Abhisheka (Preview)

Abhisheka received its premiere performance from the New Zealand String Quartet in Nelson,
New Zealand on 23 August 1998. A recording of the New Zealand String Quartet performing
Abhisheka appears on the Rattle Records album Rhythm Spike (RAT D-008), which was
produced by the composer.
Performance notes
• Wherever possible, all four instruments should be close-miked, not to increase the
volume of the ensemble, but to enable the addition of artificial reverb. (c.4 seconds). The
loudspeakers should be as close as possible to the ensemble to facilitate maximum blend.
• All glissandi last for the duration of the note on which they begin, and unless specifically
indicated otherwise, no bow change is intended after a glissando.
• During long-held chords, bow changes should occur asynchronously and imperceptibly.
Likewise, in the solo passages (indicated by dotted slurs), bow changes should be as
discreet as possible. At some points in the score, suggestions for these imperceptible bow
changes are given in brackets.
• In the passage beginning at measure 75, the hairpin dynamics are intended to indicate
an even crescendo and diminuendo, with the peaks of the crescendi gradually increasing in
intensity.
Quarter tone notation
s
W
ß
ƒ
Y
F
– raise note three-quarters of a tone
– raise note half a tone
– raise note quarter of a tone
– lower note quarter of a tone
– lower note half a tone
– lower note three-quarters of a tone
• Whilst standard accidentals are placed in the usual manner, to apply throughout the entire
measure in which they appear, quarter-tone accidentals are placed before every note to
which they apply.
• As a further aid to clarity, in the individual parts the intervals of double-stopped chords
are annotated in shorthand (M2 = major 2nd, m6 = minor 6th, P4 = perfect 4th, etc.).
PE028 – vi