Crystals (1996) for soprano, bass clarinet, piano, 2 percussionists, 2 violins, viola, and cello

Crystals  (for voice and instrumental ensemble)

The poetry and the complete musical texture in this work were written together, as part of the same creative process.  The piece represents the transformation of the singer, who is first observing an external event–the crystals–and later becoming the crystal herself. The voice is explored for its timbrical possibilities within the instrumental ensemble. I have paid particular attention to the spectral aspect of the sound of the instruments, as well as fragmentary components of their timbre. Therefore, string harmonics, Bartok pizzicati combined with percussion, attacks and releases, are all important in the development of this concept.