alphabeta takes the shape of three introductions and three episodes. In each introduction, an
\n\u201calphabet\u201d is defined by matching a limited number of percussion sounds with their piano
\n\u201cequivalents\u201d (a low-resolution copy of the pitch content of the percussion sound, analyzed in
\nsoftware). This flattening out of the richness of the percussion timbres into equal-tempered
\npiano chords is for me both reductive (due to the extreme loss of information) and illuminating
\n(as the connection between the two is actually perceptible, even so).<\/p>\n
The episodes then string these basic units together in a series of increasingly elaborate
\ncontexts, built on abstracted metaphors of \u201csong,\u201d \u201cspeech,\u201d and \u201cmusic\u201d.
\nalphabeta is dedicated to yarn | wire.
\ninstrumentation: piano 4-hands and 2 percussion
\nPlayer 1
\nMetal Cowbell (sounding G#3)
\n5 Almglocken (sounding C5, C#5, F#5, G#5, and B5)
\n2 Triangles (different timbres, complex as possible)
\nLow Chinese Cymbal (with fundamental freq. around F2)
\nKabuki Claves
\nSmall Metal or Ceramic Bell (sounding B7) or B7 Crotale
\nVibraphone
\nXylophone (shared with Player 2)
\nPlayer 2
\nBass Drum
\n2 Bongos (tuned to C#4 and F4)
\nSnare Drum (tuned to G3)
\nTamborim (tuned to G#4)
\n4 Log Drums (F#4, G4, Bb4, B4)
\n3 Woodblocks (3 different pitches, extremely high)
\nLarge Thai Gong (E3)
\nTibetan Cymbals
\nVibraslap
\nXylophone (shared with Player 1)
\nCastanets (for Piano 2 only)
\nduration: 7′
\n– Program note by Eric Wubbels<\/p>\n