Vibrissae

Vibrissae A composition or violin, double bass and electronics by Cat Hope, composed in 2025, commissioned by Anna McMicheal. PERFORMANCE INSTRUCTIONS (see attachment) The score is a proportional for each instrument – the top of the page is your highest possible note. Thickness indicates volume. Avoid any vibrato. When you part is close to the other, meet their pitch where you can, or octaves away. Coordinate the performance gestures carefully. You should study the following Weddell Seal sounds to inspire your reading of the score. The aim is not to emulate these sounds, but be inspired by them. There are four key inspirations: 1. High Call (harmonic) [see here] 2. Descending call: here [0”-12”, 29” – 43”] (downward glissando) 3. Clicks: here (12”-19”) (tapping on the body of the instrument) 4. Breath: here (col legno) The electronics part is embedded in the score, and should be played from a subwoofer under the piano, connected to the tablet computer via a mini jack out. The level should never overpower the instruments. The score should be read in the Decibel ScorePlayer application on an iPad. Program Note: This piece is inspired by the sounds and sensitivities of Weddells seals, the southernmost dwelling mammals, who live in Antarctica. The vibrissae (whiskers) of the seals sense vibrations in the water, enabling them to track prey. Their calls can feature long, downward glissandi, and high-pitched tones - not unlike the sounds produced by strings instruments, and quite similar to modular synthesis too. This work draws on both these elements of inspiration. The electronics from this piece were created at the EMS Stockholm in 2025, on the Vintage Buchla 200 Synthesiser there. The work was composed during a residency at the Visby International Composers Centre in Gotland, Sweden, in December 2025. A video of score is here CH December 2025