IN BOCCA AL LUPO was composed during a year’s fellowship at the American Academy in Rome, and is a companion piece to SOGGIORNO, also for violin and tape. The title means, “Into the Mouth of the Wolf”, and is an Italian saying that is equivalent to our “Break a Leg”, which is said in an encouraging way to actors and performers who are heading onto the stage. Indeed, the beginning of the piece bursts into life, much as an excited performer would take the stage, and the extensive use of tremolo recalls the combination of nerves and bravado that all of us face in performance situations.

The tape sounds consist entirely of violin samples recorded and stored on computer, then manipulated, edited, and mixed using Csound software. The resulting combination of live violinist and taped violin sounds takes on the character of a concerto for performer and him/herself, with a natural timbral unity between parts.

This recording is a live performance in Austin, Texas by Jennifer Bourianoff-Luke in 1995.


Composer contact: mobberleyj@umkc.edu

Website (scores, recordings and info): http://jamesmobberleymusic.com

1990

Violin and Fixed Media

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