Recorded at the Australian Film, TV and Radio School in 2004, this quirky (and often mysterious) piece of music aims to invoke a feeling that the English language is yet to put in to single word - the feeling of walking alone in the woods.
Waldeinsamkeit
- Contents: Transposed Score and Parts (PDF)
- Pages: 14
- Duration: 1'55"
- Grade 4 / Medium Advanced
- Violin 1
- Violin 2
- Viola
- Violincello
- Double Bass
In 2004, I had the opportunity to attend a short course in scoring strings for motion pictures at the Australian Film, TV and Radio School, led by the Norwegian-Australian composer, record producer and musician, Sven Libaek.
Part of our assignment involved writing a two minute cue to Federico Fellini's classic 1963 Italian surrealist comedy-drama, "8½." Whilst none of us were able to hold a candle to Nino Rota's original score, it was a valuable experience to learn how to use the string section to best effect in a film score.
In the years that followed the course, when I listened to the recording separately from the film clip, my imagination pointed more towards a feeling that didn't have an English word to describe it. Fortunately - the Germans have a word for that feeling, and "Waldeinsamkeit" is the probably the most accurate I feel when I hear this being played.
"Waldeinsamkeit" works best as an intimate chamber piece for confident players, but can also work with expanded desking if desired.
"Waldeinsamkeit" has enjoyed studio recordings in Ukraine (Kaska Records - 2021), and Australia (AFTRS - 2004).
“The first thing that comes to mind when listening to Greg Peterson's "Waldeinsamkeit" is how much of what we now call intermediality there is in this musical sketch. You can imagine a picturesque picture of a forest walk, a "scene from a movie", the semblance of a pleasant conversation or the roll call of nature's voices... Everyone has his or her own associations, but the main thing is that this music evokes emotions, which means that it is alive…” - Valentіna Redya, Doctor of Arts habilitant, Professor, Tchaikovsky National Music Academy of Ukraine (30 Apr 21)
“This piece is a composition that reek of primordial power and freshness. What a delight and surprise to come across this bright and healthy phenomenon in the piles of modern pampering, relaxation and anemia...Your music reminded me the time a worked at state symphony orchestra...Greg provided us with the professional written score and everything was explained clearly. Hope to work with Greg again!” - Anatoly Shmargun, Kaska Records Producer (Kiev, Ukraine - 28 Apr 21)