o n a l p r a c t i c e s , w h ic h h a s beco m e m o re
im p o r ta n t in r e c e n t y e a r s b e c a u s e t h e r e i s l e s s
m u s ic b e i n g e n g r a v e d ( w h e re a n o t h e r p a r t y co m es
in to th e c r i t i c a l p ro c e s s o f e d itin g and c la r if y i n g
n o ta tio n ).
Now i n m any c a s e s t h e c o m p o s e r 's
n o t a t i o n s ta n d s a s th e p u b lis h e d c o p y .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t t h e f a c t t h a t H a n d e l r e l i e d s o
h e a v i l y o n t h e m u s ic o f o t h e r s m ade h im a l e s s e r
c o m p o s e r?
G .C .
tfo.
I n H a n d e l 's d a y , t h e r e w as a g e n e r a l b e l i e f
t h a t t h e t h e m a t i c n u c l e u s w as n o t t h a t i m p o r t a n t
i t w as w h a t y o u d i d w i t h i t .
B e e th o v e n I s a n o t h e r
c o m p o s e r who t o o k m any i d e a s f ro m o t h e r s .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u com m ent on t h e i m p o r ta n c e W a g n e r s s y s te m
o f l e i t m o t i f s h a d f o r m u s ic ?
G .C .
I t had a g r e a t d e a l o f in f lu e n c e w ith in th e f i e l d o f
o p e ra .
Even c o m p o se rs l i k e P u c c in i an d M u sso rg sk y
w e re i n f l u e n c e d t o a c e r t a i n e x t e n t .
You s e e a v e r y
s tr o n g i n f l u e n c e i n th e S t r a u s s o p e r a s , a n d W ozzeck.
E v e n m o v ie s c o r e s s o m e tim e s i l l u s t r a t e t h e p r i n c i p l e .
R .S .
I ' v e h e a r d W a g n e r 's s y s te m c r i t i c i z e d f ro m t h e s t a n d
p o i n t t h a t i t u s e d to p ro m p t o p e ra g o e rs t o p u rc h a s e
m em ory b o o k s , w h ic h t h e y t o o k t o t h e o p e r a s f o r
refe ren c e .
G .C .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u com m ent o n y o u r f ra m e o f m in d u p o n a w a i t i n g
a f i r s t p e r f o r m a n c e o f o n e o f y o u r w o rk s ?
G .C .
The f i r s t r e h e a r s a l
I s r e a l l y m o re f r i g h t e n i n g t h a n
a p r e m ie r e , s in c e i t i s th e r e t h a t you g e t th e f i r s t
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-530( G .C .) r e a l i n d i c a t i o n a s t o w h e t h e r t h e p i e c e n e e d s a d j u s t
m e n t , o r w h e t h e r i t w o rk s a s i s .
I f a p i e c e w o rk s
f o r y o u , y o u a r e h a p p y w ith i t , w h e th e r o r n o t i t
w o rk s f o r t h e a u d i e n c e .
R .S .
Why h a v e y o u n o t w r i t t e n m o re f o r c h o r u s ?
G .C .
P a r t i a l l y due to th e f a c t t h a t t h e r e a r e no c o u n te r
p a r t s t o th e h ig h ly t r a in e d In s tr u m e n ta l g ro u p s.
I n o t h e r w o r d s , w hen o n e w r i t e s f o r c h o r u s , o n e I s
n o t c o u n t i n g on p r o f e s s i o n a l s .
P e r f o r m a n c e w o u ld
b e m o re t e n u o u s .
T h e r e w o u ld a l s o p r o b a b l y b e
f e w e r c o n d u c t o r s who w o u ld b e i n t e r e s t e d i n a n y t h i n g
t h a t w as r e a l l y c h a l l e n g i n g .
S t i l l , I w o u ld l i k e t o
w r ite a p ie c e f o r c h o ru s one d a y .
I d o n 't t h in k i t
w o u ld b e e a s y t o w r i t e a c o n v i n c i n g w o rk .
T h ere a r e
r i c h t i m b r a l r e s o u r c e s , b u t f i n d i n g t h e r i g h t i d io m
w o u ld b e d i f f i c u l t t h e r e a r e v e r y few m o d e ls t h e r e
h a s n ' t b e e n m uch a t a l l w r i t t e n f o r c h o r u s b y t h e
g r e a t co m p o se rs o f t h i s c e n tu r y .
One t h i n k s o f
W e b e r n 's c a n t a t a s , a n d S t r a v i n s k y 's Sym phony o f
P s a lm s .
T h e r e i s a r e a l p r o b le m o f t u n i n g w i t h a
c h o ru s.
I t i s a c o m p le te ly d i f f e r e n t c a s e th a n
t h a t o f w r i t i n g f o r a s o l o s i n g e r who i s a goo d
m u s i c i a n a n d who h a s a v e r y g o o d s e n s e o f p i t c h .
I 'v e
s e e n a l o t o f v e ry i m p r a c t i c a l s t u f f , w ith la r g e d i s
s o n a n t c h o rd s and so f o r t h .
S t i l l , t h e p r o b le m o f
t u n i n g c o u l d b e o v e rc o m e b y a d j u s t i n g o n e 's s t y l e .
I n te rv ie w ,
5 A u g u st 1978
R .S .
W hat i 3 y o u r o p i n i o n o f R a v e l 's B o l e r o ?
G .C .
I t h in k B o le ro i s a t o u r de f o r c e .
I t h a s a v e ry
s i m p l e p r e m i s e , b e i n g b a s e d on o n e l a r g e c r e s c e n d o
o f d y n a m ic s a n d t e x t u r e , a n d r e p r e s e n t i n g a k i n d o f
g r o w th f r o m w h a t b e g i n s a s a v e r y i n t i m a t e m u s i c ,
to an e x p lo s iv e c o n c lu s io n .
T he i d e a o f r e p e a t i n g
on e m e l o d i c p h r a s e o v e r a n d o v e r s e e m s t o r e l a t e t o
a k i n d o f s t a t i c m u s ic now b e i n g e x p e r i m e n t e d w i t h ;
I t a l 3 0 s e e m s r e l a t e d t o som e i d e a s t h a t h a v e b e e n
t r i g g e r e d r e c e n t l y am ong c o m p o s e r s c o n c e r n i n g t h e
r o l e o f m o n o to n y i n m u s i c .
T hese id e a s re v o lv e
a r o u n d t h e f a c t t h a t s o m e t h in g a b s t e n t i o u s l y m o n o t
onous in i t s e l f can p ro d u ce a c e r t a i n e f f e c t o f
te n s io n .
A nd, o f c o u r s e , R av el i s c le v e r enough
t o u s e q u a s i - r e p e t i t i o n , a n d t h e m u s ic i s a lw a y s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 3 1 ( G .C .) g a i n i n g i n i n t e n s i t y th o u g h o n o n e l e v
se em t o b e t u r n i n g o v e r a n d o v e r l i k e a
t h i n k t h a t t h i s i s t h e f i r s t e x a m p le o f
c o m p o s itio n b y a s e r i o u s c o m p o se r b a s e d
on r e p e t i t i o n .
e l , th e id e a s
w h e e l.
I
a c o m p l e te
so s tr o n g ly
R .S .
C o u ld y o u s a y a fe w w o rd s a b o u t t h e r o l e o f d y n a m ic s
i n m u s ic ?
G .C .
W ith B a c h , d y n a m ic s a p p e a r e d v e r y i n f r e q u e n t l y .
W ith t h e a d v e n t o f t h e c l a s s i c a l p e r i o d , t h e y h a d
a l r e a d y b ecom e a n i m p o r t a n t e l e m e n t .
I t h i n k d y n a m ic s
a r e r a t h e r i m p o r t a n t i n t h e m u s ic o f H a y d n a n d M o z a r t ,
b u t w ith B e e th o v e n , th e y h av e a t t a i n e d t h e s t a t u s o f
a n i n d is p e n s a b le a d ju n c t to th e m u sic .
I t m a tte rs
v e r y m uch w h e t h e r a c e r t a i n t h e m a t i c i d e a i s s t a t e d
f o r t is s i m o , o r a t a n o th e r l e v e l ,
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h e p e r f o r m a n c e o f v o c a l m u s ic i n
l a t i o n i s a v ia b le p ro ce d u re ?
G .C .
I p r e f e r th e o r i g i n a l la n g u a g e , a s lo n g a s th e s e n s e
o f t h e p o e t r y i s p r o v i d e d i n p ro g ra m n o t e s .
A fte r
a l l , p h o n e t i c e le m e n ts a r e r e a l l y s o n i c e l e m e n t s ,
a n d t h e c o m p o s e r w o u ld d e a l w i t h t h e s o u n d s o f
la n g u a g e i n m u s ic a l te r m s .
In o th e r w o rd s, c e r t a in
c o n s o n a n t s h a v e m o re o f a p e r c u s s i v e v a l u e t h a n
o t h e r s , i n te rm s o f a r t i c u l a t i o n , a n d c h a n g in g th e
v o w e l o f a m e lis m a f o r e x a m p le fro m " a h " t o " e h "
w o u ld m ake a b i g d i f f e r e n c e i n t h e o v e r a l l s o n i c
e ff e c t.
