Preparation before the performance:

Each performer chooses a different note to be played on the lowest string (no open string should be played) and a different tempo from one beat over 12 seconds to 1 beat every second. The conductor should not know what each performer has chosen.

During the performance:

All the sections should flow smoothly, one into the other.

Section 1:

The conductor cues which ever performer he decides at any time he desires. The section begins when the conductor cues the first performer.

Once cued, the performer will play his note, st his selected tempo on every beat, arco staccato.

The section ends once all the twelve performers have been cued and after approximately three minutes have elapsed during the section.

Section 2:

This section begins once the first section has been completed and the conductor cues its start.

Once cued, all the performers s-l-o-w-l-y increase their tempo until they are all playing a tremolando.

The section finishes once all twelve performers are playing tremolandi, which should take approximately five minutes.

Section 3:

This section begins once the second section has been completed.

All the performers continue playing tremolandi for approximately thirty seconds at which point the conductor cues all the performers to stop playing.

Dynamics:

All performers should start the piece at ppp and s-l-o-w-l-y increase their volume throughout the first two sections until they reach fff at the start of the third section.

Staging:

The 12 performers should be placed in any order in an arc formation with the conductor positioned at the focus of the arc.

Variants: