article 7 [ways to climb a mountain] (2012)

contents

1. summary

2. listen

3. programme notes

4. details

5. performances

summary

article 7 [ways to climb a mountain] (2012) by Rozalie Hirs is a microtonal work for bass clarinet and electronic sounds. The piece explores selections of harmonic overtones above an inaudible A-flat fundamental, opening with resonant sonorities that unfold into arpeggiated patterns. Trills between notes and their distorted counterparts create variable intervals according to a consistent distortion coefficient, while harmonic progressions arise through iterative sum and difference tones. Tempo modulations — accelerandi and rallentandi — add a spiraling, ascending and descending energy, evoking the imagery of an endless staircase.

As part of Hirs’ articles series, the work connects directly to article 6 [waves] (2013) and article 8 [infinity] (2014), and can be performed independently or together with them as the trio infinity stairs (2014). All works are part of Hirs’ portrait album Infinity Stairs (2025).

listen

programme notes

Rozalie Hirs’ article 7 [ways to climb a mountain] (2012) for bass clarinet and electronic sounds is the first in a triptych of solo works—together with article 6 [waves] (2013) and article 8 [infinity] (2014) — that probe the overtone series as a source of harmony, resonance, and form.

In article 7, Hirs grounds her harmonic material in the overtone series of an inaudible A-flat fundamental. The opening presents the first harmonic field, which gradually unfolds into arpeggiated figures played by the bass clarinet. Trills between pitches and their distorted counterparts create fluid intervals shaped by a constant distortion coefficient. Out of these interactions emerge phantom sum and difference tones — psychoacoustic “ghost” sounds that blur the line between physical sound and perception.

Tempo transformations play a vital structural role: accelerandi and rallentandi propel the music in cycles of expansion and contraction, evoking an infinite ascent and descent. This spiraling quality resonates with the unending staircases of Dutch graphic artist M.C. Escher, whose imagery inspired the subtitle of the trio infinity stairs.

Later sections of the work expand the overtone palette through frequency interpolation, allowing seamless transitions between harmonic spectra. The result is a sound world both highly rigorous and fluid, where the bass clarinet seems to climb, descend, and hover on a staircase without end.

As with articles 6–8 as a whole, article 7 may be performed independently, in duo, or simultaneously with its companion works as the trio infinity stairs (2014). Technically demanding yet sensuously lyrical, the piece exemplifies Hirs’ spectral approach: frequency calculations and mathematical transformations serve not as ends in themselves, but as tools for shaping resonant harmonies, spectral illusions, and a meditative listening experience.

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
optional electronic sounds

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

duration
13′ 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