koʻu inoa

Leilehua Lanzilotti
Piece Duration: 05:48

About this Piece

Program Note: The title "koʻu inoa" translates to "my name is," and explores the notion of identity. The composer sees musical melody as something similar to a person's name, in that both have an identity. In the music, the composer spells out the notes of the melody, as if it were letters spelling out a person's name.

Oblique Motion: The low "C" is a constant throughout the piece, with the melody notes moving above it, in alternation!

Dynamics: The music gradually builds in intensity to the middle section of the piece, and then gradually fades away toward the end!

Notable Passages

Time Stamp: 0:01 — 1:17
Description:

Listen for oblique motion in this opening passage, where the cellist plays a slow-moving melody over the open C String:

-do re mi fa mi do
-la, sol, ti, do

  • Listen to the Notable Passage
  • Sing each solfege syllable on whole notes (four beats each!)
  • Listen again, audiating the solfege in your head, and using solfege hand signs if you know them!

Keywords: Conjunct Motion - Melody , Melody - Misc. , Oblique Motion , Solfege

Time Stamp: 0:01 — 1:17
Description:

Let's listen for the large intervals in this opening passage!

  • Listen to the Notable Passage

The cellist begins with an octave, slowly moving the top note higher to make large intervals! Check the intervals off as your teacher plays for you in order:

  • Octave (C-C)
  • Ninth (C-D)
  • Tenth (C-E)
  • Eleventh (C-F)
  • Sixth (C-A)
  • Fifth (C-G)
  • Seventh (C-B)
  • Octave (C-C)

Listen to the Notable Passage again, and listen for these intervals! 

  • Try to play the large intervals on a classroom instrument, if possible!

Keywords: Interval - Melodic , String Instruments

Time Stamp: 4:35 — 5:48
Description:

To close the piece, the cellist begins singing slow and wafting B's while they play! What a stunning ending!


Keywords: Oblique Motion , String Instruments

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