Spotted Jasper
Alexandra Gardner
About this work:
On the coffee table in my living room, there is a basket containing stones and crystals of all sorts. My favorites are the pieces of spotted jasper; each stone displays a different pair of colors arranged in a uniquely intricate pattern. One is gray and rose with a leopard pattern, another is black and tan and covered with tiny crosshatching. I often associate visual images with particular pieces of music, and it was the patterns and colors of these stones that entered my mind as I was working on this composition.
Constructed in two continuous sections, each deals with the same musical material - a repeating cycle of seven four-note chords - in a completely different way. The first section is, as the opening direction states, “caffeinated and edgy”, and the second section is very slow and atmospheric. The electronic part serves as an environment for the performers to play in and around. At first it stays behind the performers like a backdrop, and gradually moves to the forefront, occupying the same space as the players. Sound sources include freezing rain, birds, and bass clarinet samples.
Year composed: 2001
Duration: 00:11:00
Ensemble type: Electronic Instruments and Sound Sources:Live Electronic Sound Sources
Instrumentation: 1 Bass Clarinet, 1 Marimba, 1 Computer/Laptop
Instrumentation notes: bass clarinet, marimba, electronics (Max/MSP - version for CD also available)