Arbor Vitae for String Quartet © 2006 James Tenney Valencia, CaliforniaPerformance Instructions for Arbor Vitae James Tenney In the notation, time is strictly proportional to space. Each system lasts exactly 20 seconds, starting from the leftmost barline. The left side of the notehead marks the initiation of a tone. For each instrument, each note is held until the next note. The score is written as sounds except for artificial harmonics, which are notated in the usual way (written two octaves down). Artificial harmonies may be replaced by a stopped string provided that the performer can accurately and comfortably play the tone at the desired sounding pitch. The number above a note indicates deviation from 12-tone equal ‘temperament in cents (hundredths of a tempered semitone). For natural harmonics, a roman numeral below the note indicates the string on which the tone is to be produced and an arabic superscript indicates the number of the natural harmonic on that string. All players read from score. An accidental applies only to the note it immediately precedes. All instruments should play without vibrato ‘The instruments are to be tuned as shown below. An electronic tuning device will be useful, if not absolutely essential, in both rehearsal and performance. 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I be | “0-10 + 9 Via SSS SSS 31 +8 re ee ee -0 3 vi = —_———— = == —- * > 9'40" 10:00" i as # Vin. z o = = a as 2 Vie. a 0-04 9 40 ow vo. 3 = Ts os 7 | 420, +6 | as | zz 4 | 5 HO | vic. : = = Ie =e xeae “ 2 Vin. z ef dim., be = | | 0 Vin. I z oF dim. bw | | | | | a 20 -2 35 Via. i= = 7 ie = 2 40 aia 922 Ho 15 40 4s 47 a = = == z dim. we 10'20" 10°40" i 0 = I mi £ = eo ow |. | a ea 4 a Vio S be = = bw | | | | | HI 42 8 on “4 va Bo = = 2 t, | = = ==Vin. 1 Vin. I Via, Vie. Vin. 1 Vin. 11 Via. Vie. as 140" ' “ a eo mm imp) ws I. | | . | ‘ : a = Pr, | £ “sf wal | 12/00" ba WE wi vioon re 2 1200" = - = Vin. z Pi | -» | - | : Vint z J P | | » | | » +0 2 2 2 4 = + = wu % ss o uP) | ge log | | 4 the 4 Zz = = a em Pp tooo » be be = 2 = | 38 | | as = te 2 = = og Vint zs Byer =o eo ea ef eens een | og a i $ uw o 7 WwVin. Vin. 1twas an honor to work with Jim during his completion of Arbor Vitae. The title presents the image of a tree as the central metaphor for the work’s harmonic structure, which is similar to the way tree branches emanate from other branches. While working, Jim, with his characteristic clarity and elegance, made all aspects of this difficult piece understandable. Jim was a vital and nurturing part of the ‘tree of life". He championed the works of many composers, both predecessors and contemporaries. His contribution to the ‘modern musical repertoire is prodigious. Most personally. he taught and inspired countless younger ‘composers. It is these generous contributions for which I, and I know many others. thank him deeply. ‘A very special thanks to Lauren Pratt and James Tenney’s family. Larry Polansky. Michael Pisaro, Michael Byron, Nick Didkovsky and the Bozzini Quartet all of whom contributed tothe current edition of the -mike winter