Composer

:

George Crumb

Genre

:

Chamber

Style

:

Chamber Music

Compose Date

:

1971

Average_duration

:

20:57

Movement_count

:

8

Movement ....

George Crumb's "Vox Balaenae" is a chamber music piece for electric flute, electric cello, and amplified piano. It was composed in 1971 and premiered on May 5, 1972, at Alice Tully Hall in New York City. The piece is divided into three movements and is approximately 20 minutes in length. The first movement, "Sea Theme," begins with the sound of the electric cello, which is played with a bow that is coated in rosin. The flute and piano then enter, creating a soundscape that evokes the feeling of being underwater. The movement is characterized by its use of extended techniques, such as flutter-tonguing and harmonics, which create a sense of otherworldliness. The second movement, "Archeozoic," is named after the geological era that predates the existence of life on Earth. The movement is characterized by its use of silence and stillness, which creates a sense of emptiness and desolation. The flute and cello play long, sustained notes, while the piano plays sparse, dissonant chords. The third movement, "Prothalamion," is named after a poem by Edmund Spenser. The movement is characterized by its use of melody and harmony, which create a sense of beauty and transcendence. The flute and cello play a duet, while the piano provides a lush, romantic accompaniment. Overall, "Vox Balaenae" is a haunting and evocative piece of music that explores the themes of nature, time, and transcendence. Its use of extended techniques and unconventional instrumentation creates a unique and otherworldly sound that is both beautiful and unsettling.

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