# Partiels

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{{Short description|1975 spectral music composition}}
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{{One source|date = July 2022}}
thumb|Gérard Grisey
'''''Partiels''''' is a 1975 [music composition](/source/Musical_composition) by French composer [Gérard Grisey](/source/G%C3%A9rard_Grisey). Written for 18 instruments, the piece is considered a defining work of [spectral music](/source/spectral_music). Many second- and third-generation spectral composers cite ''Partiels'' as causing their initial interest in the spectral outlook.<ref>Fineberg 2000, p.117</ref> It is the third piece in Grisey's cycle, ''Les Espaces Acoustiques.<ref>Fineberg 2000, p.116-117</ref>''

The opening of ''Partiels'' is derived from an electronic [sonogram](/source/spectrogram) [analysis](/source/Spectral_density_estimation) of the attack of a low E2 on a [trombone](/source/trombone).<ref>Fineberg 2000, p.116, 128</ref> This [spectrum](/source/harmonic_series_(music)) is orchestrally synthesized through the assignment of different instruments to each [harmonic partial](/source/Harmonic_series_(music)) in such a way as to harmonically and gesturally model the dynamic temporal evolution of the [attack](/source/attack_(music)).<ref>Fineberg 2000, p.39</ref> Thus the opening features the successive entrance of lower partials with the fifth and ninth partials being louder than lower ones, including the [fundamental](/source/fundamental_frequency), and all higher partials gradually trailing off in [amplitude](/source/amplitude). Each partial is approximated to the nearest [quarter tone](/source/quarter_tone). A low bass reinforces the fundamental an [octave](/source/octave) lower on the open E1 string.

''Partiels'' also makes use of [sum](/source/Sum_tone) and [difference tone](/source/difference_tone)s to create harmonies.<ref>Fineberg 2000, p.129</ref>

== Instrumentation ==
''Partiels'' is written for the following 18 instruments:

: 2 [flutes](/source/Western_concert_flute) (1st doubling [piccolo](/source/piccolo) and [alto flute](/source/Alto_flute); 2nd doubling piccolo)
: 1 [oboe](/source/oboe) (doubling [English horn](/source/Cor_anglais))
: 2 [clarinet](/source/clarinet)s in B{{music|flat}} (1st doubling [clarinet in E{{music|flat}}](/source/E-flat_clarinet); 2nd doubling [clarinet in A](/source/clarinet_in_A))
: 1 [bass clarinet](/source/Bass_clarinet) (doubling [contrabass clarinet](/source/Contrabass_clarinet))

: 2 [horns](/source/French_horn)
: 1 [trombone](/source/trombone)

: 1 [accordion](/source/accordion) (or [electric organ](/source/Electric_organ))

: 2 [percussionists](/source/percussionists)

: 2 [violin](/source/violin)s
: 2 [viola](/source/viola)s
: 1 [cello](/source/cello)
: 1 [contrabass](/source/contrabass)

In the "''Nomenclature''" section of the score, Grisey indicates the possibility of performing the piece with only one horn player and one percussionist.<ref>Grisey 1976, ''Nomenclature''</ref>

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

==References==
* Fineberg, Joshua; [http://www.worldcatlibraries.org/oclc/48862556&referer=brief_results ''Spectral music : history and techniques''] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070929122338/http://www.worldcatlibraries.org/oclc/48862556%26referer%3Dbrief_results |date=2007-09-29 }} (Overseas Publishers Association, published by license under the Harwood Academic Publishers imprint, ©2000) [OCLC](/source/OCLC): 48862556.
* Grisey, Gérard; ''Partiels'' (Universal Music Publishing Ricordi S.r.l. ©1976).   

{{Spectral music}}
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Category:Spectral music
Category:1975 compositions

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