The Veins Of Marble
Richard Carrick
About this work:
The Veins of Marble
commissioned by The Nieuw Ensemble
2004 ISCM - WORLD MUSIC DAYS - SWITZERLAND selection
dedicated to Brian Ferneyhough and The Nieuw Ensemble
Percussion -vibraphone, triangle, woodblock, Thai gong, bongo,
low drum (dampened).
Strings:
Each of the four instruments has two of their strings retuned down a quartertone. The tunings are as follows.
Violin Viola Cello Double Bass
E A quarter flat A G quarter flat
A quarter flat D D quarter flat D
D G quarter flat G A quarter flat
G quarter flat C C quarter flat E
The score and parts are notated as tabulature; the sounding pitches resulting from the scordatura are not notated in the score. When roman numerals are written above notes, play the notated pitches on those strings. When no roman numerals are used (such as the chromatic passage beginning on measure36), play notated pitches on the string most idiomatic to finger the passage easily.
The harmonic trills, such as measure 1-4, are trills between the stopped note and the harmonic located at the same position on the string. This is a one-finger trill. In addition, many trills gradually change from very fast trill to slow trill, to no trill at all.
- Left hand slap. Double bass only, slap all strings against the fingerboard. Should be very loud and is sometimes used to cut off previous note.
- Slap Pizzicato (Bartok pizz). -Double bass only. Also very loud and short. Do not let note ring.
S.T. – Scratch tone
S.P. – sul ponticello.
Glissandos begin at the beginning of the note. Always play non-vibrato, unless notated VIB – molto vibrato.
Winds:
Glissandos begin at the beginning of indicated note. Always non-vibrato unless otherwise indicated.
Plucked instruments:
All tremolos are fast.
Percussion stave: Vibraphone is notated with round note heads, all other percussion instruments with X note heads.
Year composed: 2000
Duration: 00:10:00
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Other Combinations, 10+ players
Instrumentation: 1 Flute, 1 Oboe, 1 Clarinet, 1 Percussion (General), 1 Piano, 1 Violin, 1 Viola, 1 Cello, 1 Double bass, 1 Harp, 1 Guitar (Classical/Acoustic), 1 Mandolin
Instrumentation notes: instrumentalists are seated in three groups, according to score notes (inserted). Vn, va, vc, and db each have two of their strings returned (scordatura), down a quarter-step.