Equilibrium_for large ensemble & electronics

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Vasileios Filippou Equilibrium For large ensemble & electronics I Gravity II Attraction III Consolidation

Score 2015

Equilibrium For large ensemble & electronics Vasileios Filippou 2015

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! ! ! ! Š 2015 by Vasileios Filippou 20 Farrer House Deptford church St. London SE8 3DY UK +44 (0)7999544343 vassilis.ph@gmail.com

Equilibrium was written for my final exam as part of the composition masters course at Trinity Laban Conservatoire of music and dance (2014 - 2015).

First performance was organized by Trinity Laban at Blackheath Halls, London. Conducted by Sam Jewison and performed by students of the conservatoire.

Duration: c. 35 minutes

Performance materials are available from my website http://vassilisph.wix.com/filippou-v For a performance of the piece please contact me through my email address and I will provide the live electronics part including sounds and directions for the live processing with timings and performance instructions.

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Instrumentation Flute (dbl. piccolo) Bass Clarinet Horn in F Trumpet in Bb Trombone Percussion (1 player) (Marimba, Vibraphone, Bass drum, Floor-pedal drum, 2 cymbals, super ball) Piano Celesta Soprano Alto 2 Classical guitars 2 Violins Viola Violoncello Double bass Electronics

The Score is in concert pitch ___

Special instrument requirements: First guitar to be prepared by placing a chop stick above the sound hole and between the strings, with Strings I & VI to be below the stick and the rest of the strings above. Also to place a small piece of blutack on the A string at the end of the fingerboard (towards the sounding hole).

Double bass to be prepared by placing a small piece of blu-tack on the A string at the end of the fingerboard (towards the f-holes) Piano requires the following material for certain moments in the piece; guitar slide, soft brush, plastic card.

Percussion in addition of a cello bow for the vibraphone, it requires a super ball (made of synthetic rubber) to use on the base drum.

Programme note Something that we are always seeking to have in our lives is the idea of equilibrium, as a state in which opposing forces or influences are balanced; a constant fight for intellectual, psychological and emotional serenity, something very vibrant in an artist’s life. Equilibrium is developed in three movements, Gravity, Attraction and Consolidation with long harmonic cycles and macro-rhythmical patterns in opposing atmospheres of density with sparseness and complex with simple textures. There are three sounding points that enable the music to travel within the space, surrounding the audience who is lying on a low platform having their eyes closed. With minimum light in the hall, the piece is experienced through a deep and personal mode of listening. ‘Δεν προσπαθώ να ισορροπίσω το ανισόρροπο για να έχω ισορροπία. Αναζητώ κάτι, που μαζί με το ανισόρροπο θα φέρει ισορροπία’ ‘I am not trying to balance the unbalanced to be in equilibrium. I am searching for something, that in combination with the unbalanced, will bring equilibrium.’

Performance note The performance venue should be as dark as possible with lights on music stands and also two light sources on each side of the conductor. At the beginning of the piece, percussion begins before the entrance of the audience. Conductor should indicate the beginning of bar 2 when all audience is in place. At rehearsal letter ‘R’, the conductor should clearly subdivide the beats for the homophonic - fast patterns of the winds across the slow moving strings. The following instruments should have a close-up microphone, for electronic processing throughout the piece: Bass clarinet, Trumpet, Vibraphone, Celesta, Soprano, Alto, Violin 1 and Double bass. Also, Guitar 1 should be amplified (if in a big performance venue).

Symbols & performance directions Any sounds within a box are to be freely repeated until the bold line that is attached to the box ends.

Winds

Flute: To make a slight lip glissando at the same time with a timbral trill.

Flute: Produce quiet whistling tones while fluctuating the pitch.

Percussion

Super ball: This indicates the circular motion of the super ball stick. Always pull the stick and at the same time push it towards the membrane of the bass drum.

Piano Using the plastic card, slide it on the highest strings.

Harmonics: Normal notes are the ones to be played, diamond notes are the ones to be heard and the above number indicates the partial number from the fundamental.

Mute the indicated strings with the one hand and with the other hit them.

Strings

Dotted crescendo lines indicate a slower bow speed and decrescendo dotted lines the opposite.

On the indicated open strings, make a light circular movement with the bow while muting the strings with the left hand to produce an airy sound.

The line indicates a growth in vibrato.

VF