Rhapsody for Gibbons - for Clarinet Duet and Gibbon Song - Pernille Faye

Pernille Faye

Rhapsody for Gibbons

For Clarinet Duet and Gibbon Song

Performed by Pernille Faye (Bb Clarinet and A Clarinet)
A huge thanks to Monkey World for providing video footage, audio recordings and for introducing me to these incredible creatures.
From the moment I first heard the song of the golden-cheeked gibbon, I was captivated. The sheer range and volume of their vocal display was remarkable and was unlike anything I’d heard before. As I learnt more about the significance of the calls I began to draw parallels between aspects of their song and music created by humans. It was with this in my mind that I began working on Rhapsody for Gibbons.

Arguably the most striking element of golden-cheeked gibbon song are the long glissandi which ascend in pitch to a high climax. I experimented with ways of replicating this sound on the clarinet and I began exploring the songs of other gibbon species and finding ways to mimic the sounds I heard. My final track uses the calls of the golden-cheeked, siamang, lar, muellers, agile and white-cheeked gibbons.

As gibbon song is so closely related to the pair bond between the two animals I wrote for a duet of A clarinet and Bb clarinet. This allowed me to establish a dialogue between the two clarinet parts and between individual gibbons on the track and clarinets. I was also able to use the difference in tuning between the two instruments to reflect the occasional clashes which occur during the vocal acrobatics of gibbons.

Habitat loss and the exotic pet trade have made gibbons the most endangered primate in the world and I hope to help promote awareness of this so that gibbon song may be heard for many years to come. Any future proceeds will go directly to Monkey World and E.A.S.T. to help facilitate gibbon rescue and rehabilitation in both the UK and their native environments. Please consider donating and supporting their work!

Thank you!
Support Monkey World: https://monkeyworld.org/support-us/

Adopt a Primate: https://monkeyworld.org/our-primates/adopt-a-primate/

Endangered Asian Species Trust (Charity No. 115350): https://www.go-east.org - E.A.S.T is a charity working to find sustainable solutions to conservation issues in Asia, starting with endangered primates in Vietnam. To date (May 2020) they have rescued over 50 endangered primates, with 27 of these rehabilitated and released into native habitats, and tracked after release using radio collars. Many more are on track for release after their rehabilitation at Dao Tien Rescue Centre, Vietnam.

More information on Gibbon Song: https://wildambience.com/wildlife-sounds/white-handed-gibbon/ Audible for miles, the siren-like call of the golden-cheeked gibbon is often heard as part of a morning duet which signifies and reaffirms the bond between a pair of gibbons. Each gibbon species has a unique song, which is usually initiated by the male who sings long calls. The female will then join in with short calls and sing with the male to reinforce their bond and assert their claim to their territory. The male completes the song after the female has stopped singing. Gibbons pair bond for life and practice and adapt their song with each day.
Sampled track composed with live recordings using Garage Band:

- Live Clarinets recorded by Pernille Faye
- Gibbon Songs provided by Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre
- Additional Lar Gibbon Song provided by Iain Sansom

Video by Pernille Faye:

- Gibbon Footage provided by Monkey World - Ape Rescue Centre
- Additional Footage by Pernille Faye

Contact the composer: p.faye.music@gmail.com

Видео Rhapsody for Gibbons - for Clarinet Duet and Gibbon Song - Pernille Faye канала Pernille Faye