In this piece, the resonance board of a grand piano is used as a loudspeaker for an electric violin; an instrument which cannot be heard without amplification. By placing a special vibration speaker ("transducer") onto the sound board of the grand piano, the playing of the electric violin is projected inside the piano. Its "sympathetic strings" are used for unusual sonic effects by taking advantage of various resonance phenomenons which the pianist controls by slowly depressing and releasing the sustain and sostenuto pedals. By utilizing a so-called E-Bow on the piano, artificial resonances on a specific pitch can be generated.
Here, the piano becomes a sort of acoustic sound processor for the electric violin. A highly interesting hybrid between violin and piano is constructed which bridges the gap between these very different instruments with their great tradition in music history. Both instruments are "morphed" into a single one for two players, capable of unfolding an enormous expressive power.
STERN is dedicated to my dear friend Ernst Kovacic for whom I already wrote my challenging violin solo composition absence in 1996. His great musicianship and his open mind inspired me to write this piece which finally led me to new horizons which I want to explore in the future.
http://www.essl.at/works/stern.html
