Cercle du Nord I (9') 2003
amplified string quartet

Sample Score - (opens in new window)
Sample Audio - Quatuor Bozzini (opens in new window)

For Quatuor Bozzini at the June in Buffalo Festival 2004

This is the first work in a series of pieces based on circular bowing techniques for string instruments. Inspired by Katajak, or throat song games played by the Inuit of northern Canada, this work treats the material in an abstract manner, the various circle bowing gestures are used independent of any game, or rhythmic pulse until the very end of the work. Instead of grinding sounds I ask for harmonics and very quiet gestures, interrupted time to time by sudden outbursts that are over before they really begin. Near the end of the work preparations are added to the strings engendering a harsh texture. The circle bowing becomes very regular and pulse driven.

The middle section of the piece is quite tricky and in the future I may make an alternate version that relies more on improvisatory rhythms. The ensemble should be amplified to maximize sounds which otherwise would not be heard.  This work was written for Quatour Bozzini and was premiered at the 2003 June in Buffalo Festival.