Smaldone: What No One Else Sees...
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- Composer: Edward Smaldone (1956-)
- Instrumentation: Wind Quintet (Flute, Oboe, Clarinet, Horn, Bassoon)
- Work: What No One Else Sees... (2023)
Description
Composer's Note:
"What no one else sees..." for woodwind quintet was written at the request of and first performed by, Op. Zoo a professional woodwind quintet based in Copenhagen, Denmark in Fall 2023.
The piece is in three movements (Fast, slow, fast) and is entirely abstract in nature. There is no story, only notes, rhythms, harmonies and colors derived from the endless possibilities of the ensemble.
The title is derived from an idea found in a recent book by Rick Rubin titled "The Creative Act: A Way of Being." in the book, Rubin talks about the creative process and how it is manifested. The idea that a creative person "sees" something before it is there, and then "sees" things in ways that no one else does seemed to fit well with the idea of this piece. The energy and spirit of the music is what the music is about.
Over the course of my career as a composer, I have spoken to many other artists and many of us seem to share a working process by which small seeds or broad and indistinct vistas are equally useful as general direction for the creation of new work. (And after that, it is all hard work!) What is universally true, is that any idea that will find its way into a final creation has to be worked, crafted, explored, subjected to shaping, molding, and the technical resources and particulars of the medium in which it is created. Painting uses color and two-dimensions; sculpture uses solid materials and three dimensional space; music uses sound shaped by time.
One of my mentors was Ralph Shapey, who famously supplied the same program note for every piece he ever wrote. More or less, it said "the piece should speak for itself." (Anyone who knew Ralph knew that this was not a casual statement, but one proclaimed as a manifesto!)
"What no one else sees..." was a joy to compose because it was a free expression of the wonderful possibilities of the Woodwind Quintet. No agenda, no story to craft, no expectations to meet, just sound shaped by time with the endless colors of the ensemble. The piece didn't exist at all a month ago, and in a month from now its sound will be filling the air. Joyous.
Publishers use a lot of words to describe what they sell, and we know it can be confusing. We've tried to be as clear as possible to make sure you get exactly what you are looking for. Below are descriptions of the terms that we use to describe the various formats that music often comes in.
Choral Score
A score for vocalists that only contains the vocal lines. The instrumental parts are not there for reference. Generally, cheaper than a vocal score and requires multiple copies for purchase.
Facsimile
Reproductions of the original hand-written scores from the composer.
Full Score
For ensemble music, this indicates that the edition contains all parts on a single system (there are not separate parts for each player). In larger ensembles, this is for the conductor.
Hardcover
Hardbound. Generally either linen-covered or half-leather.
Orchestral Parts
Similar to a wind set, this is a collection of parts. In the case of strings, the numbers listed are the number of copies included, though generally these are available individually (often with minimum quantities required).
Paperback
When publishers offer multiple bindings (e.g. hardcover) or study scores, this is the "standard" version. If you're planning to play the music, this is probably what you want.
Performance / Playing Score
A score of the music containing all parts on one system, intended for players to share. There are not separate parts for each player.
Set of Parts
For ensemble music, this indicates that there are separate individual parts for each player.
Solo Part with Piano Reduction
For solo pieces with orchestra, this is a version that contains a piano reduction of the orchestra parts. For piano pieces, two copies are typically needed for performance.
Study Score
A small (think choral size) copy of the complete score meant for studying, and not playing. They make great add-ons when learning concertos and small chamber works.
Vocal Score
A score prepared for vocalists that includes the piano/organ part or a reduction of the instrumental parts.
Wind Set
For orchestral music, this is a collection of wind and percussion parts. The specific quantities of each instrument are notated.
With Audio
In addition to the printed music, the edition contains recordings of the pieces. This may be an included CD, or access to files on the internet.
With / Without Fingering (Markings)
Some publishers prepare two copies - a pure Urtext edition that includes no fingering (or bowing) suggestions and a lightly edited version that includes a minimal number of editorial markings.
Smaldone: What No One Else Sees...
