David Sawer
Cat’s-Eye
Short instrumentation: cl(2+bass-cl), tpt, tbn, hp, pno, vla(1), vc(1)
Duration: 25'
Instrumentation details:
1st clarinet in Bb (+bass cl(Bb))
2nd clarinet in Bb (+bass cl (Bb))
trumpet in Bb
trombone
harp
piano
viola
violoncello
Sawer - Cat’s-Eye for chamber ensemble
Sample pages
Audio preview
Work introduction
The fantascope, a projector designed by E. G. Robertson (Paris 1798) brought the optical tricks of the magic lanterns to their most spectacular; his evenings of fantasmagoria shocked audiences with fantastic images of spirits and demons.
A simple device within the fantascope, called “l’oeil-de-chat”, hence my title, caused these images to appear and disappear: as the eye closed, the source of light was extinguished; as it opened, it was increased - this could happen both fast and slowly. The whole contraption was mounted on wheels, allowing the projected image to grow larger or smaller as it moved away from or towards the screen. I can imagine the thing was not averse to breaking down.”
David Sawer