Composer

:

Michael Gordon

Genre

:

Chamber

Average_duration

:

57:53

Timber is a contemporary classical composition by American composer Michael Gordon. It was composed in 2009 and premiered on October 9, 2009, at the Brooklyn Academy of Music's Next Wave Festival. The piece is scored for six percussionists playing six pieces of wood, each of which is amplified and processed through a computer. The composition consists of six movements, each of which is named after a type of wood: "Birch," "Aluminum," "Beech," "Mahogany," "Maple," and "Bubinga." Each movement explores the unique sonic qualities of the wood it is named after, with the percussionists using a variety of techniques to create a range of sounds and textures. The first movement, "Birch," is characterized by its bright, shimmering sound, created by the percussionists striking the wood with mallets and sticks. "Aluminum," the second movement, features a more metallic sound, with the percussionists using metal rods to strike the wood and create a range of high-pitched tones. The third movement, "Beech," is more subdued, with the percussionists using brushes and other soft implements to create a gentle, rustling sound. "Mahogany," the fourth movement, is characterized by its deep, resonant tones, created by the percussionists striking the wood with heavy mallets. The fifth movement, "Maple," is more rhythmic, with the percussionists using a variety of techniques to create a complex, syncopated pattern. The final movement, "Bubinga," is the most intense, with the percussionists using a combination of techniques to create a dense, layered sound. Overall, Timber is a highly innovative and engaging composition that pushes the boundaries of contemporary classical music. Its use of amplified and processed wood creates a unique sonic landscape that is both organic and otherworldly, and its six movements offer a diverse range of sounds and textures that keep the listener engaged from start to finish.

More....