Schenker: Solo I

Schenker: Solo I

Schenker, Friedrich (1942-2013).

Male

Solo I. Leipzig: Deutscher Verlag für Musik.  

I   Corrente
II  Arlecchino triste
III Arlecchino allegro

11 minutes

This atonal piece, subtitled “come una musica di balletto,” was composed in 1982 for inclusion in Music and Playing Techniques of the 20th Century, edited by Dieter Hähnchen. It is also included in his Zeitgenössische Musik für Fagott. Multiphonics, vibrato manipulatioquarter-tones, glissandi, flutter-tonguing, harmonics, pitch-bending, and tongue-slaps are all to be found in this work. This challenging music is predominantly disjunct and erratic, and the full range is used up to E5, with the highest notes often approached by extreme leap or “picked off” as isolated sound events. Suggested fingerings for many of the extended techniques are provided, taken from Bruno Bartolozzi’s seminal book, New Sounds for Woodwind (London: Oxford University Press, 1967) and/or Sergio Penazzi’s Metodo per Fagotto (Milan: Ricordi. 1972), but these are not always reliable. Be prepared to experiment. An off-stage bass drum is optional in the last movement.

1982