Signe Lykke A THIN FILM OF SLEEP

Signe Lykke

A THIN FILM OF SLEEP

for solo violin and string orchestra (2022)

Signe Lykke

A THIN FILM OF SLEEP

for solo violin and string orchestra (2022)

Duration: c. 14 min.

Written for Musica Vitae.

Supported by Koda´s Cultural Funds

Score

WH 33565

ISBN: 9788759815403

ISMN: 9790661348672

Music engraving in Sibelius

Publisher’s editor: Katrine Gregersen Dal

Edition Wilhelm Hansen, A/S Bornholmsgade 1A 1266 København K Denmark

www.wisemusicclassical.com

Orchestra divisi: Solo Violin

Ensemble A:

Violin A1 (solo)

Violin A2 (solo)

Viola A (solo)

Violoncello A (solo)

Ensemble B :

Violin B1 (a 2)

Violin B2 (a 2)

Violin B3 (a 2)

Ensemble C :

Viola C (a 2)

Violoncello C (solo)

Double Bass C (solo)

The orchestra is split in three different ensembles A, B and C and are seated on stage in these groups.

The minimum requirements regarding size of the orchestra is: solo violin - 4 - 4 - 3 - 2 - 1

A larger number of players is possible but always in close collaboration with the composer.

For the world premiere performance in Sweden on the 16th of September 2022, the piece is conducted by the solo violinist Christina Åstrand.

General

"A thin film of sleep" is an in-depth artistic sound mapping of sleep biology and works as a pseudo twin to the orchestra piece "Crux". The piece is commissioned by Musica Vitae and violinist Christina Åstrand, to whom this piece is dedicated to.

Duration: approximately 14 minutes.

Sleep accounts for one-third of the human lifespan. The biology of sleep plays a vital role in our mental and physical health including mood and memory. Throughout your time asleep, your brain will cycle repeatedly though two different types of sleep: REM and Non REM (NREM) and these are divided into four different stages. As you gradually progress towards your deepest sleep where your body becomes immobilized and dreams occur, your brain is engaged in a large number of activities - these are closely linked to quality of life.

This piece consists of four different sleep stages called NREM stage 1-4 - a musical interpretation of the slow progression into REM sleep.

In each "NREM/REM stage" the orchestra is united in an ambient soft sound scape, a single breathing body of textures and sound.

This piece explores and challenges the many individual colors in an orchestra, the ingrained hierarchy and conventional chain of command. But most importantly it is a tribute to the many different musicians who bring this giant body of sound to life.

The music moves between a collective unity of the performers and individual identities in sounds and timbres where each individual group is set in motion as the driving force behind the music.

The music is written as a sort of ecosystem of materials that are carried from one group/soloist to anotherlike a body slowly giving in to sleep.

I have a tendency to write music in rather low dynamics. The lower level of dynamics (ppp - p) indicates my wish for a musical expression rather than just an audio level. Play with a sense of serenity, depth and determination although soft in volume.

Performance notes

The music features different divisi ensembles and requires two different types of mutes thus explores a three dimensional grid: foreground: senza sord. – middle ground: Knot (leather) - background: Wolf (metal) mutes: it is important not to work against the natural timbre of the instrument when playing with mutes. Do not try to over compensate but just explore the different textures in sound.

"Knot mute" refers to a leather mute, while the “Wolf mute” refers to a metal practice mute.

Noteheads / extended techniques

Double basses: the 7th harmonic on the G string: will naturally sound a bit flat.

Vibrato: When senza espressivo is called for play with a cold piercing and somewhat abst ract feeling.

Glissandi

There are two different kinds of glissandi. A ordinary, seamless gliss. to be performed from the beginning of the notated pitch with long bow strokes:

A fragmented, tremolo-like glissandi where you change between and up and a down bow for every pitch:

Abbreviations

s.p. = sul ponticello

m.s.p. = molto sul ponticello

s.t. = sul tasto

m.s.t. = molto sul tasto

norm. = normale (primarily after s.p./s.t. etc.)

ord. = ordinario

Violinsolo

NREMstage1:transitionbetweensleepandwakefulness meditativestateofmind

moltolegato,espress freeindynamicsandexpression unlessnotatedotherwise

& B B & & & B ? ?

Vlnsolo

SigneLykke(2022)

bowontailpiececreatingaverysoftairypitch

humtheindividualpitchcreated,nottogetherwithinsection

Knotmutecontinuousbowing