| Vox Balaenae | |
| Type: | Chamber music |
| Composer: | George Crumb |
| Translation: | Voice of the Whale |
| Duration: | ~20 minutes |
| Movements: | 8 |
Vox Balaenae (Voice of the Whale), is a work for electric flute, electric cello and amplified piano by the American avant-garde composer George Crumb. It was composed for performance by the New York Camerata in 1971.
As the name of the piece indicates, Vox Balaenae was inspired by whale songs. "Late in the 1960s, George Crumb heard a tape recording prepared by a marine scientist of the sounds emitted by the humpback whale.... In 1971, Crumb drew on these sounds as the inspiration...".[1] Although the piece has eight movements, these are grouped into three structurally similar parts: the first two movements "(...for the beginning of time)", five variations named after geologic time periods, and the last movement "(...for the end of time)".[2]
In addition to instrumentation techniques, performers are asked to wear half black masks.[1] It is highly suggested that whenever possible the performance be done under blue lighting.[1] The cello is tuned scordatura,[2] and the piece requires the use of a grand piano as the techniques required would not be possible on an upright model.
| Movement[3] | Instrumentation Techniques | |
|---|---|---|
| Vocalise (for thebeginning of time) | Sing flute, performer sings into flute while playing, flutter tonguing (flz),muting piano strings using fingertips, glissandi on piano strings | |
| Sea Theme | Cello harmonics, "Aeolian harp" - performer strums piano strings | |
| Archeozoic [Var. I] | Cello harmonics ("seagull" effect), chisel on piano strings, piano "double-glissando" effect, quarter tone trills | |
| Proterozoic [Var. II] | Paper clip strums piano strings, "speak-flute" | |
| Paleozoic [Var. III] | Harmonic glissandi for cello, cello and flute harmonics | |
| Mesozoic [Var. IV] | Glass rod on piano strings | |
| Cenozoic [Var. V] | Flutter tonguing (flz), sul ponticello, whistling (includes quarter tones), | |
| Sea-Nocturne (for theend of time) | Whistling continues, antique cymbals, flute harmonics, playing in"pantomime" (absolutely silent, mimicking playing) |
| Curtis Institute of Music | Mimi Stillman (Flute), Arlen Hlusko (Cello), Amy Yang (Piano) | |
| Ensemble intercontemporain | Sophie Cherrier (Flute), Pierre Strauch (Cello), Hidéki Nagano (Piano) | |
| Atlanta Chamber Players | Christina Smith (Flute), Brad Ritchie (Cello), Paula Peace (Piano) | |
| Ensemble ACJW | Catherine Gregory (Flute), Alice Yoo (Cello), Tyler Wottrich (Piano) |