The Journey of the Horizontal People
Raven ChaconPiece Duration: 8:05
About this Piece
Program Note: In 2015, the Kronos Performing Arts Association (KPAA) launched Kronos Fifty for the Future, the first learning library of contemporary repertoire for string quartet. Chacon's "The Journey of the Horizontal People" is one of fifty new works that were commissioned for the project!
Raven Chacon is also known for scoring the critically acclaimed documentary Lakota Nation Vs. the United States, which premiered in 2023!
Sheet Music: https://50ftf.kronosquartet.org/composers/raven-chacon
Extended Technique: The more you look at the score, the more extended techniques you find! Click here to see Chacon's list of techniques and how to play them.
Extended Technique Activity - Investigation by Sound: See the Notable Passages below, and explore your compositional instincts!
Extended Technique Activity - Investigation by Sight:
- Click on a random section of the video while paused, and study it like a painting. How many details can you find?
- Pick one symbol or technique that is new to you, and look up how to play it here
- Discuss: What do you think the technique sounds like? Can you perform it on a classroom instrument?
- Listen: Press play on the video, and reflect!
Microtonal: This piece uses quarter tones - notes that are in-between the standard 12 notes of a chromatic scale! The quarter tones are notated using 1/4 step flats and 1/4 step sharps. Can you find them in the score?
Notable Passages
Description:
Many of the playing techniques in this piece involve horizontal motion across the plane of a string instrument's body. How many techniques can you find?
- Wide vibrato
- Glissando
- Tremolo
- Circle Bow Motion
- Moving from Sul Ponticello to Sul Tasto
Keywords: String Instruments , Text Painting - Expressive Elements
Description:
Sound Investigation #1
- Press play on the Notable Passage, and close your eyes!
- Once the Notable Passage is over, try to mimic one of the sounds you heard with your own instrument, or your voice
- Next, try notating these sounds on a blank piece of paper. How would you write them down?
- Finally, watch this Notable Passage with your eyes open, to see the composer's choices! Which do you like better: Raven Chacon's notation, or yours?
(Click here to see Chacon's list of techniques and how to play them)
Keywords: Avant-Garde / Experimental , Extended Technique - Composition Technique , Extended Technique - Expressive Elements
Description:
Sound Investigation #2
- Press play on the Notable Passage, and close your eyes!
- Once the Notable Passage is over, try to mimic one of the sounds you heard with your own instrument, or your voice
- Next, try notating these sounds on a blank piece of paper. How would you write them down?
- Finally, watch this Notable Passage with your eyes open, to see the composer's choices! Which do you like better: Raven Chacon's notation, or yours?
(Click here to see Chacon's list of techniques and how to play them)
Keywords: Avant-Garde / Experimental , Extended Technique - Composition Technique , Extended Technique - Expressive Elements
Description:
Sound Investigation #3
- Press play on the Notable Passage, and close your eyes!
- Once the Notable Passage is over, try to mimic one of the sounds you heard with your own instrument, or your voice
- Next, try notating these sounds on a blank piece of paper. How would you write them down?
- Finally, watch this Notable Passage with your eyes open, to see the composer's choices! Which do you like better: Raven Chacon's notation, or yours?
(Click here to see Chacon's list of techniques and how to play them)
Keywords: Avant-Garde / Experimental , Extended Technique - Composition Technique , Extended Technique - Expressive Elements