A l l o f t h e s u b t l e l i n g u a l n u a n c e s o f w h ic h
t h e c o m p o s e r w as a w a r e , a n d w as w o r k i n g w i t h , w o u ld
b e l o s t i f t h e o r i g i n a l l a n g u a g e w e re t r a n s l a t e d .
S i n c e a g r e a t d e a l o f a g i v e n t e x t i s m ade in c o m p r e
h e n s ib le by th e n a tu r e o f s in g in g , even i f t h i s t e x t
i s i n o n e ' s n a t i v e l a n g u a g e , why n o t k e e p t h e o r i g i n a l
p h o n e tic so u n d s?
T h is i s e s p e c i a l l y t r u e i n c o n
t e m p o r a r y m u s i c , w h e re t h e c o m p o s e r i s o f t e n w o r k in g
w i t h ra w s o u n d , b u t i t , I t h i n k , a l s o a p p l i e s t o
t r a d i t i o n a l m u sic .
R .S .
Why a r e y o u o p p o s e d t o t h e p i a n i s t a l t e r i n g y o u r
p ed al in d ic a tio n s fo r i n te r p r e ta tiv e rea so n s?
G .C .
I n g e n e r a l , m o s t o f t h e p i a n o m u s ic I ' v e w r i t t e n
r e q u i r e s t h a t t h e d a m p e r p e d a l r e m a in d e p r e s s e d .
My
s p e c i f i c i n s t r u c t i o n s a r e m o s tly p r e c a u t io n a r y , s in c e
m o s t p i a n i s t s w o u ld n o t t h i n k o f j u s t c la m p in g t h e
p e d a l ( th o u g h w i t h D e b u s s y , t h e r e a r e p a s s a g e s t h a t
v e r g e on t h i s ) .
I t w o u ld , o f c o u r s e , b e t h e n o r m a l
tra n s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-532( G . C .)
i n s t i n c t to w ant to p e d a l o c c a s io n a lly , in o rd e r to
c l e a r th e so u n d .
H o w e v e r, w i t h my m u s i c , t h i s
w o u l d n 't b e i n a c c o r d a n c e w i t h t h e i n t e n d e d s o n i c
c h a ra c te r.
R .S .
O f f t h e t o p o f y o u r h e a d , w h ic h M ak ro k o sm o s p i e c e s
h a v e p r e s e n te d th e m o st p e rfo rm a n c e d i f f i c u l t i e s ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h e P h a n to m G o n d o l i e r i s t h e m o s t d i f f i c u l t
o f a l l , due to th e f a c t th a t i t r e q u ir e s a v a r ie ty
o f t e c h n iq u e s to be e x e c u te d w ith th im b le - c a p p e d
f in g e r s .
T h i s p r o d u c e s a c o m p o s i te o f d i f f i c u l t i e s :
th e p i a n i s t m u st k e e p a s te a d y t r i l l g o in g ; h e m u st
s t r i k e th e s t r i n g s ; a n d he m u st i n t e g r a t e o t h e r
s o u n d s on th e p ia n o w ith s u s ta i n e d " th im b le - c a p p e d "
p la y in g .
A l i t t l e s in g in g i s a ls o r e q u ir e d .
C o o r
d i n a t i n g a l l o f th e s e te c h n iq u e s h a s posed d i f f i
c u ltie s .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u com m ent o n t h e f r e q u e n t o c c u r r e n c e o f
p a s s a g e s i n v o l v i n g t h e d i c h o to m y o f b l a c k a n d w h i t e
k e y s i n y o u r m u s ic ?
G .C .
T h i s p r o b a b l y s te m s f ro m B a r t o k 's i n f l u e n c e .
I am
t h i n k i n g o f a l i t t l e p i e c e i n t h e s i x t h v o lu m e o f
t h e M ik ro k o s m o s c a l l e d Fro m t h e D i a r y o f a F l y .
T he b l a c k - k e y - w h i t e - k e y d ic h o to m y i n v o l v e s t h e o p p o
s i t i o n o f tw o p e n t a t o n i c c o m p le x e s i n a c c o r d a n c e
w ith th e s t r u c t u r e o f th e k e y b o a rd .
S in c e th e h an d
p l a y i n g on t h e b l a c k k e y s i s e l e v a t e d a n d o u t o f
t h e w a y , c e r t a i n f i g u r a t i o n s a r e p e r m i t t e d w h ic h
m ig h t n o t b e p o s s ib l e w ith t r a n s p o s i t i o n s i n v o lv in g
m ix e d b l a c k a n d w h i t e k e y s .
R .S .
W hat i s
G .C .
R i e g g e r i m p r e s s e s me a s a c o m p o s e r w i t h i n c r e d i b l e
t e c h n i c a l s k i l l , b u t w h o se m u s ic s e em s t o l a c k m uch
d e p t h o f e m o t i o n . H i s m u s ic se e m s t o o p e r a t e on a
t e c h n i c a l b a s i 3 , w h ic h a t t i m e s c a n b e v e r y c l e v e r
a n d c o n v in c in g .
R .S .
When y o u m e n t i o n tr e m e n d o u s t e c h n i q u e w i t h o u t d e p t h ,
I t h i n k o f H in d e m ith .
G .C .
Y e s , a l t h o u g h H i n d e m ith p r o d u c e d c e r t a i n w o rk s t h a t
r u n m uch d e e p e r t h a n t h e m u s ic I ' v e h e a r d o f R i e g g e r .
M a th i s d e r M a h le r c o m e s t o m in d , a s d o e s t h e K o n z e r t
M u s ik f o r b r a s s a n d s t r i n g s .
y o u r e v a lu a tio n
o f t h e m u s ic o f R i e g g e r ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-533R .S .
D oes f u l f i l l i n g a c o m m is s io n h i n d e r t h e s p o n t a n e i t y
o f c o m p o s in g i n a n y w ay?
G .C .
I t h i n k a c o m m is s io n i s f a i r l y e x t e r n a l .
I t m ig h t
i n v o l v e q u e s t i o n s o f d u r a t i o n a n d m ed iu m .
I f a p ie c e
i s b e in g w r i t t e n f o r s p e c i f i c p e rf o r m e r s , t h i s to a n
e x te n t in flu e n c e s th e le v e l o f d i f f i c u l t y .
In th e
c a s e o f e x c e l l e n t p e r f o r m e r s , o n e m ig h t b e s t i m u l a t e d
to e x p lo it th is s k i l l .
W ith a l a r g e o r c h e s t r a l w o rk ,
t h e a m o u n t o f a l l o t t e d r e h e a r s a l t im e w o u ld a lw a y s b e
i n t h e b a c k o f y o u r m in d , s o t h a t y o u w o u ld t r y t o
k e e p t h e m u s ic a s p r a c t i c a l a s y o u c a n , w i t h o u t
j e o p a r d iz i n g t h e c o n c e p tio n you h a v e o f th e w o rk .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u com m ent o n y o u r t e n d e n c y t o w r i t e
o f tw o p i e c e s ?
G .C .
I g uess th is i s a s p il li n g o v er o f id e a s .
I t is not
a t a l l c o m p a r a b le t o t h e c a s e o f B ra h m s , who i s know n
fo r h is p r e d ile c tio n f o r w r itin g in p a ir s .
In h is
c a s e , th e w o rk s te n d to be o p p o s ite i n c h a r a c t e r .
W ith
m y s e l f , I f e e l t h a t ( so m e th in g s p i l l s o v e r t h a t i s n o t
c o n ta in e d i n t h e f i r s t w o rk , and t h i s becom es th e
g e rm in a l b a s i s f o r th e n e x t p ie c e .
T he d e c i s i o n t o
w r i t e tw o r e l a t e d p i e c e s w o u ld o r d i n a r i l y com e w e l l
b e f o r e th e f i r s t p ie c e i s c o n c lu d e d .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u c o m p a re V e r d i w i t h W ag n er?
G .C .
I t i s s o h a r d t o c o m p a re t h o s e tw o c o m p o s e r s , b e c a u s e
t h e y r e p r e s e n t t h e e p it o m e o f n a t i o n a l t y p e s .
V erd i
l e a r n e d a fe w t h i n g s f ro m W a g n er i n h i s l a t e s t w o r k s ,
b u t t h e y w ere s t i l l p r e t t y f a r a p a r t .
V e rd i p ro b a b ly
d i d n 't h av e q u i t e th e m u s ic a l f in e s s e o r th e p ro fu n d
i t y o f W ag n er a t h i s b e s t , b u t i n t e r m s o f h a n d l i n g
a l l o f t h e t h e a t r i c a n d d r a m a t i c e l e m e n t s , h e w as
p r o b a b l y i n a d v a n c e o f W a g n e r.
I th in k t h a t th e
s y m p h o n ic d i m e n s io n o f W a g n e r '3 o p e r a s so m e w h at
w e a k e n e d t h e s t a g e s e n s e o f t h o s e w o rk s ( o r m ade i t
s t a t i c ).
