Vox Balaenae
Chamber music by George Crumb
EnglishVoice of the Whale
Composed1971 (1971)
Duration~20 minutes
Movements8
Scoring
  • electric flute
  • electric cello
  • amplified piano

Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale), is a work for electric flute, electric cello and amplified piano by the American avant-garde composer George Crumb. It was composed for performance by the New York Camerata in 1971.[1]

Background

As the name of the piece indicates, Vox Balaenae was inspired by whale songs. "Late in the 1960s, George Crumb heard a tape recording prepared by a marine scientist of the sounds emitted by the humpback whale.... In 1971, Crumb drew on these sounds as the inspiration...".[1] Although the piece has eight movements, these are grouped into three structurally similar parts: the first two movements "(...for the beginning of time)", five variations named after geologic time periods, and the last movement "(...for the end of time)".[2]

Movements and instrumentation techniques

In addition to instrumentation techniques, performers are asked to wear half black masks.[1] It is highly suggested that whenever possible the performance be done under blue lighting.[1] The cello is tuned scordatura,[2] and the piece requires the use of a grand piano as the techniques required would not be possible on an upright model.[3]

Movement[3] Instrumentation Techniques
Vocalise (for the

beginning of time)

 Sing flute, performer sings into flute while playing, flutter tonguing (flz),

muting piano strings using fingertips, glissandi on piano strings

Sea Theme Cello harmonics, "Aeolian harp" - performer strums piano strings
Archeozoic [Var. I] Cello harmonics ("seagull" effect), chisel on piano strings, piano "double-

glissando" effect, quarter tone trills

Proterozoic [Var. II] Paper clip strums piano strings, "speak-flute"
Paleozoic [Var. III] Harmonic glissandi for cello, cello and flute harmonics
Mesozoic [Var. IV] Glass rod on piano strings
Cenozoic [Var. V] Flutter tonguing (flz), sul ponticello, whistling (includes quarter tones),
Sea-Nocturne (for the

end of time)

 Whistling continues, antique cymbals, flute harmonics, playing in

"pantomime" (absolutely silent, mimicking playing)

Recordings

Ensemble Players
Curtis Institute of Music Mimi Stillman (Flute), Arlen Hlusko (Cello), Amy Yang (Piano)
Ensemble intercontemporain Sophie Cherrier (Flute), Pierre Strauch (Cello), Hidéki Nagano (Piano)
Atlanta Chamber Players Christina Smith (Flute), Brad Ritchie (Cello), Paula Peace (Piano)
Ensemble ACJW Catherine Gregory (Flute), Alice Yoo (Cello), Tyler Wottrich (Piano)

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 Berger, Melvin (1889). Guide to Chamber Music. Mineola, New York: Dover Publications. pp. 139–140. ISBN 0486316726.
  2. 1 2 George Crumb. "An Idyll for the Misbegotten - Vox Balaenae : Madrigals" (PDF). Newworldrecords.org. Retrieved 2014-03-12.
  3. 1 2 "George Crumb Voice of the Whale". Retrieved 2014-03-11. A Study Module Created for the Associated Colleges of the South Composers Forum Patricia Gray, ACS, Craig Hultgren, Birmingham Southern College, Anthony Brandt, Rice University{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: postscript (link)
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