Description

Sop. Fl. Vcl. Atem

for Soprano, Flute and Violoncello
Duration: ca. 7′

by Edward Caine

When I first wrote for Trio Atem (fl. vcl.) I had trouble assimilating the voice into this lineup and left it out. The voice is such an emotive thing, and when it’s not reciting a text or singing a melody, it feels alien in a principally note and sonority driven instrumental lineup. In this piece the soprano uses a loudspeaker to try and equal the texture and sonorities of the other instruments, as well as overtones to equal whistle tones on the flute for example. The result is an interesting experiment as to whether a voice can truly be used instrumentally. This was written at a time when I was interested in exploring technique and sound-event driven work. I was never fully happy with the result and I wonder about what the most effective use of this trio would be.