C e r t a i n l y , t h i s i s th e c a s e i n T r i s t a n and
i n c e r t a i n w e l l- k n o w n l o n g s t r e t c h e s i n t h e R in g
o p e r a s , w h e re t h e s t a g e i s a l m o s t f r o z e n .
In such
p a s s a g e s , a ta b le a u e f f e c t i s c r e a te d you a r e h e a rin g
t h e m u s ic , a n d i t ' s a lm o s t l i k e a f r o z e n p i c t u r e .
M e i s t e r s i n g e r sh o w s a d i f f e r e n t k i n d o f W a g n e r, s i n c e
i t i s a m uch m o re l i v e l y - s t a g e d p r o d u c t i o n ; t h e r e a r e
r e f l e c t i v e m o m e n ts , s u c h a s t h e S a c h s m o n o lo g u e , b u t
t h e s e d o n ' t p r e v e n t i t f ro m b e i n g a r e a l s t a g e p i e c e .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t m u l t i p h o n i c s on w o o d w in d i n s t r u m e n t s
o f f e r c o m p o se rs a p r o m is in g tim b r a l r e s o u r c e ?
in
s e t3
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 3 4 G .C .
I 'm n o t s u r e .
I th in k t h a t , in th e p ie c e s I have
h e a r d w h ic h u s e th e m , t h a t t h e y t e n d t o s o u n d l i k e
i n tz u s io n s f o r e ig n so u n d s t h a t a r e n 't r e a l l y b u i l t
i n t o t h e m u s i c . As t e c h n i q u e s , I g a t h e r t h a t t h e y
a r e v e r y u n p r e d i c t a b l e , a n d v a r y a g r e a t d e a l fro m
i n s t r u m e n t t o i n s t r u m e n t a n d f ro m e m b o u c h u re t o em
b o u c h u re .
I t w o u ld b e a m i s t a k e t o u s e th em to o
s p e c i f i c a l l y , l i k e som e o f t h e p i e c e s I n a v e s e e n ,
i n w h ic h f o u r o r f i v e s o u n d in g p i t c h e s p l u s m aybe
a n o t h e r tw o i n p a r e n t h e s e s a r e g i v e n .
The e a r p e r
c e i v e s m u l t i p h o n i c s m o re a s a g e n e r a l t i m b r e t h a n a s
an y k in d o f c h o rd .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t t h e b e g i n n i n g a n d e n d o f a com po
s i t i o n a r e i t s m o st im p o r ta n t p o i n ts ?
G .C .
E v e ry p a r t o f a c o m p o s itio n h a s to w o rk ; t h e r e can
b e no p o i n ts w h e re i t s a g s .
I h a v e h e a r d m any w o rk s
w h ic h d o , i n f a c t , l o s e i n t e r e s t i n t h e m i d d l e ; t h e s e
d o n ' t r e a l l y w o rk a s p i e c e s , d e s p i t e t h e f a c t t h a t
t h e c o m p o s e r m ay h a v e s u c c e e d e d i n a r r e s t i n g t h e
l i s t e n e r ' s a t t e n t i o n a t th e b e g in n in g , and th e n in
s o r t o f c a l l i n g i t b a c k a g a in a t th e c o n c lu s io n .
T h e re a r e , o f c o u r s e , p ie c e s t h a t a r e v e ry g r ip p in g
a t t h e b e g i n n i n g , a n d w h ic h p u l l y o u i n i m m e d i a t e l y .
T h at i s one p r in c i p le , b u t I th in k an e q u a lly v a lid
p r o c e d u r e w o u ld b e t o b e g i n w i t h a v e r y a m o r p h o u s
a l m o s t g r o p i n g p a s s a g e , w h ic h i s m ade v a l i d b y w h a t
f o llo w s .
I w o u ld c i t e a s a n e x a m p l e , t h e b e g i n n i n g
o f t h e t h i r d R a z u m o v sk y q u a r t e t - - o n e o f t h e m o st
i n d e c i s i v e o p e n in g s i n a l l o f B e e th o v e n .
But th is
d r i f t i n g b e g in n in g t u r n s o u t t o en h a n ce th e v e ry
d e c i s i v e a l l e g r o w h ic h f o l l o w s .
The e n d i n g , l i k e t h e b e g i n n i n g , c o u l d a l s o w i t h
e q u a l v a l i d i t y b e v e ry d e c i s i v e o r c o u ld be d r i f t i n g
o r a n y t h i n g b e tw e e n t h e tw o .
In te rm s o f t r a d i t i o n a l
m u s ic , i t i s t r u e t h a t th e th e m a tic m a t e r i a l i s o f te n
i m m e d i a t e l y i m p r e s s i v e , b u t t h i s i s n o t a lw a y s t h e
case.
The p r i n c i p a l c l i m a x i s a l s o g e n e r a l l y c o n
s i d e r e d to be o n e o f th e m o st im p o r ta n t p o i n ts in a
c o m p o s i t i o n , b u t m any p i e c e s d o n ' t h a v e w h a t y o u
c o u ld c a l l a p r i n c i p a l c lim a x .
R .S .
W ould i t b e p o s s i b l e f o r a c o m p o s e r t o m ake a s o n g
c y c l e c o n s i s t i n g o f s e t t i n g s o f t h e sam e poem?
G .C .
E s t h e t l c a l l y , I t h i n k t h i s w o u ld b e p o s s i b l e , th o u g h
I know o f n o e x a m p le o f i t b e i n g d o n e .
H o w e v e r, I
t h i n k i t w o u ld b e d i f f i c u l t t o d o c o n v i n c i n g l y .
If
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-535( G .C .) a c o m p o s e r r e a l l y f u s e s w o rd s a n d m u s ic i n h i s v o c a l
w r i t i n g , i t w o u ld n o d o u b t p r o v e d i f f i c u l t , f o r t h a t
sam e c o m p o s e r t o i n a w ay d i s a s s o c i a t e h i s o r i g i n a l
c o n c e p t i o n , a n d t o t h e n c o n v i n c i n g l y s e t t h e sam e
t e x t in a c o n t r a s t i n g m an n e r.
R .S .
How d o y o u l i k e
G .C .
R .S .
W hat n u m e r o l o g i c a l i m p l i c a t i o n d o e s u h e n u m b e r t h i r t e e n
h a v e f o r y ou?
G .C .
I t r e a l l y d o e s n 't h a v e a s p e c i a l s i g n i f i c a n c e f o r m e,
b u t a s a c u ltu r a l re fe re n c e , i t i s reg ard ed a s a f a t e
f u l n u m b er.
I am n o t p e r s o n a l l y i n v o l v e d i n s u c h f i e l d s
a s n u m e ro lo g y , a s t r o l o g y , p a lm e s tr y , a n d so f o r t h .
T he n u m b e r t h i r t e e n i s a c u l t u r a l r e f e r e n c e i t i s a
p a r t o f t h e m em ory o f t h e r a c e .
T h a t 's why i t i s
a v o id e d a s a f l o o r in m o st h i g h - r i s e a p a r tm e n ts .
In
t h i s s o - c a l l e d r a t i o n a l a g e , we s t i l l h a v e m any s u c h
c o n n e c tio n s .
R .S .
A re y o u d e e p ly i n v o lv e ! i n p o l i t i c s ?
G .C .
to h e a r P i e r r o t L u n a lre su n g ?
N o.
I 'v e n e v e r r e a l l y b een in v o lv e d in p o l i t i c s p e r
s e , b u t h a v e r a t h e r b e e n so m e w h at a p o l i t i c a l .
A lth o u g h ,
i n t i m e s o f o b v i o u s c r i s e s , I b e c o m e f o r a w h i l e m o re
a w a re .
I 'm t h i n k i n g
o f W.W. I I , t h e K o r e a n W ar, a n d
t h e V ie tn a m W a r.
I n m o re n o r m a l t i m e s , I t e n d n o t t o
b e m uch i n t e r e s t e d .
I p r o b a b l y s h o u l d b e m o re i n v o l v e d
/ T a u g h t e ry 7.
R .S .
W hat d o y o u t h i n k o f
G .C .
I t h i n k m any o f
fu n to re a d .
I own m o s t o f
a lly .
I fee l
T o v e y 's a n a l y t i c a l e s s a y s ?
th e m
a r e v e ry s p r i g h t l y an d k in d o f
T h e y c o n t a i n some i n t e r e s t i n g i n s i g h t s .
th e m , a n d e n j o y l o o k i n g a t th em o c c a s i o n
t h a t th e ty p e o f a n a l y s i s he i s d o in g i s
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 3 6 ( G .C .) a c u t a b o v e t h e k i n d o f a c a d e m ic a n a l y s i s now i n
vogue i n c e r t a i n c i r c l e s .
B u t , i n som e w a y s , h e
r e a l l y d o e s n t go f a r e n o u g h .
P e rh a p s h e c a n 't
go f a r t h e r w i t h i n t h e b o u n d a r i e s im p o s e d by t h e
f a c t t h a t m o s t o f h i s a n a l y s e s a r e r e a l l y p r o g ra m
n o te s f o r c o n c e r ts .
