In Short, Db (2014) 

In the Composer’s Own Words

“In 2014, Jed Distler and Patrick Grant asked me to compose a piece in celebration of the 50th anniversary of Terry Riley's brilliant In C. The project was called “In Key” and a bunch of us composed 11 more pieces with similar performance instructions. The piece, for flexible ensemble, is titled In Short, Db.”

–Eleonor Sandresky, 2020

Details

In Short, Db
(2014) ~18–45 min, duration varies
for a flexible ensemble of a minimum of 10 players

Music by Eleonor Sandresky

World Premiere: June 2014 | Make Music NY by In Key | New York, NY.

Publishing & Licensing Information

To perform In Short, Db, please contact varsa@sandresky.com.

ASCAP I all rights reserved

Performance Instructions from the Composer

“The score is in concert pitch. Any number of people can play this piece on any instrument or instruments (including voice). The piece sounds best when there are at least 10 players, although it has been performed successfully with as few as 4.

The piece consists of a series of melodic patterns to be repeated any amount of times. There is a high part and a low part. Both parts start with the same patterns and diverge about half way through the piece.

Please choose the one that best fits your instrument's range. You can choose to start a new pattern at any point. The choice is up to the individual performer. Each musician has control over which phrase they play: players are encouraged to play the phrases starting at different times, even if they are playing the same phrase. In this way, although the melodic content of each part is predetermined.

Performers move through the melodic patterns in order and cannot go back to an earlier pattern. Players should try to stay within 2-3 patterns of each other. If any pattern is too technically difficult, feel free to move to the next one.

The eighth note pulse is constant. Always listen for this pulse.

The piece ends when the group decides it ends. When you reach the final pattern, repeat it until the entire group arrives on this figure. This will be different depending on which part you are playing. Once everyone has arrived, look around the designated leader cues the cut off.

The duration of the piece lasts as long as it takes to cycle through all the patterns, and the more people that are playing, the longer it will likely take.

For string players, I suggest that you pizz the notes on the beats until the pattern goes to a longer note value.

For wind players, please feel free to take a break if you need and breathe where it is convenient but within the context of the music.

This could be a bit of a wild ride, so hang on tight!”

–Eleonor Sandresky, 2014