GRIME
Evan WilliamsPiece Duration: 8:39
About this Piece
Program Note: "GRIME takes much of its inspiration from composer Giacinto Scelsi and is essentially an exploration of the pitch G. The work is also inspired by Rock music, using extended techniques to recreate the sound of an electric guitar with a distortion pedal. GRIME was written for the 2013 Fresh Inc Festival and was premiered at the Grand Finale of Make Music Chicago 2013." — Evan Williams
Extended Technique: Pause the video at 9:03 to read Evan Williams' performance notes, and listen to the Notable Passage below!
Live Performance Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V9xtbIZW4GA
Quartet: Instead of writing for standard String Quartet (2 Violins, Viola, Cello), Evan Williams wrote GRIME for Violin, Viola, Cello, and Bass!
Suggested Activity: Evan Williams took inspiration from the composer Giacinto Scelsi, when writing GRIME. Listen to the first minute of Scelsi's Voyages: II. Le fleuve magique, and compare the two pieces!
- Use of pitch (Williams: G, Scelsi: D and A)
- Use of extended technique
- Similarity to the electric guitar
- Articulation (Use our Keyword Definitions page for a full list of options)
Notable Passages
Description:
In the first three minutes of GRIME, we see and hear three different types of articulations! Can you find them all?
- Tenuto
- Accent
- Staccato
Keywords: Accent , Staccato , Tenuto , Articulation - Misc.
Description:
Look out for all of the rhythmic durations in the opening of GRIME. Many of these notes are tied together. Click play on the video above, and check them off as you find them!
- Ties
- Whole Notes
- Dotted Half Notes
- Half Notes
- Dotted Quarter Notes
- Quarter Notes
- Dotted Eighth Notes
- Eighth Notes
- Sixteenth Notes
- Triplets
Keywords: Rhythmic Duration
Description:
The program note says the piece is “essentially an exploration of the pitch G." Listen to the opening of GRIME. The ensemble plays a unison G, followed by other dissonant intervals: minor seconds (G -> Ab) and major seconds (G -> A). Play them on the piano, then listen along!
Keywords: Dissonance , Interval , Unison
Description:
At Measure 43, the piece starts to use minor 3rds (G -> Bb) and major 3rds (D -> Bb)! Play them on the piano, then listen along!
An eighth note motif is also imitated throughout the ensemble!
Keywords: Imitation - Composition Technique , Imitation - Counterpoint , Interval
Description:
This section is full of glissandos! Look out for the glissando lines written in the quartet parts!
Keywords: Glissando
Description:
Extended Technique: Play with too much pressure (indicated by at thick line above the staff)
(Also found at 4:07-4:15, and 4:46-5:00)
Keywords: Extended Technique - Composition Technique , Extended Technique - Expressive Elements
Description:
Extended Technique: Using wide vibrato (indicated by the zig-zag lines above staff)
Keywords: Extended Technique - Composition Technique , Extended Technique - Expressive Elements