Mirrors of Emptiness (2008)
Grigory Smirnov
PUBLISHER: Edition Svitzer
RECORDINGS: The Alchemist, Jia Jia Qiao (Edition Svitzer)
RANGE: 5.0 octaves
DURATION: 15:00
MOVEMENTS: Single movement
TYPE OF ACCOMPANIMENT: Electronic effects
MUSICAL OVERVIEW: The delay sound must support and not overpower the marimba. Tempo control is extremely important in this work as effectiveness of the effects relies on the marimba synchronizing with the delay. The work centers on the A above the treble staff, utilizing this pitch to begin and end the work. Most of the writing takes place on the natural manual of the marimba. There are several sections differentiated by the rhythmic patterns and the texture they create. The rhythmic gesture opening the work recurs at several moments though expanded and embellished. Mallets that produce a clear tone in the upper register but suitable for the lower are needed. The chosen mallets must be articulate at soft dynamics but not brittle or harsh above fortissimo.
ACCOMPANIMENT OVERVIEW: The effects require a delay pedal or computer software capable of this effect. The output of the delay device must be able to send consecutive iterations of the delay to opposite channels (i.e. The delay sound should "bounce" from right to left). A microphone(s) must be positioned to capture the sound of the marimba.
TECHNIQUE OVERVIEW: SI, SIA, and DV. Intervals are slow to change and there are no large leaps. Single-independent linear passages and hand-to-hand double-vertical strokes are the most common technical elements. The indicated tempo may change technically easy passages into challenging ones, especially during series of double-vertical strokes.