Light for the First Time

Compositional Techniques

Several Composition Techniques used in Light For The First Time are examined below.

Aleatoric ElementsOverlapping PulsesPitch CollectionsExtended Techniques

Aleatoric elements

Aleatoricism is when some aspect of the composition is left to chance, or when an important aspect of the performance (like notes, rhythm, or structure) is to be determined by the performers. This means that each performance will be different, even with the same group.

In Light For The First Time, the climactic sections (Section E!, E, E1) feature the use of aleatoric cells. These cells provide musical material for the performers to use in that section.

Have a listen to how the aleatoric cells are performed in section E (timestamp 7:59).

Overlapping Pulses

Overlapping pulses are created when a similar rhythmic pattern is played by 2 or more instruments, with one instrument playing slightly after or before the other. This creates a 'pulse' effect.

We see this in the intro with the alternating pulses between the violin and clarinet in Section A, and again in section D2. Have a listen at how the notes interact here (Youtube timestamp 00:50)

Pitch sets

In each section of the work, there are certain pitches used rather than the use all notes at once. This is called using a pitch set.

A smaller pitch set is used in the beginning and end. Through the gradual addition of notes, a larger pitch set is developed in the middle, using C-D-E-F-G-A-C (no B!).

This causes the middle section to organically sound more complex and 'bigger' as there are more notes being played. Have a listen to these different pitch sets in the sections.

Extended techniques

Extended Techniques are techniques which are usually not used on the instrument. They create very unique sounds as a result which are used for special effects.

Here we see and hear techniques such as a blowing at the start by the bass clarinet, and bowing the vibraphone, in section A.