Vox Balaenae

[polar_pawz]

Hey,

I was wondering what people thought about Vox balaenae by George Crumb (that is if you've heard it). I find its an amazing piece of music with great effects and beautiful sounds. In some parts (like in the cello) you could swear you were listening to a whale call. The extended piano effects are really cool too.

I'm going to start playing it in the fall, but I'm a bit worried about the effect of some of the techniques on the piano. I was wondering if anyone has performed this or could offer some suggestions to avoid any possible or serious damage to the piano in say the 'chisel-piano' sections, (the part I'm most worried about)

I'ver also heard that touching the strings with your hands can cause corrosion; is there any way of reducing this?

Thanks

[retrouvailles]

Congrats on playing this wonderful piece! I saw it performed earlier this year and was absolutely blown away by it. I have not played the piece, but I have played many of Crumb's pieces for solo piano which utilize his signature extended techniques. My advice would be to watch how other people do it and to follow his directions in the score exactly. I recently bought a DVD of Margaret Leng Tan playing the Makrokosmos I and II to see how these techniques should be done, and I learned a lot from it. The "chisel-piano" section you speak of isn't anything to worry about I don't think. I have not seen the score, but my guess is that this effect is achieved by a ruler with cork on it (an effect used in Makrokosmos IV). Again, if you can, see a performance of it first to see how it should be done and, if possible, try and speak with the performers. Also, to prevent corrosion, just make sure your hands aren't really oily before getting inside the piano. Hope this helps.

[polar_pawz]

If you've played the Makrokosmos, what do you use for the "Light metal chain" for Primeval Sounds?

[retrouvailles]

Something like a small necklace made out of metal works just fine for that one. Although I would make sure that it is taped to a crossbar on the piano to make sure that it doesn't fall between the strings.

[faulty_damper]

I've also heard that touching the strings with your hands can cause corrosion; is there any way of reducing this?

Sweat contains salt and water.  Salt and water corrodes steel.  Your finger tips contain oil glands.  Oil repels moisture and corrosion.

Don't worry about it.

[retrouvailles]

Yeah I wouldn't worry about it either. There are plenty of people that play this kind of music, and I'm sure the composers would say something about their music being damaging to pianos.

[pla635]

You won't damage the piano.  The chisel section I think refers to the handle of the chisel-the rubber part.  I'm going to start this piece in the fall also!