FOCALOR

( 2016 )
for clarinet, electric piano, electric bass and drum set
Arturo Morfín
General Instructions
Accidentals affect only the note they are adjacent to and their immediate repetitions
Structure: The piece has two different kinds of sections.
Fixed: Sections B, D, E, H and G show all events (sounds, music, processes) in the
exact order of occurence (although duration may be up to the ensemble).
Variable: Sections A, C, F, and I describe the nature of the section, but do not specify
the duration, quantity or exact order of events. They show at the leftmost of the page
the starting musical ideas, and the right the finishing ideas. The transition between the
extremes is described by arrows, text and a structural scheme (Gray rectangles at the
bottom) that represents the general idea. A and C are “chained structures”, meaning
that each performer is linked to another, creating a sequence. F and I only are chained
at the starting point, then each performer transforms independently their idea. The
performers decide the total duration of the whole section, how many stages or
repetitions it has and the way of transforming the ideas.
In the example above the structural scheme shows a process of augmentation in
duration. However, the performers are not obligued to make three stages of
augmentation, they could do more (or less), as long as the process is clear. Also the
starting idea has a triangle and the finishing idea has a square, representing the
different nature of each idea. The performer should transform gradually the triangle
into a square. Some cases do not require transformation of this kind, only continuation
of the starting idea.
Arrows: Small arrows mean transformation between parameters in its extremes,
sometimes several at the same time. Big arrows mean continuation of a process or
idea. If there is transformation, they say so as “Gradual Transformation”.
Proportional Notation:
Some sections are in traditional notation. Rules for accidentals remain the same.
Time brackets: Various passages are below time brackets. The time specified is only
a suggestion to give a sense of proportion between ideas. Some of these passages may
take more or less time according to the taste of the performers.
Time brackets are not present whenever similar ideas follow each other or whenever it
is not desirable to restrain the duration
Boxed sets of notes: Throughout the piece there are sets of notes contained in boxes.
Each case has different instructios, specified in the same page. Whenever necessary,
examples were provided inside dotted boxes to clarify the instrutions.
Volume graphs: Piano and bass have volume fader/knob graphs. X axis is time, Y
axis is percentage of volume (0% is muted, 100% is full volume). The volume graph
is independent from the dynamics. Example:
When the performer
reaches the chord in
forttisimo, he/she
lowers rapidly the
volume completely,
then raises it to
about half level and
finally lowers it
completely again.
Clarinet in Bb [Cl.]
Notation is in written pitch.
Some sections require multiphonics. They are labeled as disonant, strident or
consonant, harmonic. It is desirable for the performer to know a large variety of
multiphonics to assign to each category and between categories, for transformation
passages.
Timbre: Half – air sound is required, also overblown and unrefined
Electric piano [Pno.]
A volume fader/knob and a sustain pedal are absolutely necessary. Octave change
buttons are desirable. If some passages are out of range, transpose as necessary.
The sustain pedal should be pressed during all the piece. The performer may refresh
ad libitum
Electric Bass Guitar [B.G.]
5 strings (B, E, A, D, G)
Two hard guitar picks are necesseary for the string scratch passages. Using fingernails
may hurt and sound softer than necessary.
The scratch notation uses graphs. The x axis is time. The y axis is position in the
string (at the bottom is the tailpiece, at the top the bridge). Straight lines are straight
uninterrupted movements. Squiggly lines are tremolo like movements. Which strings
to work on is written over the graph. Examples:
Two straight movements over Three tremolo movements over
the fourth string, from the the second and third strings,
tailpiece to the bridge. The from bridge to tailpiece. Where
second one is faster the lines overlap in time, use
both hands
Drum Set [D.S.]
A snare drum, bass drum, hi-hat, and china cymbal are absolutely necessary. It is
desirable to have a large set of other cymbals and drums for unspecified passages.
Soft mallets: Drum sticks: Bow:
About the work
Le Grand Grimoire: Pacta Conventa Daemoniorum is an extense essay in which D – The tunnel starts to fill with luminous insects, spirit-demon beings called the
Johnney Jakobsson discusses several subjects concerning a magic book called the shichiririon. They were summoned by an amulet prepared by the magician long
Grand Grimoire (later published by the name The Red Dragon). The essay includes a before the ritual took place with the only purpose of lighting the way inside the dark
report of its origins and later transformations, a description of its contents, comparison tunnel.
with other grimoires and, most importantly, an interpretation of several passages of
E and F – The magician then enters the now completely lit tunnel and walks in what
the book.
seems to be a world of living luminescent jewels. There is one rule: the magician
One of the compared books is the Ars Goetia, a chapter of another magic book, the should not look back, for the shichiririon would take his/her life. It is a long and
Lesser Key of King Solomon. For several years I have created several musical pieces beautiful walk.
inspired in the demons of the Goetia, so my interest peaked when I read the essay.
G – Two enormous double doors appear at the end of the tunnel. This is the entrance
Jakobsson concludes that Lucifuge Rofocal, a mayor demon described in the Grand
to Satariel, the realm of Lucifuge Rofocal, where light cannot reach. Eldritch and
Grimoire, appears in the Goetia by the name Focalor. Then, by combining the
ancient writings adorn every spot of the door. The magician then recites the words to
contents of both books and others, he proceeds to describe a complex ritual that a
open the path. Some of the shichirion cross the gate with the magician, but their light
magician can execute to meet Lucifuge Rofocal within his own realm of absolute
does not seem to be reflected in anything, for Satariel is a place of fundamental
darkness. There, the demon teaches lore of the Tree of Knowledge, symbol of the
darkness. So, the magician walks through the labyrinth, relying in sheer intuition to
greatest and most absolute essence of the universe. In my interpretation, Lucifuge
choose a path.
talks about the essence of the self, the core concepts that define an individual.
H – The magician arrives to the center of the realm, where Lucifuge Rofocal dwells
This piece is a musical interpretation of the ritual, inspired in some of the passages of
eternally. The magician started this journey to access the divine lore known only by
the essay. It is not meant to be an accurate description of Jakobsson’s words, but a
superior beings. This is the time to ask! So, they converse. However, though the
derivate work. This is the journey I personally had as I read and the order of events is
demon speaks calmly, the contents of the answer are maddening. The magician starts
the way I internalize the ritual.
to lose sanity.
A – The magician starts the evocation of Focalor at the seashore on a stormy night.
I – The impact of the words spoken by the devil shakes the whole sense of identity of
The ritual takes place in almost complete darkness, for tempestuous clouds obscure
the magician. It is true that all questions were answered, but it seems impossible to
even the moon. The water starts to rise, covering the magician at a slow rate. When
calmly take in such knowledge. The anxiety keeps on escalating uncontrollably and
the water reaches his/her head, the magician starts to drown.
the magician is consumed by deafening noise and confusion. Great wisdom comes at
B – In desperation, the magician completely drowns and dies. But then he/she is a price.
reborn, recovering life through the same desperation, an inverse drowning.
C – The magician is then immersed in the depths of the ancient ocean of legend,
Tehom. The second evocation takes place there, the calling of Lucifuge Rofocal, the
other face of Focalor. It is a long and repetitive ritual in which consciousness drifts
little by little. After a long time, the magician founds him/herself in front of a pitch-
black tunnel.
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