Pointillism

Pointillism takes its name from a painting technique exploited by the French artist Georges Seurat. Small dots of color were juxtaposed on the canvas so that when viewed from a distance the colors were mixed optically. An attempt to transfer the technique to music would suggest a contrapuntal texture, the voices assuming independent importance to allow individual timbres to penetrate. A fragmentary character is maintained until the end when instrumental ÒcolorsÓ are fused.

Grade Level: 3
Copyright: 2011
Number of Players: 3
Duration: 6:00
Publisher: C. Alan Publications
Type: Trio
Category: Percussion; Woodwind

Instrumentation

Flute
B-flat Clarinet
Marimba (4.3-octave)