Laying the Groundwork Part 2: Score Layout
This post is a continuation of Part 1.
One other aspect that I had to grapple with as I developed the front matter was score layout. Unlike my previous works, which have worked within the confines of a traditional stage setup (and come with a prescribed order), this piece is conceived spatially as well as sonically. To put it another way, where a sound comes from matters as much as the sound itself. Consequently, I had to figure out a score order that intuitively showed this without needlessly breaking from tradition.
After numerous Facebook messages and a lengthy Skype session with Toby, we settled on an arrangement that first separated the ensemble into four groups and then arranged instruments within those groups in traditional order. A snapshot of the (empty) first page is below.
The first page: To see how the physical groupings match up to what is here, I suggest viewing the setup diagram and this page side by side.
I hope these pages give you an idea of what's to come. If you're so inclined, begin developing an idea of what you might hear in this piece. Doing this will enrich your listening experience, develop your inner ear, and provide fascinating insights into how your musical imagination works. Feeling extra ambitious? Forget about what I might do and compose your own piece with a similar setup!
