Mike Svoboda
Pas de deux for orchestra (2025)
Commissioned by the Kammerorchester Basel
Made possible with the support of the FONDATION SUISA, the UBS Kulturstiftung and the
Duration 12 minutes
Instrumentation
2 Flutes
2 Oboes
2 Clarinets in B♭
2 Bassoons
2 Horns in F
2 Trumpets in C
Percussion (one Clave, Vibraphone, Hi-hat, Kick-Drum)
Strings 6.5.4.3.2 (the 2nd bass player with amplification and live-electronics)
Performance notes
The four sections — Entrée, Adagio, Variations, and Coda — are to be performed attacca, proceeding from one to the next without pause and without any change of underlying pulse.
All tempi are derived from a common unit of 288 beats per minute, heard throughout Pas de deux (most often in the solo double bass). The relationship is as follows: Tempo 58 has 5 impulses, 72 (4), 96 (3), and 144 (2).
Trumpets
The trumpets should play from behind the orchestra, positioned left and right to maximize the stereo effect.
Solo double bass
The solo double bass is positioned centrally behind the orchestra and amplified locally, so that the sound remains clearly localized there for the audience. In Variations, a delay patch is required. Otherwise, effects may be used moderately to enrich the sound, while keeping the sound of the double bass as clear as possible. The amplification and live electronics (effects) should be simple enough for the player to control independently.