Pixelation (1995)
Donald J. Chamberlin
PUBLISHER: JOMAR Press
RECORDINGS: Something Old, Something New, James Moyer (Motera Nebula Records)
RANGE: 4.6 octaves
DURATION: 9:30
MOVEMENTS: Single movement
TYPE OF ACCOMPANIMENT: Fixed
MUSICAL OVERVIEW: The harmonic movement is rapid throughout the work. There are no key signatures and an abundance of accidentals due to the shifting harmonies. The work relies on certain rhythmic motives to hold the composition together. Apart from the opening statement, the writing feels constantly speeding forward due to the active writing. The melodic and harmonic languages have a jazz-influence to them.The tape supports the performer throughout the work. The composer recommends the following mallet selection: medium-hard mallets for the first section, hard mallets for the second section, and something between those two choices for the third. An additional recommendation would be to consider a mallet with the same hardness to the first movement but that is slightly heavier to cut through the texture.
ACCOMPANIMENT OVERVIEW: Synthesized sounds. It is difficult, at times, to hear bass lines that are often responsible for providing the performer the beat. Transition points are generally overlapped, one fades out as another is faded in, again making the beat difficult to sense. Performing this work requires synchronicity after the opening statement, which lasts a little longer than the first minute of the work.
TECHNIQUE OVERVIEW: SI, SIA, and DV. DL strokes may occur depending on individual player's approach to certain figures. The performer must make fast interval changes within four-note chordal writing. Although there are no large leaps and the hands remain close together, performance requires adapting to difficult sticking situations.