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Score title
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While Liquid Amber
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Composer
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Chaya Czernowin
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Date
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2000
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Instrumentation
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Flute (3)
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Program note
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In While Liquid Amber, the flute is treated as an air pipe which is capable of producing very raw and uncultured sounds: not beautiful and divine-sounding lines, but rather breath as a direct, forceful and primitive impulse leading to the utterance of sound.
This piece is structured as a set of six sections, each containing both a subsection of longer breaths and a subsection of shorter breaths (except for the final section which only contain shorter breaths). As the piece progresses, each section suggests a different avenue in the search from pure breathing via sound towards musical expression.
The musical expression that evolves through this search is however still a direct manifestation of the power of breath itself in its raw state. The mechanics of the flute's sound production are therefore not only a necessary element in the mechanics of music-making, but also become the major force in motivating and inspiring the music.
The piece has two versions:
While Liquid Amber I is a 3-piccolo version which is short, focused and concentrated, but less demanding than version II. It should be performed by three piccolo players.
While Liquid Amber II for three different flutes is the original composition which is quite virtuosic and demanding as chamber music. It can be played by three player. However, in case that one player would like to play all the lines, it would be best for that player to record all three voices and play the piece as a recording, since recording two voices and playing one voice live would take away something of the choir character of the piece, and this is not recommended.
Chaya Czernowin
