Ráidu

for a yoiker and seven instruments

Composed with Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman

Description

Ráidu is a piece for a yoiker and seven instruments that represents the outcome of the collaboration between Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman and Jaime Belmonte. The work integrates Sámi and Western conceptions of sonic creation and proposes an environment where both musical languages can coexist and engage in a fruitful dialogue while preserving their identities.

A yoik is a unique kind of vocalisation originated among the Sámi people from Northern Europe. Using only sounds, a yoik portrays a subject, usually a person, an animal or a natural phenomenon. The yoiker visualises the subject and portrays it in such a powerful way that the subject becomes present for the yoiker: it materialises.

A yoik is not linear, but circular. It can be conceived as a melody but it usually consists of smaller units that can be combined in very diverse ways. It also has a very big component of improvisation, and the pitch and tempo can fluctuate during the performance.

Ráidu is organised around four original luohti created by Anna Näkkäläjärvi-Länsman: Biekkastit, Čáihni, Ráidu and Vuoiŋŋat. Each one of these luohti has a very concrete subject that is described in the score, and a compact version of the original luohti’s melody is provided as a reference for the instrumentalists. The instrumentalist has to perform this piece with a yoiking attitude: a strong visualisation of the subject provides the instrumentalist with the necessary information to portray the subject as accurately as possible using only the sonic material that is given in the score. The rest of the movements do not have an original luohti, but should be performed with the same attitude.

Instrumentation

voc [yoik], fl+pic+bfl, cl+cl in Eb+bcl, perc, pno, vln, vla, vlc

Instrument codes

Abbreviation	Instrument
Woodwind
acl	alto clarinet
afl	alto flute
arec	alto recorder
asax	alto saxophone
barsax	baritone saxophone
barhn	baritone horn
bcl	bass clarinet
bfl	bass flute
bob	bass oboe
bsax	bass saxophone
bsn	bassoon
cbsn	contrabassoon
cl	clarinet
ehn	English horn
fl	flute
hn	French horn
ob	oboe
pic	piccolo
rec	recorder
sax	saxophone
srec	soprano recorder
ssax	soprano saxophone
trec	tenor recorder
tsax	tenor saxophone
Brass
ahn	alto horn
atrb	altotrombone
barhn	baritone horn
btrb	bass trombone
cornet	cornet
euph	euphonium
fhn	flugelhorn
hn	French horn
tba	tuuba
thn	tenor horn
trb	trombone
trp	trumpet
Percussion
dr	drums
glock	glockenspiel
mar	marimba
perc	percussion
timp	timpani
vibr	vibraphone
xyl	xylophone
Strings
db	double bass
gamba	viola da gamba
str	strings
vla	viola
vlc	cello
vln	violin
Other
acc	accordion
cel	celesta
cemb	harpsichord
chords	chords
elbas	electric bass
elg	electric guitar
elorg	electric organ
elpno	electric piano
guit	guitar
harm	harmonium
hca	harmonica
hp	harp
instr	instrument
kantele	kantele
keyb	keyboard
live electr	live electronics
mand	mandolin
mel	melody
org	organ
pno	piano
synth	synthesizer
tape	tape
Vocal
alto	alto
baryt	baritone
basso	bass voice
ch	choir
chc	childrens choir
chf	female choir
chm	male choir
chx	mixed choir
cten	countertenor
mezzo	mezzo-soprano
sopr	soprano
speaker	speaker
ten	tenor
voc	vocal

Coding for instrument ensembles and orchestras

Symphony orchestra
2222 4331 11 1, str = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 2 clarinets, 2 bassoons, 4 French horns, 3 trumpets, 3 trombones, tuba, timpani, one other percussionist, harp and strings
Wind band
2252 3 423 21212 3 = 2 flutes, 2 oboes, 5 clarinets, 2 bassoons - 3 saxophones - 4 French horns, 2 trumpets, 3 trombones - 2 cornets, alto horn, 2 tenor horns, baritone horn, 2 tubas - 3 percussionists
Big band
221 4 4, pno, guit, db, dr = 2 alto saxophones, 2 tenor saxophones, baritone saxophone, 4 trumpets, 4 trombones, piano, guitar, double bass, drums
Additional codes
+	fl+pic = flutist doubles on piccolo
/	pno/org = can be played on either piano or organ
lib	ad libitum
obl	obligato
str	str: 65432 = specified number of string players
str min	str min: 65432 = at least 65432
str max	str max: 65432 = not more than 65432
solo	vln solo = violin is the solo instrument in a work not obviously for solo violin