Tidepooling for Flute, Percussion, Guitar and Cello

From the Publisher

Tidepooling places listeners on an Oregon beach, surrounded by the sounds of the waves, the wind, gulls flying above, and their own footsteps on the sand and in the water. Peering into a tide pool, a miniature world takes shape. A giant green sea anemone's tentacles ripple gently in the water before stinging unsuspecting prey. A small sculpin fish sits camouflaged at the bottom of the pool, then darts quickly to a new location when startled. Beware of the anemone! A purple shore crab crawls back and forth, protected by its hard carapace and brandishing its strong claws. An ochre sea star's quiet, still presence bellies its importance in this ecosystem. By feeding on muscles, it clears space, making way for all the other animals to live. 

Tidepooling was commissioned by Third Angle New Music and the Gabriela Lena Frank Creative Academy of Music, with generous underwriting support from Betsy Russell.

Percussion Needs (1 player):
Large tub of water with a microphone set up near by, wire whisk, colander with upper holes blocked with gaff tape so that only bottom and lower holes let water through, towel to dry hands, wind chimes (fairly unpitched, made of glass, wood/bamboo, or metal, the kind that would be hung at a beach house), 2 rough sand paper blocks, set of 5 temple blocks with hard plastic mallets, crotales (C4-C5 (written)), 2 bows, medium plastic mallets

Light amplification required for guitar and percussion

Performance duration (approx): 15'00

Movements

1. The Beach (Coming)
2. Giant Green Sea Anemone
3. Sculpin
4. Purple Shore Crab
5. Ochre Sea Star
6. The Beach (Leaving)

Item Details

Instrumentation

• Part 1: Flute
• Part 2: Percussion
• Part 3: Guitar
• Part 4: Cello