Four Songs for Orchestra

Four Songs for Orchestra explores the sonic possibilities of a setup in which a subset of the orchestra (Fl. 2, A Cl., Vln. 2, Vla. 2, Vc. 2, Cb. 2) tunes to A=437 hz, while the remainder of the orchestra tunes at the standard A=441 hz. This is achieved by the oboe (or an electronic tuner) giving two A’s (441 hz and 437 hz) sequentially before beginning the piece, allowing the forces to tune separately.

After receiving the different A’s, both subsets of the orchestra should complete their tuning using equal temperament relative to their own A. This allows the 441 hz orchestra to match the piano, and the 437 hz orchestra to maintain an even pitch distance from the 441 hz orchestra across the whole range.

The ~16 cent discrepancy between the two subsets in the mid range allows for just tuning of chords with open strings, as well as dramatic microtonal juxtapositions and unstable unisons that explore new timbres of dark and light.