Located in the UK
Located in the USA
Located in Europe
- Missy Mazzoli
Tooth and Nail (viola version) (2010)
- G Schirmer Inc (World)
- viola and pre-recorded electronics
- 9 min 30 s
Programme Note
Premiere
March 9 2011
Nadia Sirota, viola
Ecstatic Music Festival
New York, NY
Composer Note
Tooth and Nail was inspired by the extraordinary musical traditions of Uzbekistan, where jaw harp (also called Jew's harp or mouth harp) plays a prominent role. The jaw harp player consistently plucks the instrument, creating overtones and melodies by changing the shape of his or her mouth, and the central Asian style takes this technique to wild and beautiful extremes. I have created my own version of this music, based on my memories of hearing Uzbek jaw harp players. The electronic part is made up almost entirely of viola samples, allowing the live viola to play in counterpoint with itself.
— Missy Mazzoli