S o m e tim e s h e c o m m en ts on v e r y
s ig n if ic a n t te c h n ic a l m a tte rs :
p itc h r e la tio n s h ip s
o v e r a l a r g e sp a n o f tim e ; i n t e r e s t i n g d e t a i l s o f
fo rm a l s t r u c t u r e t h a t s o r t o f t h in g .
I se n se in
h i s w r i t i n g a b a s i c a l l y c o n s e r v a t i v e v ie w o f m u s i c ,
b u t I f e e l h e d o e s u n d e r s t a n d w h a t i s g o i n g on i n
t h e m u s ic h e w r i t e s a b o u t .
R .S .
W ould y o u a l l o w a n a r t i c l e o n y o u r m u s ic t o b e
p u b l i s h e d i n P e r s p e c t i v e s o f New M u s ic ?
G .C .
I g u e s s t h a t w o u ld d e p e n d o n who w r o t e t h e a r t i c l e .
I t h i n k t h a t P e r s p e c t i v e s m ak e s c e r t a i n p r e t e n s i o n s .
The a r t i c l e s t e n d t o b o w r i t t e n a s i f t h e y a r e s c i
e n t i f i c m o n o lo g u e s ; i n o t h e r w o r d s , t h e la n g u a g e
a t t e m p t s t o b e d e p e r s o n a l i z e d , a n d t h e w r i t e r s seem
to be p r e te n d in g to be s c i e n t i s t s p o s s e s s in g v e ry
s t r i c t c o n tro ls .
In g e n e r a l , t h i s ty p e o f a n a l y s i s
b o t h e r s m e.
I t d o e s n 't p u l l i n m any i m p o r t a n t
m a t t e r s o f a m ore s u b j e c t i v e n a t u r e , a n d i t d o e s n 't
d e a l w ith th e c u l t u r a l i m p l ic a ti o n s o f th e m u sic .
I t i s o f te n o b s e s s iv e ly te c h n ic a l, and la c k s i n t e r e s t
fo r th a t reaso n .
Many o f t h e a r t i c l e s a r e s p e c u l a t i v e
a nd n o t c o n v in c in g .
P e r s p e c tiv e s h a s been p u b lis h e d
u n d e r th e a u s p ic e s o f P r in c e to n U n i v e r s i ty ; i t o f te n
se em s m ore l i k e a u n i v e r s i t y t h a n a n a r t i s t i c p u b l i
c a tio n .
R .S .
G .C .
Any w o rk o f B e e th o v e n w o u ld o f f e r a g o o d e x a m p le .
S uch a w o rk t o my e a r h a s a v e r y d e f i n i t e n a r r a t i v e
q u a lity .
I t i s n o t n a r r a tiv e in any l in g u i s t i c s e n se ;
r a t h e r , th e n a r r a t i v e d e p e n d s on t h e a l t e r n a t i o n o f
p s y c h o lo g ic a l o r e m o tio n a l s t a t e s o r c u r v e s .
T h is
a m o u n ts t o a n a r r a t i v e o f s u c h f a c t o r s a s t e n s i o n ,
r e la x a tio n , a n tic ip a tio n , f u lf illm e n t, s u rp r is e
a l l o f t h e e l e m e n t s t h a t , i n a v e r y g e n e r a l w ay , y o u
c o u ld d e s c r i b e a s e m o tio n a l t y p e s .
In o t h e r w o rd s,
t h e p s y c h o l o g i c a l c u r v e i s t h e f lo w o f e m o t i o n s .
The
f o rm o f a c o m p o s i t i o n c o u ld b e e x p r e s s e d i n te r m s o f
th e s p in n in g o u t o r a l t e r n a t i o n o f th e s e p s y c h o lo g ic a l
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 3 7 ( G .C .) s t a t e s .
You c o u l d s p e a k o f th e m i n p h y s i c a l te r m s
a s w e l l ; f o r e x a m p le i n s u c h t e r m s a s i n e r t i a , p o i n t s
o f a r r i v a l , c lim a x , a n d th e l i k e .
The p s y c h o l o g i c a l
c u r v e o f a g i v e n p i e c e c o u l d b e s m o o th o r c o m p le x , o r
a n y t h i n g i n b e tw e e n .
M a h l e r s m u s ic w o u ld t e n d t o h a v e
a v e r y c o m p le x c u r v e .
In h i s m u sic , you o f te n e n c o u n te r
v e r y c o m p le x e m o t i o n s i n r a p i d j u x t a p o s i t i o n ; y o u c a n
hav e a c o u n te r p o in t o f e m o tio n s.
W ith B e e t h o v e n , t h e
c u r v e w o u ld t e n d t o b e s m o o t h e r , s i m p l e r , a n d m o re
d i r e c t , w i t h i n a p i e c e a n d p e r h a p s m o re m o n u m e n ta l
fo r th a t rea so n .
R .S .
W hat a r e
G .C .
I t h i n k m u s ic I s l o a d e d w i t h s u c h i m p l i c a t i o n s .
You
c o u l d r e g a r d m u s ic a s a m o d e l f o r t h e u n i v e r s e , a s
w as t h e c a s e I n t h e p a s t .
Some o f t h e p h i l o s o p h e r s
s p o k e o f p l a n e t a r y m o ti o n s a n d t h e r h y th m o f t h e s e
m o tio n s I n m u s ic a l t e r m s .
T h ey saw m u s ic a s a p a r a d ig m
fo r th e u n iv e rs e .
I n t h a t s e n s e , m u s ic i s m e t a p h y s i c a l .
M u s ic s e e m s t o b e t h e m o s t b a s i c o f a l l t h e a r t s ; I t
s h a r e s w ith a n d I s i n v o lv e d w ith m o st o f th e o t h e r s .
I n c e r t a i n w a y s , m u s ic s e e m s c l o s e t o l a n g u a g e , t o
m o v e m e n t, a n d t o d a n c e m o re s o t h a n i s p a i n t i n g .
M u sic c a n b e p i c t o r i a l i n a m uch m o re l i m i t e d s e n s e
th an can p a in tin g , b u t in th e se o th e r d ir e c tio n s , i t
r e a l ly re a c h e s o u t.
I t a l s o i l l u s t r a t e s th e p r o p o r
t i o n s a n d q u a n t i t i e s o f m a t h e m a t i c s o f t e n i n m ys
t e r i o u s w ays to a s g r e a t o f a n e x te n t a s d o es
p a i n t i n g p e r h a p s e v e n m o re s o .
I t t i e s in w ith
s c ie n c e on th e a c o u s t i c a l a n d m a th e m a tic a l s i d e , i n t o
a l l la n g u a g e s , and in to a l l o f th e a r t s .
t h e m e t a p h y s i c a l I m p l i c a t i o n s o f m u s ic ?
R .S .
W hat i s
G .C .
W e ll, I s u s p e c t t h a t e v e n s e r i a l c o m p o se rs a r e t h in k i n g
o f a r i t h m e t i c , a n d n o t o f a n y c o m p le x m a t h e m a t i c s .
In
i t s e s s e n c e , t h o u g h , m u s ic o f t e n r e v e a l s c o m p le x m a th
e m a t i c a l r e l a t i o n s h i p s , w hen a n a l y z e d i n t h e s e t e r m s .
I n a d d i t i o n , t h e p h y s i c a l m a k e u p o f p i t c h i s i n a way
m a th e m a tic a l.
I s u s p e c t t h a t a com poser i s g e n e r a l ly
th in k in g in m u sic a l te rm s , d e s p ite th e f a c t t h a t i n t e r
v a l s , m e a s u r e s , d u r a t i o n s r e a l l y a lm o s t e v e r y t h in g
i s r e p r e s e n t e d by q u a n t i t i e s .
Some i n c r e d i b l e r e l a
t i o n s h i p s h a v e b e e n f o u n d i n B a r t o k s m u s i c , w h ic h
r a i s e t h e q u e s t i o n o f w h e t h e r t h e s e w e re a r r i v e d a t
c o n s c io u s ly o r i n t u i t i v e l y .
I te n d to th in k th e s e
m u st h a v e b e e n i n t u i t i v e , s i n c e , th ro u g h th e e a r one
c a n a r r i v e a t s o m any t h i n g s t h a t m ake s e n s e l o g i c a l l y .
th e r o le
o f m a th e m a tic s i n c o m p o s itio n ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 3 8 R .S .
Why d o y o u t h i n k t h e s t a n d a r d f o rm s h a v e c e a s e d
b e in g v i a b l e ?
G .C .
T he c e s s a t i o n o f t o n a l i t y a s a d o m i n a t i n g f o r c e i s
one d e te rm in in g f a c t o r .
I t i s p o s s ib le , o f c o u rs e ,
t o w r i t e a s o n a t a m o v em en t w i t h o u t t o n a l i t y , b y
m e r e ly r e p r e s e n t i n g t h e v a r io u s s e c t i o n s th e m a tic
a l l y , b u t I th in k t h a t in th e t r a d i t i o n a l s o n a ta ,
th e v a r io u s s e c t i o n s r e a l l y d ep en d on t o n a l i t y f o r
th e i r e ffe c tiv e n e s s .
S o m e tim e s , t h e r e i s n ' t a
s e c o n d s u b j e c t , b u t t h e r e i s a lw a y s a c h a n g e o f
to n a lity .
