Audible and Visual DIGITAL Performance notes

NÆR (2026), for trio (Fl., Ob., Pno.)

Duration: 13’+ (depending on improvisations)

Special sounds and techniques for NÆR

Via this hidden homepage for the DIGITAL performance notes, you can find sound examples of the following techniques:

• Sound of the sustain pedal, m. 1 (relevant for Pno.)

• Sound of the damped melody w. small eraser, m. 1 and m. 79-84 (relevant for Pno.)

• Sound of whistle tones, m. 2-6, m. 83-84 and m. 125-129 (relevant for Fl.)

• Sound of exhale [Hee], m. 3-6 and m. 126-129 (relevant for Ob.)

• Sound of bend, m. 9-11 and m. 132-134 (relevant for Ob.)

• Sound of bend/gliss., m. 9-12 and m. 132-135 (relevant for Fl.)

• Sound of diamond notehead during a played phrase m. 12 and m. 135 (relevant for Fl.)

• Sound of white noise/air, m. 13-14 and m. 136-137 (relevant for Fl., Ob.)

• Sound of longer than shoulder long hair brushing over the top register of the metal strings of the piano, m. 75-86 (relevant for Fl., Ob.)

• Or sound of one larger feather brushing over the top register of the metal strings of the piano, m. 75-86 (relevant for Fl., Ob.)

• Or sound of a bundle of small feathers brushing over the top register of the metal strings of the piano, m. 75-86 (relevant for Fl., Ob.)

• Sound of flageolets inside the piano, m. 87 (relevant for Pno.)

• Sound of the damped rhythmic sounds w. large eraser, m. 88- 102 (relevant for Pno.)

• Sound of the reverberation of the very last chord of the piece, m. 142 (relevant for Fl., Ob., Pno.)

• THESE FOLLOWING THREE EXAMPLES ARE ONLY FOR LIL’S USE BEFORE ADDING THE CORRECT SOUNDS IN COLLAB WITH STEINAA TRIOEN

• Creaking sounds: [Ho-årh-oh] (m. 112-117) - relevant for Fl. 1.2, Ob. 1.2, Cl. 1.2, Bsn. 1 and all Brass
  Pronunciation:
  [Ho] as in Danish “hoved”
  [årh] as in Danish “orker” or in US English “opportunity”
  [oh] as in Danish “Ole”

• Creaking sounds: [Mm-ah-årh-mm] (m. 121-126) - relevant for Fl. 1.2, Ob. 1.2, Cl. 1.2, Bsn. 1 and all Brass
  Pronunciation:
  [Mm] as a universal sound created with a gently closed mouth
  [ah] as in US English “arrive”
  [årh] as in Danish “orker” or in US English “opportunity”
  [mm] as a universal sound created with a gently closed

• Exhale created by the mouth (not the instrument) on [Ho] (m. 433-448 and m. 460-462)
  - relevant for Cl. 1.2, Bsn. 1.2, Timp., Perc. and all Strings
  Pronunciation of [Ho] as in the Danish “hoved” (on an exhale)

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

ABOUT THE PIECE

NÆR (English translation: NEAR), is a sonic movement exploring invisible communication between close relationships.

The piece NÆR is inspired by dialogues with the Steinaa Trio about being twin siblings, as well as being very close to twin siblings. Eva Steinaa (oboe) and Maria Steinaa (flute) are twin siblings, and we wanted this piece to explore some of the nuanced details and sensitivities that 1) growing up as twin siblings, combined with 2) later on in life to furthermore be close both in one’s personal and professional life. Third member of the trio, pianist Elias Holm, have played together with Eva and Maria Steinaa for many years and they know each other very well.

We have talked about ideas for the piece together. The composer created a series of questions for the members of the trio about nearness, relations and communication. The composer and the pianist had a workshop in relation to extended soundscapes for the piano, to aim to create a kind of sonic scenography for the piece to unfold from, to invite both the musicians and the audience, to open up for sensing sounds and listening even more closely, even more near and sensitively.

 The piece explores sensing, feeling, listening, organic flexibility both in relation to sound/timbre and tempo/feeling/density of the music, playfulness, trust, outbursts of disagreement, improvisation and a constant openness to change or development; if one of the musicians are inspired to color the music slightly different, they are welcome and everyone should follow, or comment somehow.

It is all about being very attentive and open towards each other, curious, brave, daring and trusting.

 The piece has following shorter sections:

• Listening, opening your senses, awakening nearness

• To breathe together

• Two voices, same movement of thought

• Two hearts, one voice

• Unlike and disagreeing

• Sensing one another

• To feel, to listen

• In sync, out of sync, trust & exploration

• Longing for / remembering nearness

• My life witness

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Thank you Eva, Maria and Elias of The Steinaa Trio for this commission and dialogue throughout the process.

It has been deeply inspiring and wonderful to work on this piece. And to imagine the soundscapes, playfulness and warmth that you have all expressed in our dialogue about the piece.

 Thank you sincerely!

Lil Lacy, 2026
Copenhagen, Denmark

NÆR (2026), 13’+
for Trio (Fl., Ob., Pno.)

Composed by Lil Lacy
Commissioned by Steniaa Trioen
Dedicated to Steinaa Trioen
Supported by Statens Kunstfond and KODA Kultur
World premiere by Steinaa Trioen
August 20, 2026, during the From the Shadows Festival, at Unitarernes Hus, Copenhagen, DK  
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!