Composer

:

Jacob Ter Veldhuis

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1998

Average_duration

:

11:18

'Pitch Black' is a contemporary classical composition by Dutch composer Jacob Ter Veldhuis. The piece was composed in 1994 and premiered in the same year at the Gaudeamus Music Week in Amsterdam. 'Pitch Black' is a single-movement work that lasts approximately 15 minutes. The piece is scored for a solo alto saxophone and a pre-recorded soundtrack. The soundtrack consists of manipulated samples of spoken word, including interviews with prisoners on death row, as well as sounds of nature and industrial noise. The piece is characterized by its use of extended techniques on the saxophone, including multiphonics, slap tonguing, and altissimo register. The pre-recorded soundtrack provides a haunting and eerie backdrop to the saxophone's virtuosic and expressive lines. The use of spoken word samples adds a layer of social commentary to the piece, as it explores themes of isolation, confinement, and the human condition. 'Pitch Black' has been performed by numerous saxophonists around the world and has become a staple of the contemporary saxophone repertoire. The piece has been praised for its innovative use of technology and its ability to evoke a powerful emotional response from audiences.

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