S e v e r a l k e y p a r t s o f t h e s o n a t a fo rm a r e
p r im a rily to n a l e v e n ts .
T h is i s n o t to s a y t h a t th e
th e m a tic e le m e n ts a r e n o t i m p o r ta n t ; t h e r e a r e f r e
q u e n t l y th e m e s o f c o n t r a s t i n g c h a r a c t e r , s o t h a t
o n e a r r i v e s n o t o n l y a t a new th e m e , b u t a l 3 o a t a
d i f f e r e n t p s y c h o lo g ic a l s t a t e r e i n f o r c i n g th e id e a
o f a t o n a l d ram a .
I n B a r t o k 's m u s i c , t h o u g h i t i s
n o t to n a l in th e t r a d i ti o n a l s e n se , a se n se o f to n a l
t e n s i o n i s p r e s e r v e d , a n d t h e s o n a t a f o rm w o r k s .
W ith S c h o e n b e r g , t o n a l i t y i s a l l b u t a b a n d o n e d , a n d
m any o f h i s p i e c e s c a s t i n s o n a t a fo rm d o n ' t r e a l l y
w o rk .
The e m p lo y m e n t o f t h e r o t a t i o n a l s y s te m i s
a lm o s t th e o p p o s it e o f th e t o n a l k in d o f d ram a .
W ith t o n a l i t y , s o m e t h in g r e a l l y d i f f e r e n t h a p p e n s
w hen a new k e y i s a r r i v e d a t , a n d t h i s i s o f t e n a
g rad u al p ro c e ss.
W ith t w e l v e - t o n e m u s i c , t h e c o n
s t a n t r o t a t i o n o f a l l o f th e p itc h e s d o es n o t a llo w
f o r t h i s k i n d o f d r a m a t i c c o n t r a s t , a n d s o t h e com
p o s e r h a s to t r y to a c h ie v e t h i s i n o t h e r w ays; su c h
m e a n s a s t e x t u r e s , g e s t u r e s , a n d c o n t r a s t i n g th e m e s
m ay b e u s e d , b u t t h e s a m e n e s s o f t h e p i t c h e s k i l l s
th e k in d o f d r a m a tic c o n t r a s t i n h e r e n t in th e t o n a l
s o n a ta .
T he r o t a t i o n o f a t w e l v e - t o n e rovj d o m in a t e s
t h e e n t i r e t e x t u r e o f a w o rk , c r e a t i n g a k in d o f
f ie ld .
A s i d e f ro m t o n a l i t y , t h e s o - c a l l e d s t a n d a r d
f o r m s w e r e u s e d s o e x p e r t l y by t h e g r e a t c o m p o s e r s
o f e a r l i e r t i m e s , t h a t i t w o u ld b e i m p o s s i b l e t o
w r i t e a n y t h i n g r e a l l y c o m p a r a b le .
F o r m s , m ay b e ,
a r e l i k e l i v i n g o r g a n is m s ; th e y d e v e lo p , f l o u r i s h
f o r a w h i l e , a n d t h e n b e g in a p e r io d o f d e c a y , w h ile
o t h e r fo rm s b e g in to e v o lv e .
T h is h a s b e e n th e h i s
to r y o f m u sic .
V e ry fe w h a v e r e a l l y s u r v i v e d t h r o u g h
a l l o f t h e p e r i o d s o n ly t h e m o st b a s i c t y p e s .
The
f a l l o f t o n a l i t y , th e f a c t t h a t co m p o sers o f e a r l i e r
t i m e s h a v e a l r e a d y u s e d t h e f o rm s s o w e l l , a n d t h e
f a c t t h a t c o m p o s e r s n o l o n g e r t h i n k t h e sam e a s t h e y
o n ce d id w ith r e g a r d to th e m a tic i d e a s , a l l c o n t r i b
u te d to th e f a l l o f th e s ta n d a rd fo rm s.
A ls o , th e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 3 9 ( G .C .) l a n g u a g e o f m any o f t o d a y ' s c o m p o s e r s i s t o o c o n
c e n t r a t e d ; t h e s o n a t a f o r m , th o u g h i t c a n s o u n d
c o m p a c t, i n e f f e c t dem ands a c e r t a i n am ount o f
l e i s u r e t o m ake i t s p o i n t .
E v en t h e f i r s t m ove
m e n t o f t h e B e e th o v e n F i f t h S y m phony, w h ic h h a s t o
b e o n e o f t h e m o s t c o m p a c t s o n a t a m o v em e n ts e v e r
w r i t t e n , s t i l l i s a g o o d d e a l m o re l e i s u r e l y t h a n
m uch m u s ic b e i n g w r i t t e n n o w .
R .S .
How i m p o r t a n t do y o u t h i n k E a r l Brown h a s b e e n a s
an in n o v a to r?
G .C .
H i s d e v e lo p m e n ts m a i n l y d e a l w i t h w h a t h a s b e e n
te rm e d "o p en " fo rm .
I d o n ' t r e a l l y know w h e t h e r
h e o r C age h a s p re c e d e n c e f o r t h i s g e n e r a l i d e a .
My c o l l e a g u e , G e o rg e R o c h b e r g , b e l i e v e s t h a t B ro w n ,
C a g e , a n d W o lf f w e re t h e c l a s s i c e x a m p le s o f a v a n t g a r d e c o m p o s e r s , a n d t h a t t h e a v a n t - g a r d e m ovem ent
i t s e l f i s d e fu n c t.
H is f e e l i n g i s t h a t t h i s i s no
l o n g e r a v i a b l e w ay t o a p p r o a c h m u s i c , a n d I h a v e
to a g re e .
We h a v e r u n t h r o u g h a n d s c r u t i n i z e d a l l
o f t h e a p p r o a c h e s s u g g e s t e d b y t h a t m o v e m e n t.
T h e re
i s a r e a l q u e s t i o n o f how p r o d u c t i v e i t a l l w a s
e s p e c i a l l y fro m t h e s t a n d p o i n t o f p r o d u c i n g p i e c e s
r e a l l y w o r t h h e a r i n g m o re t h a n o n c e o r t w i c e .
The
a v a n t - g a r d e m ovem en t w as i n v o l v e d w i t h e x p e r i m e n t a
t i o n , an d a l s o w ith a c e r t a in p h ilo s o p h ic a l s ta n c e
w M c h a d v o c a t e d **the m u s ic o f1 t h e f u t u r e * ** I t w as
a " s u p p o rt th e t w e n ti e th c e n tu r y " ty p e o f t h in g ,
a n d i t s o m e tim e s b ecam e r a t h e r s t r i d e n t i n t e r m s
o f p o le m ic s .
T h e r e w as a f e e l i n g t h a t m u s ic h a d
com e t o a d e a d e n d , a n d t h a t t h e m u s ic n e e d e d t o
r e p l a c e t h e o l d m u s i c t h e m u s ic o f t h e f u t u r e
h a d t o m ake a c l e a n b r e a k .
I th in k t h i s s ta n c e
h a s p r o v e n u n p r o d u c t i v e ; p s y c h o l o g i c a l l y i t d o e s n 't
m ake s e n s e .
No o n e c a n c u t o u t t h e l o b e s o f t h e i r
b r a i n t h a t c o n t a i n m e m o rie s o f t h e t r a d i t i o n .
A lo n g
t h e s e sam e l i n e s , I d o n ' t t h i n k t h e f a c t t h a t s o
m uch c o n t e m p o r a r y m u s ic i s i n c o m p r e h e n s i b l e t o s o
m any i n t e l l i g e n t l i s t e n e r s i s a h e a l t h y t h i n g ,
T h e r e i s u s u a l l y a tim e l a g , b u t t h i s l a g i n e a r l i e r
t i m e s w as v e r y s h o r t a n d s o m e tim e s t h e r e w as n o l a g
at a ll.
I b e l i e v e t h a t m u s ic w i l l h a v e t o move i n
t h e d i r e c t i o n o f m o re c o m p r e h e n s i b i l i t y , i f f o r no
o th e r re a s o n th a n b e c au se o f th e f a c t t h a t th in g s
m ove i n c y c l e s .
I f a p re s e n t g e n e ra tio n , f o r ex
a m p l e , w e r e m o v in g t o w a r d a m o re e s o t e r i c a n d c r y p
t i c k i n d o f m u s i c , t h a n m aybe t h e n e x t g e n e r a t i o n
w o u ld h a v e t o h a v e t h a t t o r e b e l a g a i n s t , s o t h e y
w o u ld m ove b a c k t o a m o re a c c e s s i b l e k i n d o f m u s i c .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-540R .S .
C o u ld y o u com m ent o n t h e p h e n o m e n o n o f n i n e t e e n t h c e n t u r y p r o g ra m m u s ic ?
G .C .
P r o g ra m m u s ic w as a s t r a n g e d e v e lo p m e n t.
I t i s h a rd
t o u n d e r s t a n d how t h e c o m p o s e r s i n v o l v e d i n w r i t i n g
t h a t m u s ic c o u l d n o t h a v e s e e n t h r o u g h i t r i g h t aw ay .
