Pizzicato
Arthur Jarvinen
About this work:
Pizzicato (1996) was written as a Christmas present for my wife, Lynn Angebranndt, because I knew she would never expect it. Technically, it is an experiment in trying to get the cello to be more like a bass or guitar as used in vernacular idioms. Typically when playing pizzicato a classical string player will pluck every note. Here the left hand takes on a much more important role, using slides, hammer-ons and pull-offs to nuance and shape material. Musically, the piece is clear and straightforward. It is meant to have the feel and shape of a very successful improvisation. Melodic motifs emerge and gradually develop, eventually coalescing into a fully-formed extended line.
Year composed: 1996
Duration: 00:06:30
Ensemble type: Solo instrument, non-keyboard:Cello
Instrumentation: 1 Cello