Last winter, I was inspired to write a piece for solo horn that would be able to emphasize a technique I had learned called multiphonics. This technique involves the use of singing into the horn above the note being played and is the brass equivalent to double stopping on a violin. If the intonation is just right, the result will produce not two but three or even four harmonic pitches above the played note. Naturally, this adds a very interesting color to the horn and, although rarely used, can be one of the most soothing sounds that a horn can produce.
This piece is inspired by the story of Persephone, the Goddess of Agriculture. It is said that late one summer, while out in the fields, she was kidnapped by the God of the Underworld, Hades. When contemplating the original legend I conceived a variation on the story that serves as the backbone of this piece.
Beginning with an open fifth from B-F#, we are introduced to a Goddess, An embodiment of fundamental human tradition, and the fundamental interval of music. With a flourish, Hades' chariot descends upon Persephone and steals her away into his realm of shade. Persephone, as the multiphonic horn, curses Hades as she is dragged into the abyss.
Persephone, in an attempt to escape her captors realm, gets lost and finds herself in a garden, alight with glowing mushrooms and the cool lights of fireflies and foxfire. It is in this place where she finds, surrounded by darkness, a cool serenity. She sings again, but with her blessing on this beautiful Shade Garden. The fungi and lichens glow with light and praise of the Goddess, and the souls of the underworld find peace in the Shade Garden.
No comments:
Post a Comment