I t i s a b e t r a y a l o f t h e n a t u r e o f m u s ic t o t r y t o
m ake i t l i t e r a l a n d p i c t o r i a l . ' B e e th o v e n r a r e l y f e l l
i n t o t h a t t r a p ; e v e n w i t h t h e P a s t o r a l Sym phony he
c a r e f u l l y i n d i c a t e d t h a t h i s t i t l e s w ere o n ly g e n e ra l
im p re ss io n s .
P ro g ra m m u s ic b e c am e m o s t e x p l i c i t w ith
t h e sy m p h o n ic poem , b u t t h e r e w e re a l s o e a r l i e r t y p e s .
T he B e e th o v e n B a t t l e Sym phony i s a n e x a m p le , a n d a
n u m b e r o f c o m p o s e r s w r o t e p r o g ra m s o n a t a s e a r l i e r i n
t h e c e n t u r y ; " b a t t l e s o n a t a s " w e re w r i t t e n w h ic h w ere
s u p p o se d ly g ra p h ic d e s c r i p ti o n s .
N o t m uch r e a l l y
cam e o u t o f t h a t w h o le d e v e lo p m e n t.
S t r a u s s w as th e
l a s t s i g n i f i c a n t c o m p o s e r t h a t w as i n f l u e n c e d .
I
h a v e a lw a y s f e l t t h a t i f t h e m u s i c a l v i t a l i t y i s
p r e s e n t , a s i t i s i n s e v e r a l o f S t r a u s s ' sy m p h o n ic
p o e m s , t h e n t h e p r o g ra m r e a l l y d o e s n 't m a t t e r a t a l l .
As a m a t t e r o f f a c t , t h e poem t o D e a t h a n d T r a n s f i g u
r a t i o n w as w r i t t e n a f t e r t h e m u s ic w as c o m p o s e d .
A lo n g t h e s e sam e l i n e s , I t h i n k I m e n t i o n e d i n a n
e a r l i e r i n t e r v i e w t h a t a p i e c e l i k e D e b u s s y 's La Mer
c o u l d j u s t a s w e l l h a v e b e e n e n t i t l e d La T e r r e ; o n c e
t h e a s s o c i a t i o n s a r e e s t a b l i s h e d , i t d o e s n 't r e a l l y
m a tte r.
T h e r e a r e e x a m p le s o f c o m p o s e r s g i v i n g t h e i r
m u s ic c o n v i n c i n g p r o g r a m a t i c t i t l e s a f t e r t h e m u sic
h a d b e e n co m p o sed .
P e n d e r e p k i 's T h r e n o d y f o r t h e
V i c t i m s o f H i r o s h i m a i s o n e s u c h e x a m p le ; a l t h o u g h
t h i s w o rk se e m s v i v i d l y p r o g r a m a t i c , I h e a r d P e n d e r e p k i s t a t e , d u r in g a l e c t u r e , t h a t he h ad a r r i v e d
a t t h i s t i t l e a f t e r t h e m u s ic h a d b e e n w r i t t e n .
R .S .
Do y o u f e e l t h a t B e e th o v e n l a c k e d m e l o d i c
G .C .
N o.
He d i d n ' t l a c k a n y k i n d o f p r o w e s s / l a u g h t e r / .
I t h a s b e e n s a i d t h a t h i s th e m e s a r e s l i g h t , b u t th e n
y o u f i n d o u t w h a t th e m e s t h e p e o p le a r e t a l k i n g a b o u t ,
a n d u s u a l l y , i t i s tw o o r t h r e e o f a v e r y c o n c e n t r a t e d
m o tiv ic ty p e .
T h e y 'r e n o t t a l k i n g a b o u t t h e s e c o n d
R a z u m o v sk y q u a r t e t , o r t h e C - s h a r p m in o r f u g u e .
If
th e r e i s c r i t ic i s m o f th a t k in d , I t in e sse n c e is
s a y i n g t h a t B e e th o v e n d i d n ' t p o s s e s s t h e m e lo d ic t y p e s
o f M o z a rt.
T h is i s t r u e .
M o zart h ad a d i f f e r e n t
s e n s e f o r m e lo d y , b u t B e e t h o v e n 's m e lo d y I s n o t l e s s
t h a n M o z a r t 's .
In f a c t , B e e t h o v e n 's h a n d l i n g o f m e lo d y ,
i n my o p i n i o n , e m b o d ie s a m uch w i d e r r a n g e o f e x p r e s s i o n
t h a n d o e s M o z a r t 's .
p ro w e s s ?
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 4 1 R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t m o d e m w o rk s s o m e tim e s s u f f e r
b e c a u s e t h e y a r e p ro g ram m ed o n c o n c e r t s w i t h o t h e r
m o d e m w o rk s ?
G .C .
Y es, I th in k
lis te n i n g to
n ic e to h e a r
tw o , s e p a r a t e d
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k i t i s p o s s i b l e t o d e d u c e a c o m p o s e r 's
p e r s o n a l i t y so m e o n e y o u h a v e n e v e r m e t j u s t fro m
h i s m u s ic ?
G .C .
I t h i n k y o u w o u ld h a v e t o h e a r a l o t o f h i s m u s ic t o
do t h i s n o t J u s t o n e o r tw o p i e c e s .
I
d o n 't t h i n k
t h a t a n g r y m u s ic i n i t s e l f w o u ld n e c e s s a r i l y m ean
a n i r a s c i b l e te m p e r a m e n t; i t w o u ld b e m o re s u b t l e
th a n t h i s n o t j u s t th e o b v io u s e m o tio n a l q u a l i t y o f
th e m u sic .
I f y o u c o u ld t h i n k o f B e e t h o v e n 's m u s i c ,
w i t h o u t k n o w le d g e o f h i s c h a r a c t e r , y o u c o u l d c o n
c l u d e I t h i n k , t h a t h e m u s t h a v e b e e n t e m p e r a m e n ta l
a n d w h im s ic a l.
T e m p e r a m e n ta l i n t h e s e n s e o f c h a n g i n g
ra p id ly .
M o z a r t 's m u s ic w o u ld t e l l y o u t h a t h e w a s
v e ry e l e g a n t , s o p h i s t i c a t e d , a n d w ith a to u c h o f i r o n y
u n d e rn e a th .
B a c h 's m u s ic w o u ld t e l l y o u t h a t h e w as
v e ry d e v o u t.
H in d e m ith w r o t e a n a r t i c l e on B a c h , i n
w h ic h h e s u r m i s e d t h a t B a c h m u s t h a v e b e e n a v e r y
i r a s c i b l e m an, b e c a u s e o f a l l o f t h e a n g r y m u s ic h e
w ro te .
I n f a c t , h i s l e t t e r s r e v e a l t h a t h e w as q u i t e
ira s c ib le .
E ven t h e th e m e s o f som e o f h i s t w o - p a r t
in v e n tio n s a r e v e ry q u e ru lo u s , an d th e r e a r e a n g ry
t h e m e s t h e C - m in o r p r e l u d e i s a n e x a m p le / t h e com
p o s e r , a t t h i s p o i n t , s u n g a fe w b a r s fro m t h e
o p e n in g o f t h e C - m in o r p r e lu d _ e 7 .
B a c h w as l i k e
B e e t h o v e n , i n t h a t h e h a d a w h o le r a n g e o f e m o t i o n s .
He c o u l d b e i n t i m a t e a n d t e n d e r , p a s t o r a l , g r a c e f u l ,
and a n g ry .
Of c o u r s e , h e c o u ld be d e v o u t a n d t r a n s
c e n d e n t a l , a n d o n a m uch h i g h e r l e v e l t h a n some o f
t h e t e x t s h e w as s e t t i n g .
Many o f t h e c a n t a t a t e x t s
w ere i n f e r i o r i n q u a l i t y l i t t l e b e t t e r th a n h a c k
w o rk b u t t h e m u s ic o f t h e c a n t a t a s t r a n s c e n d s t h i s
w eak n ess.
G e ttin g back to y o u r q u e s tio n , I g u e ss
t h a t s i n c e we a l r e a d y know s o m e t h in g a b o u t t h e p e r s o n
a l i t i e s o f t h e s e c o m p o s e r s , i t i s n ' t r e a l l y f a i r we
a r e n ' t r e a l l y d e d u c in g t h e i r p e r s o n a l i t i e s fro m t h e i r
m u s i c , th o u g h i t d o e s se em t h a t y o u c a n s e e t h e c o n n e c
tio n .
R .S .
C o u ld y o u m ake som e o b s e r v a t i o n s c o n c e r n i n g t h e
e s t h e t i c o u tlo o k s o f S tr a v in s k y a n d S c h o e n b e rg ?
th is
m any
o n ly
by
hap p en s.
F a tig u e can
r e s u l t f ro m
u n f a m ilia r s t y l e s .
I th in k i t i s
c o n te m p o r a r y w o rk p e r p r o g r a m , o r
t r a d i t i o n a l m u sic .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 4 2 G .C .
