Traverse Octet
for flute, oboe, clarinet, bass clarinet, alto saxophone, bassoon, percussion, piano
Patrick O'Malley
duration: approximately 14 minutes
Instrumentation: 8 players
Flute doubling Piccolo
Oboe doubling English Horn
Clarinet in A
Alto Saxophone
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Percussion
Piano
Percussion List:
Anvil*, Castanet Machine, Kick Drum, Metal Pipe, Paper (2 pieces of different types),
Sizzle Cymbal, Slapstick, Suspended Cymbal, Tambourine, Triangle
*do not use a break drum. Use a high pitched, resonant instrument, such as a Zildjian earth plate or Grover Pro PMA-A.
Program Note
Traverse Octet begins in a light, dancing place which is then obliterated completely by an opposite character. The ensuing music is a journey to rediscover and rebuild that joyful starting location. The perspective of the music changes several times during this trip, from rambling patterns to introspective solos, rhythmic pulsing to flowing counterpoint. The players are called alternately to use their most lyrical talents on the instruments in contrast with their harshest sounds. While writing the piece the composer was struck with feelings of discovering beautiful things even when unexpected events throw off how we hope events will go. The word “traverse” not only embodies this changing and return to the original musical ideas, but also alludes to my own travels as a [resident of a certain part of the country and to the commissioners].
Traverse Octet
loud, dissonant multiphonic loud, dissonant multiphonic
as fast as possible ad lib. wrong notes are OK as fast as possible ad lib. wrong notes are OK
as fast as possible ad lib. wrong notes are OK
Castanet
Tambourine Kick Dr.
& & & & B &
o = lightly muted: touch the string with a small amount of finger pressure + = fully muted: press the string with a lot of finger pressure (any overtones that sound are fine)
(gradually change finger pressure)
*harmonic gliss: slowly draw the finger on a single string away from and towards you, changing the color of the sound. Gliss. needs only to be a couple of inches along the string.
*scrape same string up and down with fingernail. start slowly, gradually getting very fast, then gradually slowing again. create an etheral sound and let vibrate.
& & & & B
loud, dissonant multiphonic
loud, dissonant multiphonic
loud, dissonant multiphonic
loud, dissonant multiphonic
loud, dissonant multiphonic
loud, dissonant multiphonic
gently wave paper in the air ad lib., creating the sound of a sail in the wind. vary speed throughout π gently swirl cymbal with brushes ad lib.
The effect of the paper and cymbal should be quite ambient though still musical sim.
fast as possible ad lib. wrong notes are OK
Castanet
Tambourine
Kick Dr.
notes
random
random
as fast as possible ad lib. wrong notes are OK as fast as possible ad lib. wrong notes are OK
random pitches up ad
as fast as possible ad lib. wrong notes are OK
Castanet
Tambourine
Kick Dr.
Castanet
Tambourine
Kick
Castanet
Anvil
Kick
Castanet Tambourine Kick Dr.
random
random
random
random
scrape middle strings with hand. make a cool, atmospheric sound as the sound fades away.
