contents

1. summary
2. listen
3. technical details
4. performances

summary

article 7 [ways to climb a mountain] (2012) by Rozalie Hirs is a microtonal composition for bass clarinet and electronic glissandi, synthesized from pure sine waves, employing binaural beatings and ring modulation only. The instrumental lines are enveloped by, or cut through, the glissandi moving in several large waves.

article 7 [ways to climb a mountain] (2012) is the seventh episode in a series by Rozalie Hirs of solo compositions with or without electronic sounds. The musical materials of article 7 [ways to climb a mountain] (2012) served as a starting point for the solo works article 6 [waves] (2013) and article 8 [infinity] (2014) for electric guitar and flute respectively. The three pieces can either be played separately as solo works, or in conjunction, i.e. simultaneously, as the trio infinity stairs (2014). All mentioned works were composed with financial support of a Stipend by the Netherlands Foundation for the Performing Arts.

listen

technical details

commission
article 7 [ways to climb a mountain] (2012) was commissioned by Fie Schouten, with financial support of a Stipend by the Netherlands Foundation for the Performing Arts. It was first performed by Fie Schouten at November Music on 11 November 2012, and is dedicated to her.

instrumentation
bass clarinet
electronic sounds

a MIDI pedal for triggering the electronic sounds, to be played by the bass clarinettist on stage, and laptop

duration
12′ ca.

publisher
Rozalie Hirs’s music scores are published by Deuss Music. The score of article 7 [ways to climb a mountain] (2012) can be purchased through this link (click here).

further technical requirements
1.) QLAB software, to be installed on the above mentioned laptop
2.) The ‘article 7’ QLAB sampler, to be obtained through Deuss Music
3.) Amplifier and mixer in the concert hall
4.) Stereo loudspeakers, to be placed on stage
5.) Optional amplification of the bass clarinet (i.e. microphone, cables)

performances

11 November 2022, Solo Recital, Osijek Festival, Croatia – Heather Roche (bass clarinet) – Croatian premiere

24 October 2021, 20:00, Infinity Stairs: Rozalie Hirs (portrait concert), LOOS, De Constant Rebecqueplein 20-B, 2518 RA Den Haag, The Hague, The Netherlands – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet)

29 August 2021, 15:00, Portrait concert: Rozalie Hirs & friends, Huize Gaudeamus/ Walter Maashuis, Bilthoven, The Netherlands – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet)

13 May 2021, 20:00, Up Close: Rozalie Hirs (portrait concert), Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet)

21 March 2021, 16:00, Rozalie Hirs (portrait concert): Infinity Stairs, Martin Luther Church, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet) **POSTPONED DUE TO THE PANDEMIC**

1 December 2019, 13:30 CET, MikroFest 2019, Huygens-Fokker Foundation, Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ (Kleine Zaal), Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet)

23 July 2017, 15:00 CET, Zomer aan de Roossloot, Kunstboerderij, Voert 18A, 1861 PE Bergen, The Netherlands – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet)

17 May 2017, Residency and workshop by Fie Schouten, Universität für Musik und Darstellende Kunst Wien, Vienna, Austria – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet) – Austrian premiere

12 February 2016, 19:30 CET, Recital Fie Schouten, Concert Hall, Music Center of Columbia College, 1014 S. Michigan Ave, Chicago, United States – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet) – North American premiere

20 February 2015, 20:30, Rozalie Hirs (portrait concert): Poetry and Music, Ostadetheater, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet)

17 September 2014, 20:30, Infinity Stairs, Bethaniënklooster, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet)

13 April 2014, 14:00 CET, het noordbrabants museum, Verwersstraat 41, ’s-Hertogenbosch, The Netherlands – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet)

16 February 2014, Bassklarinetten-Konferenz, Grassi Museum, Leibzig, Germany – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet) – German premiere

18 April 2013, 20:00 CET, Handmade Homegrown, Theater Dakota, Zuidlarenstraat 57, The Hague, The Netherlands – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet)

13 November 2012, 20:30 CET, Karnatic Lab, De Badcuyp, De Badcuyp, Eerste Sweelinckstraat 10, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet)

11 November 2012 (3 concerts), Kunstmuziekroute, November Music, Lutherse Kerk, Verwersstraat 49, Den Bosch, The Netherlands – Fie Schouten (bass clarinet) – world premiere