F i r s t o f a l l , I d o n 't t h i n k S tr a v in s k y r e a l l y a p p r e
c i a t e d S c h o e n b e r g 's m u s ic v e r y m u ch , i n l i g h t o f h i s
w e l l- k n o w n com m ent c o n c e r n i n g t h e e x c e s s i v e l y f a s t
p a c e o f S c h o e n b e r g 's h a rm o n ic r h y th m . A n d , i n s p i t e
o f th e f a c t t h a t S tr a v i n s k y , l a t e i n l i f e , a d o p te d
t h e t w e l v e - t o n e s y s t e m , h e m ade s t a t e m e n t s t o t h e
e f f e c t t h a t he d id n o t c o n s id e r th e s e to be h i s b e s t
w o rk s.
I n t e r m s o f e s t h e t i c s , S t r a v i n s k y w as a
c l a s s i c i s t , a n d S c h o e n b e rg a r o m a n t i c i s t .
T h ere i s
a c e r t a i n m e c h a n i c a l e le m e n t i n S t r a v i n s k y 's m u s i c ;
t h e r e t e n d t o b e fe w r i t a r d a n d o s , fe w r u b a t o s , i n
f a c t , v e r y fe w tem p o n u a n c e s o f a n y k i n d .
He em
b r a c e d t h e id e a o f a p u ls e t h a t m arc h e s on so to
s p e a k w h e t h e r f a s t o r s lo w .
S c h o e n b e r g 's m u s i c ,
o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , i s f i l l e d w i t h tem p o n u a n c e s .
S c h o e n b e r g 's o r c h e s t r a i s t h e G erm an r o m a n t i c t y p e ,
w h i l e S t r a v i n s k y 's i s a c l e a n e r q u a s i - R u s s i a n t y p e ;
I t h i n k t h a t S t r a v i n s k y 's o r c h e s t r a t i o n l o o k e d b a c k
i n a w ay t o t h e c l a s s i c a l p e r i o d .
I th in k S tra v in s k y
w r o t e h i s b e s t m u s ic i n h i s f i r s t p e r i o d , a n d S c h o e n
b e r g w r o t e h i s b e s t i n h i s f i r s t two p e r i o d s ( t h e
to n a l and f re e a to n a l) .
R .S .
G .C .
I n r e c e n t m u s i c , s lo w m u s ic se e m s t o h a v e b e c o m e t h e
n o rm , w h i l e f a s t m u s ic h a s b ecom e r a t h e r e x c e p t i o n a l .
D u r i n g t h e common p r a c t i c e p e r i o d , f a s t t o m o d e r a te
m u s ic w as t h e n o r m , a n d t r u e s lo w m u s ic w as r a r e r .
A l s o , t h e n i n e t e e n t h - c e n t u r y c o m p o s e r w as j u d g e d t o
a s ig n i f ic a n t d e g re e a c c o rd in g to th e q u a lity o f
h i s s lo w m u s i c .
I n o u r own t i m e , a c o m p o s e r m ay
com e t o b e r a n k e d a c c o r d i n g t o how w e l l h e w r i t e s
f a s t m u sic .
T h is i s a c u r io u s i n v e r s io n .
N a tu ra lly ,
f ro m t h e p u r e l y p r a c t i c a l s t a n d p o i n t o f t h e l a b o r
e x p e n d e d , l e s s n o t e s a r e r e q u i r e d t o w r i t e s lo w m u s ic
t h a n t o w r i t e f a s t m u s ic o f c o r r e s p o n d i n g d u r a t i o n .
I t h i n k t h e r e a l r e a s o n , t h o u g h , h a s s o m e t h in g t o
d o w i t h t h e i d e a o f s u s p e n d e d m u s i c . And i t s e e m s
t o h a v e be c o m e d i f f i c u l t t o w r i t e s o m e t h in g t h a t
r e a l l y p r o p e ls i t s e l f , w ith o u t f a l l i n g i n t o , o r
r e l y i n g o n a t r a d i t i o n a l m e th o d o r d e v i c e f o r d o i n g
th a t.
A n o t h e r f a c t o r t h a t may b e i n v o l v e d i n t h e
c a s e o f t h o s e i n t e r e s t e d i n new s o n o r i t i e s i s t h a t
t im e h a s t o b e a l l o t t e d t o t h e l i s t e n e r f o r t a k i n g
th e s e in .
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 4 3 I n t e r v i e w , 2 5 S e p te m b e r 1 9 7 8
R .S .
Why do y o u t h i n k t h a t t h e r i s i n g m a j o r s i x t h
s o i n f r e q u e n t l y by t o d a y 's c o m p o se rs?
i s used
G .C .
I d o n ' t k now .
I t h in k you a r e r i g h t ; th e m a jo r
s ix t h i s u se d l e s s th a n an y o t h e r i n t e r v a l , w ith
th e e x c e p tio n o f th e o c ta v e .
The r i s i n g m a j o r s i x t h
is p a rtic u la rly ra re .
In a w ay, th e m a jo r s i x t h
s o u n d s e v e n m o re c o n s o n a n t t h a n t h e m a j o r t h i r d
p e rh a p s t h i s i s one r e a s o n f o r i t s a v o id a n c e .
A n o th e r
r e a s o n m ig h t b e t h a t t h i s i n t e r v a l i s a s s o c i a t e d s o
s t r o n g l y w i t h t h e b e g i n n i n g o f so m any s t r i c t l y t o n a l
m o v e m e n ts .
R .S .
W hat d o y o u t h i n k t h e v a l u e o f fo rm a n a l y s i s
tr a d i ti o n a ll y ta u g h t in u n i v e r s it i e s ?
G .C .
I t h in k t h a t i t i s p o s s ib l e to s tu d y an d a n a ly z e
f o rm s a d i n f i n i t u m , a n d s t i l l n o t u n d e r s t a n d w h a t
i s r e a l l y d r i v i n g t h e m u sic t h a t i s , s t i l l n o t
u n d e r s t a n d t h e u r g e n c y w h ic h m ak e s a p o i n t o f a r r i
v a l so e x c i t i n g s t i l l n o t u n d e rs ta n d w hat r e a l l y
m ak e s t h e m u s ic w o rk i t s d r i v i n g f o r c e .
F o rm al
a n a l y s i s o f t h e c o n v e n t i o n a l t y p e s t r i k e s me a s a
m e c h a n i c a l p r o c e s s w h ic h r e l i e s o n a s t a t i c t e r m i n
o lo g y .
P e rh a p s i t i s im p o s s ib le to d e f i n e th e f o r c e s
w h ic h m ake m u s ic w o rk w h ic h p r o p e l i t f ro m m om ent t o
m o m e n t.
W h a te v e r t h i s q u a l i t y i s , i t i s n ' t o n l y
r h y th m ic e n e r g y ; t h e r e a r e m any p i e c e s t h a t h a v e
r h y th m ic d r i v e , b u t w h ic h d o n ' t h a v e a n y s e n s e o f
fo rw a rd m o tio n .
To m e, i t i s n ' t s o e x c i t i n g t h a t
t h e v a r i o u s p a r t s o f a s o n a t a m o v em en t o r som e o t h e r
s t a n d a r d fo rm a r e r e p r e s e n t e d ; a f t e r a l l , t h e s e p a r t s
a r e c o m p o n e n ts o f a b a s i c p r o f i l e .
The i m p o r t a n t
t h in g i s p r e c i s e l y w hat i s h a p p e n in g a t a n y g iv e n
p o i n t , a n d t h a t g e ts b a c k to th e b a s ic im p u lse o f
m u s i c t h e m o ti v e f o r c e i n f a c t , t h e q u a l i t y w h ic h
h o l d s t h e l i s t e n e r ' s a t t e n t i o n fro m b e g i n n i n g t o e n d .
One s e n s e s t h i s b a s i c i m p u l s e i n s t i n c t i v e l y .
E ven
l i s t e n e r s who h a v e n o i d e a a s t o t h e s t r u c t u r e o f
m u s ic know i n t u i t i v e l y w hen a w o rk i s c o n v i n c i n g , a n d
w hen a w o rk e v o k e s t h e i r a t t e n t i o n t h e y , a f t e r a l l ,
h a v e th e a d v a n ta g e o f b e in g f r e e o f t e c h n i c a l im p e d i
m e n ta .
I n som e c a s e s , a n a l y t i c a l i n s i g h t s c a n im p e d e
r e a l c o m p r e h e n s i o n o f t h e m u s i c , s i n c e m u s ic d o e s n o t
in an y s e n s e d ep en d on v e r b a l i z a t i o n .
We h a v e s p o k e n
p r e v i o u s ly a b o u t th e v e ry u n h e a lth y te n d e n c y w i t h in
th e u n i v e r s i t y o f a d o p tin g la n g u a g e a s a k in d o f
e x p la n a tio n o f p u re ly m u sic a l e v e n ts .
is ,
as
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 4 4 R .S .
S h o u ld t h e e x i s t e n c e o f t h e o r i s t s a n d m u s i c o l o g i s t s
be e n c o u r a g e d ?
G .C .
W e ll, I c a n s e e t h e m e r i t o f r e s e a r c h i n t o c e r t a i n
a re a s.
I c a n e v e n s e e t h e m e r i t o f a c e r t a i n am o u n t
o f h ig h ly t e c h n ic a l a n a ly s i s .
