Audible and Visual DIGITAL Performance notes

ELEMENTS (2026), for Orchestra

Duration: 30’

 
 


Special sounds and techniques for ELEMENTS:

  • Inhale through nose (m. 1, m. 7 and m. 28) - relevant for all Woodwinds and all Brass

 

Thorough explanation of the
inhalation through the nose:

  • Sound of Oyster Shells (m. 57-58, m. 67-68) - relevant for Timp.

 

Thorough explanations of the
sound of the Oyster Shells:

 

  • Creaking sound through closed, but relaxed mouth Mm… (m. 53-54, m. 60-66, m. 82- 89)

    - relevant for Ob. 1.2, Cl. 1, Bsn., Cbsn., Tpt. 1.2, Tbn. 1.2, B. Tbn., Vln. 1, Vln. 2, Vla. and Vlc.

 

Thorough explanation of the
creaking sound Mm…

  • Creaking sound through closed, but relaxed mouth Mm-a… (m. 85-88) - relevant for Vln. 1, Vln. 2, Vla. and Vlc.

 

Thorough explanation of the
creaking sound Mm-a…

 

  • Exhale with slight pressure: [Ha] as in “harvest” or “harp” (m. 25-26)
    - relevant for Ob. 1.2, Cl. 1.2, Bsn., Cbsn., all Brass and Timp. (notation crossed notes)

 

Thorough explanation of the [Ha] w. pressure.

  • Inhalation (m. 57-58 + m. 67) - relevant for Vln. 1, Vln. 2 and Vla. (notation square notes)

    • Inhale: [Ha] as in “harvest” or “harp” (m. 57-58)

    • Inhale: [Sch] as in “Schubert” or “shadow” (m. 67)

 

Thorough explanation of the inhalation
of first [Ha] and then [Shc]

  • Exhale, in a frequency decided by the player: [Ha] as in “harvest” or “harp” (m. 75-100)
    - relevant for Ob. 1.2, Cl. 1, Bsn., Cbsn., Timp., Perc. and all Strings (notated as slashes without stem)

 

Thorough explanation of the sound of [Ha]
and the ongoing exhale through the mouth, not the instrument:

  • Hand signs for Chapter 1-3 and End of Chapters (m. 75-119) – relevant for Conductor

 

Explanation of hands signs for Chapter 1-3
as well as for End of Chapters

  • Sound of Ocean Wind (also called Ocean Drum), example of the sound of the instrument used for inspiring the piece
    - relevant for Perc.

 
 

  • Sound of Gongs, example of the sound of the instruments used for inspiring the piece
    - relevant for Perc.

 
 

If interested you can listen to the sound file from the music program Sibelius, with or without click:

 

ABOUT THE PIECE


Best regards, Lil Lacy
March, Copenhagen, Denmark 2026

ELEMENTS (2026), 30’
for Orchestra

Composed by Lil Lacy
Commissioned by The Danish Philharmonic Orchestra
Dedicated to everyone who is in the need of feeling connected through shared hope.
World premiere by The Danish Philharmonic Orchestra and chief conductor Christian Øland
June 11, 2026; in Alsion, Sønderborg, Denmark
Published by Edition Wilhelm Hansen 

 
 

Further Questions

For any further questions or comments about the sounds or playing techniques,
please do not hesitate to contact the composer: lillacymusic@gmail.com
Thank you!