purchase metamorphosen CD with shimmer
download shimmer perusal score
See Shimmer danced as Echoes (Rebecca Rice, choreographer)
Shimmer was commissioned by Metamorphosen for their premiere season in 1994-95. Strongly inspired by the energetic string music of Vivaldi, Shimmer uses imitative counterpoint as its basis. However, the harmony, rhythm and form is structured using a cyclical 10 note series instead of traditional tonality. The piece starts with a four part canon in mid-range, overlaid with two part counterpoint in the treble and bass. Undergoing constant variation, the music finally culminates in an extended passage of five voice counterpoint. After a brief recapitulation, it continues building to an energetic and percussive end. The name refers to the shimmering texture that is created through bowing, trilling and ornamentation.
scored for:
Violin 1 (sometimes divided in 2, 3, 4 or 5)
Violin 2 (sometimes divided in 2 or 3)
Viola (sometimes divided in 2 or 3)
Violoncello (sometimes divided in 2)
Bass (sounds octave lower than written)A minimum of 15 players (5,4,3,2,1) is required.
If a larger ensemble is used doublings should be based on the divisi indications above.Duration: ca. 12 minutes
