Ian Wilson
Arbres d'alignement
Short instrumentation: 2 2 2 2 - 4 3 3 1 - timp, perc(2), hp, pno/e.org, str
Duration: 10'
Instrumentation details:
1st flute (+picc)
2nd flute (+picc)
1st oboe
2nd oboe
1st clarinet in Bb
2nd clarinet in Bb
1st bassoon
2nd bassoon
1st horn in F
2nd horn in F
3rd horn in F
4th horn in F
1st trumpet in Bb
2nd trumpet in Bb
3rd trumpet in Bb
1st trombone
2nd trombone
bass trombone
tuba
timpani
percussion(2): bass drum, snare drum, tam-tam, xylophone, 5 tam-tam, 5 woodblocks, tambourine, guiro, whip, claves, cow-bell, maracas (4), cabas, tubular bells
harp
piano (+e.org)
violin I(16)
violin II(12)
viola(8)
violoncello(8)
contrabass(4)
Wilson - Arbres d'alignement for orchestra
Audio preview
Work introduction
The rather unusual structure of this 11-minute piece was inspired by the idea of a Calder-type mobile, where different parts of the construction rotate at their own pace, coming in and out of view at different times from each other. Arbres d’alignement consists of five distinct strands of music, each with its own designated function (essentially melodic, rhythmic or harmonic, although all of course have other traits) and specifically associated ‘characteristic’ intervals, and these strands have a number of peaks and troughs of intensity occurring independently of each other. The peak or trough of one strand can affect what happens in the others, and there are points when a number of peaks or troughs occur simultaneously or else in proximity to each other, affecting the shape of the whole structure.
Arbres d’alignement is also the title of a photograph by Henri Cartier-Bresson, showing a tree-lined French country road stretching off into apparent endlessness.
Ian Wilson