Wood on Strings

In English

Wood on Strings (2002)
String quartet and electronics

The title refers to Steve Reich’s minimalist work Music for Pieces of Wood, but it should also be understood literally; all musicians play col legno battuto (with the back of the bow), creating a percussive effect in the first part.

The electronic component features five delays on the cello which, together with the original sound, create a pattern based on Change Ringing. This technique, developed in 17th – century English church towers, is the art of ringing a set of tuned bells in mathematical patterns called “changes”, resulting in repetitions that slowly evolve.

The work is in one movement with two coherent parts.

Martin Lohse 2002

In Danish

Wood on Strings (2002)
Strygekvartet og elektronik

Titlen refererer til Steve Reichs minimalistiske værk Music for Pieces of Wood, men den skal også forstås helt bogstaveligt, da alle musikerne spiller col legno battuto (med bagsiden af buen), hvilket skaber en slagtøjsagtig effekt i første del.

Den elektroniske del består af fem delays på celloen, som sammen med den oprindelige lyd danner et mønster baseret på Change Ringing. Denne særlige teknik, der blev udviklet i engelske kirketårne i det 17. århundrede, er kunsten at ringe med et sæt afstemte klokker i matematiske mønstre kaldet “changes”, hvilket giver gentagelser, der langsomt ændrer sig.

Værket er i én sats med to sammenhængende dele.

Martin Lohse 2002

Electronics and Surround Setup

The electronic component consists of five mono delays applied exclusively to the cello, distributed across the speakers as follows:

The cellist may perform on an electric cello using an effects unit or computer to process the percussive sounds. The two violins and viola should be played on acoustic instruments with light amplification, projected from the front speakers alongside the direct sound of the cello.

The level of the five delays should be equal to or slightly softer than the amplified original sound. Using a click track is highly recommended, particularly for the cellist.