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        • Missy Mazzoli

        • Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres) (2013)

        • G Schirmer Inc (World)

        Revised 2021. Harmonicas are pitched in A and C (Bassoons), A (Horns), C (Trumpets), and F (Trombones). Harmonica notation is approximate; players should simply blow into the instrument unless otherwise indicated, taking care to play in approximately the same octave as the other harmonica players. Recorded electronics: locate the speaker(s) behind the percussion at the back of the stage. Playback should be loud enough to reach the back of the hall yet balance with the orchestra.

        • 2.2.2.2(2hca)/2(2hca).2(2hca).2(2hca).1/2perc/pf(syn)/recording/str
        • 9 min
          • 23rd May 2025, Großer Sendesaal, Saarbrücken, Germany
          • 29th June 2025, Casino, Zug, Switzerland
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        Programme Note

        Composer note
        Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres) is music in the shape of a solar system, a collection of rococo loops that twist around each other within a larger orbit. The word “sinfonia” refers to baroque works for chamber orchestra but also to the old Italian term for a hurdy-gurdy, a medieval stringed instrument with constant, wheezing drones that are cranked out under melodies played on an attached keyboard. It’s a piece that churns and roils, that inches close to the listener only to leap away at breakneck speed, in the process transforming the ensemble turns into a makeshift hurdy-gurdy, flung recklessly into space. Sinfonia (for Orbiting Spheres) was commissioned by the Los Angeles Philharmonic.

        There is a pre-recorded track, provided with the score and parts, that is played at the very end of the piece, as indicated in the score. The track should come through a speaker placed within the percussion setup, so that the sound seems as if it is emanating from the percussionist’s location onstage. This speaker can be a simple medium to large PA speaker or amp, depending on the size of the house. If it is impossible to set up a speaker within the percussion setup, or near the percussionist’s location onstage, the track can be played through the house speakers. 
         
        The track is usually triggered by the percussionist who can play it through a laptop (AppleMusic, iTunes) connected to the speakers.  (The player needs only to hit “play” once  - no additional triggering is required.) If the track is played through the house speakers, a sound engineer in the hall will have to trigger it after a signal from the conductor.
         
        Levels of the track should be checked in rehearsal - the track should play at a low volume slightly under the volume level of the orchestra. 

        — Missy Mazzoli

        Media

        BBC Proms (clip)
        Stony Brook Symphony

        Scores

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