By:

• Samuel Holloway

Duration:

08' 00"

Samples

Score (453k)

Pages 4-6© Samuel Holloway

Availability

• This work has 2 scores

Programme Note

Stapes is the first piece in a series of three trios collectively entitled Middle Ear. The stapes (or stirrup) is the smallest in the chain of three bones that transmit vibrations from the eardrum to the internal ear in the process of transformation of external soundwaves to an emotional or cognitive response within the listener. The composition of Stapes was largely dictated by the idiosyncrasies of the ensemble: the piano, suffering under equal temperament and timbral limitation, and the strings, free in pitch and hosting a wide timbral palette. The juxtaposition of these disparate musical entities, with the instruments working together and against each other, forms the basis of this work. The piece is physically and mentally demanding, pushing the players in individual and collective struggles for articulacy.

Difficulty:

Advanced

Performance History

	08 Oct 2005	Performed by the New Zealand Trio, under the auspices of the Karlheinz Company, at the Music Theatre, University of Auckland
		New Zealand Trio
	26 Nov 2007	Performed by the Luxembourg Sinfonietta, as part of the ISCM/ACL World Music Days in Hong Kong. It was awarded first prize in the ACL Young Composer Competition.
	03 Aug 2008	Performed by the New Zealand Trio, comprising violinist Justine Cormack, cellist Ashley Brown and pianist Sarah Watkins
		New Zealand Trio