David Ernest Mc Carthy
Third Symphony
Short instrumentation: 2 2 2 2 - 0 0 0 0, timp, hp, pno, str
Duration: 21'
Instrumentation details:
1st flute
2nd flute (+picc)
oboe
cor anglais
clarinet in Bb
bass clarinet in Bb
bassoon
contrabassoon
timpani
harp
piano
violin I (12 players)
violin II (10 players)
viola (8 players)
violoncello (6 players)
double bass (4 players)
Third Symphony
Sample pages
Audio preview
Work introduction
Modernist symphonic work for reduced-size orchestra (brass section excluded), inspired by "Quattro Pezzi Su Una Nota Sola" of Giacinto Scelsi, and, the resonance figure-diagrams in Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov’s book "Principles of Orchestration". The players play just one, maybe two pitches throughout, corresponding to the areas of maximum resonance of each individual instrument, as specified by Rimsky-Korsakov. Somehow through the miracle of modern sequencing software and above-average patience, it was possible to conjure up a work that sounds like a romantic music symphony. It's possible the audience may not even realise the limits imposed on the players. Supported by The Professional Artists Development Award from Meath County Council Arts Office Ireland in 2010.