The d a n g e r I s when
to o m uch e m p h a s is i s p l a c e d on t h e s e c o n c e r n s b y
p e r f o r m i n g a n d c r e a t i v e a r t i s t s b y t h o s e who a r e
i n v o l v e d p r i m a r i l y w i t h t h e m u s ic i t s e l f .
Such a
s p i l l - o v e r c o u ld b e e s p e c i a l l y h a rm f u l to th e c r e
a tiv e a r t i s t .
I t c a n a ls o be h a rm fu l to p e rfo rm e rs ,
i f t h e y s t a r t r a t i o n a l i z i n g w h at th e y a r e d o in g
v e r b a l ly , r a t h e r th a n i n t u i t i v e l y re s p o n d in g to
a n d i n t e r p r e t i n g t h e m u s ic a c c o r d i n g t o i t s i n h e r e n t
m e a n in g .
R .S .
I n s o m any a n a l y s i s c l a s s e s , t h e m u s ic i s lo o k e d a t
so a b s t r a c t l y t h a t n o th in g i s e v e r s a id a b o u t w h e th e r
i t i s a n ic e p ie c e o r n o t.
G .C .
T h a ts t r u e .
And a l o n g t h o s e sam e l i n e s , I ' v e a lw a y s
b e li e v e d t h a t a v e ry b ad p ie c e c o u ld b e i n t e r e s t i n g
a n a ly t ic a l ly , a d v ic e v e rs a .
T h e w o rd s s a y n o t h i n g
a b o u t t h e m a g ic o f a l l o f t h e e l e m e n t s c o m in g t o
g e t h e r , a s t h e y do i n v i a b l e m u s i c .
R .S .
T h e r e a r e som e m u s ic s c h o o l s w h ic h r e q u i r e s t u d e n t
c o m p o s e r s t o do a v e r y d e t a i l e d a n a l y s i s o f o n e o f
h i s own c o m p o s i t i o n s u s u a l l y a l a r g e w o rk a s a
re q u ire m e n t f o r a d o c to r a te .
Do y o u t h i n k s u c h a
r e q u i r e m e n t w o u ld b e f r u i t f u l ?
G .C .
N o. E v e n a s s u m i n g t h a t t h e y w r o t e t h e m u s ic f i r s t ,
w h ic h t h e y p r o b a b l y w o u ld n o t , I t h i n k i t w o u ld be
v e r y d i f f i c u l t t o s w i t c h o v e r f ro m t h i n k i n g i n m u s i
c a l te rm s to t h in k i n g in a n a l y t i c a l te r m s .
I f th e y
w r o t e t h e a n a l y s i s f i r s t , I t w o u ld t h e n b e a lm o s t
im p o s s ib le to w r i te i n t e r e s t i n g m u s ic .
I th in k th a t
o b s e s s i o n w i t h t e c h n i c a l t h e o r y h a s beco m e a t r a p
o n e u n i q u e t o t h e p r e s e n t m o m e n t.
R .S .
Why do y o u t h i n k t h a t s o m uch e m p h a s i s h a s b e e n
p l a c e d on f o u r - p a r t w r i t i n g i n t r a d i t i o n a l t h e o r y
c o u rse s?
G .C .
I s u p p o se i t h a s b e e n assu m ed t h a t th e s tu d y o f th e
Each c h o r a l e s c o u ld g iv e a f e e l i n g f o r v o ic e le a d i n g ,
a s e n s e o f s m o o th p r o g r e s s i o n , a n d a s e n s e o f p r o
g r e s s i o n g e n e r a l l y I n a s e q u e n c e o f c h o r d s w h ic h
shape a p h ra s e .
H o w e v e r, m o s t o f t h e B ach c h o r a l e s
a r e f u l l o f e x c e p t i o n s a n d a r e n o t r e a l l y m o d e ls o f
s ta n d a rd p ro c e d u re .
I f y o u c o m p a re a n y B a c h c h o r a l e
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
When B a c h w r o t e a h a rm o n ic p r o g r e s s i o n i n a c h o r a l e
o r i n a n y p i e c e do y o u t h i n k h e v e r b a l i z e d t h e
h a r m o n i e s i n te r m s c o m p a r a b le t o t h e s u b d o m in a n td o m in a n t - t o n i c t e r m i n o l o g y we l e a r n i n b e g i n n i n g
th e o r y c la s s e s ?
G .C .
I t h i n k t h a t a l l o f t h e g r e a t c o m p o s e r s w o rk e d
i n t u i t i v e l y ; t h e r e w as p e r h a p s o t h e r w o rk on t o p
o f t h a t , b u t t h e u l t i m a t e d e c i s i o n s w e re made
in tu itiv e ly .
I t h i n k t h a t e v e n S c h o e n b e r g 's
t o n a l m u s ic w as p r i m a r i l y i n t u i t i v e , i n s p i t e o f
t h e f a c t t h a t h e w as t h e f i r s t g r e a t c o m p o s e r t o
d is p la y a p ro p e n s ity f o r t h e o r e t i c a l s p e c u la tio n .
I d o n ' t t h i n k t h a t t o o m uch t h e o r i z i n g i s a h e a l t h y
t h in g f o r m u sic .
I t ' s n i c e t o h a v e som e i n t e r e s t
i n a n d som e w r i t i n g a b o u t m u s i c , b u t i t d o e s n 't
n e e d t o be v e ry t e c h n i c a l a s a m a tte r o f f a c t , i t
c a n 't b e , i f i t i s in te n d e d f o r a g e n e r a l a u d ie n c e .
I t i s v e r y s e ld o m t h a t y o u f i n d a r e f e r e n c e t o a n y
te c h n ic a l m a tte r in th e l e t t e r s and w r itin g s o f
th e g r e a t co m p o se rs.
T hey j u s t d id n o t t h i n k o f
m u s ic i n t h o s e t e r m s .
R .S .
Do y o u t h i n k t h a t s i g n i f i c a n t e v e n t s o u t s i d e o f t h e
r e a l m o f m u s ic c a n c h a n g e a c o m p o s e r 's m u s ic t o a n y
s i g n i f i c a n t d e g re e ?
G .C .
I t h in k t h a t i t d e p e n d s on th e c o m p o se r.
M o z a r t 's
c o n d i t i o n s i n e v e r y - d a y l i f e d o n ' t seem t o h a v e
i n f l u e n c e d h i s m u s ic t o a n y s i g n i f i c a n t d e g r e e . He
c o u l d w r i t e j o y o u s p i e c e s w hen t h i n g s w e re g o in g v e r y
b a d ly in d e e d .
M a h l e r 's m u s i c , o n t h e o t h e r h a n d , i s
a u to b io g r a p h ic a l.
I t 3eem s t o s y m b o l iz e h i s e n t i r e
p e r s o n a l i t y an d a l l o f th e t h in g s t h a t h ap p e n ed to
h im t h o u g h a t t i m e s t h e s y m b o ls seem r e v e r s e d .
I 'm
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 4 6 -
G.C.
G.C. Sometimes.
I t tends to man in c y c le s . I r e a lly pre
fe r to play chamber music or to read through pieces
a t the piano, though I recognize the importance of
reco rd in g s. By d e fin itio n , a recording i s a frozen
performance, and, fo r th a t reason, la ck s much o f the
excitem ent o f liv e m usic. I a ls o th in k th at fo r a
performer to base h is in te r p r e ta tio n on a recording
would k i l l the c r e a tiv e sid e o f performance.
R.S.
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 4 7 -
G.C.
R .S.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5**8-
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
R .S.
G.C.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 4 9 -
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 5 0 -
(G.C.) s t a n c e w h ic h h o l d s t h a t a r t s h o u ld b e a c o m m e n ta ry on
t h e a b s u r d i t y o f m o d ern -d ay l i f e .
I am s u r e t h a t l i f e
h a s a lw a y s h a d i t s a b s u r d i t i e s , b u t t r a d i t i o n a l a r t
wa3 a p l a c e w h e re o r d e r r e i g n e d ; i t e n c o m p a s s e d a
v i s i o n o f a b e t t e r w o r l d ; e x p e c t a t i o n s t h a t a r o s e w e re
f u l f i l l e d ; f o rm s w e re m ade b e a u t i f u l ; t h e r e w as a
p s y c h o l o g i c a l c o n s i s t e n c y , w h ic h l i f e d o e s n o t a lw a y s
have.
I t i s a b a s ic e r r o r to c o n fu se a r t and l i f e ;
i n f a c t , th e y a r e s e p a r a t e , an d r e a l l y s h o u ld b e k e p t
s e p a r a te .
T h is i s on e o f th e v i r t u e s o f a r t :
h a v in g
a p l a c e t o go t o w h e re t h i n g s a r e r i g h t .
We h a v e h a d some f i n e c o m p o s e r s i n t h e t w e n t i e t h c e n t u r y , b u t t h e m u s ic o f e a c h o f t h e s e i s c l e a r l y d e r i v e d
f ro m t h a t o f e a r l i e r p e r i o d s .
R .S.
G.C.
R .S.
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
Reproduced with permission of the copyright owner. Further reproduction prohibited without permission.
-5 5 1 -
R.S.
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
R.S.
G.C.
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_______
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