William Susman
Camille
Duration: 10'
Instrumentation details:
flute
alto saxophone in Eb
5th piano for 4 hands
6th piano for 4 hands
violin
violoncello
Camille
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Work introduction
Camille (2010) was commissioned by the Rome-based ensemble Piccola Accademia degli Specchi and is scored for a "Pierrot ensemble" variant of flute, alto saxophone, violin, violoncello and piano 4-hands.
Divided into three sections, Camille follows a fast-slow-fast form, titled Vitality-Tranquility-Triumph. Each movement borrows from the Afro-Cuban rhythmic pattern called clave. This rhythm is often layered 3-2 in one instrument over 2-3 in another.
Traditionally the clave rhythm is performed “linearly” by one instrument, usually a woodblock. In Camille, the clave patterns are spread between many instruments using the medieval hocket technique. As in the optical illusions M.C. Escher, here, the ear can choose to focus on a 3-2 or a 2-3 pattern somewhat like the eye focusing on a white fish or brown fish in his wood cuts.
Piccola Accademia degli Specchi gave the first performance November 14, 2010 at Teatro Quirino, Rome, Italy.