The Viola Spaces aroused a great deal of interest from all categories of string players, not just violists. In response to this, Garth Knox has now written a set of Violin Spaces, new concert pieces for solo violin based on the ideas found in the Viola Spaces.
The pieces were written for and dedicated to Diamanda Dramm, an exceptional young Dutch violinist, who was closely involved in the elaboration of the pieces. The Violin Spaces were published by Schott in October 2018.
Here is Violin Space number 1, ‘Skating’, which explores splitting notes into their sub-atomic particules (sul ponticello and related techniques), performed by Diamanda Dramm
Violin Spaces no 2 ‘Up above our heads’ is all about harmonics and the ultrasounds which float above our heads.
Microtonal Blues explores different types of micro-intervals: quartertones, harmonic tuning, tunings with an ‘ethnic’ feel, beating tones and an offstage bagpipes imitation at the end.
Ten Fingers uses all the fingers to pluck the strings, so no bow.
No pitch, no problem is a study in noise. How to enjoy sounds without worrying about ‘right’ notes and ‘wrong’ ones, and how to give them meaning.
Sliding uses one of the most natural string techniques – glissando. Strings are not keyboards and the notes are not sectioned off like on a fretted instrument. So why not slide up and down like a human voice?
The bow is the breath of the violin. Here it imitates the breath of the violinist by playing without pitch, then whispers it’s ghostly melody under the breath.
Rick O’Shea and his amazing circular bow would make a great circus act – sonorous bow juggling in many dimensions; up and down, sideways, round, with the hair and with the back of the bow, and of course ricochet!
You can see below the cover of the printed edition, which can be purchased here .
