Organal voices
Joelle Wallach
About this work:
Organal Voices, composed in l983, is a work whose rubato and espressivo nature demands a mutual responsiveness from its players. The piece explores the timbral and psychological similarities and differences between the bassoon and vibraphone in an evocative, lyrical context. Each performer must be able to find his individual voice, explore uniquely subtle colors and feelings during the "quasi cadenza" moments, yet be able to blend gracefully with the other during the tutti times. Organal Voices' melodic material is entirely derived from the first four notes of the Dies Irae; and the title reflects the composer's idea of what it must have been like in the Middle Ages to begin to experience simple polyphonic textures with the advent of organum after centuries of monophony. Then, too each performer must have found an increased awareness of the roles of other voices.
Year composed: 1983
Duration: 00:06:00
Ensemble type: Chamber or Jazz Ensemble, Without Voice:Other Combinations, 2-5 players
Instrumentation: 1 Bassoon, 1 Vibraphone
Instrumentation notes: vib, bn