Tracking Pierrot
1992

Duration

15'

Publisher

Edition Peters

Instrumentation Notes

Fl., Cl / B-cl., Pn., Perc., Vln., Vc.

Program Notes

[This score was previously self-published by Earle Brown. It is available as facsimile print from Edition Peters as of 2007.]

The title comes from the closeness of instrumentation and my admiration for the instrumental writing in Arnold Schoenberg’s “Pierrot Lunaire.” I do not refer to the angst or “moon-madness.” The conducting is basically one of cueing entrances, exits, changes of tempi and dynamics, etc. as in many of my previous “open-form” works for ensembles and orchestras. This is basically a “closed form piece with ‘open’ interior structures.” All of the instrumental music is composed by myself and notated and scored in a “mobile” context.

The “poetics” of this performance (never to be repeated and unique to this time and place) reflect the special talents, sensitivity and musicality of the conductor.

There is a chord progression on page 6 of the score which is a kind of “homage” to Olivier Messiaen, and the very first and very last pages are a remembrance of Morton Feldman.

More Information

Percussion: Marimba, Vibraphone

Audio Samples

Tracking Pierrot

Selected Performances

April 14, 2016 • New York City

performed by Curiosity Cabinet

September 16, 2012 • Heidenheim, a.d. Brenz, Germany

Ensemble: Ensemble Audite NovaConductor: Manuel Nawri

September 17, 2001 • Bremen

Ensemble: musikFabrikConductor: Earle Brown

February 8, 2001 • University of Arizona

Ensemble: Arizona Contemporary Ensemble
Conductor: Daniel Asia, Earle Brown (guest composer)

May 22, 2000 • Alice Tully Hall, New York City, USA

Ensemble: The Orchestra of the S.E.M. Ensemble
Conductor: Petr Kotik

May 3, 1996 • Bremen

Ensemble: Ensemble Avantgarde LeipzigConductor: Steffen Schleiermacher

January 15, 1995 • Leipzig

Conductor: Earle Brown

October 9, 1993 • Miller Theatre, Columbia University

Conductor: Earle BrownSoloist: Laura Gilbert, flute; Allen Blustine, clarinet; Mark Steinberg, violin; Fred Sherry, cello; Christopher Oldfather, piano; James Baker, percussion

February 26, 1993 • Tsai Performance Center at Boston University

Ensemble: Boston Musica VivaConductor: Richard PittmanBoston premiere

January 15, 1993 • LA County Museum

California EAR Unit, conducted by Earle Brown

Sample Page

Tracking Pierrot sample page

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Recordings

Tracking Pierrot (released 2012-11-30)

Testklang

Performed by Ensemble 29,46° S, 62,7° O , Manuel Nawri

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Testklang

Chamber Music (released 2003)

Matchless Recordings UK

Performed by Various

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Forced Exposure
Discogs

Centering: The Music of Earle Brown (released 1998)

Newport Classic

Performed by San Francisco Contemporary Music Players

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New Port Classic

Synergy (released 1995)

Hat Hut Records

Performed by Ensemble Avantgarde Leipzig

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Discogs

Earle Brown Music Foundation