contents
1. abstract
2. technical details
3. performances
abstract
infinity stairs (2014) by Rozalie Hirs is a trio for flute, bass clarinet, (electric) guitar, and electronic sounds, composed with financial support of a Stipend by the Netherlands Foundation for the Performing Arts.
The trio consists of the three following solo pieces with electric sounds: article 6 [waves], article 7 [ways to climb a mountain], article 8 [infinity]. The three pieces can be played separately as solo pieces but also simultaneously as a trio with electronic sounds.
article 6 [waves] (2013), scored for solo electric guitar and soundtrack, was written at the invitation of the electric guitar player Wiek Hijmans and premiered by him at Korzo Theater, The Hague, in September 2013. article 6 [waves] (2013) is a lyrical, virtuoso composition for electric guitar and relatively simple 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 6 [waves] (2013) investigates the overtone realm of article 7 [ways to climb a mountain] for bass clarinet with electronic sounds (2012), premiered by Fie Schouten at November Music, Den Bosch, in November 2012. Both pieces were the starting point of article 8 [infinity] for flute and electronic sounds (2014), which was premiered by Shanna Gutierrez at Gaudeamus Music Week, Utrecht, in September 2014.
technical details
support
infinity stairs (2014) was composed with financial support of a Stipend by the Netherlands Foundation for the Performing Arts.
instrumentation
flute
bass clarinet
(electric) guitar
electronic sounds (triggered by a MIDI pedal, to be played by the flautist)
duration
11′ ca.
publisher
Rozalie Hirs’s music scores are published by Deuss Music. The score and parts of infinity stairs (2014) can be purchased through this link (click here).
further technical requirements
1.) QLAB software, to be installed on a laptop
2.) The infinity stairs custom sounds 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 instruments (i.e. microphones, cables)
performances
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 – Marieke Franssen (flute), Fie Schouten (bass clarinet), Wiek Hijmans (electric guitar)
13 May 2021, 20:00, Up Close: Rozalie Hirs (portrait concert), Muziekgebouw aan ‘t IJ, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Marieke Franssen (flute), Fie Schouten (bass clarinet), Wiek Hijmans (electric guitar)
21 March 2021, 16:00, Rozalie Hirs (portrait concert): Infinity Stairs, Martin Luther Church, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Marieke Franssen (flute), Fie Schouten (bass clarinet), Wiek Hijmans (electric guitar) **POSTPONED DUE TO COVID-19 PANDEMIC**
11 February 2016, 20:30, Unexpected Consequences, Constellation, 3111 N Western Ave, Chicago, United States – Shanna Gutierrez (flute), Fie Schouten (bass clarinet), Wiek Hijmans (electric guitar) – North American premiere
12 November 2015, 20:30 CET, Sonic Hedgehog, Café De Ruimte, Distelweg 83, 1031 HD Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Shanna Gutierrez (flute), Fie Schouten (bass clarinet), Wiek Hijmans (electric guitar)
20 February 2015, 20:30, Rozalie Hirs (portrait concert): Poetry and Music, Ostadetheater, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Marieke Franssen (flute), Fie Schouten (bass clarinet), Wiek Hijmans (electric guitar), Christian Karlsen (conductor), Arne Bock (sound diffusion in the hall)
17 September 2014, 20:30, Infinity Stairs, Bethaniënklooster, Amsterdam, The Netherlands – Shanna Gutierrez (flute), Fie Schouten (bass clarinet), Wiek Hijmans (electric guitar), Christian Karlsen (conductor), Arne Bock (sound diffusion in the hall)