AFTERTOUCH (2015)

AFTERTOUCH (2015)

for ensemble

ensemble: 0.0.2.1./ 0.0.0.0/perc/pno/acc/0.0.1.1.1*
duration: 10 minutes
première: April 26, 2015, Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik 2015, Germany
Österreichisches Ensemble für neue Musik
Conducted by Johannes Kalitzke

Commissioned by Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik

AFTERTOUCH

score preview

AFTERTOUCH

(excerpt)

April 26, 2015, Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik (première)
Österreichisches Ensemble für neue Musik
Conducted by Johannes Kalitzke
Recording published on CD – Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik (2015) by WDR
Production by WDR

Additional performances

April 15, 2018, Royal Festival Hall, London, UK
Philharmonia Orchestra
Conducted by Joana Mallwitz
April 10, 2017, Elbphilharmonie Hamburg, Germany
Ensemble Modern
Conducted by Vito Žuraj

ABOUT

The title AFTERTOUCH refers to the MIDI parameter that is controlled by varying the pressure on a key after it has been depressed, generating further input signals. This principle has an analogue antecedent in the form of the clavichord’s tangent mechanism, which allows minimal undulations in the pitch of a sounding note, similar to vibrato (referred to as tremolo, or the German Bebung). In this piece, I treat each note’s attack and the ensuing signal modulations as two important formal building blocks. To begin with, the attacks are provided by percussive signals from within the grand piano, which, along with signals from percussion instruments, are complemented by three ‘reactive’ instrumental groups (winds, accordion and strings). The assignment of these roles (attack and modulator) vary amongst the instrumental groups over the course of the work.

Vito Žuraj (trans. Alwyn Tomas Westbrooke)

Wittener Tage für neue Kammermusik (2018)

Published by WDR

Klangforum Wien, Emilio Pomàrico

recorded pieces:
TENSION