BOUNCE! for 13 players
“BOUNCE!" for 13 players not only showcases the bouncing sound of the string technique, ricochet—a musical gesture I've enjoyed for many years—but also incorporates the sounds of various bouncing balls. The interplay between these elements creates a unique auditory experience. The interrupting sound of the bouncing balls sometimes alters the trajectory of both the musical motions and the emotions they evoke. At other times, the sounds 'echo' and 'ricochet' off each other in myriad ways, adding layers of complexity and interaction throughout the piece. This dynamic interplay results in a rich tapestry of sound that continually surprises the listener, reflecting the unpredictable nature of both the ricochet technique and the bouncing balls.
"BOUNCE!" was commissioned by the Chicago Center for Contemporary Composition and premiered by the Grossman Ensemble, conducted by Katherine Kilburn.
Instrumentation
flute (also 1 ping pong ball w/glass bowl + 3 color balls) oboe (also 3 color balls)
clarinet/bass clarinet (also flexatone) alto saxophone (also 3 color balls + flexatone) horn
percussion 1 (also marbles w/glass bowl + vibraslap+ flexatone + 1 ping pong ball w/glass bowl) percussion 2 (also marbles w/glass bowl + flexatone + vibraslap + 1 mid-size blue ball) harp (also 1 mid-size blue ball+ 3 color balls) piano (also 3 color balls)
violin 1 (also 1 red ball)
violin 2 viola (also 3 color balls + 1 mid-size blue ball) cello (also 1 red ball)
Percussion:
Percussion 1 Percussion 2
2 Bongos
3 Toms Bass Drum Cabasa Sizzle cym. L. cym.
3 Woodblocks Snare Drum
Sizzle cym. L. cym. Tam Marimba
2 Congas
Key clicks, improvise with different speeds and patterns.
Key clicks, improvise with different speeds and patterns.
= 54, Mysteriously and expressively
Accidentals apply only to the same octave/measure. *Random speeds/durations. **Like balls bouncing. ***Percussion l.v. sempre unless otherwise indicated.
Shih-Hui Chen
Pick up a handful of marbles from the glass bowl, one by one, to create the bouncing sound.
*Improvise using the same pitch and rhythmic pattern.
Drop a ping-pong ball into a glass bowl to create the bouncing sound.
Pick up a handful of marbles from the glass bowl, one by one, to create the bouncing sound.
Woodblocks + conga
*Pitch bend using a tuning fork, Pipa effect.
Key clicks Improvise
Key clicks Improvise with different speeds and patterns
Woodblocks + conga
Pick up a handful of marbles from the glass bowl, one by one, to create the bouncing sound.
To B
Clarinet
Strike body of instrument with knuckle
Drop a ping-pong ball into a glass bowl to create the bouncing sound.
Scherzo
With excitement and delight
Drop ping-pong balls on the ground
Throw color balls in
Throw color balls in the air
Drop ping-pong balls on the ground
Throw color balls in the air
Key clicks, improvise with different speeds and patterns.
Key clicks, improvise with different speeds and patterns.
Vibraslap Flexatone
alternate