Located in the UK
Located in the USA
Located in Europe
- Maja S. K. Ratkje
Waves II b (1998)
- Edition Wilhelm Hansen Copenhagen (World)
- 2(2pic).0.1(bcl).0+2ssx(asx:tsx)/1.1.2.1/perc/pf(syn)/egtr.edb
- 9 min
Programme Note
Waves of sound, water or light behave similarly. Waves move through a substance with a certain frequency or energy. Waves interfere with each other and new structures are shown. The combination of frequencies gives every sound a unique audible quality.
Waves IIb is an expressive piece of music. An analysis of a sound source was the point of departure. The object of interest was a saxophone tone spectrum caused by playing the deepest note on the horn with a sound commonly used in jazz music. This analysis has already resulted in many pieces. (Sinus Seduction (moods two) for tenor sax, four speakers and reverb, among others.) Waves IIb is based upon two earlier versions, Waves I and Waves II, both first performed by the Dutch ensemble ‘de Ereprijs’ in 1997 and 1998.
Waves IIb had its first performance with Oslo Sinfonietta during the Oslo Chamber Music Festival in 1998. The 29 tone chords are transposed on every step in the 29 tone scale to make a harmonic palette for the piece. The progression through the chords happen in up to three layers at the same time. Symbolically, the piece climbs out of its frames at the end, and the instruments are not able to fulfil the tasks the calculations require. The “human” aspect is also shown through the choice of estimating the pitches to the closest quarter tone.
With this piece, the composer won the International Rostrum of Composers in Paris 1999 for composers less than 30 years, which means that the piece will be broadcast in more than 30 countries during 1999/2000. She also received the Norwegian Edvard price (work of the year) for this piece.
Waves IIb is an expressive piece of music. An analysis of a sound source was the point of departure. The object of interest was a saxophone tone spectrum caused by playing the deepest note on the horn with a sound commonly used in jazz music. This analysis has already resulted in many pieces. (Sinus Seduction (moods two) for tenor sax, four speakers and reverb, among others.) Waves IIb is based upon two earlier versions, Waves I and Waves II, both first performed by the Dutch ensemble ‘de Ereprijs’ in 1997 and 1998.
Waves IIb had its first performance with Oslo Sinfonietta during the Oslo Chamber Music Festival in 1998. The 29 tone chords are transposed on every step in the 29 tone scale to make a harmonic palette for the piece. The progression through the chords happen in up to three layers at the same time. Symbolically, the piece climbs out of its frames at the end, and the instruments are not able to fulfil the tasks the calculations require. The “human” aspect is also shown through the choice of estimating the pitches to the closest quarter tone.
With this piece, the composer won the International Rostrum of Composers in Paris 1999 for composers less than 30 years, which means that the piece will be broadcast in more than 30 countries during 1999/2000. She also received the Norwegian Edvard price (work of the year) for this piece.